• Home
• About

Subscribe

Retail Management Careers - More Than Just A Retail Job

The manager of a retail store is the person who is in charge of scheduling employees, supervising shifts, and/or dealing with customer complaints. A retail management job pays better than a position like cashiering, and offers more power, which some people may find to be very attractive. Becoming a manager isn’t easy, but it is a possible goal to achieve if you love working in the retail industry.

To get a retail management job you first need experience. If you haven’t worked at the store in the past, you must have prior experience with management at another store. Otherwise, you need to work your way up the ranks from a lower position, like cashier. This process allows the current management to become familiar with you and your work habits.

If you have your eye on a particular store and you also have the management experience to get hired, you also need to make sure that there is a position open for you. If there is not, taking a lower position at the same store may work in your benefit when the next manager leaves. Not only will you know right away when there is a vacancy, but you will also allow the store management to become familiar with you and allow them the chance to consider you for management from the beginning.

Working your way up from the bottom may sound tedious (and it can be), but it can also be viewed as an audition and a learning experience. If you intend to become a manager, than consider the rules that you are supposed to be following in your current position. If you stick to the rules correctly and gently guide your fellow employees toward the same, you will stick out as a leader and as someone who can follow directions.

Gently guiding your co-workers may prove difficult, but this is not the time to turn to management for help. Suggest ways that they can follow the rules without trying to force them, and set a good example by following the rules yourself. These are both great ways to show that you have leadership potential and that you are dedicated to doing things right for the company.

If you want to be a manager, it also does not hurt to talk to current management about it. Let them know that you are interested in a position with more responsibility, and they may be willing to work with you through special training or offer you positions that allow you to show them that you are trustworthy and responsible.

People who want to be retail managers may be taken through a training program. These programs can involve many different things, but usually help you become better acquainted with the specific rules for your company as well as policies and procedures that managers need to know. A management program may also help you to become more familiar with leadership strategies and techniques so that you can function better within the company when the time comes for you to take control.

Becoming a manager in a retail store can be a challenge, but if you are ready to be challenged and are interested in a leadership position that will give you better pay and more responsibility, then management is a good place to look. Work hard, but work smart, too, and you will soon be able to set yourself apart from your coworkers as someone who steps forward, does what needs to be done, and is willing to work hard to succeed.

Working in retail you can work your way from the floor to the corporate office. Retail management jobs pay well, include benefits, and merchandise discounts. Retail jobs can be more than selling shoes and cashiering according to JobMonkey summer jobs writer Lisa Jenkins

How To Use Employment Agencies To Find A Job Super Fast

If you’ve ever been unemployed and had to search for a new job, you know that the search for a new job is a job in itself. To maximize your time and resources and find a new job as quickly as possible, you could really use some help. After admitting you need help finding a job, you need to know where to get that help and how to apply it in the most useful way. The best way to do this is to get help is from employment agencies.

Employment agencies possess many different tittles, but they all have the same goal - to get you a job. Some people are afraid to use employment agencies because they think they are getting scammed somehow. The truth is you don’t have to worry about getting “ripped off” by these companies because they don’t make money until you do. Once the agency finds you a job they get a percentage of what your income will be so they will be working their hardest to find you a job with the highest paying income possible.

Employment agencies can also go by Staffing Agencies, Staffing Companies, Personnel Agencies, Temporary Employment Agencies, Recruiters, Recruiter Agencies, Employment Placement Agencies, etc. Remember: although some employment agencies title themselves as “Temporary Employment” they also have full time jobs that they need to fill, so don’t rule out agencies that use this term. Some companies are going to start you off in a temporary job and move you forward as they see how reliable you are (this is also known as TEMP - TO - PERM), so don’t blow off a job just because they offer you a job that starts out as “temporary”

Just one agency typically has 4-5 people assisting you in finding work. Every day, this group of people calls their clients telling them what an astounding employee you will be and tells them about all the skills you have to offer for their company. If the company is interested, then your agency sets up a face-to-face interview for you. At this point, it’s your turn to make sure you impress the employer and don’t make a liar out of the agency. You can see how much one agency can assist you in finding a job super fast, so, you need as many agencies as possible helping you. The more people there are assisting you, the faster you can find the job you want.

