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How To Ace A Last-Minute Job Interview

A few days ago, my friend approached me with a career dilemma. He needs to prepare for two consecutive interviews in less than 20 hours. Rescheduling was not an option as he enthusiastically agreed to both parties. He managed to move his schedule around to have a day off. But, will he be able to handle the pressure of two companies that are vying for his attention?

The answer is YES! It is possible to survive this significant day.

All he had to do was to maximize his limited time. This is what I recommended him to do:

DO YOUR RESEARCH

As with most things in life, it pays to come prepared. Spare at least 10 minutes of your time to research about the company and the position that you are applying for. Review the company’s visions, objectives, locations, awards, and offerings (products or services) with a fine-tooth comb. You must have a system of thorough searching for keywords that you may highlight on the interview.

Moreover, it is crucial to read about the responsibilities and characteristics of the ideal candidate. Visualize yourself as a Sales Associate applicant for Honda Singapore. You managed to browse through the company’s social profile and official website. It paid off as you were asked about the new Honda Accord. A less informed applicant will not be able to answer the questions correctly.

Image Credits: facebook.com/HondaSingapore

ENUMERATE YOUR UNIQUE SELLING POINTS

What factors differentiate you from your competitors? The answers on your mind are your Unique Selling Points (UPS). In the entrepreneurial sense, UPS refers to the qualities that a certain brand has and others don’t. Focus on your personal skills and other qualifications that other candidates are less likely to have.

Your blogging skills may come in handy when making narratives as a teacher. And, your communication skills may help you fit into an office with diverse employees. Put emphasis on these stellar qualities to make a lasting impression during your interview.

HAVE THE RIGHT DIRECTIONS AND DETAILS

What is worse than having limited time to prepare? Well, not being able to reach your destination because you were lost. This is why you must get the accurate location of your interview. Do not forget to leave early to cushion unforeseen events (e.g., traffic jam or MRT breakdown) that may consume your time. Use the navigation app called Waze, if necessary!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

For a hassle-free interview, know the name and the contact details (i.e., handphone number or email) of the interviewer beforehand.

Sources: 1, 2 , & 3

Inexpensive Ways To Lower Your Workplace Stress

You have been busy all week-long! Your mind is racing and your heart is pounding as the deadlines approach. These tasks are getting out of hand. It is no wonder that you feel down in the dumps.

Fortunately for you, there are affordable (and free) solutions to help ease the tension.

#1: ACTING VERSUS REACTING

When we come face-to-face with the circumstances which are out of our control, we typically experience stress. It activates mental and physical responses that can tear your productivity and well-being in the long run. This can be problematic at work.

Start focusing on the aspects that are within your control (e.g., your thoughts about your co-workers or your business attire). This will help ease your worries.

#2: STICKING TO THE SCHEDULE

Many Singaporeans propel through the day without taking significant breaks. You may think that you get more work done if you do not rest. However, doing so is counter-productive. Sleep deprivation can lower your concentration and productivity levels.

Consider scheduling a series of breaks throughout the day. For instance, you may allot 5 minutes to stretch in the breakroom or to do breathing exercises while sitting down. You need these breaks to allow yourself to remain energized while working.

#3: WALKING YOUR ADORABLE PET

Walking your dog at the nearby park is a concrete and no-cost hack to relieve your stress. Not only will you be able to exercise your dog, but you will also have his or her lovely company. This is healthier than sitting on a couch while emptying a pint of ice-cream.

If you do not own a pet, you may opt to brisk walk for 30 minutes instead. Ramp up your speed gradually.

#4: TREATING HOME AS A SAFE HAVEN

Let us be honest! The root of all your worries resides at work. If you regularly continue your tasks at home then, you may create a work-life conflict. Treat your home as a safe haven by building a boundary between these two realms.

As much as possible, avoid answering your emails from home or work-related phone calls before you sleep. You are not a convenience center who has to be available 24/7.

