When you are dressing for a job interview, appearance really is important. The image you present to a potential employer is the first thing they are going to notice about you - before you even have a chance to say a word or shake a hand.

I worked for someone who automatically knocked candidates out of contention if he could smell their cologne or perfume from the foyer.

Overdoing it, plus wearing what some hiring managers consider a really bad or even the worst interview outfit ever can cost you a job offer.

When I asked about the worst interview outfits, I was a bit surprised at what people wear  to job interviews - too short skirts and too much cleavage, ratty t-shirts and dirty jeans, and even a clown suit.   By the way, a shirt and tie even made the list, from the overdressed for the job perspective.

It's important to know how not to dress for an interview and how you should dress for an interview, because that first impression really does make a big difference in whether you get considered for a second interview or a job offer.

Before your interview, take some time to brush up your interviewing skills and review the standard interview questions that you'll be asked.

Related: What's the Worst Interview Outfit You've Seen? | Job Interview Questions and Answers

_{Photo Copyright Bojan Tezak}

Worst Interview Outfits originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at 14:00:52.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

From our Discussion Forum - Time Off to Interview: "I'm struggling with a boss, the type that will think you are great one day and then next she can only find fault in what you do. It has been getting worse and I have decided to leave my job. I've been on a few interviews but it is getting very hard to find creative ways to get off work to go to a job interview."

Check the comments (below) for suggestions and add yours, if you have a creative solution for taking time off to interview. So far, we have using vacation or sick time, trying to arrange the interview early in the morning, late in the day, or after work, transporting a friend to the airport - and even burglary! Here are more excuses to use when you need to take time off to interview.

Have a Good Excuse? Share a Good Excuse for Missing Work

Interviewing Resources

• Best Interview Answers
• Tough Interview Questions
• Questions to Ask the Interviewer
• Job Interview Guide

Time Off to Interview originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at 09:00:36.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

How old is too old when it comes to getting hired? You might be surprised at what some employers consider old.   In some cases, job seekers are in their fifties or sixties.

In other cases, they are even younger.  Forty can be considered "old" when you're job searching.

Here's what it's like for some job hunters, who shared their unemployment stories and age discrimination stories with us:

• At my age, who is going to hire me?  I have applied for over a thousand jobs in the last two years and once they review my employment history, it stops there.
• Now at age 55 I am having a hard time getting an interview.
• I have well over 25 years experience and probably forgot more than most college graduates will ever know. I have a hard time even getting an interview. I find my age (58) to be the biggest problem.

Have you been discriminated against because of your age? If you have, we'd be interested in hearing  your story.  Here's how to share your age discrimination story.

What can job seekers do to combat age discrimination when they may be considered too old to get hired?   It can be hard, but there are ways that you can focus your job search, update your resume, and target your cover letters.  These job search tips for older workers will help you maximize your chance of finding a new job.

Related: Resume Tips for Older Job Seekers | Cover Letter Tips for Older Job Seekers

_{Image Copyright Zlatko Kostic}

Too Old to Get Hired? originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Saturday, May 19th, 2012 at 14:00:59.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

What's a competency based interview? It's a type of interview where interviewees are asked to give specific examples of times in which they demonstrated particular skills or attitudes.

Typically, the job applicant is asked to describe a problem or situation, the actions they took to handle the problem, and the outcome of the situation.  The interviewer may ask questions about a variety of competencies depending on the skills required for the specific job.

Here's more on competency based interviews, how to prepare for this type of job interview, and examples of questions you may be asked.

Read More: Behavioral Job Interviews | Types of Interviews

_{Image Copyright Getty Images Digital Vision}

Competency Based Interviews originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Saturday, May 19th, 2012 at 09:00:02.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

If you want to find a summer job, it's time to gear up the job search, if you haven't found a position yet.  Companies are still hiring summer workers, but don't wait to start a job search until school gets out.

First, think about what you want to do this summer. Landscaping and babysitting jobs are an option, as are jobs at amusement parks, and hospitality and restaurant jobs in vacation areas. Here's more places to look for summer jobs.

There are a variety of sites that list summer job openings. Search the job banks that focus on summer jobs and summer camp jobs.   Use the job search engines using "summer" and "summer jobs" as keywords. Search the part-time job sites, too.

Our Summer Job Search Guide is full of information on how to get started on a summer job search, where to look for summer jobs and summer camp jobs, and the best ways to apply for a summer job.

Read More: Summer Jobs | How To Find a Summer Job | High School Resume Tips

_{Image © Menno Hartemink}

Summer Jobs for High School Students originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Friday, May 18th, 2012 at 14:00:19.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

I'm a list person. I have more than a few  "to do" lists and  probably too many Post-it Note reminders and Sticky Notes on my computer.