Now the ball is in your court. Every day, you need to send out a 100 resumes a day to 100 employment agencies. Can’t find that many employment agencies? Start with the local yellow pages and find every employment agency you can. This includes agencies from any place offering any type of work. Even if it’s in a different industry or out of your preferred area, the agency may like what they see and recommend you to other agencies or companies.

By the end of the week, you can have 2,000+ people working just to find you work. If you don’t have a job by then, it is just like washing your hair - you have to repeat. Send out 100 resumes to 100 employment agencies a day until you have a job. Keep sending your resume out until an agency or company says there interested or simply says “STOP SENDING US YOUR RESUME”. No matter what, keep sending out your resume until you get a response. Persistence and perseverance is the key.

Did you know it takes 9 months for the average American to find a job? Can you afford to wait that long? Brad Rhoton has been Vice President of local and national employment agencies all over the US for over twenty years, and has used his experience to write a book called How to Find a Job Super Fast. Now you can use Brad’s time-tested tips to find a job in days instead of weeks: http://www.JobsSuperFast.com

Career Reinvention

There are times in everyone’s career that you feel like running away and starting all over again, and I’m here to say that you can do it!

I’ve reinvented my career five times including being a disc jockey in radio, public relations director in professional sports, community relations director in television, regional marketing manager in finance, and now I’m a global technical project manager in high tech.

If you’d like to change careers but worried that your salary would decrease, take comfort in knowing that each time I changed careers I received a pay increase!

Reinventing your career means repackaging your skills, qualifications and accomplishments so that you can transition into a new job role, company or industry. Here are five steps to help you transition into a new career more quickly, easily and maybe even with a higher salary!

1. Where’s your passion? The first step is to identify where you want to go. In which industry would you like to work? Advertising? Finance? Health Care? When I wanted to stop being a disc jockey, I knew that I wanted to go into television. And after a successful career in television, I then set my sights on getting into Corporate America. I wasn’t sure what kind of job role I wanted (or could get!), but the first step was determining the industry where I wanted to work.

If you’re not sure where you want to go (just that where you are now is definitely the wrong place!) then read trade magazines, industry publications and classified ads in your local newspaper. Visit a bookstore and browse through books and magazines to see what grabs your attention. The key is to figure out what lights your fire and inspires you.

2. What are your transferable skills? These are skills that transition from industry to industry, or from job role to job role. Examples include: managing projects, teams, clients or budgets, as well as negotiating contracts, or proposing and implementing ideas that generate money, save money, or help the company be more competitive.

Other transferable skills include personal characteristics such as demonstrating leadership or risk taking, training or mentoring team members, being goal driven, results oriented, a problem solver, or having the ability to influence senior managers. These are great skills to have, and they transfer from industry to industry. All kinds of industries and companies value employees with these types of skills and characteristics.

3. Matching your transferable skills to job roles. Read job descriptions posted on-line at CareerJournal, CareerBuilder and Monster, as well as the classified ads in industry magazines, trade journals, and local newspapers. If you want to work for a specific company then check out their website’s on-line job postings. Learn the skills and qualifications required for various job roles.

Match your transferable skills to those jobs you want to go after. If there’s a gap between the required skills and the skills that you currently have, then look for ways to gain that experience such as taking on an extended assignment in your current job, freelancing, consulting, or even volunteering.

Also, attend industry conferences, trade shows, business networking events and association meetings. Talk to people who work in the industry to learn about their career path, responsibilities, and advice for how to break into the business.

4. Blow up your resume. The first thing I always did before I transitioned into a new career was blow up my resume. Trying to piece together a resume that highlighted the skills I used to get my last job with the skills I need to land my next job is like trying to weld together Lexus parts on a BMW. It doesn’t work. You need a brand new resume.

Showcase only those jobs, responsibilities and successes that relate to the job you want. The hiring manager doesn’t care about every job you’ve ever had. They just want to know, Can you do their job? You may also want to get a professional resume critique to help you customize your resume and identify your transferable skills.

