job & interview

What New Grads Should Know Before Accepting That First Job Offer

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What New Grads Should Know Before Accepting That First Job Offer</h1>
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There are a number of red flags to look for before accepting a position.</h2>
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<span class="item drawer_paddingTop" style="display: block; float: left; padding-top: 8px;"><a href="http://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/843593f/2147483647/thumbnail/300x270/quality/85/?url=%2Fcmsmedia%2Fe2%2F22d0afc24714e07ca3d3ea8201fe86%2Fresizes%2F500%2F50222WideModern_EmployeeRelief_131125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The 22 Best Business Jobs of 2014" border="0" src="http://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/843593f/2147483647/thumbnail/300x270/quality/85/?url=%2Fcmsmedia%2Fe2%2F22d0afc24714e07ca3d3ea8201fe86%2Fresizes%2F500%2F50222WideModern_EmployeeRelief_131125.jpg" style="line-height: 1.5;" /></a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">A long-anticipated</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs">job offer</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">can give feelings of security and relief to fresh graduates. But just because a company wants you doesn’t mean you should say yes to the first employer that extends an offer. There are a number of red flags that prospective candidates should look for when deciding whether to accept a position.</span></span></div>
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<b>Instability.</b> It’s no secret that many young employees job hop – and some experts think this is good. While changing employers frequently and by choice has become more common, having your first job pulled out from under you will be much less appealing to most new employees. That’s why it’s important to look for signs of an organization’s ability to withstand market pressure <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/02/how-to-evaluate-a-job-offer" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/02/how-to-evaluate-a-job-offer">before you join</a> it.</div>
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Rona Borre, CEO and founder of the tech staffing firm Instant Technology, notes that in the digital age, new companies are popping up rapidly in many industries – particularly in technology. Unfortunately, this means that not all of them will have the longevity to make it long-term. “Though the innovation, hard work and ‘bet big, win big’ mentality of a startup can be an incredible match for some newcomers, it is something to keep in mind for those seeking stability in their career choice,” she says.</div>
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<b>Poor reputation</b><b>.</b> One advantage for today’s graduates is technology allows greater access to information about specific companies than was available before. Borre points out that there is a wealth of information on nearly every company available online, including reviews from CareerBuilder, Glassdoor and other career sites, where current and former employees can discuss how they feel about their organization and its management and culture.</div>
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Researching companies using these tools, as well as social media sites like <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/16-things-youre-doing-all-wrong-on-linkedin" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/16-things-youre-doing-all-wrong-on-linkedin">LinkedIn</a>, can help you identify potentially problematic work environments. If a large number of employees have taken the time to vent about their dissatisfaction, it could be a red flag. However, Borre advises against letting online reviews sway you completely. “It’s important to take these reviews with a grain of salt, as often times the most vocal employees are the most dissatisfied,” she says. “If there are consistent issues among the reviews, it may be important to keep in mind.”</div>
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<b>Lowball salary. </b>As a new employee, you may feel grateful for whatever starting salary is offered, since even a lower salary will likely be more than you’ve ever made in your life. What’s more, many graduates (<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/05/29/how-to-negotiate-salary-like-a-man" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/05/29/how-to-negotiate-salary-like-a-man">particularly women</a><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/04/08/300290240/why-women-dont-ask-for-more-money" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/04/08/300290240/why-women-dont-ask-for-more-money"></a>) may feel reluctant to push for more pay given their lack of experience, concern about seeming pushy and the tougher job market.</div>
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Think twice before accepting the first number offered. According to Lisa Kaess, economist and producer and founder of the consulting firm Feminomics, negotiating for a few thousand dollars more in salary at the outset not only can help students pay down their loans faster, but it can add up to $1 million more in earnings over the course of your career. If you’re not sure what the market rate is for your position in your location, check sites like PayScale.com and Salary.com for averages.</div>
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“This is particularly crucial for young women, who typically earn less to begin with, and are reluctant to<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/02/21/the-exact-words-to-use-when-negotiating-salary" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/02/21/the-exact-words-to-use-when-negotiating-salary">ask for more</a>,” Kaess says. “When negotiating, be ready to discuss your skills and align yourself with a company’s goals.” She adds that even if the employer doesn’t come up with extra cash, they might be willing to sweeten the deal with more paid vacation, personal days and other benefits.</div>
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<b>Unhappy people.</b> The interview stage provides a great opportunity to observe employees in their element. Be observant during your limited time at the job site to notice whatever you can about its culture and environment. Your interviewers may certainly provide some signs, whether subtle or overt, into how they feel about their own jobs. But other people you see in the office as you walk through may also offer clues. “Arrive to a job interview appointment about 15 minutes early (so you can do all <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-interviewing" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-interviewing">pre-interview</a> prep such as using the bathroom, calming yourself, etc.) and sit and observe how the people in the office interact with each other,” suggests Randall Hansen, webmaster and publisher of Quintessential Careers. “If people seem cold and uncommunicative and you are accustomed to a happy/friendly work environment, then this place may not be for you.”</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/24/what-new-grads-should-know-before-accepting-that-first-job-offer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

What New Grads Should Know Before Accepting That First Job Offer

What New Grads Should Know Before Accepting That First Job Offer There are a number of red flags to look for before accepting a position...

