Published on: 09 July 2018
Last Updated on: 13 September 2024
A majority of companies use traditional job interviews when hiring. This involves having the interviewee coming in and meeting the interviewers face-to-face. This method doesn’t work, according to Simply, author of “10 Interview Questions To Ask To Find Your Next Retail Super Employee.”
To begin with, most people actually lie during interviews. They do it because, given the kind of environment created by traditional interviews, candidates are willing to do anything to get through.
Take candidates during an interview for a position in your company, for example. You ask them if they have a certain skill that you probably deem important to the job they are interviewing for. The candidates obviously know that if they admit to not having that skill, they will not get the job. So, they will most likely skirt around the topic and give you the impression that they are more than qualified for the job. As an employer, many of your candidates are spoon-feeding you these dishonest answers and, if modern data is anything to go by, many employees are eating this misinformation up.
We Have Too Many Biases :
It’s not just about the lies that interviewees tell you during interviewers. It’s also about the inherent psychological biases you have that make you more likely to favor certain types of candidates over others.
For starters, we tend to evaluate attractive people more favorably than others. We see them as being more intelligent than their less attractive peers, more competent and more qualified. The truth, however, is that this isn’t objectively true.
We also evaluate taller people in a different way that we evaluate shorter ones. Height is associated with leadership skills, and so taller people are evaluated as having greater leadership skills. Just look at the presidents we’ve had for most of our history and a majority of the CEOs at large Fortune 500 companies. Taller people also seem to command higher salaries than their shorter counterparts.
We tend to think of people with lower-pitched voices as more trustworthy and consider them to have more integrity and fortitude.
None of the biases above are objectively true. Short people can be leaders just as great as tall people, unattractive people have often proven more intelligent and competent than their attractive counterparts and people with higher pitches can be just as trustworthy as those with lower pitches. It doesn’t help, however, because these biases are ingrained in most of us.
If you somehow arrive at the conclusion that a candidate is an introvert, you will automatically assume they are incapable of leading teams, even though that isn’t necessarily so. Our inherent assumptions affect how we even question candidates.
The Future of Job Interviews :
This is why the future will contain very few traditional interviews. Instead, we will do more job auditions, where the candidates will be required to perform tasks related to the jobs they are applying for, much like the auditions musicians attend.
You can get a sales representative to sell you a product or a software engineer to build you a simple product. These will prove much more effective going forward, especially for jobs where performance and hard skills matter the most.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
Every day, you see brands, you wear brands, you use brands, and you eat and drink brands. Business branding is everywhere.
You are also a brand.
Personal branding is especially useful when you’re job hunting or promoting yourself for other reasons. It’s up to you to craft your personal brand so that it conveys what you want it to convey.
What is a personal brand?
Your personal brand is the combination of factors that create an impression of you in the minds of other people. It’s your values, strengths, personality, passions, and all the other characteristics that people see in you.
You don’t need a logo, and your resume is only a part of your personal brand. You are a complete package. When you develop your personal brand, you shape it to help your best qualities stand out. You can shape it differently for different purposes to show employers and others who you are.
How a personal brand can help you
How many times have you had what you thought was a successful job interview, knowing that you were fully qualified for the job – and you didn’t get it?
It used to be that a good resume and a suitable personality were all you needed to get the job you wanted. These days, employers look further. When they research applicants online, they may find LinkedIn profiles, Facebook profiles, articles that you wrote, questionable photos, snide remarks on Twitter that you posted, and so on.
In fact, almost 80 percent of recruiters are required to look into your online reputation to see if there are any red flags.
Your personal brand helps you set yourself apart from others. Chances are that your competitors have already built their personal brands, making it easier for hiring managers to make decisions about them. One of them may have been hired for your dream job.
A well-developed personal brand can also help you with these endeavors:
Getting job promotions
Having recruiters notice you
Receiving recognition in your field
Developing industry connections
Attracting clients
Strengthening your desirable qualities
Reaching your goals more easily
How to develop a personal brand
First, identify the elements of your personal brand.
You are a brand product, and you need to know how to describe it. You need to know what skills, strengths, talents, and experience you offer, what accomplishments show what you can do for others, and what are your core values and passions are. You need to be able to explain your goals and decide what you want to people to recognize you for.
The answers to those questions form the unique package that is you. Once you’ve identified these traits, you need to package and publish them. There’s a bunch of different ways to go about this.