5. Attitude is the key ingredient! I’ve found that getting a new job really boils down to two things: confidence and passion. I’ve never walked into an interview having met all of the job requirements. In fact, for the television interview, I lacked the two biggest requirements which were a minimum of two years experience in television, and a tape to show my TV work.

To compensate, I focused on my transferable skills which were being highly creative and a solid copywriter. That got my foot in the door for the interview. But to get the job offer and beat out the other 4 job candidates, I was passionate about the company and the job! I also told the hiring manager that I absolutely knew that I could do the job!

There’s a kind of quiet confidence that we all have down deep inside. A confidence that comes from knowing what we’re capable of doing. When you transition into a new job role or a new company, you need to show the hiring manager that you have confidence in yourself and know that you’ll be successful in the job. When it comes to reinventing your career, it’s not just your talent but your attitude that counts!

Sherri Thomas is President of Career Coaching 360, an international speaker, and author of

How To Avoid Laundry List Resumes

The process of writing a resume can be very tedious. There are often so many jobs and responsibilities to include that many people find themselves wanting to create the simplest one possible just to avoid the grunt work.

But while creating a resume that resembles a laundry list of previous jobs and duties can be tempting, it is strongly discouraged. This is because it only offers prospective employers a vague sense of what you’ve accomplished and how you can benefit their company. So how can you avoid creating this type of resume? Here are a few ideas …

Refrain from Using Duty-Oriented Phrases

One practice that commonly leads people toward creating the laundry list resume is the use of duty-oriented phrases. Some of these phrases might include “responsible for” or “duties included.” In your resume it is important that you give the prospective employer an understanding of what you’ve accomplished in the past, but by using duty-oriented phrases you only offer what you should/could have accomplished.

To avoid this issue, you can use more descriptive action words like assisted, collaborated, designed, launched, marketed, guided, edited, researched, and composed. Using these words helps to illustrate an accurate picture of your accomplishments; something the prospective employer needs to see in order to determine how qualified you are for the job.

Go Into More Depth – Focus on Your Achievements

Another great way to sidestep the laundry list resume is by taking time to focus more specifically on your achievements at previous jobs. This means not just mentioning that you were “responsible for organizing several marketing campaigns.” This type of description doesn’t tell the employer anything specific about your accomplishments. So instead, try going into more depth about those campaigns.

For example, you can say that you “developed and executed three marketing campaigns that included branding pharmaceutical products, creating ads, and coordinating a 15-member staff to participate in corporate trade shows over a 12-month period.” This description offers specific details about your achievement and helps the prospective employer understand exactly how you can be an asset to their company.

Remember That You’re Marketing Yourself

It’s always a good idea to remember that your resume has a purpose, which is to market your skills in an effort to acquire a specific job. So if you had to put yourself in the shoes of the prospective employer, what would you want them to know about you? What might appeal to their interests and make them want to learn more?

You want to let this employer know that you are not just eager to acquire the job, but that you would truly be an asset to the company. Set aside some time to think about how you are qualified for the job. Then carefully illustrate them with your words so that your passion for the position is clearly recognized.

By veering away from the laundry list resume and digging deeper to focus on specific accomplishments, you can better market your skills and abilities. So take your time, think about how you can benefit the company you want to work for, and write a resume that will help you land the job of your dreams.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer who provides job seekers with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Compare top resume writing services to find the best one for you at http://www.resumelines.com

Types Of Skin Cancer - Spotting Melanoma And Carcinoma Skin Cancers

If you had skin cancer, would you know it?

For many people, the answer to this question is no. They don’t know how to look for signs of skin cancer on their own skin. Because of this, if they get skin cancer, they may not spot it promptly.

Most types of skin cancer can be treated quickly and easily if they are found early. But if the diagnosis is delayed, the cancer can spread. In the case of melanoma, this can be fatal. Even for less serious skin cancers, such as the very common basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, delayed detection can lead to complications.

So how do you spot skin cancer? The key is knowing your own skin and being aware of changes in it.

The best way to do this is to learn how to do a complete skin self-examination. To do this, you need a full-length mirror, a hand mirror, and a place where you can use them in privacy. Stand in front of the full-length mirror and look carefully at the skin on every part of your body that you can see. Get to know your moles, marks, and other skin irregularities. Then, use the hand mirror to help you look at the places on your body that you can’t see with just one mirror. Again, take note of any marks that you see.

