Half Off! That’s Right, 50% off!

Job Interview Coaching, Career Coaching and Resume Building services are all 50% off from March 13 – April 30, 2011.  We want to help job seekers get noticed and get hired.  What better time than now to get a job!  Sign up now and pay for any of the discounted services before the end of April to receive this FANTASTIC sale.

ACT NOW!

To take advantage of this offer, click Job Interview Coaching, Career Coaching or Resume Building and get going!

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The national unemployment rate has reached double digits – 10.2% t0 be exact -  the highest since 1983.  So, what does that mean for the 89.8% of the American workforce that is employed?  Work, work, and more work – probably with no overtime pay.

What some people might not realize is that unemployment rate does not include anyone who has gone back to school, taken part-time work or simply stopped looking for a job.

US News points out there productivity may kill a job rebound – so, what does that mean for you, the job seeker?  You get one chance to shine.  You can’t count on your friends and family boosting you up the ladder of getting a job as they themselves may not have their position of power anymore.  Make sure you check out our 360 career action planning and 360 Resume Expert to stay ahead of the pack!

This is the second in a two part series of finding a new job in relatively little time for victims of the job market. Please be sure to view the first part here.

Go to Networking Events

Networking is one of the most effective ways to get your foot in the door for a potential job position. Doing this will often help you bypass the step of going through the human resources department. The most important things to consider before going to a networking event is your appearance, demeanor, and behavior. Don’t solicit yourself hard without being expressly asked to do so. Check out our brief guide on how to use Meetup as a networking tool.

Consider Career Coaching

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a new entry into the work force, or looking for a change in career path, it’s very important to consider getting some guidance. Take action with your career and try out a live, one-on-one career coaching service with 360jobinterview; our coaches can help you take a good look at your experience, your interests, and be there for you along the way of your growth.

Send in Your Resume / C.V.

You’ve found some great positions to apply to, and now it’s time to send in your spiffed-up resume along with your cover letter. This is actually one of the most difficult areas for many; Even as some who writes very frequently, I have a lot of trouble creating the perfect cover letter myself. There are a few specific qualities and guidelines to use when developing one. Definitely do not use a “fill in the blank” type from the Internet – these HR folks have seen it time and again and will pass you off as being unoriginal and not really interested in the job or the company.

Prepare for the Job Interview

This is the scariest part for many during the job hunt process. You need to look good, speak well, and, overall, be prepared. No matter what your level in your career is, irregardless of stellar qualifications, you must sit down at least once and practice what you’re going to say beforehand. It’s best to do it with another person, so why not with a hr expert from your field? Try out live one-on-one job interview coaching to position yourself above the rest of the candidates and get hired.

Get Hired

Post-interview, be sure to follow up with a thank you note to each person you interview with. Be sure that while you’re meeting with them, you ask for each of their business cards for their contact information. This will keep you fresh in their memories, and hopefully in a good way. Good luck, and now go out there and get yourself hired!

In a time when the unemployment rate is coasting off into double-digits, job seekers become concerned that they may not have what it takes to beat-out their competition. Even worse off are the folks who just don’t get why they aren’t getting any call backs after their interviews or sending in their resumes.

There comes a point when you add up the sheer amount of time spent on your job search where it seems obvious that you should invest a small amount in career coaching and resume writing to provide a catalyst that could get you employed ?

Now we must begin to question – What price are you willing to pay to get the advantage you need to score a good job? There are thousands of people, just ready to sell you their pitch, promising you that they’ll get you hired for your dream job.

So how do find the right job coach? The best resume writing service? There’s a saying that “those who can’t do, teach.” Would you take tennis lessons from someone who’s barely made it out of the local circuit, or would you go for the Andre Agassi, Serena Williams type instructor … a professional that has loads of top-level experience?

This concept applies to choosing your personal career coach. Are you taking instruction from somebody who only knows about writing a resume, or do you want to hire the services of an expert? With 360JobInterview.com, you have a pool of over 300 coaches that have been the person sorting through applications, conducting the job interviews, and making the decision on which candidate is the right one for the company.

How much would you pay for a service like this? With 300+ experts from 55+ fields there to guide you from the application process to getting your foot in the door and securing your own desk, many places would charge obscene amounts. But not here, because at 360jobinterview.com, we are here for the people, the person, the job seeker. Services for our live, one-on-one interview coaching, career action planning, and resume building run as low as $69. We work with your needs and around your schedule to provide you with the advantage you need to ace the interview and get hired. What are you waiting for? Get started today!

