Indiana Jobs Info

In the midst of a struggling economy, jobs are harder to come by than ever. People searching for new employment can often feel at a loss when faced with the realities of today’s economy. Actually securing an interview is a huge accomplishment, but it’s important to make sure that you stand out from the hoard of other job seekers competing for the same position. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to make certain that you’re cementing a great and lasting first impression.

1. Be on time. Sure, it’s understandable that life can often get in the way. Realistically, though, an employer is going to be immediately turned off by an applicant who can’t be bothered to show up when they’re scheduled. You may have had a horrible morning – the interviewer doesn’t want to hear it and doesn’t care. They have their own jobs to do, and your tardiness likely sets them behind schedule. So, leave extra early and wait in the parking lot if you have to, but make sure to arrive five to ten minutes before your interview is scheduled to start.
2. Come prepared. Although most employers will have your resume and sometimes even your references printed out from your application, it never hurts to bring extra copies. Also make sure to have any other paperwork or documentation they have asked for or that logic dictates you may need. They’ll be impressed that you’re thinking ahead.
3. Know about the company and job you’re interviewing for. Researching a job and a company ahead of time tells the employer that you were interested in their position, not just any position. It can also help you be better prepared for the questions that they might ask during the interview.
4. Don’t ask about money! While we all realize that money is obviously a key factor in whether or not a job is for you, it’s downright tacky to bring it up yourself. Either let them introduce the topic of payment or assume that it’s something that can be shared during a later interview.
5. Keep it friendly, but professional. Have a good attitude, make eye contact, and laugh at their jokes, but don’t go off on long winded personal tangents that have nothing to do with the position. Make sure the conversation stays focused on the position, the company, and how you fit their needs.

These five simple steps are a great building block for a fabulous first impression. Know them, live them, and you’ll be surprised at the opportunities coming your way.

Despite a slow economy, the future looks bright for those looking into truck driving jobs in Indiana. There are some preliminary steps to go through, but it is well worth it when you consider all the factors.

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When persistence pays off and you get interest from employers, you must meet the task of successfully facing a job interview as a felon. Recognize that a winning strategy includes action before, during, and after the interview. With a well-rounded plan and an honest approach, the doubts an interviewer might have can be overcome. Continue Reading

Felons struggling to find work can benefit a great deal by becoming skilled workers. Union apprenticeships are the best way to do this, for several reasons. Apprentices are paid during training, and receive substantial raises as they move through the program. Continue Reading

Dressing for Job Interview Success

Does it really make a big difference how you dress up for a job interview? In almost all cases, it does. Dressing for job interview success – this is perhaps one of the most overused job-hunting phrases, but this is also one of the most ignored by many job seekers. In hunting for a job, first impressions really matter.

Keep in mind that in job hunting, you are marketing yourself as a product to your customer, your potential employer, and believe it or not, the first thing that the employer or the interviewer sees when you greet him or her is your attire; therefore, you must exert extra effort to have appear in the interview in the attire most appropriate for the job you are applying for. Now you might ask if dressing properly and appropriately would get you the job. Definitely not, but dressing the right way will surely give the competitive edge. Continue Reading

Sometimes the simple questions may be the hardest to answer in a job interview. Aside from the fact that the applicant may be emotionally stressed during this process, a number of interview questions may be tricky. Thus, here are some of the strategies for answering difficult job interview questions. You can practice answering these questions by asking someone to play the role of the interviewer. After this, you may find out that the emotional stress is less severe and you feel more confident when you go for the interview.

One of the most common job interview questions asks you to tell something about yourself. Because this is a general question, you may be momentarily stunned by it if you are not prepared. There are so many aspects of your life that you may soon find yourself hesitating. The key to answering job interview questions is to always relate them to the position that you are applying for and the company. Thus, you can focus on your strengths and your personality traits that you feel will add value to the company.

Another hard interview question asks you to state your greatest strength. This may seem easy at first but there is a temptation to fake it. However, it is advisable to be realistic in your answer to this question because the employer will soon find out if you are telling the truth assuming that you are hired. Focus should be made on your strengths that you can apply for tasks that will be required by the position.

Another difficult interview question is, of course, about your greatest weakness. Some applicants try to answer this question by disguising a positive as a negative trait. However, interviewers can easily recognize this strategy. It would be better to state a particular weakness and then describe how you have overcome it.