Once you’re familiar with what your skin normally looks like, you’ll be prepared to spot changes. Any new change in your skin should be brought to the attention of a doctor, preferably a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating skin problems). Most changes will turn out not to be skin cancer, but it’s worth the trouble of having them checked out.

Changes that you should particularly look for, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, include the following:

- A sore that never really heals

- A translucent growth, perhaps with rolled edges

- A dark streak under one of your fingernails or toenails

- A cluster of shiny pinkish or reddish areas that grows slowly

- A scar with a waxy feel to it

- A flat or slightly depressed area that feels hard

When you’re looking at your skin, it’s especially important to examine all moles carefully. Most moles are perfectly normal, but it’s possible for an unusual-looking mole to be a melanoma or to turn into a melanoma.

Normal, typical moles are usually small, uniform in color, and symmetrical (the two sides look the same). They have sharp, regular borders, and they are usually located on parts of your body that are exposed to the sun. Most of them first appear sometime between early childhood and age 40, and the moles on a particular person’s body all tend to look the same. Moles that fit this description are of no concern.

Moles that should be brought to a doctor’s attention include:

- Moles that are present at birth

- Moles that first appear during middle age or later

- Any mole that has changed in appearance

- Any mole that itches or bleeds

- Any mole that shows one of the “ABCD” signs of an atypical mole. Doctors use the ABCD mnemonic to help patients remember some of the differences between atypical moles and typical ones.

The four letters stand for the following:

“A” stands for “Asymmetry.” A mole that is not symmetrical (that is, one in which one half doesn’t look like the other half) is an atypical mole.

“B” stands for “Border Irregularity.” A mole with a ragged or blurred edge or with notches in the edge is atypical.

“C” stands for “Color.” A mole that contains a variety of different colors or shades is atypical.

“D” stands for “Diameter.” A mole with a diameter larger than that of a pencil eraser is atypical.

All atypical moles - and any other skin changes or irregularities that concern you - should be examined by a doctor. Often, the doctor can tell just by looking (sometimes with the aid of a magnifying device called a dermatoscope) that the unusual-looking area is not skin cancer. In other instances, the doctor may need to perform a biopsy. This is a simple diagnostic test, performed in the doctor’s office, in which a sample of the abnormal area is removed and sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope.

If you do spot an abnormality on your skin, there’s no need to panic. Even if the abnormality turns out to be skin cancer (and it probably won’t), it will almost certainly be curable. The important thing is to show the abnormality to a doctor promptly so that if it is skin cancer, it can be treated right away.

There are many types of skin cancer ranging from melanoma skin cancer and basal cell carcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma. Know your skin to be able to identify atypical moles and new spots. Learn more on http://www.SkinCancerInfoLine.com.

Appointment Setting & Service: Make Money Dialing At Home

Are you good on the phone? Ok I didn’t ask, do you talk on the phone a lot, but can you sound professional and create positive energy to the person on the other end of the phone?

If so, then you may consider working from home as an appointment setter - service representative. This is a work at home job that you could start with little experience and start earning an income from home fairly quickly.

So what is the job description of an appointment setter - service representative? In most cases companies, both local and nationally, will hire you to call a phone list of prospects that they will supply to you. This phone list could be previous customers that they would like you to follow up with or upsell. Or the phone list may be a general list of people fitting a specific description that the company wants to target.

As an appointment setter you would simply call this phone list and attempt to set an appointment with the prospects for a salesperson to close the deal. That is, if that is the goal of the company’s campaign. You may work with a company that just wants you to follow up and survey their customers for customer service reasons.

Most companies will supply you with a phone script for you to use while speaking to the prospect or customer. This will make your time on the phone a lot easier and focused.

I must say that this job is not for everyone. It does take “thick skin” to help bounce off the rejection that you are bound to experience. But if you are positive and can keep your eye on the prize, then you will have absolutely no problem as a work from home appointment setter.

You can find appointment setting jobs both locally and nationally. I would start with trying to find a local organization first, because it makes it that much easier to communicate with the person who will give you assignments. When looking locally try to uncover companies that may need your services, but haven’t quite thought about it yet.

