20 UX Designer Interview Questions

20 UX Designer Interview Questions20 UX Designer Interview QuestionsUser experience (UX) designers are some of the most in-demand creative professionals in the current market.An increasing number of consumers rely on mobile devices, apps and websites to conduct daily tasks, such as checking bank accounts, making grocery lists, ordering meals and more. And users have come to expect intuitive, streamlined and even fun interactions with technology that save time and add convenience to their lives.Thats where the UX designer comes in.These professionals require a blend of creative, technical and problem-solving skills to create good interfaces and must be able to vokalist user research to map out the consumer experience.Hiring managers are looking for resourcefulness, common sense, a clear understanding of emerging trends and a solid grasp of the basics of consumer behavior, said Natalya Spicker, assistant vice president of The Creative Group in South Florida. They want grounded yet avan t-garde techies who will revamp - and sometimes reinvent - the way their brand is perceived so potential customers are retained through effective design.The increased demand for UX talent makes it all the more challenging for managers to find viable candidates - especially when considering the high costs of a bad hire. So what you ask applicants while assessing their skills is of paramount importance. Keep the following 20 UX designer interview questions in mind when youre preparing to meet with prospective employees.Background infoStart your interview by asking applicants basic questions about their background in UX. In addition to breaking the ice, youll learn more about them as individuals and get a sense of their personalities. But the real value lies in figuring out their interest in UX design - finding out how and why they started their careers and gauging their passion for the field.Tell me about yourself.How did you start working in UX design?Why did you choose this care er?What do you enjoy most about UX design?Discover starting salaries for UX designers in your areaGET THE SALARY GUIDEUX knowledge, philosophy and processQuestions about a candidates understanding of and experience with UX will likely comprise the bulk of your interview. Look for answers that illustrate the candidates expertise and knowledge of the industry. Do they fully comprehend all aspects of the discipline? Are they able to integrate research into their process? Find out how applicants work through a project, as well as how they keep the users needs in mind with each step.Dont be afraid to ask questions about your specific product. Get the candidates take on areas for improvement and find out what they might bring to the table if they become a member of your team. Make sure they can create a digital experience that satisfies your users expectations while helping you reach your business goals.In your own words, explain what UX design is.Why does UX design matter?Walk me through your design process, from brainstorm to mock-up.How would you improve the user experience of our product?How would you say UX design relates to other disciplines, like graphic design or interaction design?How do you incorporate user research and benutzerfreundlichkeit testing into your work? Why are these factors valuable?Tell me about a project that didnt go as planned. What did you learn from it?What is your favorite type of project to work on?InspirationPart of being an effective UX designer is constantly seeking to learn, improve and stay abreast of rapidly changing industry standards, trends and technological developments. Your goal here is to see where candidates turn for inspiration, what they consider the hallmarks of effective UX design and their ideas on the direction the field is heading. These UX designer interview questions will help you find someone who can evolve as technology and user expectations change.Where do you find inspiration for UX?How do you keep up with t he latest industry trends and best practices?What do you think will be the next big thing in UX design?Workplace cultureIdentifying a candidate who meshes with your corporate culture is crucial. This makes it easier to integrate new hires into your team, resulting in enhanced productivity, morale and end products.Spicker adds, A UX designer goes beyond what a regular designer does - they have to dig deep to understand how people think, act, behave and consume, then design based on those findings. This involves an extensive amount of collaboration and teamwork, so a solid culture fit is critical.Asking UX designer interview questions that provide insight into a candidates preferred work environment helps pinpoint an ideal fit and avoid turnover issues.Do you prefer to work on your own or as part of a team?Tell me about how you work with other designers and developers.What kind of work environment do you prefer?Are you comfortable presenting your work to others?How would you describe your communication style?Additional factors to considerBeyond providing thorough and thoughtful answers to your questions, candidates should have a comprehensive portfolio that showcases a variety of projects. If time allows, consider reviewing a candidates portfolio with them and asking about the motivations behind design decisions and the UX problems their designs were intended to solve.Soft skills are also critical. Look for candidates who are strong communicators, with demonstrated excellence in multitasking and time management. These abilities help ensure they can interact effectively with your staff, clients and stakeholders while keeping up with project timelines.Remember that you may not locate a unicorn UX designer who fits the bill for all of the skills and experiences youre after. In these cases, consider on-the-job training, especially if the candidate seems like theyd gel effortlessly with your team.At the same time, knowing what you dont want is also important in the hiring process. Keep an eye out for red flags, such as candidates who cant provide samples of their work, arent able to explain their design process or seem to have trouble collaborating with others.

