A Message From the President,
Dan Neuburger

Sincerely,

Dan Neuburger

You Are What You Wear: Interview Attire Tips
It's probably one of the most overused phrases in job-hunting, but also one of the most underutilized by job-seekers:  dress for success.  In job-hunting, first impressions are critical.  Remember that the product you are marketing is yourself - and the first thing that your potential employer will notice about you is your attire.  Will dressing properly get you the job?  Of course not, but it will give you the competitive edge and a positive first impression.

It's all in the details.  Women should pay attention to their nail polish, makeup, purse and jewelry.  Subtle, simple and conservative is best for most situations.  Men should be sure that their nails are neat and clean.  Match your shoes and socks with your suit, and be certain that your shoes are freshly shined.  Also, avoid eccentric or flash ties, since they can look unprofessional overly casual.  Also for women, short skirts and open-toes shoes are not the best choice for an interview. 

Your clothes say something about you, that's why people have been known to say "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have."  Even if you are aware that employees of an organization dress casually on the job, dress up for the interview unless you are specifically told by the hiring manager not to.

Interview attire guidelines for men and women

• Suit: a two piece matched suit is always the best and safest choice

• Non-suit wearing atmosphere: even if you would or could wear jeans on the job or the work is outdoors, wearing a suit to the interview shows that you take the interview seriously as a professional meeting.

• Conservative colors/fabric:  Navy, dark gray (and black for women) are safe.  Other color trends may come and go; avoid the extremes.  Solids or very subtle weave patterns or plaids are safest. 

• Cost/Quality: You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate CEO.  Do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job.  One good quality suit is sufficient for a job search if that is all your budget allows.  You can vary your shirt/blouse tie/accessories. 

• Details: everything should be clean and well pressed.  Carefully inspect clothes for tags, dangling threads, etc.

• Jewelry: for women it should be kept minimal.  A watch and wedding or class ring are acceptable. For men, jewelry should be limited and subtle.  Don't wear jewelry or pins that indicate membership in religious or service organizations. 

The tips mentioned above are based on standard advice offered through various websites and articles written by college placement officials and fashion consultants.  It should be noted however, that the rules for dressing for success are flexible, depending on the circumstances.  Develop an image of success.  It means more than just buying a couple of new suits for interviewing purposes.  In short, you should certainly be yourself, but by all means fit in where you want to launch your career as a budding professional.  The rest will take care of itself.

sources: www.quintcareers.com, www.hotjobs.yahoo.com, www.dressforsuccess.com, www.black-collegian.com, www.career.vt.edu/jobsearc/interview/appearnc

Turn the Tables in a Job Interview

When Preparing for a Job Interview, It's Wise to Ask Some Questions of Your Own

Most people prepare for an interview by anticipating the questions they'll be asked and practicing their answers. But what happens when the tables are turned and the interviewer asks if you have any questions? For too many people, this is an unexpected twist.

When you're interviewing, it's always wise to be ready to ask questions that are specific to the company. Research the company ahead of time and be prepared to ask general questions about their operations as well as specific questions about your role.

There are also several key questions that you should ask in any interview, because they'll provide you with valuable insight about the opportunity. One of the questions you should ask in any interview: What are the biggest challenges you see in this position? This shows an interviewer that you're interested in going beyond the basics and that you are inquisitive and thoughtful. It also shows that you're not adverse to overcoming challenges and tackling them with gusto.

An interviewer will often reveal information that would otherwise have been difficult to ascertain. For example, he might let you know about specific projects that you'll be expected to tackle. Or she could let on that the various personalities in a specific division are difficult to work with. Whatever the response, use that information to address how you're ideally suited to rise to the occasion and handle those issues.

Why is this position vacant? is another question you should ask.  The answer might be either benign or an eye-opener. The position might be new, which is great news, because it likely means the company or division is growing. Someone might have been promoted, which is positive because it's typically a sign that the company promotes from within. At other times the interviewer might let slip that they've had difficulty keeping someone because the manager is demanding and often difficult to work with. You'll want to know as much as possible, so take the opportunity to learn about what you might be stepping into in terms of culture and personalities.

source: article on www.abcnews.go.com by Tory Johnson July 24, 2006

4 Tips to Help You Succeed in a New Position
As we both know, it takes time to adjust when you’re hired or transferred into a new position. New jobs can be a cause of great anxiety for many of us. With a lot of information being thrown at us, we’re expected to make sense of it all while trying to meet people in the office. This can be a lot to handle at first. Here are 4 quick tips that can help you as you're starting-out in a new organization.

Tip #1. Be Confident.
You were hired for this position for a reason. Your boss saw you as a great fit in the organization. Be confident in your skills, and remain eager to learn all of the new information. It may take time before all of the new skills become second nature, but remain positive and confident and in no time you will feel like you have a grasp on things.

Tip #2. Get To Know Your Co-Workers.
It is important to get to know the people who you’ll be working with. Even if things are busy right now, make a point to introduce yourself to everyone in your department and learn their names. We often spend more time with our co-workers in the office then we do at home. It is nice to be able to form relationships with those people we work closely with day after day. This will help set a friendlier tone within the office, and you will know who to go to in case you need help.

Tip #3. Find A Balance.
Now that you’ve started this new position, it’s important to find a healthy balance between your professional and personal life. When you are at home, try to forget about all of the things you have left to accomplish at work. Likewise, when you are at work, focus on your job to the best of your ability.

Tip #4. Eliminate Worry And Stress.
A new job can cause a great amount of anxiety. Like all new things in life, a new job takes time to get used to. Realize that you may make mistakes, and don't let them set you back. If you’re beginning to feel stressed by something, take a step back and gain perspective on the issue. Ask yourself what the worst possible thing that can happen. You may feel stressed and overwhelmed now, but give it some time and stay positive! You will find your place in no time.
 

source: Anita Zinsmeister, President,
Dale Carnegie® Training of Central and Southern New Jersey, http://www.southjersey.dalecarnegie.com