Here are some great posts on the 360jobinterview blog that you may have missed:

How to Get into Big Conferences & Network for Almost Free

We’ve written about the importance of networking before. It is undeniably one of the best ways to get ahead in your career, and even find a great job (or any job, at all). When someone meets a potential client/new hire/valuable contact in the flesh, it leaves them with a biased towards that person. They’ve created a connection, even was limited to a quick handshake and exchanging of business cards. Read more…

5 Surefire Ways To Screw Up Your Next Job Interview

Everyone knows the economy is junk right now and people are struggling to keep their jobs. With people being laid off left and right, it’s safe to say that there isn’t much hiring going on. Should you be lucky enough be to receiving an interview in these downward times, there are few horrendous mistakes you need to avoid making when you get the call. Make the best of this opportunity; you may not receive another one for a while. Read more…

Workplace Bloopers: 20 Hilarious Accidents and Pranks

Being at the workplace isn’t easy. Whether you work in an office, at a construction zone, a tough beat, or wherever the camera takes you, accidents are bound to occur at some point.

In hard economics times, the folks of 360JobInterview.com are aware that, once in a while, everyone needs a little humor in their life. Includes videos feature Chris Pirillo and Keven Rose. Read more…

Presenting Yourself for the Second Interview Session

So you snagged a second interview with the company. Great! Now what? You’ll likely be asked all of the same questions again, whether it is the same individual or a different interviewer. Why are they repeating these things? Didn’t they hear correctly the first time?

Of course they heard correctly the first time. The purpose of reasking the same questions deals with consistency, research, and preparedness. Do your second set of answers mesh well with the first? Did you do further research into the industry, company, and the position? Are you prepared with a plan? Read more…

Picking the Brain of a Senior Recruiter

After receiving a degree in Psychology, Brad decided that his life-long goal would be one of helping others. His love of people, alongside a desire to change peoples’ lives, was what drove him to the recruitment sector of human resources. In this economy, however, there is fierce competition in the job market, and many good, qualified people are being beat out by those with ‘inside connections’ or the ability to sell themselves more effectively. Read more…

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I recently had the pleasure of speaking directly with 360JobInterview’s Senior Management of Recruitment, Brad Kaunitz. We went over various aspects of the job search, Brad’s experiences in looking for his first job, as well as what he looks for in career and interview coaches, and what makes 360JobInterview.com stand out in a world filled with people telling you, the job seeker, they can help you get hired.

After receiving a degree in Psychology, Brad decided that his life-long goal would be one of helping others. His love of people, alongside a desire to change peoples’ lives, was what drove him to the recruitment sector of human resources. In this economy, however, there is fierce competition in the job market, and many good, qualified people are being beat out by those with ‘inside connections’ or the ability to sell themselves more effectively.

This is where Brad comes in – he works behind the scenes to find the top of the line coaches for you. There is a very rigorous screening process in place to hire only the best of the best at 360JobInterview.com. Brad evaluates previous roles in their careers, the level of decision making power they’ve had, indicators of professionalism, and, most importantly, that they have a good heart. That is what each of the 300+ career coaches and interview coaches in over 55 fields have to offer, ensuring an excellent experience for everyone. And you get them and their coaching one on one and live via Skype’s video messaging service.

Speaking of interviews, the most popular one you need to be prepared for when going into a job interview is behavioral-based interviewing. Instead of merely evaluating your skill sets and experience, recruiters and hiring managers are looking more at your personality. How would you handle a given situation? What have you done in the past to resolve a conflict on your team? Can you problem solve? Do you have any personal quirks that may make working in their particular office environment easier or more difficult?  All of these, and more, are aspects taken into consideration by the interviewer, and can make or break your interview.

The most crucial, and most overlooked, common denominator amongst interviewees is that they do not now themselves. Are they aware of their own personality quirks? Can they answer a thought-provoking question without looking off and being unprepared? Do they notice that they bite their nails or fiddle with a pen when nervous?

But are you ready to answer the tough questions? Another frequent issue, Brad says, is that many job seekers will go off on a tangent about their personal life when asked to talk about themselves.

The important, and frequently failed part of the job interview is when you’re asked to describe what you know about the job. As the potential hire, it is your responsibility to do research on the company and the position ahead of time. Utilize the company website, web search, LinkedIn, Twitter, and even Facebook to find out about the details of what the company is all about and who the people are that work there.

What’s the appropriate follow up time? After sending in your resume, the average response time ranges from one week to one month. There are between 300 and 500 applicants for the position, so it is important to follow up the next week. Post-interview, it is also appropriate to send a follow up a week later. Just because you didn’t receive a response from the hiring manager, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of the picture. Show you’re dedicated, responsible, and truly interested in the position.

Looking for a job, sending in resumes, and going on countless job interviews is frustrating. You must keep your head up and have patience. Don’t let the job market get you down. Instead, fight back by being prepared. From the fresh face, straight out of college, to the more seasoned professional, it is important to have an edge on your competition. Check out 360JobInterview’s resume building service, live career action planning, and live, one on one interview coaching.