5 Good Reasons Your Boss Should Let You Work From Home

5 Good Reasons Your Boss Should Let You Work From Home5 Good Reasons Your Boss Should Let You Work From HomeWorking from home is a popular perk nowadays, with many companies maintaining as many as 30 to 45 percent of staff members as contract, freelance or virtual employees. Some companies have even gone in the opposite direction of Marissa Mayers famous no work from home policy by maintaining a 100 percent virtual team.Many factors make this a mora viable vorkaufsrecht for employees and employers alike, including increased access to technology and changing expectations for work-life balance. But for those who havent yet been able to find a job that allows them to work from home full-time, theres often one question on your mind how can I convince my boss to let me work from home?Get Started By Being RealisticBefore we jump into several serious reasons your boss should consider letting you work from home, we have a few friendly remindersFirst, if you cannot perform your job virtually, you are simply out of luck. Many positions still require a face-to-face physical presence that cannot be replicated by Skype chats and phone calls, such as classroom teachers, hair dressers and retail positions. If thats you but you desperately want to work from home, you need to consider changing fields.Second, if youre new to a company and the company is not a virtual operation, youre better off focusing on how you can improve your relationships and establish yourself as a committed contributor rather than negotiating to get out of the office. Since much of a virtual relationship is based on trust, you need to prove that you are trustworthy before you ask to work without onsite supervision.Finally, its up to you to remove all of the obstacles you possibly can. Set up a fully operational home office with high-speed Internet, printer and phone. Paint the picture that working from home is more than an upgrade for your work-life balance its a relocation of your fully-functional offic e that happens to be in your home.Next, Build the geschftliches miteinander CaseWhen the time comes to request a flexible schedule, theres one main thought that should guide your discussion. While your boss is concerned with your morale and removing as many barriers to your productivity as possible, her No. 1 priority is still the bottom line. To convince your boss to let you work from home, you need to present the business case for it as well as the personal case.Here are five solid reasons that you can use to present the case that you can do your work from home1. It will help you do your job betterDoes the open-concept office disrupt your concentration time? Are you finding that its only in moments that you steal away into privacy that you can really concentrate and get your job done? If so, emphasize the fact that working from home will help you do your job better. Not only will you have more control over your working environment and be better suited to avoid disturbances but you will be able to deliver higher quality work faster.The Harvard Business Review shared the results of what happened when the Chinese travel company Ctrip transitioned half its employees to at-home jobs. Not only did the company save $1,900 per employee over the course of nine months, but the data showed that employees working from home completed 13.5 percent more calls than the office staff did.2. It will make you happier and more motivated to work longer hoursHaving control of your working environment and the freedom to do your job in peace (without a heinous commute) directly leads to a higher level of worker happiness, satisfaction and motivation. Each of these factors contributes to a phenomenon Ctrip saw with its virtual employees they worked longer hours, took shorter breaks and needed fewer sick days because they didnt fall prey to the distracting and time-consuming cake in the breakroom effect.Furthermore, the Ctrip study also showed that the employees who worked from home q uit at half the rate of the people in the office and reported much higher job satisfaction.3. It will solve a problem for youIn many cases it seems like the only solution to a job that bothers you is to quit and find a new one. But working from home allows you to address whats bothering you about your current job rather than start the job hunting process all over again. Working from home can fix problems such as a need for flexibility, a stressful commute or even a drama-filled workplace. Its in your bosss best interest to solve as many of your problems as possible to avoid the costly process of hiring a replacement.If you have an extremely long commute and your boss knows it, its worth mentioning that this will greatly improve your overall lifestyle and productivity. However, dont threaten to leave the company if you dont get your way. Instead, approach this as a possible solution to solve a problem that you are struggling with.4. It will not affect your strong, established relatio nshipsA primary concern about working from home is losing valuable face-to-face communication opportunities. But you can go a long way in alleviating your bosss fears by reassuring her that the technology available today and your comfort level with it guarantees continued engagement and communication no matter where you work. Strong, established relationships work just as well by email, phone and teleconference as they do in person, and youll still be available for in-person meetings on an as-needed basis.5. Other companies have made this change and seen impressive resultsWe all look to examples of others to lead the way when were trying something new, and your boss is no exception. Do some preliminary research to find out how other companies in your industry handle virtual staff members and whether or not theyve seen a lot of improvement. Ctrip and JetBlue are two examples cited in the Harvard Business Review, and both companies experienced increased productivity and engagement f rom their virtual employees. British Telecom estimated a 20 percent increase in productivity when it allowed flexible work arrangements. Other big name companies include Dell, American Express, Humana, SAP and Xerox.Working from home is not something you can take for granted, and transitioning into a work-from-home relationship with your company may take time. After all, youre asking for something that the company may or may not completely grasp on an operational level. The best thing you can do is be a part of the conversation in a positive and proactive way, outlining the business case for this change right along with the lifestyle case for your career.

