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Interviewing: A Three Step Process

You finally landed an interview for your dream job, now what? The proper interviewing technique can be broken up into a three step process: preparation, presentation, and pursue. Each step is a key ingredient in the recipe for success.

Step One: Preparation:
One of the biggest mistakes you could make is going into an interview unprepared. Know as much as you can about the company, your interviewer, and the position you are applying for. During the interview you will be tested on your knowledge of these subjects, so expect questions such as, “What do you know about our company?” “Tell me why you would be a good fit for this position specifically,” and “How do you see yourself fitting into the company?” If you don’t prepare for your interview, these questions will be almost impossible to answer, and not only does it show you did not prepare, it also seems as though you don’t really care, or you don’t really want the job. During this step, you should research as much as you can about the company, practice interview questions, have two or three intelligent questions to ask your interviewer, and have a professional outfit selected.

Step Two: Presentation:
The time has come, and it’s time for you to present your best self. The key to succeeding in this step is to stay relaxed and be confident! All of that built up anxiety and anticipation will only hold you back if you allow it to. The first component of being successful in this step is the handshake. Make sure it’s a firm handshake, you make eye contact, and don’t forget to smile! When the interviewer is asking questions make sure to sit up straight, maintain eye contact, and speak clearly. If you get stuck on a question, don’t be afraid to pause for a second and collect your thoughts. It is much more impressive to an interviewer that you carefully choose your words, than ramble off the first thing that pops into your head. Finally, don’t forget to ask questions at the end of the interview when you are prompted to. You can even write down a few beforehand, so you don’t forget in the heat of the moment.

Step Three: Pursue
This final step is often taken for granted, or even forgotten. You have made a great impression on the interviewer, but forgetting to follow up, could be your largest mistake. Taking the time to thank your interviewer, or multiple interviewers, shows that you truly care about their time and that you really want the job. Sending a simple thank you email will suffice, however, if you really want to stand out, send a handwritten thank you note on nice stationary to go the extra mile. These responses should be sent out within 24 hours of when you interview, especially if it has to go through snail mail. In your note, or email, make sure you include how much you appreciated them taking the time to speak with you, why you like the company, and reiterate why you would be the right fit for this position.

For more interview tips visit our website!

On Company Culture

One of the most overlooked elements in regards to finding success and happiness within a workplace is understanding the company’s culture. The company’s culture can range anywhere from strictly formal and professional to creative and casual. A company’s culture is much more than the image reflected to the public. The culture is also about how the members of the company interact with one another, how they dress, how the office space is presented, and how the company relates with their customers and clients. Some companies may have a very strong culture with deeply ingrained roots and values, and others may not have such an obvious one. Understanding a company’s culture is key to knowing if you will fit in with the company and if the company is a good fit for you.

Do Your Homework:
Before applying for a job, make sure you understand a company’s culture. This is not only key to acing a job interview, but also ensuring this job will be a positive fit. A company’s website is a great way to start understanding their culture. Videos, blogs, and pictures give great insight into what a company believes in and how they interact with one another. Second, checking other online reviews is another way to capture what the company’s clients and employees think and feel about that company. However, one caveat to online reviews is they are often on either ends of the spectrum, being either extremely negative or extremely positive. Most people with average or normal feelings about a company will not take the time to write a review for the world to see. Finally, a great way to capture a company’s culture is to look into the company’s social media sites. These will give the most genuine representation of a company’s culture through posts, events, and photos.

Understand Their Mission Statement:
The mission statement is inherently their culture in a few sentences. Most companies have a mission statement that allows one to understand their core values as a company. Be critical with their mission statement to fully understand if it aligns with your own mission and values. If it does not, than the company may not be the best fit for you, and it much better knowing this from the get go.

Observe Their Environment:
The interview is not only the best way for the company to get to know you, but also the best way for you to get to know who they are and what they stand for. Don’t let nerves get the best of you, and solely focus on what you are going to say to the interviewer. Instead, look around, and take some time to observe their culture. What does their office look like? What do people wear when they come to work? Are co-workers mingling or getting along? One of the most important parts of an interview is that you ask questions yourself. Be sure to include at least one question geared toward the company culture to the interviewer, it not only helps you understand their culture, but also shows the interviewer that you care about their mission and values.

For more tips and tricks on your job search, visit our website.

Spring Cleaning for Your Job Search

Spring is finally here and that means spring cleaning is in order. However, we are not talking about scrubbing your floors and getting rid of household clutter. This spring we are discussing spring cleaning to prepare for your job search. In today’s competitive job market it is crucial that the first items you submit to an employer are representing your best self.