How to Get the Job by Thinking Like a Hiring Manager

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How to Get the Job by Thinking Like a Hiring Manager</h1>
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Consider the perspectives of recruiters and employers while applying to jobs.</h2>
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<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;">When you</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/17/3-ways-to-make-each-job-application-special" style="color: #005ea6; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;">apply for jobs</a><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;">, in your haste to show what</span><i style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;"> you</i><b style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;"><i> </i></b><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.5;">want the employer to know about you, you may be ignoring a very important part of the job-search equation: the focus on what the employer needs. If you consider the hiring manager’s perspective and act accordingly, you’ll have a much better chance of receiving an offer.</span></div>
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Raj Sheth, CEO of Recruiterbox, a company that provides small businesses with an applicant tracking and résumé management tool based in the cloud, suggests you consider the following advice when applying for jobs:</div>
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<b>1. Apply with intention.</b> Successful job candidates use their materials to show how their skills are well matched to the target company’s needs. Employers and recruiters appreciate candidates who cut to the chase and make a clear case for their candidacy. When you evaluate a job, highlight the parts of the description that pertain to you. If the majority of the job is not highlighted, don’t apply for that job.</div>
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Sheth says: “Many candidates eager to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/16/how-to-use-social-media-to-land-a-job" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">land a job</a> apply to some positions they are not well qualified to do. For example, a job posting requiring at least five years of experience remains out of reach for an entry-level job hunter.” Save yourself time by focusing on positions that are a very strong fit. Don’t assume the employer is going to give you credit for anything you don't outline in your résumé and application materials. If the job requires you to lead teams and demonstrate other relevant results, feature those accomplishments and skills prominently on your résumé. If you don't, no one will know what you have to offer.</div>
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Be clear, succinct and direct when you indicate how and why you are well qualified for the job. Remember, in the initial stage, your résumé will likely be read by a computer <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/12/how-to-avoid-the-resume-black-hole" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/12/how-to-avoid-the-resume-black-hole">applicant tracking system</a>. In the next stage, it will probably go to a human reader. Your job is to appeal to both audiences and to be able to back up everything you say when you get to the interview stage.</div>
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<b>2. Engage with purpose.</b> Communicate effectively with the company throughout the process. Sheth says: <b>“</b>Companies always fear the possibility of choosing the wrong person, so helping them ease their fear by responding to outreach or promptly getting back to them can show them you care and communicate well." He adds that this is not the time to play “hard to get.”</div>
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Don’t expect to remain on a company’s short list if you don’t respond in a timely way. Also, <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/10/11/the-7-deadly-sins-of-cover-letter-writing" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/10/11/the-7-deadly-sins-of-cover-letter-writing">be careful</a>with your written responses. Even if you are replying from your mobile device, grammar and punctuation are still important and will be evaluated. If you can’t send a grammatically correct email from your cell phone, you could very well lose the opportunity to interview for the job.</div>
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<b>3. Evaluate as you are evaluated. </b>Note how the company treats you and communicates with you in the engagement stage. If your first interview is cancelled at the last minute, and your interviewer calls you an hour late for the rescheduled meeting, assume you’ll be dealing with a lot of <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/19/10-annoying-email-habits-to-break-today" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">miscommunication</a>should you join this company. Never forget that the pre-hire process is a two-way street: You evaluate the organization at the same time hiring managers evaluate your credentials.</div>
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<b>4.</b> <b>Do not delay. </b>Demonstrate your ability to be efficient and effective. Sheth says: <b>“</b>Always aim to help move and improve the process in any way possible. Both you and the hiring authority want to get through the process as quickly and smoothly as possible.” However, don’t cut corners to reach the finish line. He explains: “Shortcuts often wind up doing more damage than good.”</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/27/how-to-get-the-job-by-thinking-like-a-hiring-manager" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

How to Get the Job by Thinking Like a Hiring Manager

How to Get the Job by Thinking Like a Hiring Manager Consider the perspectives of recruiters and employers while applying to jobs. ...

job & interview

What New Grads Should Know Before Accepting That First Job Offer

How to Get the Job by Thinking Like a Hiring Manager

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