6 Networking Strategies to Build an Influential Network

6 Networking Strategies to Build an Influential Network6 Networking Strategies to Build an Influential NetworkBuilding a robust network takes effort, but it may be the best thing youll ever do for your career. Forming relationships with a variety of people expands possibilities by exposing you to new ideas and opportunities. If youre ready to strengthen your network, here are six networking strategies.Check out these six networking strategies to build an influential network1. Say yes.Potentially valuable connections are everywhere, but you wont find them if you constantly turn down invitations. Expand your horizons by putting yourself out there. Go to that neighborhood block party or college alumni weekend. Attend your professional associations monthly guest lecture series. Your odds of finding exciting additions to your network grow with every RSVP.2.Take a chance.While not every person youd like to connect with will be gracious with his time, muster your courage to make the first m ove. You may be pleasantly surprised when a high-level exec grants your request for an informational interview or that speaker whose presentation you enjoyed chats for 10 minutes after approaching her with a sincere compliment.3. Seek diversity.Peers in your saatkorn industry or age range certainly have a place in your network, but they shouldnt be all of it. Make a pointed effort to push beyond your comfort zone to meet people who arent just like you.Generational intelligence and network diversity are key to gaining rich and varied perspectives and in building a truly strong network, says Patti DeNucci, author ofThe Intentional Networker Attracting Powerful Relationships, Referrals Results in Business. Try being with people who are 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years ahead on the career path. Talk to and get to know people doing a wide range of jobs and having a wide range of experiences. Its how you know where you want to be.4. Know your networks network.A quick way to expand your networ k is to ask people already in it for introductions to those in their circle. Assistance from a mutual acquaintance can make breaking the ice a less daunting task. Use LinkedIn to discover connections, or ask your contacts to pick their brains for individuals they think would be beneficial for you to meet.5. Follow up.Meeting someone once does not constitute a true relationship. You must take action to stay top of mind if you hope to develop the kind of association that leads to results. Silence until you need a favor doesnt work building trust over time does.6. Reciprocate.Finally, always remember that networking is a two-way street. Be alert to ways to build goodwill. Pass along articles of interest. Arrange introductions. Invite someone to lunch. Congratulate on achievements. Express interest in their research. Comment on their posts. People forming bonds and genuinely wanting to assist one another is the heart of networking.Looking for more advice on networking? Check out our net working tips category.Would you say you have an influential professional network? What networking strategieswill you useto build and grow it? Share your thoughts with us