Resume:
A resume is essentially an advertisement, and you are the product being sold, therefore, sell yourself in the best way possible. Make sure the look of your resume expresses the up to date look of the industry. If you are still using the same format you have for years, you may need to reevaluate. Make sure that it includes information about yourself currently and has an updated/polished layout and graphics. Be sure you have your resume in different formats such as .pdf, Microsoft Word and text only in case the company needs a different file format.

It is crucial that your resume is only one page. Although you may have more information than a page, a resume surpassing one page will not be taken seriously. Make sure you tailor your resume to each job application you apply for. This way if you have more than a page of information, you can put the most relevant information that relates to the position you are seeking.

Focus on accomplishments within each job experience and include them on your resume. This also entails using concrete details. For example, if you increased sales at a company by 65%, include this in the job description.

Cover Letter:
Since the job seeking market is highly saturated, a cover letter template used across all applications is not going to help you stand out. Employers can recognize when there is a generic cover letter that has the position and company copied and pasted into the blanks.

Tailor your cover letter’s formality to the formality of the company. This means if you are applying for a creative graphic design position your cover letter should look much different than if you are applying for an accounting position. If you are applying for a creative position, use your cover letter to show how creative you are, and if you are applying for a position where results and percentages matter the most, make sure to include concrete evidence showcasing your accomplishments.

Social Media:
Facebook is not the only social media outlet you need to ensure is professional. Make sure you consider all of your social media accounts, such as: Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter. While some photos and posts may seem appropriate to you, they may not be to a different audience, so take some time to consider all the audiences that could be potentially viewing your accounts. With technology and social media becoming so important to employers, make sure when you google your name, nothing questionable appears.

Check your privacy settings. While what you post to your own profile may not seem offensive, ensure that what other people are tagging you in is also appropriate. This means including privacy setting that allow you to review other people’s posts before they are published to your page. Just because you are not direct friends with a possible employer, does not mean there are not ways they could potentially view your profile.

If you need a helping hand with your spring cleaning, The Wilson Group, is at your service. For more tips and information visit our website.

Updating Your Resume

In an age of online dating, social media profiles, and text messages, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In modern times, people spend a lot of time worrying about how they are perceived on a screen – to their friends, family, and peers. But what about your appearance to an employer? No matter how many endorsements you have on LinkedIn, a well-done resume can make or break an employer’s opinion of you. Here are a few ways to ensure that your resume will stand out in a professional way.

Keep it to a page. Employers don’t generally have the time or patience to read more than a single one-sided page. Make your margins smaller and shorten the spacing between lines if you’re running out of room.

Use that one page wisely. Make sure that every item on your resume has a place and a purpose. If you have relevant skills you would love to add, go ahead! If you are particularly proud of your responsibilities at a given job, list them. But don’t feel a need to expand on every single aspect of the resume. The page will fill up quickly.

Don’t make anything up. Should your impressive resume land you an interview, anything and everything on it is fair game. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about any listed skills or job experience, no matter how trivial it may seem.

Don’t be afraid of creativity! When employers are going through a tall stack of resumes, a splash of color or interesting formatting can be like a breath of fresh air. Add small graphic or chart containing your information. The most important thing to remember, though, is to keep it readable. Don’t allow the visual appeals to detract from the information on the page
Spell check and grammar check. Nothing can ruin an employer’s opinion quicker than an accidental error. Good grammar and spelling shows a potential employer that you are detail-oriented and responsible.

Should the the resume-process still freak you out, fear not! Check out TWG’s Pinterest account, The Wilson Group Corpus Christi, for more professional tips and tricks! And as always, check out our website for more up-to-date information on job searches!

How To Fall In Love With Your Job

With Valentine’s day just around the corner, love is in the air. However, this is not the typical romance advertised for February 14th. This Valentine’s day we are focusing on loving your job. Just because you may not have your ultimate dream job, does not mean you cannot love your job. Enjoying your job not only helps your mental health, but it also helps you succeed in life. Whether you are just embarking on your career path, or have matured through the workforce, these tips will help you learn to love your job.