It might be easier, some days, to wing it, but my lists help me stay organized and help me keep track of what I need to do and when I need to do it.

When you're job searching, lists can be useful, too. It's hard to keep track of all the details, especially when you have a lot going on. There are tools like JibberJobber and Job Mango which will help you manage every facet of your job search.

There are also sites like StartWire where you can track the jobs you have applied for and Huntsy which, like Pinterest, enables you to pin jobs of interest and keep your job search organized.

There are also checklists you can use if you need help with just one component of your job search. The job search internet privacy checklist will help you keep track of your online presence. The resume proofing checklist will make sure your resume is perfect, and the cover letter checklist is worth using before you send out a cover letter.

If you've lost your job, use this job offer checklist to make sure that you're doing everything you should be to job search effectively. When you get a job offer, use the checklist to ensure that you have considered all the alternatives and weighed all the options prior to making a decision to accept the position.

Read More: Job Search Organizers | Job Search Checklists

_{Image Copyright Kristian Peetz}

Organizing Your Job Search originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Friday, May 18th, 2012 at 09:00:42.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

The cost of higher education and the amount of debt college graduates accrue by the time they finish school is becoming a crisis for many students and their families.

The New York Times reports that there is "More than $1 trillion in student loans outstanding in this country... and two-thirds of bachelor's degree recipients borrow money to attend college."   Much of that debt is significant and can take years to pay off.

What other options are there?  CareerCast.com has a list of jobs where you can earn a good living without a four year college degree.  The jobs may require training, however, they all offer a decent salary, as well as income and employment growth potential.   

Here's the CareerCast.com list of the top 20 jobs where you don't need a four year college degree:

1. Dental Hygenist
2. Online Advertising Manager
3. Web Developer
4. Medical Secretary
5. Paralegal Assistant
6. Stenographer/Court Reporter
7. Heating/Refrigeration Mechanic
8. Surveyor
9. Executive Assistant
10. Insurance Agent
11. Industrial Machine Repairer
12. Cosmetologist
13. Hair Stylist
14. Tax Examiner/Collector
15. Sales Representative (Wholesale)
16. Construction Machinery Operator
17. Electrical Technician
18. Architectural Drafter
19. Teacher's Aide
20. Sewage Plant Operator

Read More: 20 Great Jobs Without a College Degree

_{Image Copyright Franc Podgorsek}

Top 20 Jobs No College Degree Required originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Thursday, May 17th, 2012 at 13:00:34.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Now more than ever, the Internet is a powerful way to jump start your career. In this digital age, you can take it a step further and go beyond social networking sites like Facebook,  Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, and LinkedIn to promote your qualifications and skills to prospective employers.

While social media sites are valuable tools for your professional arsenal, by nature they constrain the type of content that you can present about yourself. The information you can relay on a personal website, however, is unlimited.

You can, quickly and easily, set up a personal website that showcases your work experience, skills and talents, your resume, and even your professional portfolio.  Take a look at an example of a personal website that includes a resume, as well as a portfolio of photos and links to published articles.  

Ready to get started? Here's a guide to creating your own career-focused personal website on WordPress.

Read More: Social Networking Tips for Job Seekers

_{Image Copyright Katherine Doyle / WordPress}

Jump Start Your Career with a Personal Website originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Thursday, May 17th, 2012 at 08:45:39.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Why do employers check credit history? Employers use credit reports to judge how responsible and financially stable candidates for employment are.   

 The results of an employment credit check can hinder your chances of getting a job offer if your credit report isn't top notch, especially when the company is hiring for a position in finance.

What do employers look for and what can hinder your chances of getting hired?  Take a look at these credit history red flags that could knock you out of contention for a job.

Credit isn't all companies may check.   Employment background checks are being conducted by employers more frequently than in the past and some employers will confirm, very thoroughly, every detail of your resume or application. Employers may also require a pre-employment physical examination to determine the suitability of an individual for a job.

Videos: Employer Reference Checks | Employer Credit Checks

Read More: Background Checks | Credit Checks | What Employers Can Say About You

_{Image Copyright Spectral-Design}

Why Do Employers Check Credit History? originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 at 14:00:39.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

A referral for a job can make all the difference in the world when you're job searching. A referral not only gets your application noticed. Getting referred is also like getting an automatic recommendation for a job - in advance.

The best type of referral for a job is an employee referral, however clients, vendors, and other people who are connected with the company may be able to assist, as well.  There are lots of ways you can find contacts who may be able to refer you.  In fact, it's quick and easy with the job sites that combine social networking and job searching.