Loud music makes you eat unhealthy foods

Loud music makes you eat unhealthy foodsLoud music makes you eat unhealthy foodsIf you want to eat a healthy lunch today in the office, turn down the volume on yur music. That death metal blaring in your headphones is going to make snacking on candy more tempting. According to a new study published in theJournal of the Academy of Marketing Science,the volume of the music around us can influence our eating choices.Study Loud music leads to unhealthy eating choicesBackground noise has the power to manipulate our moods. Anyone who has been stuck next to a coworker blasting loud music knows this. Researchers at the University of South Florida Muma College of Business in Tampa wanted to test if music could be a manipulating force for good.To test this, researchers played soft and loud music in the background of a cafe in Sweden. They played a mix of pop, rock, jazz, blues, soul music over two days of observing customers. The researchers found that the type of music did leid matter, but th e volume at which it was heard did. When the cafe played softer music at 55 decibels,customers chose healthier items like salads and wraps 10% more often than when they heard music at 70 decibels.Fun music leads to less mindfulnessWhy does loud music cause us to make unhealthy eating choices? It excites us too much, and when we are excited we are less likely to eat mindfully with intention. The researchers found that louder music makes us feel more aroused and excited, while softer music induces relaxation. Excitement kicks off a biological response in us to seek high-energy, fatty foods. When emotionally charged or upset, internal restraints and self-control break down, leading to greater consumption of unhealthy foods, the study notes, citing previous research. Research with both humans and animals suggests that unhealthy/comfort foods can alleviate physiological stress responses.Turning off the music completely is not the answer either, however. In a different experiment, researc hers found that individuals who did not listen to music made unhealthy choices at a similar rate to people who listened to loud music. Turns out, we need that extra boost of enhanced relaxation we get from soft background music to choose the fruit cup over the chocolate cake.In general, being more mindful of what triggers your snacking binges helps you unlearn bad habits. In this way, listening to lowered music can be a low-cost intervention into healthier eating. It doesnt cost expensive visits to a nutritionist to lower the volume of the music in your headphones. Unlike restrictive regulatory policies, a sensory cue, like ambient music, can be more effective in the long run, the study states.

Important Solutions to What Is a Cover Letter for a Resume

Important Solutions to What Is a titelblatt Letter for a Resume Review our examples and make use of what you learn how to develop job-specific cover letters for all your applications. Attempt to compose the letter professionally because the selection committee will appear at your vitae and make sure your information readable. English classes are some essential points that you might want to hit upon. The language employed in the letter ought to be grammatically accurate. In buchen to draw the employer you have to know the suitable cover letter. So getting the ideal impression on the employer only begins with the ideal cover letter. In other words, a cover letter is an official message accompanying your resume when you fill out an application for employment. It consists of three basic parts. It should be approx. Nowadays you have your very own personalized cover letter. The whole idea of a great cover letter is the fact that it is not generic but specific to the job that you are applying for The very first thing you ought to be aware of is that much enjoy a resume, a cover letter ought to be brief, easy, and simple to read. You only have to prepare a productive cover letter if you prefer to secure a good job. There are only a couple more tips you should know when writing your cover letter. The Lost Secret of What Is a Cover Letter for a Resume While writing a cover letter one needs to concentrate on the most relevant portions of their experiences or skills regarding the desired job. Stop thinking that it is a necessary evil and must be nothing but facts. You ought to make sure that each of the things that ought to be included are, and that all the things which shouldnt, arent. There are a lot of methods to learn to compose a cover letter that is going to do the task required of it, but seeing as you most likely dont have enough time to take a whole lot of classes or seminars on the topic, Ill let you in on a small secret. The Advantages of Wh at Is a Cover Letter for a Resume Cover letter plays a significant part in the hiring process of the candidate. Your resume may be used for a number of positions but your cover letter should highlight your strengths for a particular job at a specific business. The letter has to be tailored to a particular job and business. Before interviewing for employment, ensure your letter is customized, your resume is polished, and youre prepared for anything. What Is a Cover Letter for a Resume for Dummies Multipurpose Printing For basic house and office printing, an easy, multipurpose paper is your very best bet. Luckily, theres a software program which can help make the practice of putting a good cover letter together. There are a few nahe daran sein and simple steps that you may take to compose a cover letter that will impress the hiring manager. So, learning how to whip out cover letters is essential to sell your goods or solutions. Once again you have to be focused and underst and your work, your cover letters job is to receive your foot in the door. The most suitable way about how to compose a cover letter is to explain the main reason for your interest about a specific position and you need to understand your most relevant skill that would help you acquire the job. Each component of your cover letter reveals something important to prospective employers whether you desire the job or not. Being on work hunt and understanding how to compose a cover letter are inseparable. Cover letters are an essential introduction to the interview practice. Make certain your letter is simple to follow and focuses on a single goal per paragraph. A PQQ covering letter should be professionally written and it should be quite precise without getting into the unwanted specifics. The prior sentence appears to be robotic and unfriendly.