This means that you would have to sell yourself and the idea, but in the long term it will work out best for you. You will be more in control of your job and the company will view you more as a contractor in business for yourself than an employee.

The other option is to find one of the many local companies that are searching for work at home appointment setters. You can do this by searching an online job service. Also, you may want to try working with a reputable telemarketing company that can get you some appointment setting jobs.

Some telemarketing companies will require you to have some experience, but you can find some that will train you before starting.

Appointment setting for small or medium size companies can be a rewarding way to earn money at home. With the right energy and persistence you could make a great income working at home.

Make Money Online Make Extra Money From Home http://www.LootSwoop.com It’s Excellent!

Electrical Retraining: Its Easier Than You Think

When classroom learning is combined with practical experience, it is called electrical retraining. No electrical retraining course can be done overnight. Most of it takes a lot of time and hard work to be put in. it requires immense discipline, and safety concerns are a major threat if one doesn’t have proper training. For getting on with an electricians’ career, full commitment to the course is the need of the hour.

Besides being physically draining, electrical training is mentally very tough as well. In order to get yourself acquainted with the job, you need to do a fair amount of climbing up and down, crawling on the floor, crouching, working in confined places, pulling ropes and wires, among other things. If you are able to lift 50 pounds in your hands frequently, then you are said to have successfully completed your training. Besides, you need to have a strong presence of mind as you will be needed to follow instructions to perfection. Colour blindness is not acceptable, as wires of specific colours are required most of the times. Due to the requirement of the job to work outdoors for a long period, you need to be accustomed to those extreme situations as well.

However, you need to remember that successful completion of electrical retraining is just the beginning of a long journey. It depends on your ambition on how long can you go in this field. If you have completed an apprenticeship of about 5 years, it’s considered sufficient. In the beginning, apprentices can work as the journey-level electricians. With experience and education, they can proceed to being the foreman, a superintendent or a self-employed contractor as well. Most of the successful electricians today began their journey as apprentices, so that speaks a lot about its importance.

Is it time you got trained as an electrician?

The installation and maintenance of electrical appliances is very important. The electricians working as apprentices can work with the government, either local or otherwise. They may also form a labour union and take up administrative jobs. Continuous practice and experience in this field can make them the union leader. A specialization in labour-management would be a great advantage for those who want to get deep into the electrician job, and have the leadership and communication skills to back their ambition.

It should be remembered that selection for electrical retraining is difficult. The unions consider a lot of things before making a final selection. The candidates applying for this job must show an ability to do an electrician’s job, must be self-motivated to finish a task and go on to be a successful electrician. Besides, they must be able to work well with other people, take cues and gel well with the customers. Alter passing a preliminary test, the short-listed candidates are then interviewed by electrical employees and representatives from the union. All those who have not been good at school, and whose records indicate that they do not have a special liking for math and science, wont’ be considered for electrical retraining.

James Copper is a writer for http://www.newcareerskills.co.uk where you can find out about electrical retraining

Exciting Work From Home Business Opportunity

For many people, working from home is a dream come true. You can make your own hours, forget ever having to commute, and never have to answer to a boss. Plus, as a home based business owner, you have the potential to earn exponentially more than you ever will by punching a time clock.

Yet, there are so many home based business opportunities available that it’s often difficult to choose the one that is a good fit for you and that has the income potential that you need. To help you make your choice, here are five key elements to look for in a home based business.

1. Go with Network Marketing

While it’s true that not everyone succeeds at network marketing, the principles behind it are sound. After all, network marketing is essentially using and selling products through word of mouth. This approach allows you to reach out to an ever-growing number of people and reap the financial rewards of building your own downline. Because network marketing cuts out the middleman, your earning potential increases. In the process, you create the potential for residual income while enjoying low overhead and the opportunity to work when and where you want. Furthermore, when you take advantage of Internet-based network marketing, you are not bound by geographic boundaries; your customers and downline can reach global proportions.

