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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It is no secret that finding a job with a felony record can be a challenge, but with persistence and some knowledge about the Indiana job market, felons certainly can find jobs in Indiana. To be successful in a job search, felons must use all possible resources available to them and be prepared to sell themselves correctly when opportunity knocks. Techniques for both of those factors will be covered here. Continue Reading

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

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

Tough Interview Questions

A great number of interviewers often incorporate a few offbeat questions when scrutinizing a possible hire. They may do this for various reasons: to see how well you respond to stress, think on your feet, or even challenge you. Some employers may simply enjoy watching an interviewee sweat. Because it is an off-tangent question, you probably were not able to prepare for it – these questions can tackle almost anything.

The basic thing to remember when encountering such a question is that you should not let it get to you. Do not freeze like the proverbial deer in front of oncoming headlights – just buy some time to give yourself an opportunity to think. Breathe deeply, smile, and ponder the question. Some dead air is preferable to just giving an answer off the top of your head. Do not try too hard to sound intellectual or be too flippant at the same time. The worst case is that you may not be able to think of an answer, so try and ask if you could address the query later on. You will still, at least, have points for grace under pressure. If the idea strikes you, attempt to turn your answer into one related to the job, although this is something that most interviewers may not expect.

Above all, keep in mind that one can only ‘forecast’ and prepare for the interview Q and A to a certain degree. There is no way to know about all the questions an interviewer can possibly ask. Simply knowing that the unexpected should be, well, expected will give you more confidence. Forewarned is forearmed, as they say. Do not freak out, answer as calmly and as logically as you can, and this may give you the edge over other applicants and get you that coveted job.

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.

You’ve just been laid off or your position was eliminated.  Now you need to know how to search for a job smartly.  Remember, time is money and who can really live on unemployment, right?  It’s a tough market out there and using some simple tools, you can move through the transition phase much more quickly.

First, review and update your resume.  It’s always a good idea to keep your resume up to date because opportunities present themselves all the time.  Make sure your resume has no spelling or grammar errors, is neat and concise and clearly and honestly describes your experience.  Nothing will hinder your successful job search more than “padding” your resume.  Employers currently have a wealth of candidates to choose from, so lying will rule you out immediately.

Second, utilize social networking sites like LinkedIn and facebook.  This is a growing trend for job seekers and employers.  LinkedIn has job boards for various industries and many positions listed are exclusive to that site.  When searching for a job smartly, something to remember is people will hire people they like and who others like.  This is important when using social networking sites for your job search.

Make sure you don’t put anything on your facebook page that you wouldn’t want your mother to see.  If using LinkedIn, make sure you invite people to your network that will be willing to write you recommendations.  You never know who is hiring.  The best jobs are those not found on job sites.  Be smart, network.