Get The Job

Arizona Daily Sun

Sunday, January 22, 2017 - D1

Job GET THE

20 17

Special Edition Avoid Common Mistakes

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he employment market is more competitive than ever, making the margin of error for your job search razor thin.

When it comes to your resume, cover letter and online presence, it’s important that you convey your specialties in a way that make you stand out.

With the average job posting attracting hundreds of applicants, the worst thing that can happen to a viable job candidate is blending in to the background.

AVOIDING TYPOS One of the most glaring mistakes a job candidate can make is submitting a resume filled with grammar and spelling errors. This shows serious deficiency in attention to detail and professionalism — two cornerstones of an effective employee.

Sometimes proofreading your own documents can be tough, especially if you’ve tweaked them multiple times. Run it by a certified professional resume writer in your area who is trained to market you in a professional, accurate way.

You also can pass your document around to friends and family members for some extra editing. Whatever you path you choose, it’s critical that your career documentation be powerful and typo-free.

candidate selection process.

KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS One common job search mistake candidates make is casting too wide a net. Instead of selling yourself as a jack of all trades, focus on your expertise.

Depending on your industry, jobs can be very specialized. Your knowledge of specific software or project management methodologies can differentiate you from the pack, so make sure these skills are front and center in your documentation.

Read job descriptions carefully to make sure your resume and cover letter focus on the right skill set and achievements.

Interview Tips PRACTICE FOR AN INTERVIEW

DON’T OVERSELL YOURSELF When it comes to positioning yourself for a job opening, it’s important to not appear self-important or arrogant. You want hiring managers to think you can seamlessly plug in to their team without any clashing of egos or personality types.

Keep this in mind when building your resume and cover letter. Avoid cliche language that fails to capture you as an individual. Instead of trying to make grandiose statements filled with flowery phrasing, focus on concise, keyword-focused language that tells your story in a cohesive way.

Hiring managers are more strapped for time than ever before. Give them a resume that is punchy and to the point. This will help it resonate with them during the

Your resume made it through the initial review phase and you got the call for an interview. Congratulations, you’re halfway there! With only a few steps left to land your new job, it’s time to get serious.

Preparing for an interview can be a stressful experience, especially if it is at a company you are excited about. Besides putting together the right professional outfit and appearance for your talk, it’s important to refine some of your answers to some standard interview questions coming your way.

Below are some tips on getting ready for your next big interview. Good luck!

Practice makes perfect: The old cliché is true. If you want to knock your interview out of the park, you have to prepare yourself for success. This includes finding a list of general interview questions and rehearsing your answers,

400 Help Wanted

I S H IRIN G!

which should be only a few sentences long to keep the conversation moving.

Once you’re comfortable with your responses, ask a friend or family member to have a mock interview with you. This will help you work on making eye contact as you answer questions.

Here are a few general questions you can expect during your interview: • Can you tell us about yourself and your background?

• What drew you to this position and why do you think you’re the right fit?

• Why are you looking to leave your current job? Or what made you leave your previous position?

THE RIGHT ATTITUDE Another cliché that is particularly relevant for the job interview is “You only have one chance to make a great first impression.” How you handle yourself as a professional during an interview can literally make or break your chances of landing the job.

Companies want a polished, enthusiastic professional, especially if you will be working with customers or internal leadership on special projects. Everybody likes to work with someone who is pleasant and collaborative.

Giving off a good vibe and not disparaging past employers are two ways of making sure you fit the bill.

INTERVIEWER STYLES It’s important to be ready for different interview styles.

Some hiring managers are very cut and dry. They will ask a few general questions and move on with their day.

Others are more in-depth and looking for detailed, thoughtful answers. The best interviewees are able to “understand the room,” meaning able to analyze the interviewer’s style and craft answers according to their expectations.

If your interviewer laughs a lot and tells personal stories, go along with them by telling a couple of your own. Just remember to keep things short and sweet.

There will be more time for chatting once you land the job! (please see TIPS on page D2).

400 Help Wanted

Exciting part-time opportunity!

