Redefining Job Security
I heard an interesting take regarding job security recently that's worth a closerlook: The only job security you have are the skills you bring to the marketplace. We all know there's really no such thing as job security in the traditional sense (at least in the private sector). There are no guarantees when it comes to employment. Adjust your thinking, though, and try looking at "job security" as something that's in your hands...not the hands of your employer. It's obvious that your skills (your marketability) are your most bankable asset. Paying attention to your marketability throughout your career is crucial. Of course, a top notch skill set doesn't ensure that you'll hang on to your job with your current employer. It doesn't guarantee you'll never be downsized, or that your company won't go belly up. If you've kept yourself as marketable as you possibly can be, though, it will give you a professional advantage. That is your job security. It means the odds will be increased in your favor. Why? Far too many people don't pay enough attention to marketability. They may give it lip service - and they may think they're marketable. But if a person gets complacent and doen't stay on top of his personal "brand," he's probably not as marketable as he thinks he might be. That's a mistake. You need to continually measure your effectiveness; analyze your key strengths; assess those areas in which you have gaps in your knowledge and/or experience; develop and refine your unique selling proposition. What have you done lately to step out of your comfort zone? Would you describe yourself as a lifelong learner? How marketable are you? One key adjunct to the whole idea of "marketability" is the fact that you must learn to be your own advocate on the job. Your skill set isn't worth a lot if you're an invisible employee. If senior management doesn't know you exist, your skill set isn't very bankable. An important component of marketability is making sure your accomplishments are known. Start thinking about job security in terms of something you provide for yourself. Step one: make sure you're as marketable as you possibly can be. |
In This Issue: BENEFITS of being an EMPLOYEE of DES
A Little Advice from your Employer In this time of economic uncertainty it is extremely important to take full advantage of every opportunity afforded to you. Each opportunity may open a door to a full time position, and a more secure economic future for you and your family. Worst case scenario, if a job doesn't turn out to be full time, you will get valuable work experience from every assignment. The experience you gain will only make you more marketable when searching for a job, or qualifying for positions with us. As the old saying goes, "You get out of something what you put into it." - Shane Sorenson, Manager |
Perfecting your interview skills
So you've created a great resume that showcases real value, you've networked efficiently, and you've landed an interview. Congratulations - now what? Interviews can be scary and nerve-wracking, but if you know what you want and go for it, you'll be fine. There's no such thing as a wrong answer, but there is such a thing as misrepresenting yourself. A few key tips and strategies should be enough to bring you through with articulate poise. One of the most common interview blunders is to fall in to the trap of scripting answers or answering questions with common cliches. Since so much of the weight of an interview is on your non-verbal communication, over-preparation will show the interviewer that you're nervous and perhaps not confident enough in what you have to offer. Answering questions with cliches - like the infamous "I'm a perfectionist who works too hard" answer - doesn't just show a lack of originality, but also that you're willing to shadow who you really are. The best thing to do is to be honest and be yourself. If you trick the company into hiring you by scripting answers, it won't be you that they're hiring. If your honest, answers in an interview aren't appreciated by the employer, you're probably not a good fit for the company anyway. Your dream job has to correspond with your dream company, and that has to be a place where you can be yourself! Now, this isn't to suggest that you don't need some tact and strategy - but the strategy comes in when you listen to the question, not just when you start giving an answer. Always listen to the question behind the question - for example, if they ask you why you're looking for work, the right answer is technically "because I don't have one". But the question behind the question is "why don't you have one?", and the question behind that is "will the reason you left your last job affect your performance in this one?" That's the question you really want to answer. Always listen for the question behind the question. Even more important than what you say, is how you appear. I don't mean how well ironed your shirt is here (although that is important!) - we're talking about being relaxed and confident. So much of the interview is non-verbal communication - you can go in and nail all the right answers, but if you're sweating bullets and look like you'd rather be on the next train to anywhere, you're communicating that you're not confident or comfortable. The only way to overcome nerves is by practicing and by becoming comfortable with the interview process. With every interview, you'll get better at presenting yourself - but it's a lot of work and a lot of stress just to go to interviews for practice. Most career and placement centers - whether attached to a university or private ones - offer mock interview services. Here, a career or placement professional will ask you questions as though in a real interview, and then give you feedback at the end. Mock interviews aren't as high stakes as real interviews, but you'd be surprised at how much more comfortable you'll feel just for having gone through the process a few times. In the end, the questions that you're asked aren't really that difficult - it's just the pressure that gets to you. Remember, always remember, that if you don't get this job, you'll get another one. When you're really confident about the value you bring to the table, you know that the right job is out there for you - it's just a matter of time until you find it. Life takes a lot of unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes not being hired for one job leads you to get another that's even better.
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