Interview Based Questions for Felons

Interview based questions for felons are quite similar to those that are often used for all kinds of applicants. However, felons may be at a disadvantage when competing for a particular job against applicants who have not served a jail term. Nevertheless, felons can enhance their chances of getting hired by determining the specific requirements of the employer.

They should keep in mind during the job interview that interviewers usually look for certain traits. These include honesty and integrity, good communication skills, teamwork skills, strong work ethic, self-motivation or initiative, interpersonal skills, positive attitude, dependability, and adaptability.

A common interview question requests you to tell something about yourself. The best way to answer this is to take note of your positive traits and strengths, work experience and skills that make you qualified for the job. Make sure that you practice answering this question until your response appears to be natural and spontaneous.

Another usual interview question is why you left your previous job. The important rule to follow here is to never say anything negative about your former employer or company even if it is true. If you do this, your prospective employer will know that you will also be bad mouthing him when you leave him. Simply indicate that you wanted a job that is more challenging and that would provide you with a better chance for advancement.

Of course, a very important question in the “why you were convicted and sent to prison?” one! It is vital to prepare for this question. The technique is to explain that you now regret your previous errors and that you have already learned your lesson. You can also add those things that you have done to counter your weaknesses and to improve yourself to make sure that you will not commit the same mistake again.

Indiana Employment Statistics

There are various places on the Internet where a person can look up Indiana employment statistics. These include the websites of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Unites States Department of Labor. Information on employment in Indiana is important for job seekers, employers, educators, and economic developers.

For job seekers, data on employment statistics in Indiana are important for information on career assistance, the occupations, the labor force, and Indiana Career Connect. For employers, employment statistics data are vital with regards to demographics, area profiles, income and wages, employer’s services, and education. For economic developers, the data on employment are essential with regards to education, economic indicators, demographics, area profiles, industry, income and wages, labor force, and occupations.

And important source of information on employment statistics in Indiana is the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. LAUS is a statistical program that computes the annual and monthly average estimates for employment, labor force, unemployment and unemployment rate for several areas. Labor force is the sum of the employed and the unemployed. These areas include states, census regions and divisions, metropolitan divisions, metropolitan areas, combined areas, micropolitan areas, counties, small labor market areas, cities, and county equivalents.

Projections on employment and the unemployment rate are also important for federal programs that provide certain benefits. These include the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Workforce Investment Act, Public Works Program, Food Stamp limitation waivers, Labor Surplus Area Designation Program, and the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program.

I have an interview, what are they going to ask me?!  Answering tough interview questions is a frightening prospect when a job is hanging in the balance.  It doesn’t have to be that scary, preparation will get you a long way.  But what about answering the tough interview questions that come from out of nowhere?

How do you answer questions like “if you could have lunch with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?”  Much of answering these questions involves assessing your ability to think on your feet.  Be prepared to answer that without much thought.

You should choose your hero and explain why they are your hero.  It does not necessarily have to relate to the position, it will give an interviewer insight into your personality.  There is no wrong answer to that question.

One of the toughest and most common questions is “where do you see yourself in 5 years?”  You must always answer that question with respect to the company you’re interviewing with.  Be specific if possible.  Be careful not to threaten the person interviewing you.  Read that as “where do you want to be?”  Your answer may help you move through the ranks.

You must be honest.  Many people are comfortable in their role and don’t want more than that.  Employers also like that answer as they don’t want to have to fill a position every year or two.  There are lots of great resources available, check some out and be prepared.

Felon Job Search

How to find a job if you’re a felon is a tough question.  There are many things you can and cannot do.  You’re at a new beginning.  So if you are still under court supervision, you must be working in an atmosphere where your employer will understand your parole or work release requirements.

You will be restricted from positions working around firearms and explosives as well as Government jobs and jobs that require licensure.  That does not mean you will not be able to work.

Working for a small business employer may be a great option for you.  Many small employers need people who are willing to work hard and improve not only their own situation but that of the company.  They typically work with a small staff and with close supervision.  This is a perfect situation for a felon willing to work hard.  You can work in skilled and unskilled labor positions.

Temporary services may be a good option to check into for day labor, construction and manufacturing jobs.  The most important thing to remember when wondering “how to find a job if you’re a felon”  is that honesty will serve you well.  You must be prepared to discuss your conviction at length and assure potential employers that you know crime doesn’t pay.

Also, education is important.  If you need to get your GED, do it.  Or if you can attend community college this will help you build the skill set you need to find employment.