Whatever They Told You About Free Resume Writing for Veterans Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why

Whatever They Told You About Free Resume Writing for Veterans Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why In order to work in aiding you to attain your objective the nursing resume should target the specific job which youre applying for. Wherever youre in your nursing career, weve got a resume sample that may help you write or update your nurse resume. Employing the correct nurse resume format is imperative to find an interview. The nurse resume performs lots of unique functions. The Free Resume Writing for Veterans Cover Up Once your resume is prepared to go, youre wish to be sure to receive it in front of as many employers as possible. Employment is a significant issue for Veterans. A career profile is a brief excerpt of your professional career for a nurse. Volunteering for organizations that are linked to your next career goal is aelendher way to get ready for the transition. All our academic services are made to help students meet their educational and career targets. Find out ho w to compose your career objective. Many of them are going to conduct one on one interviews, and in some instances offers might also be extended at the function. You may also hund for events in your neighborhood paper and check with schools that may be hosting them. There are not any fees for veterans to take part in the career fairs. Creating success stories for more than 30 years. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that will allow you to get your fantasy job. Your job application might just receive a couple of seconds of attention in some job searches, and therefore its critical to make it stand out. Because each work opportunity differs, the restart you use for each application ought to be marginally different. If your work search isnt confidential, you could also ask your supervisor or trusted colleagues, states Scudder. Bear in mind, youll have a cover letter to accompany your resume, where youre able to give a more in-depth account of yo ur background info, experience, and goals. When it has to do with writing a cv it will help to have a good instance of a great cv to benchmark your own cv against. A good example is the value of a cover letter. To target certain positions review the work description of the position. Possessing an original and special nursing resume can help you stick out from the crowd and get you noticed which is crucial to gaining work interview. Show youre serious and hard-working when it has to do with leaving a very first impression, not lazy and careless. Look at taking classes, especially in the event you wish to engage in a career that needs a different skill set than the one developed in your military function. There are various ways to organize your resume. Top Free Resume Writing for Veterans Choices When writing your professional military resume, our aim is to elevate your personal price and make certain you are very competitive. Your work experience or employment history is g enerally the trickiest part to organize. If you would like a job outside the military, you are going to have to use different language and even a different format to draw attention.

