How to get promoted? (1/3)
By Administrator | March 10, 2010
by mheo soriano
Are you the type who just sits in a corner watching your colleagues achieve success in their careers while you yourself stagnate in your position?
You put everything in Lady Luck’s hands, and you wait for your so-called “break” which never seems to come.
Sorry to burst your bubble my friend, but in the real world promotion is not all pure luck, first you must have the necessary skills and abilities for the job, but more importantly you have to have a goal and the desire to reach it.
You shouldn’t just wait for the right opportunity because opportunities will not just show themselves to you.
You should make your own.
To be continued
Topics: Job Motivation Tips | No Comments »
Job Interview Tips When Applying for a Legal Assistant Position
By Administrator | March 3, 2010
Interviewing for a legal assistant position is not very different from applying for other jobs. As with any job interview, you should be well prepared, present yourself effectively, and make sure you leave a pretty good impression on your interviewer. However, there are some key points that you have to remember if you want to increase your chances of landing a legal assistant position. Below are some helpful tips for a successful interview.
Do your homework
Before your interview, it is important that you do some research about the organization and gather information on the company’s background, performances and future plans. Find out all that you can about the company through personal contacts, written materials, or the internet. It is also best to know the biographies, accomplishments and legal practices of the attorneys that you might be working with in the future. During the interview, you should ask relevant questions to show your interviewer that you have indeed done sufficient research about the company. Also, make sure you find out what kind of law the company is specializing in. For example, if the position of legal assistant is for real estate law, you should have some knowledge about closings and real estate law.
Refresh your memory
Most people tend to forget certain terminologies over time. It’s either you have been out of work for a long time, or simply don’t encounter all the technical or legal terminologies in your previous or current job. It’s time to go back to your old notes and books, and refresh your memory with some of the legal terminologies that the interviewer may use during the interview.
Wear appropriate business attire
You should wear the appropriate business attire. Though law firms have casual business attire, it is still advisable to look presentable during your interview. Prepare the relevant materials that you will need to take with you, like a complete portfolio containing copies of your resume, transcript of records, certifications, references, and other pertinent materials that show your accomplishments. In addition, make sure that you have a pen and a piece of paper with you so that you can take down notes during the interview.
Be on time
Show your enthusiasm to join the company and let your interviewer know that you are very interested in what they do and what they can offer. In the legal world, time is very important. Never arrive late for your interview; you should make it a point to arrive at least 15 minutes early. This will show the interviewer that you are serious about the job you are applying for.
Stress on your best qualities and always stay calm
Try to present yourself as a person who is helpful, thoughtful and trustworthy. Bear in mind that legal assistants are required to keep confidential business information, so being prudent is very important. Remember to maintain eye contact at all times, listen attentively to the interviewer’s questions and take time to organize your thoughts. Make sure you take part in an interesting conversation about the firm, your work, and yourself. Relax and stay calm throughout the interview.
Relate qualifications to the need of the company
When you are asked questions about your qualifications or experience as a legal assistant, you should direct your answers to what you know about the company, and relate your strengths and accomplishments to the needs of the company. Give specific examples of your credentials as a legal assistant, and if possible, give a complete account of the different projects you have done in the past, your responsibilities in those projects and the importance of those projects to your position as a legal assistant in your previous working environments.
Do not pass judgment on your former employer
Never say anything awful about your current or previous employers. Always keep in mind that the legal world is very small. Who knows, the person you are spiteful of may be a friend or relative of your interviewer.
Show interest in the position you are applying for
As the interview comes to a close, you should let your interviewer know that you are very much fascinated with the position that the company is offering and inquire about the next step that you will need to take to complete your legal assistant position application. It is also good to ask when you can expect to hear from them about your application. At the same time, don’t forget to shoot a thank you email within 24 hours after your interview.
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Banking Interview Questions
By Administrator | March 1, 2010
Banking interviews are meant to gauge the potential of the candidate to see if he/she has the skills to be placed in any suitable post in the bank. Banking interview questions are meant to measure the attitude, skill and adjustability of the candidate, to draw a conclusion on his/her suitability in the firm. The interviewers will ask as many questions they think is necessary before recruiting any candidate as they are concerned with the fact that the quality and skills of the employees will determines the future of the company.
To become successful in the banking interview process, you need to be well prepared to face the different sets of banking interview questions. Banking interview questions also starts with some general questions about the candidate such as his/her family background, education, and interests. The second and third set of banking interview questions will be meant to know the candidate’s work experience, nature, capacity, ideology, and ability to solve problems. Answering to the fist set of banking interview questions related to your family, qualification, or future planning will be quite easy.
Let us discuss some of the common but very effective banking interview questions.
The interviewer may typically begin with ‘tell me about yourself”. It is a common opener which is meant to set the ball rolling for the next few minutes ahead. Even though this is the common question which will be asked in most of the interviews you can score brownie points by answering the question a bit differently, but at the same time not deviating much from the context.