LinkedIn is a key part of your personal brand. Prospective employers and clients will look for you and expect to see you there. Spend time writing a profile that shows off your personal brand. Review and update it regularly. Take part in LinkedIn discussions. Quality contributions will make people notice you and view your LinkedIn profile.
Create profiles and take part in other social media platforms as well. Keep personal posts private so that professional connections see only posts that contribute to your personal brand.
Applicants who have a personal website are more likely to be hired than those who don’t have one. Use your website to draw attention to your accomplishments, and keep it updated. If you write well, consider having a blog. A blog with industry-relevant articles can go a long way to building your credibility and attracting job offers.
How to use your personal brand
Now it’s time to create a resume that highlights the characteristics that form your personal brand. Use it to help employers understand your unique qualities that are relevant to their needs.
Today’s resumes are more than lists of past jobs and responsibilities. Start your resume with a personal statement that describes your brand and what you offer of value to employers. Have a bulleted list near the top of the first page with accomplishments that illustrate your proficiency.
Hand in hand with resume writing is researching target employers. Read their job ads carefully, and shape each resume to underscore the aspects of your personal brand that can best meet their challenges. Research jobs not only on large aggregate sites but also on local job boards. If you live in New York, for example, search the ads for jobs in your field at New York Jobs.
You can also post your resume online. Choose a version that will appeal to the majority of employers you’re targeting.
Let recruiters and your personal contacts know that you’re looking for a new position. When they understand your personal brand, they’re better able to recognize potential job matches. Networking groups may also help you find the right connection.
Continue to take part online, monitor your social media presence, and write in your blog if you have one. Hiring managers and recruiters could be searching for you online at any time.
Continue to connect with more people online. Past colleagues and supervisors, college alumni, people in your networking groups, and other people in your field can be valuable connections. Help them when you can, and they’ll want to help you.
Read also:
How is Social Media Playing A Role In Career Building?
Professional choices are the hardest to make. As soon as a person completes his education, he starts a new journey. There are many professions that a person can choose depending upon his educational background and interests. If you have a passion for creating something unique from heavy metals, welding as a career is the best choice for you.
Welding as a career choice or a profession doesn't require any specific degree. It is a profession that helps you learn a skill and earn parallel. Moreover, it is a thrilling and daring profession. Every profession has some pros and cons, so does welding. This article will highlight the pros and cons that a person will face after choosing welding as a profession.
4 Reason The Welding Profession In Demand
Welding is a profession that is always in demand. Living in whichever state, a welder will never be out of a job. He will always find a job opportunity. For instance, during World War II, people were forced to change their professions. More soldiers were trained. However, the welder continued welding.
Here are four reasons why you should choose welding as a career.
1. Easy To Climb Ladders
Welding as a profession is very easy in its promotion terms. The more you weld, the more you gain experience and the more valuable your work becomes. It’s all in hand. So, it's easy to grow in the welding industry. The more you get experience, the more you get work.
Moreover, your price as a welder might be small at the start, but its chances to grow are wide. It allows you to earn a handsome amount of money. The heavy metal industry is growing, and welding as a career option is a good choice for passionate metal crafters.
You may go through Things to Consider When Sourcing Employees for Manufacturing Plants
2. International Profession
Welding work and techniques are the same in all the countries. You can travel from one country to another and still weld there. Thus giving you chances to live in multiple cultures and enjoy the beauty of diverse nations. From the international perspective, welding as a career is a good option among all the job options.
3. Enjoyable Profession
This profession is quite fun to do. Witnessing the whole phenomenon of converting metal into a complete project makes this profession enjoyable. Moreover, people who like to accept challenges also find this profession fulfilling. The challenge of weaving a weld to a beautiful-looking sheet never lets you feel bored. After you choose welding as a career option every day, you can enjoy your creative day.
4. A Tough Job To Do
Where a profession has its pros, it also has its cons. There is no denying that welding is a dangerous job to do. Not everyone can handle this hazardous job. However, the way the new welding tools are being designed like TIG Welders at Sydney Tools is making this job less dangerous. Taking help of face shields and gloves, etc., makes it less dangerous and safer to do. But welding as a career is entirely a safe career option. You only have to follow some special safety rules while working in the plant.