Customize this Outstanding Director of Finance Resume

Customize this Outstanding Director of Finance ResumeCustomize this Outstanding Director of Finance ResumeSample Director of Finance ResumeCreate Resume QUALIFICATIONS * Seventeen years experience in management and operational issues* Extensive knowledge in all areas of finance, including cash flow management, forecasting, and budgeting* Manage all regional operational metrics (chargeability, gross margins, revpac, etc.)* Created and implemented financial assurance program for current company related to global compliance audits for revenue recognition, invoicing, and cash collections. Performed procedures in European, Asia, and Australia development centers* Company Subject Matter Expert in Revenue Recognition, including software revenue recognition and Multiple Elements* Skilled facilitator and presenter before Senior Management and Board Audit Committees* Helped prepare and review company fasson 10 for SEC registration* Led due diligence team for potential acquisition of Californi a based user interface company* Led the execution and assisted in development of compliance testing related to Sarbanes-Oxley Act section 404* Public accounting client base ranged from SEC registrant investment companies to development stage music industry companies* Proficient in Cognos, Navision, etc.EXPERIENCE Avanade Inc. (a Microsoft/Accenture joint venture specializing in Microsoft integration consulting)Director of Finance (includes Operations)-West, South, Marketing and Government Vertical Practice (October 20005 to Present)* Duties expanded to include financial operations for the South region* Review all customer contractual obligations to ensure ausverkauf and revenue are properly recognized* Contribute to the development of 13 staff members through formal training, one-on-one supervision, and performance evaluations* As part of Operations duties, act as financial advocate for Sales and Marketing team for financial reporting, sales results, forecasting, and budget varianc e analysis.* Participate in new sales proposal evaluations, including risk management and revenue recognition and cash management implications* Lead coordination for both external and internal audits for the West and South regionsDirector of Finance-West and Government Vertical Practice (2003 to September 2005)* Responsible for managing all regional/government vertical finance and related operations* Prepare and manage to $50mm plus budget* Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual forecast, including running monthly operation calls to discuss results* Contribute to the development of two staff members through formal training, one-on-one supervision, and performance evaluations* Helped on mitglied des abgeordnetenhauses preparation and review for company Form 10 filing with the SECRegional Finance Manager-West (2000 to 2003)* Responsible for managing regional finance team* Consult to Microsoft in customer facing role for Rapid Economic Justifications (business valuation study for imple menting/upgrading system platforms) * Responsible for all regional revenue recognition issues and contractual obligations related to revenue, billings, and cash collections* Played key role in all Intellectual Property discussions and software license issuesKenworth Truck Company (a division of PACCAR, a Fortune 500 truck manufacturing company)Division Cost Accounting Manager (1999 to 2000)-Promoted to Asst Controller PACCAR Parts-(2000)* Oversaw all cost accounting applications and truck margin reporting for three domestic plants and one international plant* Helped establish accounting policies and procedures for re-opening of international plant after a five-year hiatus* Managed team of nine staff through training, mentoring, and supervisionPlant Cost Accounting Manager (represents Plant General Accounting Manager) (1998 to 1999)* Full general ledger responsibility* Supervised and reviewed general plant accounting applications, including payroll, labor accounting, and plant perfor mance measures* Helped participate in year-end Annual Report preparation and GAAP/SEC disclosure analysisErnst Young, LLP (1990 1998)Audit Senior Manager* Managed all aspects of audit engagements including analysis and testing of accounting systems, staff management, internal coordination, and external reporting* Industry experience included manufacturing, registrant investment companies, insurance, and healthcare* Presented to audit and finance committees communicating audit results* Member of Information Systems Audit Group (evaluate clients information systems for audit reliance)* Assisted in the recruitment of new employees through college presentations and individual interviews CERTIFICATIONS/ Certified Public Accountant EDUCATION Licensed in the state of Washington Passed exams on first sittingSeattle UniversityBachelor of Arts, Business AdministrationMajor AccountingOTHER ACTIVITIES Attended PACCAR Institute for Managerial Leadership Former President of Insurance Accounti ng Systems Association, Pacific Northwest Chapter Frequent presenter at Ernst Young LLP technical updates Member, Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants Helped develop and presented investment company training course used for major Ernst Young LLP clientCustomize Resume