Related: LinkedIn Recommendations | Referral Cover Letters | Referral Letters

_{Image Copyright SimplyHired}

How to Ask for a Job Referral originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 at 09:00:03.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

You're about to graduate from college and you're getting ready for your first interview for post-graduate employment. What should you wear? It depends on the type of company and the type of job you are interviewing for.

If you are interviewing for a full-time professional position or a post-graduate internship at a professional organization, business attire will be expected.  For non-professional jobs, like summer jobs or a job in retail or hospitality, you won't need to dress as formally. Business casual attire is acceptable.

Here's more on college grad interview attire and how to choose interview clothes that will make the best impression.

Read More: College Student Interview Attire | No Job? Now What?

_{Image Copyright Getty Images Jon Feingersh}

College Grad Job Interview Attire originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 at 14:00:56.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Do you really need to send an interview thank you letter? Yes, you do. In fact, not sending a thank you letter can have a negative impact on your application. 

On the flip side, sending a thank you letter which reiterates your interest in the job, mentions any qualifications you wish you had brought up during the interview, and, of course, thanks the interviewer for considering you for the job can give you an edge over other candidates.

Here's more on interview thank you letters including who to thank for an interview, how to thank them, and sample interview thank you letters to review.

Sending thank you notes should be as much a part of your job search as sending your resume!

Read More: Interview Thank You Notes | Email Thank You Letters | Sample Thank You Letters

Interview Thank You Letters originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 at 09:00:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is "How should I send my resume?"   Job seekers aren't sure what file format to use, whether they should send an attachment and, if so, what kind of attachment.

In most cases, it's not up to you to decide.  Employers typically state how they want to receive job application materials in the job posting. What's most important is to follow the instructions. 

If a PDF is requested, be sure to convert your resume and cover letter to a PDF.  If a Word document is requested, convert your documents to Microsoft Word if you are using a different word process program.

Here's advice on how you should send your resume, including how to convert documents and how to send attachments in a variety of different email programs.

Read More: How to Send an Email Cover Letter | How to Create an Email Signature | Job Applicant FAQs

_{Image Copyright Alison Doyle}

How Should I Send My Resume? originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 14:00:46.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

I've written before about lying on your resume and how it can cost you your job. Sometimes it's major issues - like making up jobs or changing dates of employment.   In other cases, it doesn't even have to be an outright lie. It can be simply a "discrepancy" where what you list on your resume doesn't exactly match your employment history.

In the case of Yahoo CEO, Scott Thompson, who resigned over the weekend, his official bio said he had degrees in accounting and computer science from Stonehill College, which didn't have a computer science major until after he graduated. The New York Times reports that Thompson said he didn't submit a resume for the job and it was a discrepancy.  However, it caused enough of an uproar and was enough of a discrepancy to cost him his job.

Also caught in the crossfire was Patti Hart, the Yahoo director who led the search that resulted in Thompson's hiring. News reports stated that there were similar discrepancies in her credentials, which said she had a degree in business administration instead of marketing and economics.

Most resignations aren't so public, of course, but they are a good warning sign for not what to do when you're job searching. The discrepancies in Thompson's resume were found by a Google search. That's how easy it is to get caught.

It's important, as well, if you are working with a search firm to make sure that the information they are providing to potential employers jives with your work history because companies do check.

A Society of Human Resource Management Survey (2010) reported that 92% of employers conduct criminal background checks and 87% conduct credit background checks on applicants for some or all positions. Even a simple reference check will pick up details that don't match.

You may not get caught if you don't tell the truth - it's a gamble. However, you're gambling long-term, because lying on your resume can cost you your job at anytime down the road if your "mistake" get discovered.

Poll: Would You Lie On Your Resume?

Videos: Employer Reference Checks | Employer Background and Credit Checks

Read More: Employment Background Checks

How to Lose Your Job originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 08:00:27.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Job interviews can be stressful, even if you have gone on lots of them.   The best way to interview as painlessly as possible is to take some time to review common interview questions and sample answers.

There's no need to memorize responses, because you don't want to sound canned, but do take some time to think about what you'll say, so you're not fumbling for an answer during the interview.

Also, take a look at these tough interview questions, including tricky ones like: What you would do if the boss is 100% wrong?.

Answering questions like this can hard, so it's good to take a look at advice on how to answer before you go on an interview.

Do you have a really good answer, or two, that you'd like to include on our lists of interview questions and answers? Take a look at more difficult interview answers and add your interview question to the lists of best interview answers.

More: Interview Questions | Post an Interview Question | Top Ten Interview Tips

_{Image Copyright DWlabsInc.}

Job Interview Questions and Answers originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Sunday, May 13th, 2012 at 14:00:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this