Tips for Loving you Job:

Focus On the Positives
We all know the feeling when we wake up early and all we want to do is to hit the snooze button. Getting up early for a nine to five job, seven days a week can become a drag. However, instead of waking up and focusing on the lack of sleep you got, or facing a traffic filled commute, focus on something positive about your job. Once you have that one positive attribute about your job, amp it up! This can be anywhere from enjoying spending time with your coworkers, interesting assignments, to opportunities for learning. Changing how you perceive your job can make all the difference. Even if there is no tangible change, having a positive attitude will not only help you enjoy your day more, but it will also encourage a positive workplace for everyone else in the office.

2. Surround Yourself With Those You Love
Sometimes the key to happiness within a career is being surrounded by those you love. Having a strong relationship with your coworkers and your superiors can turn any job into one you feel passionate about. The key to enjoying your job is being surrounded by people
who you enjoy and you look forward to spending time with. The fact of life is that you will be spending a lot of time with people you work with, so creating and maintaining positive relationships will allow you to enjoy going to work each day.

3. Ask For More Responsibility
Having a routine is great, but sometimes routines at work become tedious, which only increases boredom. Feeling unimportant within a company can take a tole on how you perceive your job. If you feel as though you are completing the same tasks at work on a daily basis, ask for more responsibility! Having more responsibility will add a new element of interest into your daily responsibilities and it will look impressive in the eyes of your supervisor. Tackling a new challenge at work increases your skill set, allows for opportunities for learning and growth, and can open you up to new and interesting people at your company.

This Valentine’s day focus on what you love about your job, and what you can do to change what you don’t love. Remember The Wilson Group is here to help you find that job you love. For more information and tips on landing a job you love visit our website.

Nailing Your Skype Interview

Job interviews in the past look much different than they do in our society today. With the rise in technology, Skype interviews have become more of the norm. Nailing an in-person interview is often what people practice and prepare when applying for a job. However, how do you prepare and ace a Skype interview? It may seem awkward at first, however, Skype interviews have their perks along with their downfalls. The key is taking these kinds of interviews as seriously as in-person interviews.

Tips for Nailing Skype Interviews:

Smile for the Camera
Throughout the duration of your Skype interview you may be tempted to look at your screen, or watch yourself as you talk. However, to the person on the other end of the call, this may seem like you are not making eye contact with them. Looking at the camera gives the illusion that you are maintaining eye contact with the interviewer, which is key in any interview setting. It is also important to smile! Since you are not in the physical presence of another person, it is easy to forget to show off those pearly whites. Smiling not only makes the interviewer think you are a positive person interested in the position, but it also psychologically relaxes you as well.

Set a Backdrop
Although you are the major focal point of the interview, an employer can still see what is behind you. Having a messy bedroom as the background of your interview does not look professional and may affect how the interviewer perceives you. Setting up the interview in front of a blank neutral colored wall works perfectly. Along with having a proper background, it is also important to have the interview in a quiet room with no distractions. These distractions may make you feel nervous or anxious and calls the interviewer’s attention away from you.

Handle Technological Glitches Appropriately
The most dreaded part of a Skype interview is surely the fear of disconnection, or technological glitches. If you experience a glitch during the interview make sure you handle it appropriately. Stay calm and explain the situation to the interviewer. Interviewers have had their fair share of technological glitches, therefore, they are bound to understand. If there are too many issues with the connection ask to restart the call in order to give them a quality interview. The glitches will not ruin your chances, but how you handle them could have a larger effect on how the interviewer judges you against other candidates.

Relax, smile, and be the best professional self you can be! For more tips visit our website!

Corpus Christi and The New Year

At The Wilson Group we are very excited about the new happenings in Corpus Christi. If you have been looking into moving here or just broadening the outlook on your backyard, we have some information for you!

There are some very exciting groundbreakings and openings happening in 2015. Alamo Drafthouse has announced there will be a new location in Corpus. An exciting new place for movie-lovers to see a flick and get a meal, Alamo Drafthouse is known for independent screenings and special sing alongs and movie events. It will be located on Yorktown and Staples.

The long awaited Schlitterbahn water park will be opening Spring Break 2015. This is exciting for families and adventurers alike with a wave-river, boogie bahn and lots of restaurants and concessions. Schlitterbahn will be an exciting place to visit this summer!

An exciting groundbreaking on the expansion for the Texas State Aquarium just happened this month. This $50 million expansion will bring the four-story Caribbean Journey wing. This will be the largest expansion the aquarium has ever had!

If you are looking for something to do in Corpus Christi after the holidays you can check out the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival. Taking place at First Christian Church on Santa Fe, this end of season celebration brings together over 200 costumed roles as well as countless choir and orchestra parts all to benefit the Food Bank. This show has brought the community together for more than 30 years.