Other commonly asked banking interview questions include:
General Questions
Why did you choose banking as your profession?
Do you have any previous experience?
Why you left your previous job?
Why do you want to work for us?
How long will you stay with us?
Where you see yourself in another five years?
Finance related banking interview questions
If you could buy one stock today, what would it be and why?
Can you explain the effect of rising interest rates on the United States economy?
What are the main issues ABC Company has to face before entering a given industry (Porter framework)?
Explain the techniques you use to value firms?
What do you mean by cost of capital?
When do you use a WACC versus a cost of equity?
Behavioral Questions
Do you think you have leadership quality? Can you explain when did you show leadership?
Have you think you can perform well in a group?
What is your most noted accomplishment?
What are your positive traits or strengths?
What are your negative traits or weaknesses?
What you can do for the company others people can’t?
Explain an example when you had a personal conflict and how you resolved it?
Tell a time when you had an ethical dilemma and how you resolved it.
What type of person do you find difficult to get along with?
The above mentioned are some of the common questions that are used by most of the banking interviewers. Remember that for a banking job interviewer, there cannot be a dearth for questions. So be well prepared before attending the interview and answer all questions in a positive way. Remember if you have the material they are looking for, you’ll get it.
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Tips For Dealing With Job Loss
By Administrator | February 24, 2010
The solution to dealing with a job loss is to suck it up, deal with the situation, and start aggressively looking for a new job. Running away and hiding is not going to solve anything.
You are going to feel angry, you are going to feel depressed, and you are going to feel frustrated but at the end of it all, you are going to have to deal with it.
How to Deal With Job Loss
-Accept reality – one of the first things you have to do when you are without a job is that you are going to have to accept the harsh reality that you have no job, you have no income, and you have to start looking for a job all over again. Anger, frustration, shock and acceptance are the emotions you are going to have to go through.
These will then have to be taken over by a plan of action. What are you going to do to get through this situation? This is the first question you should ask yourself.
-Understand your financial position – most people have a false sense of security where their finances are concerned. They all think that they have enough money to live on for the next year or the next few months and that this will give them sufficient time to deal with getting another job. This is not the case. Meet with your accountant and find out the true condition of your finances.
You may not have enough money to support you for the next 3 months, let alone one year. The position of your finances will help you understand and evaluate what needs to be done next. Do you need to take up a temporary job to support yourself or your family while you work at getting the ideal job? Do you need to take a loan? These questions, once answered, will help you chalk out a plan.
While understanding your finances, you also need to assess your cash flow, your debts, your savings, and your assets.
-Formulate a plan – this is the most important step in dealing with your job loss. Formulating a plan gives you a systematic and step-by-step guide on what to do and when.
The first step is to get your entire family involved. This means informing your kids, your spouse, parents and in-laws that you are now without a job. This will help them be more supportive towards you and also will help them help you save money by cutting down on expenses.
Always prioritize your debts. Knowing which bills are of utmost importance and which need to be paid first is necessary to avoid any financial problems right from the start.
Expenses and income needs to be proportioned. This helps you to know about your spending power. Avoid using your credit card as much as possible.
Inform your creditors of your situation as this will help them be more understanding towards you.
Get a credit counselor to handle your finances and to help you with your credit and creditors.
-Get the right perspective – you have lost your job and are unemployed. It is a bad thing, but you need not look at it that way. Looking at it with a positive attitude helps and gives you the right perspective to deal with the situation. To have the right perspective, you need to accept that bad things happen, that this is a temporary phase and will pass, and that the important thing is to focus on the things you have and not what you are missing.
Dealing with a job loss is not easy; it happens to most and to the best. The key to recovering is recovering with grace and dignity.
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Job Interview Tips You Can Use to Ace the Interview and Land the Job
By Administrator | February 12, 2010
A job interview is not the most harrowing thing you will go through in your life, but that can be very hard to believe as you walk into the office of your prospective employer! Unless you’re very lucky, at one point or another, you will be going through this ordeal. Though it might be nerve-wracking, there is no reason you cannot come through it with flying colors by keeping in mind these job interview tips. The job interview tips below have been gathered from managers and interviewers and they definitely bear keeping in mind
Before you even walk into the building for the first time, there are things you can do to control the situation. The first, most obviously, is to be well-dressed and well-groomed. You have the opportunity to plan your first impression and you should do so accordingly. To mentally steel yourself for the experience, learn everything you can about the company you’re interviewing with.
What is their corporate mission statement? Finding out this information can give you a real edge in the interviewing process. You can tailor your response to match their policies and the fact that you have put in the extra effort to learn about them will show your prospective employers how serious you are.