2. Choose a Company that Offers Multiple Products

Every day, you use dozens of products. Some home based business opportunities focus on one product, while others focus on many. When you do the math, it’s easy to see why it’s preferable to choose a company that allows you to become a member and have access to a wide variety of products, as well as to sell those products.

3. Find Cutting Edge Products to Use and Sell

Few people need more candles, kitchenware, or knick-knacks. What they really need and want are every day products and services that e-associates can use and sell at below retail price such as: cutting edge mobile phones and affordable rate plans, DSL, VOIP, and broadband. Baby boomers in particular are looking for values in enviromental, discount shopping, travel, and professional services such as legal services and health services. Companies and entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for cutting edge business software, free conference calling, SEO services, marketing products, and video production services.

4. Look for a Solid Compensation Plan

Compensation plans vary from company to company, so be sure to find one that gives you the greatest earning potential. A single paid matrix is an excellent approach, as is a 3 x 9 monthly matrix commission. E-verge is the only company to pay you 10 different ways such as: fast start bonus, retail bonus, bonus pool, product coded bonus, top producers pay, matching bonus, horizontal bonus, matrix residual pay, program matrix pay, and gross pay. Try to find a home based business that will offer ALL this pay to it’s members, there isn’t anyone!

5. Gain Access to Business Building Tools

One of the premises of network marketing is that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel; the infrastructure for a successful business model already exists. When reviewing home based business opportunities, especially those that are Internet based, find one that allows you to grow your business through duplication, so that you can immediately get up and running. The company you work with should also have a support system that includes mechanisms to capture leads, create ads, and develop solid marketing strategies. Moreover, there should be a sense of community, camaraderie, and mutual support.

Launching your own home based business can not only lead you to a debt free life, but can also enable you to travel the path of true financial freedom.

Matthew W. Blank has been an on and offline marketing strategist for many years now. Matthew Blank has been working with E-verge for over 2 years now, and plans to stay with company for many years to come. To find out more about E-verge please visit the web site at: E-verge International

How To Become A Chef

Do you enjoy getting down and dirty in the kitchen over a sizzling hot stove? Are you the type of person who enjoys watching separate ingredients mingling together to become a work of art? Does the prospect of bringing pleasure to others with your hard work and dedication interest you? If you happened to answer a resounding YES, then chances are pretty good you would make one of those great chefs providing a valuable service with your artful talents. When you need to know how to become a chef, you have many avenues you can explore to reach and maintain professional standards.

Education is important; knowledge is power! If you are looking for a powerful presence in the kitchen either in your own home or in more professional setting, then you need to know how to become a chef. There are a copious number of educational facilities around the world catering to this culinary artistic form of expression. Learn how, when, and why to wear chef’s pants, ties, aprons, and learn how you can earn the privilege of wearing one of those easily recognized jackets or coats. With the many options available, finding the right one for you will depend on a few factors.

As is common with any form of education, the variety of facilities will vary. Some areas will have what you need while other areas will be lacking in your specific needs. This means you may have to get creative, but you are already a creative type person. If you live in a large city or metropolis, you will probably easily find at least one culinary academy. Of course, the costs will vary as will the exact nature of the courses taught.

A baker is going to need a differing set of courses than a back of the house restaurant. What is offered in your area? Well, you can look in the phonebook – an old-fashioned favorite – or investigate the internet for courses available in your area.

Another method of finding the educational courses you require for your choice of careers is to investigate the internet in general. The internet is a hotbed of activity when it comes to online schools. People enjoy the possibilities of taking the courses at their own pace. Because you are investigating on how to become a chef, you will find it interesting to know you can even compare the variety of schools or institutes available.

Shopping online for your material will also lead you to the appropriate apparel for your career. Even as a student you will need to have appropriate work wear. Perhaps a nice pair of cargo pants or even a professional, affordable chef’s jacket. Yes, you get to have it all! Look great, get the education you need, and much more is at your fingertips when you choose to utilize the versatility of the internet.

Whether you choose an education via the internet of in a classroom near you, you will appreciate the educational process suited for your lifestyle and needs. There are options that will allow you to play in the flames while developing and constructing works of art that will please you as well as another person.

Max Johnson of The Uniform Connection click for Chef Clothing. Click for more Become a Chef.