#5: PLAYING LIKE A CHILD

Children may not have the responsibilities and the pressures that the adult world brings, but they do have one thing. I am referring to the luxury of play. Blocks, jigsaw puzzles, and coloring books are just some of the things that are meant to be enjoyed by the kids. Why should they have all the fun?

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Cognitive stimulation and entertainment does not stop with age. Try it. You may keep adult coloring books on your desk to free your mind during the office lunchtime. Popular Bookstore sells these books for as low as S$8.43.

Sources: 1 & 2

Eight Possible Reasons Why Your CV Got Dumped

If you have not received any confirmation or callbacks, it is likely that your CV (Curriculum Vitae) was rejected. Why is this so?

#1: You are clearly unqualified for the job that you are applying for.

It is as simple as that! If the HR department perceives that you are submitting an irrelevant resume then, they will ignore your application. Making a significant career switch is acceptable as long as you put it in your cover letter.

#2: Your materials were unpolished.

How can you validate your sharp attention to detail if your CV and supporting documents were embellished with grammatical and typographical errors? Having someone proofread your submission will help prevent shameful mistakes and help check your cohesive thoughts.

#3: Your application got lost in the pile.

Some companies receive a massive pool of applicants on a daily basis. They need to seek help from young interns to cover the load. Novice interns may lose your premier CV in the pile. This is why you must send a follow-up after 3 days.

#4: You used an unappealing font.

I completely understand that you want to stand out from the crowd, but a funky font is not the answer. The appearance of your CV is one of the first few things that the HR Department considers. Stick to the trusty “Arial” font!

#5: You have significant employment gaps.

Job hopping has become prolific in the Singaporean workplace. Employers dread the stories of employees who suddenly went MIA. So, they watch out for applicants with significant employment gaps.

#6: You do not seem to be eager to move.

If an expanding company needs to fill a position immediately, your well-crafted resume may be ignored. It does not matter if you are the ideal candidate for the job! What matters most for some employers is your willingness to move.

#7: You used an incompatible format.

Once again, the appearance of your CV is crucial to gain the attention of the recruiters. Ensure that you are using the right type of document when sending your CV. Some companies may prefer a .pdf file, while others may opt for the .docs file.

#8: Your CV was sent thru a staffing firm.

People who have a hard time looking for a job in Singapore can hire the services of staffing or recruitment firms. The only downside is that certain companies intentionally ignore the applicants under said firms.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You see, staffing firms require charge a substantial amount of money for every role filled. The company may think that it is better on its own.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Telltale Signs That Your Colleague Secretly Dislikes You

While some people have no problem letting you know that they hate you, others may try to maintain their professionalism by hiding their unpleasant feelings.

Know some of the obvious and less-obvious indications of dislike by reading thru this list!

#1: HE OR SHE DOES NOT SMILE WHEN YOU ARE AROUND

As you pass by, the shinning smile on your colleague’s face dissolves instantaneously. The change in his or her disposition is not due to a hormonal mood swing or an occasional unpleasant day. It is deeper than that! Something is wrong as your colleague makes a conscious effort to not smile whenever you are in the room.

#2: HE OR SHE CANNOT LOOK YOU IN THE EYE

One of the most obvious signs that you co-worker dislikes you is when he or she cannot maintain eye contact. The eyes are the gateway to what is beneath your soul. People may be afraid to look you in the eye if they perceive that you have an ability to detect hostility.

#3: HE OR SHE DOES NOT INCLUDE YOU IN THE WORKPLACE HUMOR

Exchanging jokes and teasing are common in cemented workplace relationships. If the person who hates your guts is the leader of the workplace clique then, you may be constantly left out in the inner circle. They may not feel comfortable when you are around.

#4: HE OR SHE DOES NOT INVITE YOU TO SOCIAL EVENTS

Being excluded from the social guest list is one of the signs that your colleague does not want you around. “Sorry! We forgot to invite you.”, may be one of the lines that you constantly hear from that certain person.