Remember that the interviewer will be evaluating the way you present yourself, and not just the answers you give. You can give a perfectly good answer to a question and still not get the job if you deliver it poorly. Relax and think before you talk. Your posture will reveal a great deal about you. Sit up straight and make good eye contact with the interviewer. Be polite and engaging, but remember to avoid slang.
Most importantly, don’t lie! Lies can caught, and while not knowing something might not be a bar to employment, being a liar definitely is. To avoid seeming arrogant, ask no questions about the salary or benefits until a job offer is made.
Don’t forget that the company is looking for the right person to fill their position and that person might not be you. If you are lacking something that they’re looking for, no number of job interview tips will win you the position. Make sure that you are qualified for every job you apply for.
It never hurts to be prepared. Even if it’s not requested, there are certain things to bring to every interview. A social security card, your resume, your references, your transcripts and your government-issued ID are all things that are good to have with you when you walk in.
Afterwards, no matter how you feel the interview went, smile and thank your interviewer and later follow up with a thank-you note. Whether or not you get the job, this will cement you in the company’s memory as a thoughtful candidate. Remember that just because you don’t get one position doesn’t mean you won’t get another in the same company.
These job interview tips are things you should keep in mind; they’re great ways to avoid tripping as you put your best foot forward!
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Welcome to BankingJobPromotionTips
By Administrator | February 10, 2010
Welcome to our new blog about Banking Jobs ideally named BankingJobPromotionTips.com
This is a blog especially made to help you succeed in your chosen profession. And that’s in the Banking Career, of course. I will be posting news, articles and even job openings as well as Job Interview Tips to help you on your path to success. Also stay tuned for tips on how to motivate yourself to succeed in your chosen careers.
That’s why I’m here to help you out by educating readers and give them useful tips, and effective strategies and informative news.
Topics: Announcements, Banking Job Tips | No Comments »
Job Interviews – Tips For Identifying Your Strengths and Landing the Job You Want
By Administrator | January 30, 2010
All successful job interviews are based around a certain structure. This structure allows hiring managers to pick up on all of the main characteristics that will determine whether you are suitable for the position. One of the most predominant of these characteristics is your strengths.
Strengths are so broad that you can literally use any example, either in employment or personally outside of work. The great thing about talking about your strengths in an interview is that you can use non-work examples to cover up lack of experience or skills.
Ultimately, the employer is trying to ascertain whether you have the personality, attitude and capability to do the job in question. Therefore, skills can be learned but strengths are long term developments…meaning that if you don’t have any strengths when applying for the job (in any capacity) then you’re going to be far less desirable than your competitors.
Here’s a few tips to identify your strengths when asked this potentially make or break question during an interview…
Identifying Your Strengths
Start by asking friends and family what they would describe as your strengths as a person. Then ask your current employer for a more professional approach.
Finally, simply look over achievements you’ve made in your life and identify what strengths were required to make those particular achievements. This way, not only will you identify some of your best strengths (whether it be anything from positivity to typing skills…), but you will also have a clear example to give which will add much needed proof to your claims.
Let’s look at some other strengths that you might want to consider…
Strengths That Are Based On Work Skills
These are actual hands on strengths such as:
- Being able to type 60 words per minute,
- Being able to solve technical problems
- Being able to organize your daily tasks
- Being able to communicate effectively
Emotional and mental strengths
Strengths can also be represented in your mental attitude. Some examples of this would be:
- Being able to handle stressful situations
- Being able to motivate yourself
- Being able to work well in a team
- Being able to cope with negativity and remain positive
- Being able to stay calm under pressure
Essentially, these are just a fraction of possible strengths you might posses. These types of strengths will always be welcomed with open arms in any job application. Providing you take the time to prepare some examples (which the employer might actually ask you for), then you stand a great chance of getting one step closer to winning that dream job.
Remember, every individual has their own strengths based on a unique combination of skills and mental attitude. Try to think beyond the obvious strengths you have, such as the example above, and think of key characteristics that people see in you above anyone else…
…because these are the strengths that will also set you apart in your job interview too.
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First Time on the Job? Top Ten Workplace Tips For Teens
By Administrator | January 16, 2010
Whether you are new to the workplace or still looking for the right place to start, here are a few things to keep in mind to make your first working experience a successful one.
