I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Influence Central for Vanity Fair Lingerie. I received product samples to facilitate my review and compensation to thank me for my participation.
I was volunteering at a factory a few weeks ago when I told my friend that the surroundings reminded me of a time that I worked in a nail file factory. Yep, an actual factory that made and produced a variety of nail files. My friend responded “Girl, you have had some of the most random jobs of anyone I know!”
I have worked a lot of jobs in my lifetime. And not because I worked them for a short period of time, it was because I have held a job since I was 12 years old. Some of these jobs included: fast food, custodian, snow cone maker :), lifeguard, Swimming Lesson teacher, telemarketer, youth counselor, nanny, activities director at an assisted living center, and about 10+ other random jobs. All of my employment opportunities have taught me so much; contributing to my confidence and teaching me many important life lessons. I firmly believe in the value of hard work, and I love it when programs are set up to enable other members of society to land and keep a job!
One of these is Vanity Fair’s partnership with Dress For Success® , a non-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women. One of their main focuses is job retention, and they help with this by providing professional attire and providing a network of support and tools to help women thrive in work (and in life). For more information, check out their site here.
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Along with sharing info on the Dress For Success program, I also wanted to share a few job interview tips that can help land you a job! Aside from my own job interview experience, I also talked with several of my friends who conduct job interviews as part of their work, and here are some tips they gave:
- Research the Company Ahead of Time. One of my friends mentioned this is an important one because it shows initiative and that you did you homework ahead of time. I would agree in my own experience with job interviews, that this question comes up a lot. “What do you know about our company?” If you show you have done research on the company, your sincere desire for the job will be recognized.
- Problem-Solving Skills. Several of my friends mentioned this one, and it has also come up in my own interviews. Employers are going to want to know how you handle problems, especially when it involves conflict with other co-workers. No supervisor wants to feel like they are in a babysitting position. They are looking for someone who knows how to maturely approach a situation of disagreement.
- Practice Describing Yourself. Feel comfortable describing your strong traits with confidence because it’s something every employer is going to want to know. Maybe they will ask something like “What are your 3 best traits?” or Maybe they will ask you to describe yourself from the point of view of a previous employer. Whatever the question ends up being, it is likely that you will need to know what you are good at.
- Appearance and Transportation. Employers are also going to look for good grooming standards in your dress and appearance. They will likely be looking for someone who can present themselves in a professional way. Also, watch your body language. Having your arms folded the whole time will make you appear “closed off.” They will also likely be looking for someone who has a dependable way to get to work. Make sure you know what your transportation options will be.
- Come Prepared With Questions. If an employer asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” the bad answer is “no.” Come prepared with some questions of your own!
Carol J Coombs says
*Please have prospective employers help the candidate feel welcomed and calmer. Tell them you know what it is like to be interviewed.
* When you say you will get back to them one way or another, DO IT.
*Describe the job and duties up front in the interviewee
* Have refreshing cold water handy for the interviewee
* If you are the onterviewee, remember that you are also interviewing the company
* Ask the company ahead of time who will be interviewing you and their roles. Memorize this and have questions made up ahead of time for each
* Keep your right hand on your lap to absorb moisture from anxiety ahead of and towards the end of the interview so it will be dry and calm to shake hands