Getting Hired - Top 10 Careers Articles

How to Handle Sticky Interview Situations

Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer — 8/30/2010 6:29:23 PM

Think back to the 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant when Caitlin Upton, representing South Carolina, was asked why so many Americans were unable to locate the United States on a map. Her response was muddled, to put it kindly. Her incoherent response not only left the judges scratching their heads but also proved that answering a question on the spot can cause anyone to stumble.

Although that video clip went viral and millions of viewers have had fun laughing at Upton's botched answer, you can probably assume everyone identified with her to a degree. Who hasn't been called on in class or been asked a question in a meeting and just blathered on like a toddler?

Imagine feeling this helpless during a job inter....

Too Old to Be Hired?

Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder Writer — 8/31/2010 12:10:21 PM

When Anna Klenman and her boyfriend moved to Los Angeles, they decided to try a local temp service for employment opportunities. Her boyfriend went in one day and was told, "We have lots of jobs. We'll get you placed right away." He was working in less than 48 hours. Encouraged, Klenman went in soon afterward and was interviewed by the very same client-placement manager. But instead of an enthusiastic response, Klenman was told, "It's a difficult market. You should apply to as many other temp services as you can."

Why the difference in attitude? Klenman contends it was because she is significantly older than her boyfriend. "It's a competitive market, and temp services want to supply companies with young, f....

Mistakes You Made in School That Shouldn't Be Repeated in the Job Search

Robert Half International — 8/30/2010 6:32:20 PM

High school and college may seem like a distant memory, especially if you're an experienced professional who hasn't looked at a textbook in years. But some job seekers are channeling their school-age selves with many of the same consequences. You may not get a trip to the principal's office, but you could take yourself out of the running for the career you want.

From procrastinating to goofing off, following in your teenage footsteps is never a good idea. You may not even realize you are doing it. Here are three mistakes you may have made in school that you should avoid repeating:

Waiting until the last minute to study

The night before a paper was due, there you were, trying to quickly w....

How to Answer: 'What Have You Been Doing Since You Were Laid Off?'

Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder.com Writer — 8/30/2010 6:27:46 PM

When you first lost your job, you spent your time wallowing in your sorrows -- eating ice cream in your pajamas and watching Judge Judy all afternoon. Then your determination kicked in, and you decided to find a new job. You perused job boards, polished up your résumé, searched for old co-workers on LinkedIn -- and occasionally watched Judge Judy all afternoon.

While this may be the truth about what you've been doing since your last job ended, telling this to a recruiter probably won't be all that impressive. Though looking for a job is an admirable and necessary task for those out of work, telling a recruiter about your job search won't set you apart from the pac....

7 Questions That Make Interviewers Cringe

Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder writer — 8/31/2010 12:09:36 PM

Chances are you've prepared answers to a variety of questions an interviewer might throw your way, but have you spent equal time considering the questions you want to pose to a potential employer? What you ask (and sometimes when) can speak volumes about your interest and work ethic. Keep interviewers from cringing -- and possibly questioning your suitability for the position -- by avoiding these seven questions:

1. What does your company do?

Sure, an interview is a two-way street designed for both parties to learn about one another. Yet how can a job seeker prove he is the person for the position if he doesn't even know the basics about where he wants to work?

"I feel that if someone is....

4 Ways to Get a Hiring Manager's Attention

Robert Half International — 8/23/2010 12:41:45 PM

You've done everything right in your job hunt: You've built your professional network, your résumé is error-free and your online reputation is spotless. You think you've done a good job of marketing your skills and experience to prospective employers. But despite your best efforts, you're still searching.

How can you increase your chances of landing an interview and, ultimately, a new job in this competitive environment? Following are some suggestions to help you get noticed and distinguish yourself from the crowd of other applicants:

Become an expert

One way to gain the attention of potential employers is to make a name for yourself in your field. Easier said than done, right? Not necessarily....

Should You Lower Your Salary Expectations?

Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder.com Writer — 8/2/2010 12:19:00 PM

Everyone is pinching pennies these days, including employers. Hiring freezes, lower salary offers to new hires and smaller raises for existing employees have become commonplace. The unfortunate effect is that many workers will have to accept -- or at least consider accepting -- lower salaries. Still, taking a pay cut is a big deal. So how do you decide whether lowering you salary expectations will help your job search or hinder you in achieving what you're really worth?

Unfortunately, the answer isn't clear-cut, says Cheryl Palmer, a career coach and owner of Call To Career. "Many job seekers do not know what the market will bear, and as a result their expectations are out of sync. Some people arbitraril....

10 Hiring Manager Deal Breakers

Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder.com writer — 8/2/2010 1:55:19 PM

Everyone has encountered a deal breaker. That one unappealing characteristic -- no matter how attractive something initially seems -- that completely overrides any positive aspects. For example, you found a great apartment but it's a mile from the subway or your hot blind date acts like a cast member from "The Jersey Shore." Like anyone else, hiring managers have deal breakers too -- things that a job candidate does or says that immediately get their application sent to the "no" pile.

Here are some automatic applicant disqualifiers, straight from the recruiters' mouths:

"I provide personal PR consulting as part of my practice, and job interviews have come up recently. In talking with other managers....

5 Ways to Shine in Your Next Interview

Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder Writer — 7/6/2010 3:34:23 PM

In a tough job market, landing an interview is a major accomplishment. When such opportunity knocks, be ready to show why you're the candidate to hire. Here are five tips that can help job seekers make a great impression.

Do your homework

Erika Milonas, director of campus recruitment for The McTigue Financial Group (part of Northwestern Mutual) in Chicago, reviews more than 1,000 résumés a year and interviews about 400 candidates to choose 40 for the company's internship program. With such competition, it would seem that interviewees w....

Which is Better: Education or On-the-Job Training?

Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder.com writer — 6/21/2010 1:45:53 PM

As both associate and bachelor's degree programs crop up for jobs that once required only on-the-job training, it seems like college degrees are available for most occupations. But just because formal education exists for a certain field doesn't always mean it's necessary -- or advantageous -- for workers to obtain a degree before entering the job market.

You don't need a degree to do any of the below jobs, but degree programs are available. So which is better, education or on-the-job training?

Real-estate agent*

On-the-job: Although a degree is not required, rea....