How to Have Your Best Interview Without Even Opening Your Mouth

Although the quality of your resume, cover letter, and verbal responses are extremely influential determining factors of whether or not you will be hired, the importance of your nonverbal communication and behavior during an interview should not be underestimated. This is because research has shown that up to 80% of communication is nonverbal. That being said, here are some tips you may not have thought of to improve your body language and nonverbal behavior before and during your interview.

 

Before even getting out of your car to walk toward the location of your interview, make sure you appear calm and confident. You never know if your interviewer can see you from a window or happens to be standing next to you in the elevator. If you don’t look put together in those first impressionable moments, it will be hard for your interviewer to see past that during your interview.

 

Maintain an appropriate amount of eye contact. It’s ok to look away every once in awhile when you’re speaking, but it is extremely important to maintain eye contact when your interviewer is speaking to you to avoid appearing disinterested or aloof.

 

If you are prone to fidgeting, cross your hands in your lap. Keeping your fingers intertwined will also prevent you from other distracting movements such as touching your face or playing with your hair. Of course it’s okay to use your hands to make occasional gestures while you speak, but return your hands to your lap when you’re finished or when your interviewer is speaking.

 

Make a conscious effort to keep your posture in check by rolling your shoulders back and sitting up straight. Slouching looks lazy and sloppy, but leaning forward onto the table can seem aggressive. Sitting up straight is a happy medium that makes you appear confident and attentive.

 

If you send to subconsciously swing your foot back and forth when your legs are crossed, make sure to sit so that your feet are placed firmly on the ground to avoid any distracting movements.

 

Crossing your arms appears resistant and defensive. Instead, keep your arms closer to your sides, which makes you look approachable.

 

Engage with your interviewer while they are speaking by nodding every so often and using appropriate facial movements occasionally such as an eyebrow raise or pleasant smile. However, refrain from nodding too frequently or else you’ll look like a bobble head doll

 

Make sure your tone of voice and facial expressions are consistent with what you’re speaking about. If the interviewer asks you what you’re most passionate about, don’t respond in a monotone voice! And although smiling is generally a good thing, it can appear ingenuine when done at an inappropriate time.

 

When choosing an outfit to wear to your interview, stay away from bold patterns. Instead, choose colors such as navy, grey, black, and white which appear professional and do not distract from your interview.


For further career advice and services, visit our website or call us at (361) 883-3535. We can’t wait to help you get hired!

 

2016 Work Goals

New year, new goals! It’s not too late to make the most of 2016 by making and following up on your career ambitions. Check out these tips to assist you in your accomplishments!

 

Stay organized
We get it – you’re busy. With so many things going on at once, it’s hard to stay organized. However, staying organized is one of the best ways to remain productive and energetic. This year, make it a goal to keep your office space clean. Do so by organizing that “junk” drawer by adding containers for all of those odds-and-ends. This can be anything from small cups and boxes to even an ice cube tray. And keep it organized all year long by cleaning it out every three months.

Contribute to a good work environment
Happy co-workers, happy life! Studies show that a good work environment is one of the most crucial factors for employee satisfaction. Contribute to a happy workplace by consciously building positive relationships with your co-workers. Remember to help them with small tasks, show your appreciation, and focus on teamwork. Remaining positive and enthusiastic will make everyone’s work environment a little brighter.

Get that promotion
If one of your 2016 ambitions is to get the promotion of your dreams, do so by volunteering for additional tasks, taking initiative, and maintaining a positive attitude. And don’t forget to put intentional effort into your job. Employers say that working hard and holding up your end of a task makes you more eligible to get that promotion.

Time management
Good time management is tough, but necessary for productivity. Make 2016 as efficient as possible by focusing on managing your time and efforts well. First of all, take time to plan your day. Even if it’s only for 15 minutes every morning, make a list of tasks you want to accomplish and make a conscious effort to follow up on it throughout the day. Secondly, block out social media and other distractions. Doing so will allow you to be more productive and also give you something to look forward to on your breaks. Lastly, don’t be afraid to say “no”. Prioritize the things that you have time for and that are important to you.

