What Employers Want
Anne Williams, President of JobFinders Employment Services

Most job applicants and candidates don’t read a lot of books, magazine articles or Internet information on what an employer looks for in potential employees.  If they did read what is publicly available, many job seekers would change a few things.  Depending on the industry, manager’s search out different traits in applicants and candidates but there is an overall theme of what employers want.

Putting your best foot forward seems to be the # 1 attribute an employer looks for in interviewees. Of course you need skills to do the job but during the interview everyone should put their best foot forward.  Before you get to meet the employer in the interview you must sell yourself on getting that meeting.  So, how do you prove you are the person they should meet, interview and eventually hire?  One way is to fill out a job application or write your resume better than anyone else. Job applications must be neat and precise.  If an application asks how long you have worked at your present job, think about it carefully and be sure before answering the question; don’t leave blanks on your application, write clearly and concisely, fully answer all questions.  Showing that you are neat and thorough will go a long way in getting you an interview.

Writing a resume is an ominous job for most people.  Truly it is a job history but more so it is a sales tool; you use it to get into the door!  Resumes must show off your talents, tell your story and intrigue an employer enough to get them to ask you for a meeting.  A couple things you must remember when writing your resume:

• Grammar and punctuation is extremely important, keep things streamlined by utilizing commas and semicolons properly.
• Do not lie! When you get caught you may be out of work again! Of course, using the most descriptive words to depict what you do for work, in a better light than others might is fine and not a lie.  Saying you have a college degree when you don’t could result in failure—failure to keep the job!
• My suggestion for making your resume stand out is to use verbs, get a list of action words to describe your work experience and use them.
• Remember too, employers do not want long and tedious resumes to read; short and to the point works best. On average a resume is looked at about 15-25 seconds so make it short and readable.  If it is not easy for you to “show and tell” your talents, call a professional who can assist you in putting your best foot forward.

Overall, hiring managers at all levels are searching for the same things from entry level to senior level personnel.  They are searching for job applicants and job candidates with good communication skills, teamwork skills (works well together), motivation and a strong work ethic.  Yes, you need to be able to perform the job well.  People who are flexible and self-confident often interview best but those who are shy and/or reserved can come out on top. Practice, Practice and Practice your answers to behavioral based questions anyone kind find on-line, in magazines or books on interviewing.

Come find us at the bathrooms during the Columbia Business Showcase at the Holiday Inn Executive Center!

Are you nervous about your job interview? To help avoid that anxiety, follow these tips to ensure you land the job your searching for!

1. Practice- Practice what you’re going to say and rehearse your answers from the questions that most employers ask (click here for questions). Practice to the point that your comfortable with your answers, but do not go into the interview with answers that sound like you’ve rehearsed them. It is also helpful going into the interview with a list of questions to ask the employer.
2. Research- Do some research on the company you’re applying for. Go beyond the name and look into what the company does, what products they make or sell, and what their mission statement is. Answering the questions in a manner in which you can relate to the company can go a long way in the eyes of the interviewer.
3. Get Ready- Dress to impress. That doesn’t mean show up to your job interview with jeans with holes in them, your top unbuttoned, or wearing a shirt three sizes too big or too small. A nice, ironed button down shirt and slacks to a suit and tie is appropriate, depending on the job. Print off a copy of your resume, even if you have provided one to the employer already, and bring along a pen and paper for you to take your own notes during the interview.
4. Be On Time- First impressions last forever, and if your first impression you give is being late, that’s how you’ll be remembered. Allow for extra time to ensure that you will be at your interview at the scheduled time. This also allows you to find your way if you are unsure as to where you’re going.
5. Stay Calm- People get anxious, it’s a fact of life. Taking a moment to calm yourself and regroup while searching for an answer is okay. Try to avoid the use of “um” and “uh” while looking for a response. Try not to fidget in your seat, and be sure to maintain eye contact with the interviewer at all times. Sit in a receptive posture- feet on the floor, hands in your lap, sitting upright in your chair. Sitting with your arms crossed or slouched in your chair gives off the impression you’re either not listening or you don’t care. Be sure to LISTEN to the full question before giving your response- you will likely wind up being more embarrassed if you answer the question with a different answer than you expected!
6. Show what you know- If you’ve done research on the company, show it off. Relate your answers to how you can benefit the company, both immediately and long-term. If the subject of career goals and aspirations comes up, relate your goals to the company’s goals, and show how your goals can help the profitability of the company in both the short- and long-term future.
7. Follow Up- After your interview, be sure to send a letter, a card, or an email to the interviewer(s) within 24 hours of the interview taking place. Be sure to express your sincere gratefulness for them taking their time to interview you, and also reiterate your interest in the job position.

Following these tips doesn’t ensure 100% that you will get the job you’re interviewing for, but it will increase your chances!

Keep coming back to the JobFinders blog for more tips on job searching, job placement, interviewing, and building your resume and cover letter.

JobFinders Employment Services accepts applications from 9a-3p, Monday through Thursday. Stop by our Columbia location at 1729 West Broadway #4, Broadway Shopping Center, Columbia, MO 65203 to fill one out today!

Thank you for visiting the JobFinders blog! Check back soon, or subscribe to our posts using the RSS link in the lower right hand corner of the page, for the latest industry news, insider tips and more information from our strategic staffing experts!