#5: HE OR SHE DISPLAYS NEGATIVE BODY LANGUAGE

Communication is mostly made up of non-verbal cues. Uncover your co-worker’s genuine feelings toward you by observing his or her body language. Constant subtle eye rolls, lack of eye contact, and folded arms are just some of the red flags.

#6: HE OR SHE TAKES CREDIT FOR YOUR WORK

When a co-worker is determined to exclude you from all the important company discussions, it is clear that he or she does not want you to get involved. A more potent display of disdain is when a co-worker sabotages your role in the project by taking credit for your ideas.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Watch out for these!

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Deal With Difficult Co-Workers

In this day and age, you can choose to create a massive wardrobe. You can choose to befriend the people who inspire you. Oh! You can even handpick the gender of your baby.

However, you usually cannot choose the people whom you will work with.

The fixed structure of the workplace allows you to interact with all sorts of people. Every workplace has toxic workers. It is inevitable! Dealing with these difficult people is challenging, yet very rewarding. Increase your positive coping skills by absorbing these tips:

Rise Above The Negativity

Some people love to create a bubble of negativity above their heads. They complain about almost every topic that exists. They feel overworked and underpaid. They do not like their bosses. Nor do they enjoy their jobs. They think their careers are on the brink of destruction!

If you are surrounded by Negative Steve and Negative Betsy, you have two moves up your sleeves. You can either avoid the negative bond or hear the person out. Avoidance is acceptable in this situation as you do not want to create a parasitic relationship (i.e., where one is dependent on the other). Take in the essence of what Tony Chatman, a corporate relationship professional, once said.

“If you bond with someone on a negative issue, they will feel that they have found a partner in their distress, and they will look for you every time they feel something negative.”

My significant background in Psychology supports these ideas. Once you bond with the negative co-worker and stimulate his or her rants, you act with validation. You make the person feel right and that the behavior is acceptable.

The other path opposes the first strategy as it employs active listening. You can initially listen to the complaints of the negative person. Decide whether these claims are legitimate or not. If so, offer assistance to solve the present problem. Know your limitations when giving advice. Suggest reading credible books, attending informative seminars, and consulting the professionals in the company’s Human Resources Department.

Prevent The Spread Of Infectious Gossip

Do you ever wonder how your every tiny mistake reaches your boss? Or, perhaps you are wondering how your embarrassing pictures reached the company’s Facebook group. Search no further than the Office Gossipmonger. Gossipmongers cannot keep their mouths shut when it comes to bad news. Instead of offering help, they seek to lower your credibility to stay ahead of the workplace hierarchy. They love to blabber about different stories as long as it does not involve them.

To prevent the spread of the infectious rumor, you must hold back on the private things about your life. Do not disclose an information that you do want others to know about. Remember that everything you say may be used against you. Donna Flagg, the author of Surviving Dreaded Conversations, highlighted that you must: “keep a safe distance so as to avoid getting sucked into the toxicity”.

As with anyone, there is a positive side to them. You can use them as a tool to spread an important information. If you want the workplace to act upon a specific issue, relay the “confidential information” to the gossipmonger. I am pretty sure that he or she will not be able to resist the urge to spread the message right away.

Learn How To Handle The Resident Bully

Workplace bullies employ emotional, physical, or sexual attacks toward their co-workers. Examples of wrongful acts include inappropriately criticizing one’s performance and taking credit for other people’s work. Consequences of these acts include dreading to go to work and public humiliation (i.e., due to being shouted or called at).

The upcoming fact took me by surprise! Statistics found that 1 in 4 Singaporeans have suffered from workplace bullying with the top aggressors being their bosses (62%) and their clients (21%). To make matters worse, Singapore was one of the few countries with the highest acceptance of workplace bullying.

If you are one of the unfortunate targets of the resident bully, deal with him or her by reading this article.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sometimes, prized abilities and proper work ethics do not go hand in hand. This is why toxic or difficult people exist at the workplace. You may not control how these people behave, but you can control how you will react to them. Think about this!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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