CURRENT OPENING

Administrative Assistant

*Financial & Grants Accountant

An exciting position is available for a detail oriented, polished professional to join our prestigious Forest Highlands Golf Club. The role provides support to the General Manager, CFO, Design Review Committee and the Forest Highlands Foundation. This challenging position would fit a candidate with a pro-active, positive attitude that has excellent communication skills, is proficient in Microsoft Office products, has a keen eye for detail and is very organized.

Must complete and submit the NACA Employment Application, Letter of Interest and Resume. For more information, visit our website www.nacainc.org.

Any question, please contact Human Resources at (928)526-2968

Discover your path with the Flagstaff Unified School District

Teachers, Licensed Professionals, and Hourly Staff Openings Change your future today:

www.fusd1.org Equal Opportunity Employer

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 27th, 2017 PAY: $13.00 per hour To see the full job description please visit: http://bit.ly/ApplyFHGC

NACA Inc. Board of Directors Native Americans or Community Action, Inc. (NACA) is seeking members to serve on their Board of Directors. Board Members must meet the required qualifications as set forth in the board’s By-Laws and must pass a mandatory background check.

Applicants must submit a Letter of Interest and Resume prior to being considered.

Please contact Human Resource Specialist, Monica Polingyouma at (928) 526-2968 ext. 115 or employment@nacainc.org with any questions.

For more information, visit our website www.nacainc.org.

Inspiring Change & Restoring Hope Since 1975

Be a part of the journey.

NOW HIRING Kitchen Manager (Based In Williams AZ) Requires 3yrs previous supervisory or lead cook experience with progressive cooking/menu development. BA of Science degree in HRM is desirable. Will consider a combination of 3yrs practical experience and education as an alternate.

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Join Southwest Behavioral & Health Services, Arizona’s largest and leading non-profit community-based provider of behavioral health services, as we celebrate 40+ years of helping people feel better and maximize their potential. If you’re a compassionate, dedicated professional looking to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals, families and communities, consider the following full-time, part time and per diem opportunities in our Prescott Valley and Flagstaff clinics:

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“We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, Female/Minority/ Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.”

Drug screen & background check required. EOE

D2 - Sunday, January 22, 2017

Arizona Daily Sun

GET THE JOB 2017 TIPS (from page D1) ASK QUESTIONS One of the best ways to make a memorable impression on your potential employers is by flipping the script and asking a few questions yourself. Doing so shows hiring managers that you researched the company, have a genuine interest in its mission and are analytical in your thinking.

HOW TO FRAME YOUR QUESTIONS We’ll get to the type of questions you should ask a little further in this article. First though, here are a few ways to frame your questions to make the biggest impact.

Start your questions with these statements: • In researching a few articles on your company...

• Your website has details on (insert project X)...

• One particular part of your job description really caught my attention...

Kicking off your questions with these types of introductory statements shows hiring managers that you took the time to look into the company and its key initiatives. This is a great way to earn some extra points from hiring managers, especially when the time comes for their team to discuss how the interviews went.

QUESTIONS TO ASK AND WHEN TO ASK THEM The timing of your questions can be just as important as what you ask. Try to let the hiring managers control the flow of the first third of the interview, but don’t wait until the “Do you have any questions for us” prompt that generally comes near the end of the interview.

Once a tone is set for the interview, feel free to throw in a few questions of your own. If there is a natural transition into a question you would like to ask, jump in. This is a great way of turning the traditional, stale interview into a more collaborative process. Hiring managers will appreciate this, too.

Tailor Your Resume

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here it is! The perfect job opening. Your key skills match what the company is seeking.

Your background is perfectly aligned with the required qualifications. You are confident of your ability to step in and make an immediate impact.

To make sure your resume helps launch you into the interview and eventually the hiring phase, you must first tailor it to evoke the same type of enthusiasm from the hiring manager. This requires a combination of common sense and strategic action.

DO YOUR RESEARCH When hiring managers read your resume, they want to feel your enthusiasm for their job opportunity. They likely put in hours of work crafting and broadcasting their job announcement, not to mention the time they will be putting into reviewing applications.

One way you can stand out is by making it apparent that you researched the opening and the company’s background. This is key, especially if you are applying for a company with a particular product or service niche.

