Indiana Jobs Info

Job interviews are dreaded by many people in the United States. It is completely understandable given the state of the economy. Now, more than ever, it is important to shine in an interview to give you the boost to being hired. However, with the pressure of needing to absolutely succeed at the interview comes the nerves and worry that often hinder one’s ability to perform at maximum capacity. Take a minute to go through the following tips that will help you mentally prepare for any job interview, no matter how much pressure you feel in performing your best.

Get a good night’s rest. Getting your full average number hours of rest can do wonders on your body, including relaxing your muscles and providing you with longer energy throughout your day. You might be thinking when you get excited it’s harder to fall asleep. To help fix this, you must first turn off all stimulation to your mind about 10-15 minutes prior to when you want to fall asleep. This includes anything that provide light (laptop, lamps, television, cell phone, etc.) and other sources of entertain that stimulate your brain (books, word puzzles, etc.).  This should help you relax your brain and allow it to sink into a deep sleep.

The day before or morning of your interview take time to print off two copies of your resume, one for the interviewer in case they can’t find yours right away and one for yourself to follow along and point things out on. It’s extremely important to know what your resume says and where everything is. The last thing you want is for your interviewer to mention that they say something on your resume and you can’t find where it is quickly enough. It is your resume and you should know it like the back of your hand.

Another important part to prepare for your job interview is to review the job title, description, and current information regarding your field. By doing so, you will be able to incorporate qualities about yourself that tie directly back to the job description during your interview.  You will also be able to demonstrate your knowledge and aptitude for your field by knowing up-to-date news. Knowing this information will boost your self-esteem and will transfer as confidence to the interviewer, which is always a positive trait in the professional world.

Finally, it’s important to allocate about 30 minutes of extra travel time than is necessary. You should always arrive at the location of your interview about 15-20 minutes before your interview time to give yourself time for parking, checking in, finding the room, etc. However, giving yourself an extra 30 minutes will all for any traffic accidents that might slow you down and/or for traffic in general. Worst case scenario is that you didn’t need the extra 30 minutes and you’ll have 30 extra minutes to go over materials that will prep you for your interview, such as your resume and/or newspaper.

The main thing to remember is to remain cool, calm and collected. With the right preparation your interview will go as smooth as you could hope. Follow these simple tips and you’ll do great. Good luck on your interview.

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.

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

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

Do you want to know why an interview thank you letter helps a job applicant? Well, not all people applying for a job get the chance to be interviewed. Some companies have the initial screening process where they check the resume or curriculum vitae (CV) if that person is really qualified for the job he or she is applying for. Thus, if you are called for an interview; that means you are one step higher than those didn’t receive an interview invitation.

It is professionally courteous to send each of your interviewers a thank you letter, as soon as possible after the interview has taken place. Interviewers expect it and it will also remind them of you especially if they are already making their decision of hiring the person they need. It might also help you beat out those job candidates who are also qualified but failed to thank them through a thank you letter.

Another reason why an interview thank you letter helps is it gives you the second chance to include everything you forgot to mention during the interview. Moreover, it will help you confirm your understanding of issues and topics discussed; thus, any misunderstanding later will be avoided.

You can send a thank you letter through email or FAX to make sure that it reaches the interviewer in minutes. Do not forget to ask for contact info or business cards during your interviews.

Do not forget to write your interview thank you letter professionally. It should be in a business letter format and should be personalized and tailored for each interviewer. Now that you know the reasons why an interview thank you letter helps, you should never forget it next time you are called for an interview.

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.

It isn’t easy for a person convicted of a felony to get a job in Indiana. Many companies conduct investigations into the backgrounds of people who are applying for a job. Nevertheless, it is still possible to get a job with the assistance of government agencies and some organizations.

The Indiana Department of Labor leads the government agencies in this state in helping individuals with felony records get back on their feet again by getting decent jobs to help them become self-sufficient. Tax credits are provided to companies hiring ex-felons and fidelity bonding insurance is offered to persons who cannot get the usual commercial bonding. Job placement assistance is also provided by the government through the Community Action Program.

Organizations that offer help to ex-felons in getting a job include the Fletcher Place Ministry and the Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana. The ministry offers the Next Step Programs that help an ex-felon become employed after he has attended a series of seminars. On the other hand, Goodwill Industries offer various services to ex-felons, including general assistance in looking for a job and transitional employment.

The Resource Centers of Goodwill Industries provide general assistance such as providing tips on how to look for job leads, writing resumes, filling up application forms and other requirements, going for the job interview, and job retention. Meanwhile, in the transitional employment service, Goodwill Industries provide temporary jobs to ex-felons to help them get the work experience that they may need when applying for other jobs.

Individuals with felony records discover the harsh reality that many companies are not willing to hire them the moment they get out of jail and try to find a job. It is a hard fact that many businesses even conduct investigations on the backgrounds of job applicants and refuse to accept those with criminal records. And even if they do find work, the pay is usually low.

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Before the Job Interview Tips

Doing your homework about a company before the interview can really make a difference. The more you already know about the company, the more relaxed you’ll feel during the job interview. Also, knowing more about the company upfront, you’ll be able to come up with good questions for the interviewer. Continue Reading