It May Be Looked Down Upon By The Machinists
Welding is a valuable profession but certain machinists/fitter and turners night look down upon the welders. A reason behind this might be the division between the welders and the machinists in larger firms. That's why most machinists who know welding prefer sticking to their machines. According to them, it is a more sophisticated job to do, and welding as a career is adventurous.
This kind of discrimination has been witnessed by many welders.
Conclusion:
On The whole, welding is a noble profession earning you a handsome amount of money, especially if you are a thrill-loving person. While choosing welding as a career option, you always have to keep your energy level high, and your creative mind is always helping you to grow.
Read Also:
5 Reasons Why a Marketing Degree Makes Sense in 2020
What are the Different Consulting Jobs?
Virtual assistant jobs are becoming common among professionals who want flexibility and independence.
If you want job flexibility but want to showcase your organizational skills, you can apply for a virtual assistant role. Generally, most virtual assistant positions give you the chance to have an excellent work-life balance.
In this article, you will learn general details about the virtual assistant job role. Apart from that, this article also consists of some popular virtual assistant jobs in the market.
Additionally, you will learn about the eligibility and qualifications for virtual assistant jobs. Finally, you will learn how to apply for such a job role.
Virtual Assistant Jobs: A General Overview
A virtual assistant provides administrative services to companies or clients. Basically, they operate away from the company’s office premises.
Generally, a virtual assistant can be a professional or an independent contractor. They operate from their home office. However, they can access all the important aspects of the company.
In general, people who work as virtual assistants have several years of experience as an administrative assistant or office manager.
Moreover, new opportunities for virtual assistants with social media and content management skills are coming up. Furthermore, companies seek virtual assistants with skills like blog writing, graphic designing, and internet marketing.
Nowadays, working from home has become a norm for employers and workers. Hence, the demand for virtual assistants is increasing day by day.
Top Virtual Assistant Jobs To Look Out For
Many companies are offering virtual executive assistant jobs and online assistant jobs to experienced individuals who can work remotely.
The following are some virtual assistant jobs you can apply for:
Virtual Assistant - Social Media Company: Live It UpJob Type: Part Time (25 hours per week) Salary: $5/hour USD Finance Assistant - Virtual R&P OfficeCompany: World ReliefJob Type: Full-Time Salary: $45T - $50T (Employer Est.) Virtual AssistantCompany: Travel To Freedom Job Type: Part Time (20 hours per week) Salary: Up to $17.28-$25 per hour Virtual Assistant Company: SF Global Consultancy Ltd. Job Type: Full-time Salary: $29,000.00 - $32,000.00 per year Mandarin Interpreter/ Virtual Assistant Company: Charter Group of Companies Job Type: Part Time (1-10 hours per week) Salary: $12.00 - $17.00 per hour Virtual Banking Assistant III - Plano, TX Company: JPMorganChase Job Type: Full Time Salary: Not Available Virtual Administrative Assistant - PT Flex ScheduleCompany: Melville Management Corp Job Type: Part Time Salary: $40/hour USD Purchasing Assistant (Remote - MI) Company: Otto Bock Patient Care, LLC Job Type: Full Time (at least 40 hours per week) Salary: $18.00 per hour
How Do Virtual Assistants Work?
Generally, nowadays, startups rely more on virtual offices to keep the costs down for their businesses. However, the use of the internet increases in such cases. Hence, there has been an increase in the rise of virtual assistants for businesses.
Basically, a virtual assistant is an independent contractor. Hence, when a business hires a virtual assistant, it does not have to provide the same benefits or pay the same taxes that they do for a full-time employee.
On the other hand, a virtual assistant is also different from a normal administrator who works from home. The latter is just another employee with the same compensation and tax structure for the company.
Moreover, a virtual assistant does not work onsite. Hence, the company does not need a desk or a workspace. Rather, the virtual assistant has their own computer equipment, workspace, software programs, and high-speed internet.
Essential Requirements Of Virtual Assistant Jobs
Generally, the duties of a virtual assistant vary according to the needs and demands of the company or the client. Apart from that, it can change as per the contract terms.
The following are some of the major requirements of virtual assistant jobs:
👨🏻💻Duties Of A Virtual Assistant
If you want to be a virtual assistant, you must learn about the duties of the job role. However, you must understand that a virtual assistant has no common duties. Generally, your duties can change depending on the needs and requirements of your client and the terms of the contract.