We’re giving away 10 professionally designed resumes!

What’s the Catch?

Just tell us about your current employment situation in 500 words or less. E-mail submissions to office@360jobinterview.com

What are the Details on the Prizes?

10 lucky job hunters will receive a killer resume tailored to you, along with a 1hr coaching session to teach you how to really sell it!

How is a Winner Selected?

We’re looking for those job seekers and career builders that are determined individuals and can add a little creativity in sharing their own story.

When Does the Contest End?

Contest ends Friday, July 10th, 2009. [updated]

Applicants must be of 18 years or older and able to provide proof of US citizenship.  By participating in the Contest, where allowed by law, participants agree that the Company may disclose personal information obtained from participants in the Contest to third parties and use such information for marketing and other purposes.

I’m sure by now that many of you heard about the concept of branding. You are told that you have to do it and where to do it. No one really tells you what it is and how to create your brand both on-line and off-line. I will introduce you to some concepts of personal branding that you can use on social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as well as by having your own blog.

What is Branding?

Let us start off by examining what branding is. Branding is simply how you are perceived by others. Companies spend millions of dollars each year in advertising to try to create a certain image for their product. We know the constant barrage of commercials trying to create a favorable image emphasizing the quality of the product and associating the product with popular causes and famous people. On the personal level famous people have public relations professionals who find ways to get them publicity through personal appearances and being mentioned in the media to build their brand.

Branding and the Job Hunt

When looking for a job, branding comes into play in several areas. First, you have to create a favorable image on your resume. The resume should highlight your key competencies and examples that demonstrate that you have those skills. Second, you have to develop a pitch which creates an image to others that you have these skills and abilities. Finally you have to convey these competencies in compelling way on a personal interview. How do you begin to become aware of your personal brand? I have some exercises that will help you get started.

1. Write down three personal attributes that you want to others to be aware of about you.
2. Ask people who know you best to write down what they perceive as your top three attributes or key skills. How close do people perceive you to the way you want to be perceived?
3. If there is a mismatch, what do you need to do to change their perception of you?

Branding and Perception

Changing how people perceive you is a tricky proposition. You may be perceived with one group in a very positive way, but not with another. For example, your peers may perceive you as a great friend, fun loving and easy to get along with. But, these same dominant attributed may not be seen as positive by others who are evaluating you for a leadership position. So, if you are presenting yourself, for a higher management position, presenting yourself as strong and decisive may be important, thus the brand you try to project needs to developed to be in sync with your goals and aspirations. The help of a skilled image coach could help you. This is where 360 comes in, with a pool of experts in almost every professional field, ready to help you with its one on one Career Action Planning.

What Makes a Brand?

Let’s look at what makes up a brand. I will borrow heavily from a book “Be Your Own Brand” by David McNally and Karl Speak. A personal brand is what we are committed and what we stand for. It has to do with how we present that to the outside world and how we communicate our beliefs and abilities to people through what we say and our actions. When we are looking for a job we try to build our brand through our resume and our self presentation. Self presentation on a job search is what we say to people we meet during an event, friends and a one on one informational and contact development interview. It is also involved in what we write in cover letters and what we write about ourselves on on-line social media.

There are three characteristics of a strong brand:

1. Distinction

   First they are distinctive. That is there is something unique about that brand that differentiates it from other brands. Too many resumes read like job descriptions. They are boilerplate. When I read these resumes that people bring into me I apply the “so what” litmus test. When I say”wow!” then i know that it meets the distinctiveness criteria.

2. Relevancy

   The second criteria is that it is relevant. Other people have to consider it important. What you say about yourself must be in line with what is needed in the job market right now. So if you waited on tables or were on the events committee of your sorority, does that make a case that you will be a great financial analyst? Get rid of things that are irrelevant on your resume. Fill the resume with items that demonstrate your competencies as it relates to the job you seek. You can find out what is relevant through talking to people in your field, either through one on one or events networking. Find out what are the hot buttons in your profession or industry an address them in your self-presentation.

3. Consistency

   The third characteristic of a strong brand is consistency. The same message should be on all your resume, on line social media and in person. Successful politicians were able to deliver a consistent message throughout their campaigns so that voters got feeling as to what to expect from the candidate. You need to build a consistent message of competency in your field. When you put together your profiles on Linked In, Facebook and Twitter be sure you are delivering the same message. The personal pitch you develop for your networking and job interviews should be the same that is on your resume and social media portals.

Please consider buying this book: “Career Distinction” by William Arruda and Kristen Dixson. The book has a number of guided exercises which help you get in touch with who you are, what you have to offer the world and how to get that across to other people. And don’t forget, when it comes to truly distinguishing yourself from the crowd, 360 is there to get you noticed, and get you hired.