Research the company’s mission statement and key projects they have completed. Align this information with your own experiences and passions to convey why you are the perfect fit for the job.

The cover letter:

I

s it important anymore? Do hiring managers even take the time to read through it? How can you make your cover letter stand out from a crowd?

CUSTOMIZING YOUR CONTENT Many companies use applicant tracking systems to filter through the initial round of incoming applications.

This helps create a strong “keeper” pile for hiring managers. To make sure your resume makes it through these systems, it’s important to use the right keywords.

You should always include a section that functions as an “Areas of Expertise” or “Key Proficiencies.”

This is where you can load up your resume with 10 to 15 targeted keywords that help your resume perform better in applicant systems.

Don’t forget about your professional experience.

It’s important to hit on some of these same keywords when detailing your career background.

Why is this so vital? Because once a hiring manager gets their hands on your resume, you want your experience section to back up your claims of expertise. © FOTOLI A

pieces of your job search strategy. Hiring managers look to the cover letter for a more personal look into your career story. Why are you passionate about what you do?

What has led you to looking to your next role?

Finding out these kinds of things in your cover letter can help a hiring manager find out more about you, “the person” instead of just “the candidate,” and can help them come up with more detailed interview questions.

YOUR STORY “I am writing to apply for the open sales position.”

Boring. That’s a general lead-in on a large number of cover letters currently circulating throughout the job market.

If you’re looking to have a puncher’s chance against your competition, your cover letter content must tell your story in an engaging, memorable way. You want hiring managers to put down your letter thinking: “Great introduction. I’m definitely setting up an interview.”

Start your cover letter with a snappy introduction. For example, “My name is Kate, and I’m looking for a change.”

Then proceed to explain why your skill set, current career focus and the company’s job announcement are in alignment. Relate your story to what the company is looking for, both in terms of professional skills and personality.

WHAT YOUR COVER LETTER SHOULD SAY ABOUT YOU

There are so many questions involving the cover letter that many people looking for a job simply send out the same one for multiple positions. While this meets the

requirement for most job listings, it’s not the ideal way to differentiate yourself and your background.

The truth is that cover letters are still very important

400 Help Wanted

Get where you want to go with a career at NAIPTA! We are growing quickly and need enthusiastic, community-minded employees.

Join our award-winning public transit organization!

TRANSIT BUS OPERATOR ~ FT & PT $15.08 - $16.90 hourly Closing date: March 1st, 2017 at 5:00 pm Apply online: www.naipta.az.gov//employment//current_listings.htm

3773 N. Kaspar Drive • Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Call (928) 679-8900 • E-mail at employment@naipta.az.gov NAIPTA is an equal employment opportunity employer.

400 Help Wanted Experienced Fire Sprinkler Fitter for Northern Arizona.

Pay depending on experience.

40 hours a week plus holiday and vacation.

• Contact Jimmy 928-567-2243 • Hiring General Cashier Apply in person, must be 19 years or older. Great Customer Service $10/hour starting.

1311 E. Butler Ave Butler Easy Mart Shell INDUSTRY PROGRAM SPECIALIST

$33,500 The Arizona Department of Corrections is seeking an individual to provide supervision of inmate work crew activities in the community and at Arizona Correctional Industries work sites in Winslow, AZ. Maintains control of keys, tools, equipment, restricted products and confidential information.

We offer great benefits! See complete job announcement and apply at www.azstatejobs.gov and search for Job ID 27328.

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If the resume is a snapshot of your professional achievements, the cover letter should offer a peek into your personality. Many job-seekers make the mistake of submitting bland, standard cover letters for openings they are targeting.

Hiring managers and recruiters want to see a little personalization in your cover letter, so let them have it.

This means including specific stories or examples of how you have proven your determination in the workplace.

FIRST OR THIRD PERSON? One of the biggest differences between the cover letter and the resume is how you address yourself. Always use a first-person, conversational tone in your cover letter. Your resume is a more basic, straightforward representation of you, while your cover letter is supposed to show a softer side of you.

While first person is preferred, avoid using “I” too many times. Starting every sentence with “I” will leave your letter very ego-focused, which can be a red flag to hiring managers. Use “we” or “our” often in your letter to convey your team spirit.