There is also a birding trip you can take in January. On the Winter Birds of South Texas tour is a boat ride on Aransas Bay where you can see the Whooping Crane and many others.

On January 1st there is the Polar Bear Plunge to support ALS research at Fajitaville on North Beach. Plunge into the water, come out, dry off and warm up indoors. Lunch, a beverage (alcoholic or non) and a tshirt are included in your entry.

We are so excited about what the new year has to bring in Corpus Christi! Join in the new year with a new job by visiting our website.

Job Searching in December

The holiday season is slow when it comes to job searches. However, this is the prime time to be searching, as everyone else assumes recruiters have backed off. Don’t miss the opportunities the holidays bring by loosening the reigns on your job search. Recruiters are still out in full force and you could be just the one they are looking for! We have compiled some tips to help you navigate your job search this holiday season.

Networking

Holidays are filled with parties and schmoozing. What more perfect time to network than times like these? Put yourself out there by introducing yourself to as many people as possible. Be open in communicating with those you meet about your job search. Others may not be aware that you are looking for a job, however, if you mention to them you are in the market for a job, you may be surprised with what people have to offer!

Reconnect

There is not a more appropriate time than the holidays to reach out to old acquaintances. Are there old people you once knew that could be potential connections (old roommates, friends, colleagues)? Consider calling these friends to wish them a happy holiday and see what they have been up to. This could open the door to job opportunities, and if not you will at least reestablish some cherished relationships! If a phone call is too intimidating, a greeting card with a personalized life update is a sufficient alternative to let the person know you are seeking connections!

Leave Doors Open

There are many opportunities that only arise during the holiday season. For example, temporary jobs. Although they are not glamorous, they may give you just the leverage you need for landing a full time position after the holiday season. Similarly, volunteer opportunities are at their peak during the holiday seasons. Look to serve at different functions around your city as a way to network and gain skills for your resume.

Take advantage of your job search this holiday season by putting yourself out there and remaining confident. Employers will notice the extra effort you exude during a time where most are relishing in holiday festivities!

We wish you a merry job searching holiday season!

Estimator

Our client is seeking an experienced estimator with 3-5 years experience dealing with square footage , elevations, and architectural design with regard to commercial construction of schools, offices and hospitals etc. Prepares construction budget by studying plans, updating specifications, and identifying and projecting costs for each elevation. Interested candidates should submit their resume complete with salary requirements to Kelly Tovar, ktovar@thewilsongrp.com for immediate review and consideration.

Personal Branding

Personal branding is the key to help employers understand what makes you tick. You can prove yourself as an asset to their business before you even walk through the door. Your resume, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and portfolio are all key elements in creating your personal brand.

Become a Thought Leader
Use your social media platforms to your benefit. Make sure that you are curating and creating relevant content. Don’t make your social media all about work, make sure your personality and interests are in there too. Post articles from news sites, blogs and other exciting internet sources. Your potential employer will gain more insight about who you are if you are posting consistently and post what you are passionate about. It is an added bonus if your posts are timely and getting attention from other social media users. Finding material that you care about is key.

Build Your Strengths
By now you should have some idea as to what your strengths and weaknesses are. If you are still having trouble figuring out what these may be, you should look into what situations make you happy, what types of work you like to do first or even take any number of aptitude tests. Once you have some idea as to what your strengths are, build on them. If you are great at leading group work, do more leadership activities in your daily life, this can be an intramural sports team, position at church or even just going online to see if there are any speakers coming through your town to speak on leadership. Any of these could help you hone your skills that are already prevalent. If your strength is an eye for detail, look into hobbies that use this skill such as photography, sewing, or painting miniature figures. Do this for a few of your strengths and then you will be able to better brand yourself on a resume or interview. When your potential employer is asking what you have over the competition, you will have definitive skills that you can explain. Make sure that you include these strengths in your resume, portfolio, interview and even photos of you building your skills in your social media.

Be Consistent
Your branding should reflect in everything you create, this could be down to even minor detail. Keeping the same font in your resume and portfolio. Showing off strengths that you talk about in your resume in your portfolio and social media. You should also be consistent in your writing. Have someone (or a few people) proofread your resume before handing it to an interviewer. Make sure that you use correct spelling and grammar on your social media accounts. You should also make sure that the photos and opinions that you are posting are things you want a potential employer to see. That could mean cleaning up your Facebook to be job search ready.

Using these tips are sure to set you apart. For more tips and tricks visit our Facebook and our website.