In terms of tasks, some virtual assistants handle clerical or bookkeeping tasks. On the other hand, other virtual assistants post updates on social media or write blogs for the company.
Apart from that, the company can also hire an individual who is well-rounded and can handle other tasks like travel arrangements, data entry, scheduling, file storage, etc.
👨🏻💻Qualification Of Virtual Assistants
To become a virtual assistant, there are no proper educational requirements. However, most companies prefer those individuals who have a higher level of education. Moreover, getting special administration and virtual assistance training helps a lot in this regard.
Apart from that, some online companies and community colleges offer certifications and courses on virtual assistance. Hence, if you are unsure where to start, you can look for various virtual assistant courses on top platforms offering professional skills.
Generally, a virtual assistant must be tech-savvy and have enough skills to understand various computer software and business platforms.
For instance, if you are good at bookkeeping as a virtual assistant, you must also be able to perform basic accounting tasks. These include account reconciliations and double-entry bookkeeping.
Virtual Assistant Jobs: How To Get One?
The following are the major steps you must take if you want to get a virtual assistant job for yourself:
1. Develop The Skills
Before searching for virtual assistant jobs, you must assess your current skills. For instance, it is really important to have skills like communication and time management. However, you also need technical skills like MS Excel, Content Management System, HR systems, and more.
Moreover, you must be willing to conduct research and know how to deal with clients. Also, check job descriptions to learn about specific software or processes you need to learn. If possible, get the necessary training for the skill you need to learn.
2. Create A Business Plan
If you want to work as a freelance virtual assistant, you first need to create a business plan. Once you write a business plan, it will help bring structure to your career plans. Hence, you can define your target market, services, financial goals, and more.
Also, you can include information about how to handle your clients. Moreover, you can focus on the pricing structure of your business. Apart from that, you also need to handle invoices and payments for your virtual assistance business.
3. Create A Home Office Space
You need a dedicated home office space to work as a virtual assistant for your business. However, you do not need an entire room for it. All you need is an organized and quiet space to work from.
Apart from that, you must also set up a phone line using a virtual phone system. This will help you take business calls.
4. Create A Professional Portfolio
As you grow as a virtual assistant, you must consider showcasing your skills and experience to potential clients. Also, make sure to get resume tips to build a professional resume for your job role.
Additionally, you can include client testimonials, past projects, and relevant certifications. Moreover, you can create work samples if you want to get client work at the start.
5. Develop A Strong Online Presence
Apart from having a portfolio of your projects and achievements, you must also have a strong online presence. This will increase your credibility as a virtual assistant. Apart from that, you also need to have active social media accounts and listings in business directories.
Moreover, you can build your online presence faster if you respond to potential clients. Furthermore, you can use online platforms like LinkedIn to network with other professionals.
6. Start Networking On Various Platforms
One of the most effective growth strategies is word-of-mouth advertising. This can help you grow your virtual assistance business faster. Here, you can contact your friends, alumni, and family and tell them about your services.
Apart from that, you must develop new connections. To do this, you can attend networking events, conferences, and seminars to help you network with other virtual assistants.
7. Start Looking For Jobs And Client
As you continue your interview prep, you must research quality clients. One of the best ways to get quality clients is to stick to top platforms. However, you must be proactive with your follow-ups and communicate professionally.
How To Get A Virtual Assistant Job Without Any Experience?
To get a virtual assistant job without any experience, you will need to do the following:
Start developing your software skills by learning about different software systems that virtual assistants use.
Learn how to create a business plan.
Create your own portfolio by working on internships and projects.
Build your network on top professional platforms like LinkedIn.
Basically, you must understand that most employers look for experienced managers when they want virtual assistants. Hence, it is better for a beginner (with no experience) to start as an intern.
Getting Your Virtual Assistant Job
If you are looking for a virtual assistant job, you do not need previous experience. However, it always helps if someone knows how to work remotely. Moreover, you can take courses to learn communication and administrative software to enhance your virtual assistance skills.
Do you have more suggestions on how to get a virtual assistant job? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
Read Also:
What Do Consumer Services Jobs Pay? A Detailed Salary Breakdown
Land The Job! 51 Good Interview Questions to Ask Your Employer
What Should I Expect in a Part-Time Customer Service Role?
How Do I Qualify for High-Paying Remote Jobs?