CUSTOM, CUSTOM, CUSTOM Many companies will receive hundreds of resumes and cover letters for a single position. How do you make sure your documents stand out?

When it comes to the cover letter, its important to take a lighter and more anecdote-driven approach. Does your prospective company require project management experience for its vacant position? Use a paragraph or bullet point to describe how you have planned and led critical initiatives in past or current positions.

KNOW YOUR TARGET Cover letters, much like the resume, are keyword driven. This requires you to do some research on your target company before sending in your cover letter.

Try to match as many keywords as possible in your cover letter with the job announcement. This will help your letter perform better in keyword searches conducted by job recruitment software that many companies use today.

Once your letter makes it to an actual human reviewer, it must tell your story in a quick, engaging way. Mention where you heard about the vacancy and why it attracted you. Include your thoughts on a recent company initiative or accomplishment. This will show your hiring manager your dedication to becoming a valuable, committed employee.

400 Help Wanted

Facilities Service Worker $28,780 annual equivalent

Note: This is a full time evening position. Hours of work: 4:00 p.m. top 12:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Typical Duties: Cleans and maintains County facilities; identifies and reports repair needs; performs grounds maintenance, including snow removal; may perform minor repairs; may assist with special events.

Requirements: One year of custodial experience; OR any combination of education, training and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Additional Requirements: Must obtain an Arizona driver’s license by date of hire and maintain it throughout employment. Final job offer will be contingent upon a satisfactory 5-year Arizona Motor Vehicle Report and successful completion of a background check.

Apply online by 2/3/17 at http://www.coconino.az.gov or call (928) 679-7100. EOE.

400 Help Wanted

Part-Time Administrative Assistant Northern Arizona University’s Department of Marketing and Strategic Communications is seeking a part time Administrative Assistant. The Administrative Assistant provides support to the Chief Marketing Officer through various clerical duties. The position will organize and schedule meetings with a broad range of internal and external audiences including faculty, staff, administrators and others. Assists Fiscal Operations Manager with purchasing inquiries, and helps with documentation, ledgers, personnel records, budget records, and ensures adherence to policy and procedure and monitors processes and documentation for accuracy. Answers written and oral inquiries of a routine nature.

Provide minimal writing and editing support on letters and various other correspondence.

Actively seek out projects/assignments on own initiative. Assist with improving or developing and implementing office procedures and practices. And perform other duties of a similar nature or level. This is a 29-hour per week Monday through Friday position.

Hours are subject to discussion and may vary based on department needs. Not benefit eligible.

Minimum Qualifications: To qualify for this position you must have four years of increasingly responsible office/administrative experience. Or any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education Application Instructions: Please send a cover letter and resume to Renee.Garcia@nau. edu for review.

Application Deadline: January 25, 2017 @ 11:59 p.m.

Please see nau.jobs for full job descriptions and details on how to apply online!

NAU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.

Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

LITTLE SINGER COMMUNITY SCHOOL P. O. B OX AQ , W I N S L OW, A Z 8 6 0 4 7

C O N S T RU C T I O N P H A S E S E RV I C E S | J O B O P E N I N G LSCS is currently seeking applicants for the New School Project Phase Service.

OFFICE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT THE POSITION REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING:

• School Application • Three Letter of References • Valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card, Federal Background Clearance, and Navajo Nation Clearance.

• Valid Driver’s License • Ability to speak and understand Navajo language and translate Navajo to English and vice-versa.

• Required Education and Training • EDUCATION: AA in Secretarial Science, Business Administration, Bookkeeping,

Accounting and or related, OR • TRAINING: Two (2) years vocational training in computer operations, which includes word processing, spreadsheets, accounting and other software, OR • EXPERIENCE: Four (4) years work experience in office management performing complex fiscal, technical, computer, and administrative duties OR any equivalent combination of Education,Training and Experiences, which demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position.

To obtain a School’s Employment Application, Job Description, and any questions, contact the Human Resources at telephone number 928-686-6108 ext. 233 CLOSING DATE: FEBRUARY 10 TH @ 4:00 P.M.