A New Way of Thinking.....

Forbes Now: SAPVoice: Can Unemployment be Eradicated by Rethinking Jobs? http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIwx-Ww6xA

Passing Pre-employment Screening Tests

As I stated in my previous blog entry, companies place a lot of emphasis on whether or not an individual will "fit" into their company when they are hiring. Many companies use assessment and personality tests also known as pre-employment screening, as part of their hiring process. These tests are conducted more and more  prior to an applicant coming in to meet with them for an interview. Unless it is a test which looks for your skill in a particular area, the test is being used to weed out who they don't want rather than who they do. I decided to touch on this particular topic after having recently  completed an hour long online assessment test for a company. I've done dozens but this one got me really thinking. If you are a job seeker, I'm sure you know the type of test I'm referring to. The one where they say there is no right or wrong answer, simply answer as honestly as you can. Well we all know that's a bunch of baloney. There is a right answer....the one which will get your application pushed to the next level of consideration. 

Is there a method to the madness? There has to be, otherwise the tests wouldn't exist. We know the questions are looking for something, but what exactly?  Some of the questions are fairly easy to answer,  but there are many which have you in a dilemma on what to say. This is especially true, when both responses can be perceived as  both a desirable and undesirable quality in you.  I did some research to look into the dynamics of how these tests are conducted to assist me on my journey to find employment. I hope it helps you as well.

The tests usually have different sections which focus on a specific interest of your personality. You may start out with simple questions that make you ask yourself "Are they serious?" Yes they are they want to see if you have basic common sense and comprehension.  You then go into sections, where a company is asking questions to see if you will respond the way they feel is a good fit for the company. They use your answers in comparison to situations they already have noticed in their company to find out the type of person you are. For example, they may have a yes or no question such as "It is important to be accepted by my coworkers." This can go either way. Answering  "Yes",can be perceived as you will spend a lot of time socializing instead of working. Answering "No", can mean you may be a loner or not be a team player. 

Answer: You could care less if whether you are accepted by your coworkers or not. In the general "norms" of society people feel we all want to be accepted. Employers tend to think being accepted will make a better work environment. This goes along with the company dynamic fit. The answer is "Yes."

One of my favorite parts of assessment tests, would be the section where they try to figure out the type of worker you are by questioning your work morals and ethics. Take for example a true or false question of "I have never arrived to work late." If you answer "True" you think, how can they possibly believe that. If you answer "False" you don't want them to think you are someone who will be chronically late.  Keep in mind these tests are usually made by the higher ups or a recruiting firm that have a preconceived notion of what the "perfect employee" is.  

Answer: Your application or resume  may be reviewed by the department manager or direct supervisor but the tests are going to someone who is not involved in the general day to day office environment. In reality they may know shit happens but they don't care. The answer to this question no matter how ridiculous it may seem would be "True"

Another part of this section could be how well you work with or without supervision. "I work best if unsupervised." Responding "True", could mean you're not good with authority or being constantly told what to do. Responding "False", can be seen as if they don't stay on your back you won't get anything done.  

Answer: Employers don't want to constantly stay on your back. Seeking help for a particular problem or task is one thing but they want individuals who know their function and will do it without being told.

Of course this didn't cover all types of questions on pre-employment assessment tests, but it did cover a few of the ones some may find difficult to answer. There are many more out there, and I'm sure I will find several more difficult ones along the way. Take note also, a little trick. Many of  questions can repeat themselves, only worded differently so answer accordingly. 

(A) I would always follow a supervisor's instructions exactly (True)

(B) I resent being told by others how to do my job (false) 

Question (B) may be "True" for you, but it can be viewed as contradicting to your response to (A).

One thing you should do is research and find as much information as possible about the company you are applying to. This can be of great benefit when answering questions. You should try and do the research as soon as you know you want to apply. Some companies send you a link to complete the tests after they have received your resume/application. There are also companies in which taking the test is a part of applying. If this is the case, you don't have a chance to do any research. Researching beforehand can also assist you in the type of resume and cover letter you initially send which plays a big part of if you are contacted at all. Happy job hunting!