Career change
If one of your 2016 goals is to change your career, let The Wilson Group help! Not only can we assist you with finding the job of your dreams, but we can help you get it too.

We take pride in making the perfect match in a variety of industries including accounting, banking, engineering, healthcare, chemical, green energy, oil and gas, legal, manufacturing, and technical. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our experts by calling (361) 883-3535 or visiting our website.

Resolutions for Your Job Search

It’s not too late to start some 2016 resolutions. Maybe the best place to start is your job search! Whether these are small goals, like spending an afternoon working on your resume or more on-going goals like keeping that spark everyday, setting goals can be helpful in getting the most out of your search!

 

Revise Your Resume
Whether it’s adding new information to just updating your format, it’s always a good idea to take some time every 3-6 months to add to your resume. This is the easiest 1-page glimpse a company has of your experience, education and what else might be pertinent to your career. If you don’t have any new skills or volunteering or experience to add to your resume, you might look into new opportunities.

Join a Group
There are many networking groups and job search support groups you can join. It’s always great to get advice from others and hearing that other people are going through the same thing as you. Part of the struggle of the job search is feeling isolated. With a group you can bounce ideas off of or that can bring new ideas to the table.

Update Your Social Media
It is always a good practice to fix up your social media profiles when you start your job search. Make sure that you look professional but personable in on your personal accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) as well as your professional accounts (like LinkedIn).

Keep that Motivation
We know that one of the toughest parts of the job search can be to keep a great attitude. Some days will tend to get you down. But setting a goal to maintain your motivation.

Get Your Perfect Match
You have plans for your future – and the skills to get you there. The Wilson Group has access to the hottest jobs. Let’s make that perfect match! We don’t just fill a position; we listen to your career goals and needs, and connect you to the right job. No more dead-end interviews; no more mismatched expectations. We’re dedicated to providing the perfect match. To get started on your future, browse our job listings, or submit your resume online. To talk directly with a recruiting professional, call 361-883-3535.

Job Searching During the Holidays

 

The weather might be cooling down, but the job search is heating up! Employers are still hiring through the holiday season – they may have to meet special needs for the holidays, prepare for the New Year, or replace an employee. Whatever the reason, it’s your time to shine!

First and foremost, competition for the job search during the holidays is much lower. Many people suspend their job search during the holidays because they believe that employers aren’t hiring – WRONG! Even individuals who are currently employed but want to make a career change typically wait until after the New Year to start that search. This is the perfect window of opportunity for you! With less competition you’re more likely to score yourself an interview and be able to “wow” your future employer with your dedication to the job search.

Holiday parties are the perfect opportunity to network. Use these parties to catch up with old friends or meet new people. Everyone has loads of fun at holiday parties, and the heightened mood gives you an opportunity to connect on a personal level. Take advantage of this opportunity! Even if you’re not attending any holiday parties this year, you can still use the holidays to network. Use the holiday season as an ice-breaker – send a greeting card to a lost connection or someone that you have been thinking about lately. It’s the perfect opportunity!

Chances are that you will have some down time during the holiday season. Use this time to research companies and find where you would be the perfect fit. Not only will this help you decide what you truly want in a career and job, but it will help you narrow your search. Once you identify the specific companies you want to work for, you can target them more effectively and efficiently!

Lastly, make sure you follow up. If you make a great connection at a holiday event, take the time to send a handwritten thank you card. This will help to build rapport between you and your potential employer and it will also put your name back into the employer’s mind when they receive your card. If you run into an old friend and get to talking about the job search, follow up with a phone call and remind them that you’re on the job hunt.

Take advantage of the opportunities that the holidays bring. Competition is low, so make sure you network, research companies, and follow up. Visit our website and see how we can help your holiday job search!

Corpus Christi During the Holidays

The holidays are an exciting time. It’s a great opportunity to spend time with friends, family, and loved ones. Lucky for you, Corpus Christi has so much to offer during this wonderful time of the year! Take advantage of all these fun events!