3 Ways to Make Each Job Application Special

3 Ways to Make Each Job Application Special3 Ways to Make Each Job Application SpecialHey gorgeous) whats up? Little could Joshua, a Tinder dating app user,imagine how sorry he would be when he sent this text message. He got this response Not much but I cant speak for the 31 other girls attached in this group message. Crash and burn Joshua was either unaware or unfazed he sent this greeting to 32 women at once, andthe group flogging that ensued was captured and went viral. Joshuas weg for a lucky night would have been immeasurably better had he pursued those women one at a time and made each feel special somehow. That true story is directly translatable into the world of job hunting. Everyone understands that when employers seek to hire and people hunt for jobs, both sides are always exploring multiple options at the same time. ? Nonetheless, people on both sides deserve to be treated as individuals and with respect. Job hunters are justifiably upset when employers fail to communic ate directly or honestly with them. Its poor business practice when employers dont acknowledge receipt of an application, or notify a candidate with whom theyve begun a dialogue that he or she is no longer being considered. And its downright rude when a hiring manager promisesan interviewee he or she will go the next step, but then it never happens. At the same time, employers are justifiably irked by job-hunter rudeness that occurs commonly. When you fail to partalize your communication or show that youre interested in a given opportunity for more than the paycheck it offers, employers are likely to seeyou the same way those 32 women probablyviewed Joshua. Here are some things you can do to show that youre really interested, and thereby gain the interest of a potential employer1. Personalize yourrsum. Make yourrsumstand out from all the others, and show that you arent blasting it out tomany other companies at the same time. Simply rename it your name Rsumfor company name.doc.2. Per sonalize your cover letter. Make every effort, even if you are responding to an online ad, to find out the name of the person who will read your submission. Take the time to research who will likelybe the hiring manager or human resources person. If that information isnt available, at least personalize the addressee block at the top of your letter. Instead of a generic document, make sure you include something like HR Director, ABC Company, 123 Some St., City, State Zip and begin with (as appropriate) Dear Mr./Ms. HR Director Dont be entirely self-centered in your content. Its not about Here I am, and this is my history, but rather Here I am, and heres how your needs and my value can be a great fit. Show why you arent looking for just any job, but how this job in this particular company makes sense. Demonstrate how you relate to an aspect of the employer its mission, the work of the particular job and the particular challenges of the job that gets your juices flowing. Then explai n why.3. Personalize your thank you note. Make a practice of always collecting the name and contact information of the people you speak with either before or at the very beginning of your interactions with them. When you begin an in-person interview, offer your own business card (even if it just has your home contact information) when you shake hands, and ask for the other persons in return. This way you will have the ability to follow up promptly. Hiring managers and HR professionals expect an emaille thank you note the same day, or certainly within 24 hours after an in-person or phone interview. If you have a group interview, compose an individualized note to each person who wasin the room. While the core of the notes can be the same, take the time to highlight one thing in particular that relates to the person youre addressing. It might be a comment or follow-up to a question he orshe posed. If you really want to make that potential employer feel special, take the time to alsoh andwrite a short note and send it by snail mail. Since such a small percent of job seekers continue to follow this old etiquette standard, youre sure to stand out and get your underlying point across Im not sending this note to 31 other employers. Just you. Im interested. Learn from Joshuas mistake. If you want to be taken seriously, think about getting a job in personal terms. When you treat the people with whom you want to interact with respect and as individuals, your chances of getting that lucky break will improve dramatically. Happy huntingArnie Fertig, MPA, is passionate about helping hisJobhuntercoachclients advance their careers by transforming frantic Ill apply to anything searches into focused hunts for great fit opportunities. He brings to each client the extensive knowledge he gained when working in HR staffing and managing his boutique recruiting firm.

Business News That Job Seekers Need to Know, August 2015

Business News That Job Seekers Need to Know, August 2015Business News That Job Seekers Need to Know, August 2015This was an exciting week in business news. While we didnt have the earnings reports or an anticipated IPO, there were some big developments. We learned that Comcastmay invest as much as $250 mio in Buzzfeed, which some are speculating may lead the net news giant onto television. IBMs Watson was also in the news, this time assisting CVS inpredicting illness and disease in customers. There was also news that will impact job seekers.With that in mind, heres the top business news to keep in mind as you look for a new job.Airbus wants to make transAtlantic flight in one hour The patents have been acquired, and Airbus may soon change long distance air travel forever. Airbuss newly designed plane will incorporate jet engines, rocket engines and more to travel at Mach 4 or more (4.5x the speed of sound). Compare that to the Concorde at Mach 2. The impact this new plane will have o n the air travel industry is impossible estimate. Although the new planes will not appear in the immediate future, Airbus stock is already responding in a resounding yes to the concept.Search Airbus jobsSearch airline jobsNetflix gives 1 year paid maternity/paternity leaveSilicon Valley continues to lead the way in company culture. What started with bicycles, office chefs, and in-office dry cleaning at a handful of companies has morphed into a sanctuary for new ways of thinking about company culture and benefits. This week Netflix attempted to tackle the elephant in every workplace in America, namely maternity/paternity leave. Its no secret that the United States lags behind much of the world when it comes to maternity/paternity leave. Even a few years ago paternity didnt even exist in most companies. Today Netflix has pushed the envelope, allowing unlimited paid maternity and paternity leave. This move puts the company on par with some of the most progressive countries in Europe. I f youre looking for a job and considering starting a family, Netflix just became the most sought after destination.Search Netflix jobsApple eyeing the wireless carrier marketYet another example of why we should never assume we know whats going on at Apple. This week certain signals suggest the tech giant will move into providing customers with cellular service. But dont think that means Apple is going to start building cell towers. Most likely Apple as carrier will be a virtual network, leased from existing providers. Customers will subscribe via Apple and the company will provide them with what theyve grown to expect from a carrier. While Apple has not confirmed, expect news in coming months.Search Apple jobs