In a world where most anything can be found online, it is important to be aware of your social presence not only on a personal standpoint but a professional stand point as well. That first impression can make a huge difference in whether you will land the job interview. Consider what someone may find when they search for you on the internet. Ask yourself, what picture of me is going to pop up when an employer is searching for me? Is this picture what I really want my future employer to see and does it represent who I am on a professional level? It may be time to consider getting a professional headshot done.
Here are some things to consider when getting your photo taken.
It is always important to grow as a person not only in your personal life but also your processional career. Conferences, continuing education and other training opportunities are a great way to learn and grow in your professional career. Sometimes it can be a bit awkward or even a little stressful to ask your boss to spend the money on you to participate in different opportunities. Here a few tips on how to ask for these opportunities.
Research the event or training program:
• What exactly is it that you want to attend
• What is the goal/takeaway of the continuing education or training program
• Compare a few different programs/events
• When will this occur and how much time away from your job
• How much will it cost: Registration, Hotel/Lodging, Food, Transportation
• What type of companies attend
Congratulations on getting an interview! Now it is time to prepare yourself to be sure you are on you are on your “A” game before the interview. Here is a checklist to help prepare yourself for the big day.
Research the company
It is important to know the company and know your audience before the interview. If you are serious about this interview, you need to show your interviewers that you have done the work ahead of time. What is their culture? What do they actually do? You will really impress your audience if you are able to pull information about the company in your prepared answers. Show them you are ready to be a part of their team!
Know your resume
This may be a no-brainer, but actually study your resume before the interview! Know your skills, abilities and experience. Reference your resume. This will allow you to make connections between who you are, what you have done and how it will assist you in this new role.
Are you new to work travel? If any of you are like me, the term “heavy packer” reaches a whole new level. This is something I have always struggled with. I mean, a girl has to have options right?
Well, let me tell you, after doing some work travel with AgCareers.com, my packing has become a bit lighter and much more strategic. It’s not that cute when you are running through airport terminals with a large, heavy bag only to finally reach your seat and you are literally sweating… yes, unfortunately, I have been that person.
I always think it is a good idea to do a little prep work before packing.
Your resume impressed the employer and you are now on to the next step, a face to face interview. Time to prepare yourself: you’ve gone through the processes of researching the company, analyzing the job description, practicing questions and have even picked out the perfect outfit to wear, but have you really put much thought into what you are going to bring with you to the interview? This may seem like a silly question, but many people forget to take into consideration the appropriate and inappropriate items to bring with you to the interview. Don’t stress! Below is a list of items that that should help you through the process.
Extra copy of your resume
It is easy to assume that your interviewer already has a copy of your resume and you may be thinking this is not necessary. Never assume that there will not be additional people in the interview than expected. Not every person may need a copy, but it never hurts to have them on hand.
There is no doubt that many of us have worked or will work at a terrible job at least at one point in our lives. Whether it be a summer job during your high school years, your first job right out of college or even an intermediate job between landing that dream job, we’ve all been there.
Members of the AgCareers.com team share some of their terrible jobs they have worked and what they learned after going through them.
“I took an internship the summer after my junior year of college at a state fair, which I thought would be a great job full of worthwhile experience that I could apply to my future career, but it turned out to be the opposite of what I was expecting. I had no free time and worked most weekends that summer. And hardly any of the work was relevant to my major (communications). I felt like I was just a pack mule and was just there to do the dirty work; I spent that summer moving things, doing inventory, painting, laying bricks, and driving a golf cart through droves of fairgoers. While I was angry that it wasn’t what I had in mind, it did teach me that not everything you expect is going to be in your job description. It takes many hands to accomplish lofty goals, and while mine were not doing what I thought they would be, I was still a part of something bigger and doing my part. And I should have done so more willingly and less proudly.”
– Kristine Penning, Creative Marketing Specialist