Top 10 Job Interview Disasters

As part of my job, I give interview advice to candidates applying for travel jobs. When I ask them how it went afterwards, most people don’t come out remembering what went right. They remember the bad things. The joke that fell flat, the awkward silence halfway through, the question that left them scrabbling for an inadequate answer. And while some people just seem to have the knack for doing well in job interviews, most of us have probably had at least one complete interview disaster in our time.

But it’s not all bad – however poorly a job interview has gone, you can always be reassured by the fact that someone, somewhere, has done much, much worse than you ever have. Here are ten of the worst interview howlers that I’ve heard of, and ten pieces of interview advice that can help you to avoid the same mistakes.

10 - Who are you, and what am I doing?

After a telesales job interview that had gone well, the candidate surprised the panel by saying, offhand, “By the way, I don’t do cold calling.”

Interview tip: Do your research. Make sure you fully understand what the company does and what your job entails, otherwise you’re likely to make an obvious mistake.

9 - Job Train-ing

After an unsuccessful job interview, one candidate followed his interviewer to the train station. He spent the rest of the train journey pleading with her to give him the job.

Interview Tip: Enthusiasm is good, desperation is not. Accept it if you haven’t got the job – hassling your interviewer isn’t likely to get you anything except a restraining order.

8 - Fancy your chances?

One candidate concluded a job interview by asking the interviewer out on a date.

Interview Tip: No matter how well you think an interview has gone, this really isn’t a good idea. Make sure you end it professionally.

7 - Demonstrate your skills

When asked to give a practical demonstration of his abilities during a job interview, this candidate got out a deck of cards and proceeded to perform a series of magic tricks.

Interview tip: You don’t need interview advice to tell you that this is a bad idea. Remain professional at all times! Silly jokes, inappropriate clothes and strange behavior are all guaranteed to put an interviewer off.

6 - Any questions?

At the end of a job interview, this candidate was told that she could ask one question and one question only. After thinking intently for a few minutes, she said “Are you going anywhere nice on your holidays this summer?”

Interview Tip: You know that you’ll be expected to ask questions at the end of a job interview, and there’s no excuse not to prepare a few. Keep your questions focused on the job and the company, and use it as an opportunity to further express your interest in both.

5 - “I’m sorry, what was your name again?”

During one job interview, a candidate complained at length about his previous boss. Unfortunately, he didn’t realize that the interviewer and his former employer were closely related, and even had the same last name.

Interview Tip: This man was particularly unlucky, but it just goes to show that it is never a good idea to badmouth your former employer.

4 - “So tell me, what is your biggest weakness?”

When pressed to answer this question, one candidate answered “My dishonesty.”

Interview Tip: This is a difficult question to answer. Responses like “I work too hard” are no good, and owning up to a severe character flaw might sink your application. Pick a weakness that is true but that won’t affect the job that you are going for. For example, being erratic at paperwork is a disaster for an admin role, but is only a minor drawback for a sales position.

3 - Mums the word!

Everyone knows that you have to switch your phone off during a job interview. But one candidate, after the first few questions, got his phone out and called his parents to let them know how well the interview was going.

Interview tip: Stay focused during an interview. Don’t get complacent if you think it is going well, and don’t be discouraged if you feel it is going badly.

2 - A picture is worth a thousand words…

One candidate was asked to draw a picture that best described him. He drew a clown with blood pouring from its eyes, ears and nose.

Interview Tip: Interviewers are looking for people who can both fill the role and work well with other people. Worrying personality traits can be just as off putting as a lack of experience or inadequate skills, so be on your best behavior in the interview room.

1 - Murder, she said

No matter what unfortunate facts from your past happen to surface in a job interview, you can’t cause more alarm than this woman did. Alarmingly, in the middle of the interview she managed to imply that she’d murdered her husband.

Interview Tip: Think before you speak. Perhaps you think a strange remark or crude joke will make you memorable – you’d be right, but for precisely the wrong reasons.

Gail Kenny is the managing director of Gail Kenny Executive Search, an executive travel recruitment agency specializing in travel jobs. The site caters exclusively to talented individuals with skills and experience to succeed in the travel management, and businesses looking for such candidates.

Next Page »