Your job-search tips from Pokémon Go

A passive approach may kill you when swift technological changes hit your career or workplace. Instead of losing out, stay on top of the change to score a career win. Here are lessons from Pokemon Go to move ahead.

Get out and Go: Pokemon are found outdoors. So, you need to get up, step outside, hatch eggs and ad vance in the game. Similarly, your new job will never work out if you only sit at home and restrict your ef forts to the Internet or social media.

Get out in the real world, put in those miles daily to go and meet people at their workplaces. The more you do, higher the likelihood of finding Pokemon (potential opportunities).

Enjoy your play style: Do you enjoy hunting the rare Articunos or Moltres or prefer to focus on training your Jigglypuff and Swagger or simply want to stock up Pokedex by capturing as many Pokemon you can? Go ahead and enjoy your style of play . When looking for a job, figure out what you really want from your career. Focus on your preferences and you are likely to land the right job faster.

Go to PokeStops: PokeStops are places where you collect and replenish eggs, Poke Balls and other items.Once done, you cannot collect again until it refreshes. Similarly, to find jobs, go where the jobs are. Figure out which companies or sectors are hiring and meet professionals there.Be willing to travel to places where there are jobs that you seek.

Raise your CP: Each Pokemon has Combat Power (CP) on capture which indicates how well they will perform in a battle, Note that even two Pikachus captured at the same time may not have the same CP. You can improve CP by enhancing your experience. Similarly improve your hirability vis-a-vis your competition by increasing your experience by working on multiple projects, internships and assignments.

Meet the players: Strangers playing Pokemon often chat up at a PokeStop and share tips and information and then team up at gyms to battle opponents. In your job search reach out to professionals. Don't be shy in seeking information on jobs asking how to get connected to people who could help you and for point ers on what you could do better. At the same time, give back by sharing your ideas and knowledge.

Train at the Gym: Like you train your Pokemon at the Gym to sharpen its skills, you too need to train to get the right certifications to be job ready. However, to enter a Gym needs you to be at Level 5. Much like the real world where you need to clear all preliminary levels first before you can qualify for the training.

Use your incense: Activating an incense in the game releases a mysterious fragrance that attracts Pokemon to you for 30 minutes. It thus makes sense to invest your time to build your incense through a CV that highlights your achievements and transferable skills.

Also, craft your resume separately for each opportunity to keep your incense relevant.

Source : Economics Times

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Things Interviewers Want to Know

Here are 6 things that interviewers want to know about you:


What you know - This includes your background, training and skill sets. They want to find out if you have the skills to do the job and if you are someone who thinks outside of the box or someone who prefers to stick with tried and true methods. Neither of these are wrong, but most employers know which type of person they are looking for, depending on the position they are trying to fill.

How do you handle change or conflict - Employers want to know that the person they hire has a good handle on social and interpersonal skills. 


Balance - If you say that you've always done an excellent job at everything you have ever done, have no weaknesses and already know everything, then the employer might think that you aren't realistic. Don't be afraid to show how you have grown, that you are aware of the areas where you need more growth and that you aren't always perfect. Of course, you don't want to overdo this, but don't be afraid of everything you think isn't "perfect" in your work history.


Blaming others and trash talking - When they ask about previous employers and other times that you have worked as a team, don't take this as an opportunity to pull out all of the dirty laundry. In fact, you should never, ever talk bad about anyone during an interview. Employers are listening to what you say in order to find out if you are the type of person who gives credit to others and if you are able to take responsibility.


Personality type - The interviewer wants to know what kind of person you are. When you answer their questions, they are looking to find out if you are have compassion, wisdom and the willingness to listen and think before acting. For any job opening, the hiring manager has an idea of what type of person they are looking for and what qualities are best suited for the job. Know what they are and make sure that you show those sides of yourself when answering questions during the interview.


Just being able to understand what the employer is looking for is the best first step to preparing for your interview. Do some research to find out what skills and talents the company needs and frame your answers in that direction.
Source:Internet

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Winning Interviews

The on-campus interview lets you meet recruiters with job openings. If you want to make the most of this opportunity, you need a focus, to know of what the employer wants, to prepare the information you wish to share and to execute a winning game plan that sells your successes pertaining to the job opening.

Focus

Perhaps your interviewer has been asked to identify three graduates interested in field test engineering positions that need to be filled. He asks you what type of work you'd like to do after graduation. Clearly, he wants to know if you would enjoy and feel comfortable starting your career as a field test engineer. You reply that you're just seeking an entry-level position. This response suggests a lack of focus and the key issue, where you'd like to start your professional career, has not been addressed.

Always have a focused job objective prior to any interview. It's best if it's closely related to your background and the job opening.

Sharpen your focus by answering the following:

• What do you like most?
• What do you do best?
• What gives you personal satisfaction?

What the Employer Wants

When you understand what the interviewer wants to know about you, you can effectively address the information sought. Interviewers may want to know such things as:

• What do you want to do?
• What in your background indicates you're prepared for it?
• Are you an effective communicator?
• Are you good at teamwork?

Your objective is to make a good first impression: a firm handshake, good eye contact, confident body language, comfort in answering questions and knowing your career's initial direction. Physical attributes will also influence the interviewer's opinion of you. Nontraditional interview attire, nontraditional hair color, tattoos, body piercings, etc., also contribute to first impressions.

Prepare Information for Your Interview

Knowing what you want to do as you start your career, connecting past successes relating to the job opening and selling them in your interview will impress the interviewer and identify you as the best candidate. Your GPA is important, but providing evidence of skills, experience and capabilities will separate you from the others. Be prepared to prove your:

• Ability to work in teams and meet commitments.
• Experience with conflict resolution.
• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good work ethic.
• Decision-making skills and ability to set priorities.
• Integrity.
• Practical experience.

Be sure to develop a list of past successes relating to these areas. They may include past projects, participation in student organizations, membership in professional societies, leadership examples, teaming activities, work experience (as a co-op or intern), participation in conferences or open houses and any out-of-class experiences that relate to business practice. Organize your successes having to do with your academic background, related experience, technical interests, leadership, career goals, interest in the company and communication.

It's also a good idea to prepare questions that will help you decide if the opportunity is a good fit. Questions related to typical work assignments, the corporate culture, growth potential, team structure, new technologies, new products and travel may help you with the decision process.

Executing Your Winning Game Plan

Now that you're focused, know what the interviewer wants and have identified your successes relevant to the job opening, you are ready to execute your game plan and sell those successes. Try using the STAR method to get you on your way:

• S: Describe the situation pertaining to the topic of discussion or the interviewer's query.
• T: Explain the technique you used, your approach.
• A: Emphasize the action you took to solve the situation.
• R: Close with the result or outcome of the action taken.

Source:Internet

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