You show a great deal about who you are in your approach to your work. Demonstrate that you respect yourself enough to honor your commitment to your job. Be willing to give your best and be happy to be useful. Be courteous. Are you pleasant to work with? Are your co-workers happy to spend time with you? Look carefully at your behavior. Employers want employees who can get along with everyone and are pleasant to be around. Never put people down or engage in mean gossip, or allow others to gossip to you. Keep both your promises and your confidences. Make sure you are never late. Being late must never be more than a rare occurrence. Show that you are both dependable and responsible. Truly make it a habit to think before you speak. Communicate as clearly as you can and always speak with respect. Being a good listener is a skill that few fail to appreciate. This skill alone will help you immensely and when coupled with not interrupting others, will greatly contribute to your on-the-job success. Make sure to dress appropriately. Overly suggestive clothes are not for the workplace. Dress the way the person responsible for your promotions expects you to dress. You may find that now is a good time to change how you manage your time. Work on developing the habit of planning ahead; for instance, make sure your work clothes are clean and that you have gas in your car well ahead of time. You may want to start a few new routines such as using a daily planner. Take the necessary actions to remain organized and to adjust to your new responsibilities. Approach every job challenge and difficult situation as an opportunity to increase both your workplace and your interpersonal skills. Whatever your job, remember that there is dignity in work, and great satisfaction can be gained from knowing you do your particular job well and give your best. Don’t forget that the contacts you make during your first job may turn out to be life changing and affect the course of future events. For instance, leaving a lasting good impression with your employer may go a long way. You may need another job in the future or a strong personal reference for college or for a better job!
Copyright by Stonewood Publications. All rights reserved.
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A roadmap to success
By Administrator | January 10, 2010
Identify your personal career goals, make a plan, or come up with a winning strategy to be able to achieving you goals and stick to it!
Be realistic in setting goal and plans, research your options carefully, aim high but give a decent timeline to achieve those set goals. Also be flexible and learn to use failures and setbacks as fuel to achieve your set goal onward to success and not as energy to feed your growing doubt and disappointment.
Set a short-term goals for daily task or even monthly task, then mid-term goals which can be achieved in about 2 -5 years or maybe even less than a year. And long-term goal which can be attained after the complete of the previous goals which at least about 10-15 years.
Topics: Banking Job Tips | No Comments »
Interview Tips For First Time Job Seekers
By Administrator | January 5, 2010
You must remember that the world of business is a people oriented job no matter what the job is. By attending multiple interviews you are gaining contacts in your field, and presenting yourself as a possible co-worker. When you are starting interviews be prepared to meet and greet people from many companies. All of these new faces can help your career down the road even if you aren’t hired by them. You want to become familiar with all the players in your profession that you can. It always helps to have key players from other companies who know you and trust you.
Hopefully, you will find a match with a company that meets your needs and also wants your skills over other applicants. The process of matching yourself with the right company starts with an interview and the submission of a resume. A cover letter and several recommendations are usually required also.
An interview with a company official should be approached with careful preparation. The outcome of the interview is the most important factor in determining whether you will be hired or not.
A job interview is your first contact with a prospective employer. You definitely want to be well dressed, prompt and as relaxed as possible for the interview itself. Remember first impressions will last throughout the relationship you have with your employer.
When you arrive, the interviewer will have some specific things that need to be answered by you. You can help yourself get hired by simply following the cues of the interviewer. Be polite and answer all of the questions honestly. Let the interview flow as smoothly as possible by waiting for the interviewer to prompt you for your answers. Be professional in your responses and show a caring attitude along with a genuine desire for employment. Let the job interviewer run the interview. Try your best to come across clearly when answering the interviewer’s questions.
The interviewer will ask you for a resume. This document shows the interviewer your qualifications and educational background. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself. You will have to give a copy to each prospective employer.
Prepare a resume that includes your educational background, your prior work experience in the related fields to the job that you are applying for, and all required personal information. This would include your name and address, contact telephone number, and a message phone number also. Keep your resume brief. Most interviewers only read the highlights of the resume anyway. They will spend less than a minute reading it.
Most employers are looking for team players. They want to hire someone who can be friendly and who will integrate well with the office workers that are already there. This is why your first impression at the interview is so important. If you establish a friendly rapport with the interviewer, they will pass this along to the person who makes the final decision on hiring. Every employer wants to hire someone who is highly qualified, has a strong desire to produce results and is friendly.
Some tips to help you land the job you want:
1. Never ask about how much the job pays.
2. Do your research on the company. Talk to some employees before the interview. This will give you a feel for the work environment and job requirements. The more you know the better.
3. Don’t brag to the interviewer. You won’t impress them. Besides the best way to make friends is to listen carefully and interact appropriately. The interview will be a successful one if you simply establish good rapport.
4. Be respectful of the interviewer’s time. Don’t elaborate with unnecessary talk.
5. Thank the interviewer upon leaving. Shake hands and give a warm smile. Give the impression to your interviewer that you like the company and let them know once again how much you are interested in the position. Then exit with grace and purpose. The result will be a win-win situation for all concerned.
By presenting yourself as professional, you will enter the world of business with more allies and a brighter future in your chosen field. People are always happy to accommodate others who are helpful and committed to working for the common good. Be confident of your ability to land that good job that you want. It’s really a matter of making the right connections and following through with honest hard work. Put your best foot forward and look ahead to a great career.
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