Visits with Santa Claus

Now – December 24, La Palmera

Visits and photos with Santa Claus are available every evening until Christmas Eve! Santa is located in the Center Court during regular mall hours.

 

Seasonal Crafts

December 12th 10:00am-12:00pm, University of Texas Marine Science Education Center

It’s time to turn trash into treasure! During this event you will learn about the problem of marine debris and have the opportunity to create “green” holiday treasures from items that would have been thrown away. All ages are welcome!

 

Santa Nutmeg’s Workshop

December 12th 9:00am-2:00pm, Texas Sealife Center

This event is an amazing opportunity to help fundraise for the winter season! There will be a rummage sale, gift wrapping, food, drinks, and pictures with Santa Nutmeg! There will also be an area for kids to decorate their own sea life ornament.

 

Santa Cause Casa Toy Drive for Children in Foster Care

December 19th 10:00am-5:00pm, Sames Ford

For children in foster care, the holidays serve as a reminder that they are separated from loved ones. This event is a great opportunity to help out these wonderful children! Bring an unwrapped new item for newborns to 18 year olds and donate it to this wonderful cause. This is a great way to give back this holiday season!

 

Whether you’re meeting Santa Claus, crafting, fundraising, or donating, Corpus Christi will make sure you spend your holidays at fun and exciting events. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season! Visit our website to see what we do for the holidays and how we can help your job search!

 

How to Improve Your Personal Branding

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In today’s world, creating a unique and interesting personal brand is vital to your career success. Yes, your resume and cover letter are still important – but companies are gradually placing higher importance on who you are as a person, opposed to what you have done in the past. With that being said, start thinking of yourself as a brand. What do you want people to think of when they hear your name? What do people associate with your name? Once you begin to think of yourself as a brand you can determine what you need to do to cultivate and polish your personal brand.

A great first step in perfecting your personal brand is to develop your own personal website or blog. Use this website as a freedom of expression – your website doesn’t necessarily have to be career-focused. You could develop a food blog, fashion website, or anything in between. What matters is that through this website or blog someone can see who you are – your personality, your strengths, and your values. Cleaning up your social media accounts is also extremely important. Your personal brand is affected by what you portray on your social media, so make sure that your social media and personal brand coexist and compliment one another.

Your personal brand should also show that you are continuously growing and improving. Become an expert in your field – take classes, get unique certifications, and promote your accomplishments. People will notice that you are striving to be the best version of yourself that you can be, which will work to your advantage when others speak of you. Nothing is more powerful in building your personal brand than what your network of contacts say about you and your set of skills, education, and accomplishments.

What may be the most important element when developing a personal brand is differentiation. In order to stand out, you must differentiate yourself. What do you do better than your competitors? What do you do that is valuable and unique? What are you most proud of? If you’re going to have a personal brand, you have to become relentlessly focused on what you do better than your competitors, what adds value, and what you are most proud of.

Lastly, make sure you promote yourself! If you have an amazing personal brand, make sure people know about it. Link your personal website to your LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media accounts. As the old saying goes, “If you got it, flaunt it!” Having a unique personal brand is essential for your success, so tell people about it. Once you have mastered your personal brand, check out our website and see what opportunities await!

The Perfect Time To Change Your Strategy!

 

Fall is a time for change, and maybe the change that you’re ready to make is a career change! Changing your career can be rewarding and an opportunity for you to grow both personally and professionally. If you’re entering into the job search, The Wilson Group has plenty to offer that can benefit you and help you land the job of your dreams.

Resume Refresher: Resume styles and writing techniques are constantly evolving – that’s where we come in! We take your existing resume and “refresh” it. We update it utilizing the latest formats and key phrases/words that will impress employers. More importantly, we have unlocked the secret to successfully applying online. We will train you on applying online and getting your resume into the hiring authorities hands. If your current resume isn’t working for you, let us make it a winner!

One-on-One Interview Coaching: Interviewing is an art – make sure you’re fully prepared! Let the experts help you perfect your interviewing skills. Each session is 1 hour in length and covers common questions and job-winning answers that will help you be your best. Also, the session include the top 10 reasons people fail in interviews and how to avoid the pitfalls!