Progress in Senate Unemployment Debate

President Obama called out the Republicans during his recent State of The Union Address. for allowing millions to lose their only source of income due to the loss of EUC in December. Did it make an impact? Is a change about to come? Read the latest.





Progress in Senate unemployment debate

The Plight of The Experienced Unemployed

Recently extended unemployment benefits were cut leaving millions of jobless individuals without an income. Someone said to me "I don't understand. I know people who received unemployment for years." For those who still don't understand let me break it down. State unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks. Federal benefits (aka EUC- Emergency Unemployment Compensation aka Extended Benefits ) then kick in and is available for up to 14 weeks. Extended benefits are available in Tiers, with the 14 weeks being Tier 1. It's possible to receive benefits on Tiers 2-4 ( this is how people received it for 2-3 years) depending on several factors such as the unemployment rate in your state and date you filed your initial unemployment claim. The recent cut of benefits does not mean individuals can no longer apply for or receive unemployment, it means the Extended Benefits have been cut.

I'm not writing this to get on a soap box about how the government should extend benefits. Although being one who has been unemployed for a little over a year, I feel they should. I read one republican stated, unemployment benefits make people lazy and not look for work. The benefits cut actually takes the unemployed out of the workforce altogether. This is especially true if the benefits were their only source of income.  You can't go on an interview without  transportation or gas fare. You can't receive a call about a job without a phone because you could not pay the bill.

If you look at various job sites, you see a multitude of positions available. Why are so many people who have worked for years with lots of experience (like myself)  still unemployed?  It was told to me, "Maybe you should lower your standards on the type of job you're looking for." I lowered my standards long ago when I reached the six months mark. I knew it would be hard to find a job since I was a part of the hiring process in my previous position. I know many of the things companies look for and don't want. I've also talked with individuals employed and unemployed, visited job sites, read many articles, and watched videos on employment and job search.  I've found there are several factors that are influencing individuals inability to find work. I would like to discuss three. Of course what applies for one may not apply for all. Do keep in mind, this post is more tailored for people who have a generous work history.

Factor 1. The Job Search. Days of simply walking into a company and applying for a position rarely exist any longer. Everything is on the Internet. Going to a company where you normally would just fill out an application, you may now find yourself being directed to visit a website.  This is not to say walking and looking for work is totally useless but you must include looking for work via the internet. You should make sure you have an email address to use for professional purposes, a good resume (digital and hard copies) and cover letter. You also need professional individuals who will give you good professional references. Individuals who may have been at their previous position 10 or more years may find looking for a job to be very difficult if they don't quite know how to look in this day and age.

SUMMARY: You have to be able to find a variety of opportunities to seek employment. The old way is about to be obsolete.

Factor 2. Fit and Qualifications. There are some positions an individual simply may not be qualified for. There's not too much you can do about that.  Unless it's a position requiring some type of specialized training or degree, I've found many can be trained to do the job. (That's from looking at positions I don't have the credentials for but knowing I can do the job) The question most employers ask themselves is does this person fit into the company's dynamic? Age plays a big part. To my surprise I recently found out that age discrimination begins at the young age 40. You can have the right credentials but if you are an older individual applying to a company where mainly younger individuals are employed, you may be seen as not the right "fit".  If its involving physical labor you may feel you are capable and you very well may be. The  interviewer may feel you are not as capable as the younger applicant who applied. Of course there are all the other common factors such as race, sex etc that may influence the "fit factor" as well. Being overqualified can definitely hurt many. When applying for an entry level position, you may not be hired because they feel you will become bored or use the position as a stepping stone until something better comes along(which is understandable). Companies do not like to waste money training people they feel won't stay only to have to spend more money hiring and training again. They may also assume you will want more than they are willing to pay you based on your experience. Then there is always the chance of being interviewed by someone who recognizes your skills and qualifications are too parallel to their own. They don't hire you because they fear the security of their own position.

SUMMARY: It's difficult to find a way to increase your marketability  when it's you against dozens of others applying for one available position. The power of the "First impression" whether on paper or actually in person is not as easy as it once was. Find a way to make an impact.

Factor 3. Technology .This is basically a piggyback off of factor one. If you're not one to keep up with technology, then you should start. This is the wave of the future and you need to have the knowhow in order to secure a new position, or keep the one you have. You must be up to date with the latest technology because most likely the company you are applying for is.  Many companies now require you to register through their job portal or complete a profile before applying for a position. There are companies that conduct initial interviews using online assessment tests that range from 15mins to an hour. You need to be able to navigate and apply using these methods. If you are one who is not used to this, you may find yourself frustrated with the process and not apply. At least two interviews I've had, their contact method to simply schedule an in person interview was via email only. One position required an initial phone interview.  The best yet was a position I applied for, which entailed a video interview where I  had two minutes to answer two questions using the webcam on my computer.....talk about advanced technology.

SUMMARY: The job market has been taken over by Millennials ,and their quest to infuse technology into the workplace is steady increasing. If you're not on the bandwagon you will be totally left behind or kicked off.

"OMG Aurora! You seem to know so much why haven't you found a job?" Simple, I have experienced all of the above at one time or another in my employment search. Well not the technology part. I'm pretty much up on the times in that respect.  However, I am still hopeful. I do see it as a plus of knowing the above because it does give me an advantage and hopefully this has given others some as well. Happy job hunting.

Resume Tips

 While competing with others in today's job search it is essential to have a resume that will maximize your potential. Review the points below to see if your resume measures up.

PSA: If you are one of millions of people looking for work and haven't received a call-back for an interview, the problem could be YOU, not the company. Maybe you need a resume makeover. Here are a few general tips....

1. Avoid language that may identify your age, race/nationality, religion, or parental status. You may be setting yourself up for discrimination. Some companies don't like to hire folks with kids or people who are over age 40. Let your experience speak for you.

2. Don't add education you haven't received yet, unless you are within a semester or two of being done and the job you are applying for requires it. Sometimes, the more education you have, the less likely you are to get a call-back. You are considered "over-qualified."

3. Don't use resume templates. They can mess up if you have to upload to a company's website. Most company's want you to upload your resume, not submit a paper resume or application. Design your own resume.

4. Don't give employers your "freakygirllover@email.com" email address. Use something simple as your email address like your name@email.com.

5. You do not need a 3-page resume! Condense it to 1-2 pages and only include the important stuff. A person's attention span can't handle 3 pages.

6. If you graduated college, who cares that you went to Backyard High School? There's no need to include high school information, unless that's all you have.

7. PROOFREAD YOUR RESUME! It will get thrown in the trash if it has misspellings, grammar issues, different fonts, etc.

8. If you have an online portfolio of your work, include the website in your resume header. This is a great way for employers to see what you can do before they bring you in for an interview. This works best for photographers, web designers, writers, etc.

9. Make your resume reflect the job you are applying for. You can't send a cookie-cutter resume to 100 different types of companies.

10. Don't post dumb stuff on your FB or LinkedIn page. Employers like to search these sites to see what kind of person you are and if you might be a good fit for their company. If all you talk about is booty-shaking and gettin' high, consider yourself still unemployed. You never know who's watching!!

Special Thanks to Sharon D. Smith who allowed this post from her Facebook page to be shared on this blog. 

Sharon D. Smith is the author of Love and Liberation (2007) Strapped (2009), and Still Strapped (2011). She is also the founder and chief editor for Seven Stages Publishing House, LLC. She is the publisher on record for Fina's You Think You Know and has worked with other Atlanta writers as well. Sharon has a BA in English from Ga. State University (2002), an MA in Organizational Management from Univ. of Phoenix (2005), an MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Univ. of Phoenix (2012), and is currently a Ph.D. student in I/O Psychology at the Univ. of Phoenix. Sharon is currently working on the establishment of a non-profit organization to assist men and women who are fighting breast cancer.

10 Awkward Moments When You're Unemployed

                                            
The old saying laugh so you don't cry is real......

Seven Things A Headhunter Won't Tell You

 Depending on the type of work you're seeking, some decide to go a different route and hire a headhunter, job counselor or seek positions via employment agencies. Using a headhunter might be a valuable asset for some, and provide good information in helping you with your job search. What about the things they won't tell you? Forbes put together a pretty impressive list.

Seven Things A Headhunter Won't Tell You