Career Coaching: Meeting with a career coach can help you develop a plan of action before you change careers. We can help identify your strengths and outline a career path for you. We want you to have confidence in the road ahead – let us guide you!

Between our resume refresher, interview coaching, and career coaching, we set you up to succeed. It’s our goal to help you land an amazing job where you can flourish. Check out our website or call us at (361) 883-3535 to begin your road to success!

Fall is a Time For Change

 

Changing your career path can be a scary and overwhelming decision. However, if you are unhappy at your current job or uninterested in your current career path, a career change may be the proper fix. Changing your career is a natural life progression – it is common and expected, so don’t be alarmed when the thought of changing your career crosses your mind. Rather than feeling intimidated or worried about your career transition, understand that there are several steps you can take to ensure that you start a career that you will love.

The first step you should take when exploring new career options is to get a full and complete understanding of yourself. You should know what you like and don’t like, what motivates you, and what type of work environment you enjoy. Know what you are passionate about and what excites you. If you have a better understanding of yourself, you can explore careers that specifically fit you. You may find it useful to research a variety of careers that center around your likes, dislikes, passions, etc. In the future, finding the perfect career fit will make you more productive and happier.

Once you have researched and found some career paths that you believe would lead you down the road to success, it’s time to analyze your current skills. Make a list of what skills you possess – whether it’s leadership, creativity, or analytical skills. You can then tailor these skills to apply to your new career path. Furthermore, knowing what skills you do possess will show you what skills you may need to improve. Understanding what skills need to be improved will allow you to start taking the necessary steps to actually improve those skills.

Now that your skills are perfected, it’s time to start applying. Brush up on your interview skills and make sure your resume is ready to go. It’s important to understand that finding a new career won’t happen overnight. It’s going to take hard work, dedication, and perseverance for you to land your dream job and start down your new career path. Make sure you have people who will support you – whether it be family, friends, or a mentor.

Changing your career is exciting and intimidating all at once. For your next career move, let TWG help you! Check out our website or call us at (361) 883-3535 to see how we can cater to your needs and help you change your career path!

What Does a Good Work Environment Look Like?

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When considering the aspects of a job, it’s important to think about the work environment and the effect it can have on your day-to-day life. Having a great work environment can add important benefits to your life that will help you be successful at the office.

 

Anyone who has had a boss or supervisor has probably uttered the words “I just don’t know what he/she wants me to do.” Lack of communication is a common problem that we face each and every day. Great communication amongst co-workers is a sign of a great work environment and provides a major benefit – less confusion and clear direction when tackling projects. Regardless of where you land on the hierarchy chart at the office, great communication skills are essential to being efficient at work. If you’re communicating your thoughts clearly you will be more productive and successful at work.

 

A work environment that breeds’ team spirit can create a sense of unity that benefits the people working in that environment. After all, we are all human and when work gets tough, it’s a great feeling to know you have your co-workers to support you. Clear communication can lay out what a company’s goals are and from there you and your co-workers can get behind that goal to accomplish it together. Having a team-oriented office is an important benefit of a successful work environment because it can keep people from feeling isolated and overwhelmed with their jobs.

 

Showing recognition for hard work can be critical to creating a successful work environment. Merit based recognition is the key to this being a positive benefit in the workplace. Often times praise is not given to the correct people when a major accomplishment is achieved. Being sure to give appreciation and praise to the right people can create a work environment that is enthusiastic towards producing superior work. As an employee, this will help you feel appreciated and it will motivate you to continue to excel at the office.

 

A positive work environment can entail many things. The ideas previously listed are important principal ideas that provide benefits such as an enjoyable, efficient, and successful workplace. Remember to attain a great work environment and to yield these benefits your office needs to be full of clear communicators, form a team focused atmosphere, and always recognize superior work by showing appropriate praise and appreciation. If you’re looking to find a great work environment, come check out our website, where we can find a perfect match for you!

 

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