Posted on Tue, Jun 26, 2012 @ 09:34 AM
Looking for a job that allows for better work-life synthesis, while trying staying afloat financially often means keeping your job search a secret.
Here are some tips on how to successfully keep your job search discreet:
Don’t search for a job while you’re at work!
“Use common sense,” says Tanisha Sykes, Senior Editor of Personal and Finance Careers at Essence. “Do not use your work phone, computer, printer or any other work-related equipment or time at the office to conduct your search. Conduct your search at home, only provide recruiters with your cell phone number and go to interviews before or after work. If that’s not possible, do it during your lunch or take a personal or sick day. Be strategic, not frazzled, about your search. And remember, using the office equipment to search for another job is grounds for termination.”
Network with caution
Networking is key to finding a great job; but remember to stay positive. Don’t act desperate for a new job. No one wants to hire someone who is dying to get out of a job.
“When you speak with potential employers or contacts, you can say something like, "I'm doing well at my current position and I'm always entertaining options for what's next,” suggests Amy Gallo, contributing editor at Harvard Business Review. And be sure to avoid social media, where privacy doesn’t exist.
Be selective about your references
It’s likely that your references are a part of your tight-knit network, so let your references know that your job search is confidential. And of course - if you’re trying to keep your job search confidential from your current manager, make sure they aren’t listed as a reference. Instead, provide the names of previous managers as well as a trusted colleague from your current company who is aware of your job search and can speak to your performance. “If a hiring manager insists on a reference directly from your boss, explain that you can provide one at the point of offer,” says Gallo.
Have you ever kept a job search professionally confidential? What worked best for you?
Posted on Tue, Jun 19, 2012 @ 07:39 AM
Are you interviewing for a part time or flexible schedule accounting position?
If so, here are some common questions you should be prepared to answer in an accounting interview.
1. What would you consider to be your accounting area of expertise?
2. What kinds of accounting reports have you prepared?
3. Have you ever developed or improved any accounting processes?
4. In what ways did you save money for your previous company?
5. Tell me about your attention to detail. What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever caught?
6. Tell me about your technical capabilities. Which accounting applications or programs are you familiar with?
7. What kind of continuing education have you been doing?
8. What do you think is the biggest challenge people in our industry face today?
9. How do you stay up-to-speed on new accounting regulations?
And as with any interview, don’t forget to…
- Research the company so you can ask good questions and avoid embarrassing questions that you could easily find with a quick Google search.
- Be prepared to discuss your qualifications. Know the date you were licensed, and be ready to talk about your strengths, weakness, and any accomplishments.
Still feeling nervous? Read more tips on how to prepare for any interview. Do you have any questions you’ve encountered in an accounting interview to add to this list?
Image courtesy of iStockphoto.com
Posted on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 @ 12:48 PM
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Name: Sarah Dixon
City/State: Cincinnati, OH
Family: Husband, 19 month & 4 month old daughter
Education: BA in Psychology from University of Cincinnati, MBA in Human Resources Management, University of Phoenix
Summary of your professional experience: 10 years Hospitality Industry-Recruiting with Millennium Hotels and Resorts - Director of HR
New Job: HR Manager with The Hill and Griffith Company (Part-time/flexible)
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Why did you turn to Mom Corps? (vs. another staffing agency) My mother showed me some press on Mom Corps and I was impressed with the philosophy behind the company. I just had my first child and was beginning to question working five days a week and being away from my family. I applied to be a candidate with Mom Corps just to see what would happen. I was really looking for something flexible in HR. I was looking for a forward thinking company that would offer some flexibility. Then one day I received an email from Mom Corps Cincinnati to see if I had an interest in a flexible HR Manager role with The Hill & Griffith Company.
Describe your experience working with Mom Corps? They were wonderful! They acted as my liaison with the employer. From start to finish Mom Corps communicated with me and kept me in the loop on each step. They set up my interview and gave me great/constructive feedback. They knew what I was looking for and were really my advocates. Eisha Armstrong and Lynn Danen, Mom Corps Cincinnati, were “rooting” for me and I could really tell they were on my side and wanted me to get the job. They were especially professional and helpful in working with my maternity leave.
Please summarize how having a flexible job through Mom Corps has affected/improved your overall work-life synthesis and your professional and/or family life. What is different now? Professionally, it’s an immensely different company (private vs. public) than where I was working. It’s rounding me out. I am a one-person HR department and learning all of the nuances. I feel I will really expand my HR experience with Hill & Griffith. Personally, I have two days every week at home (24 hour work week). I am not worried about my Blackberry going off all day and night. Having the flexibility is the most positive thing and having more time with my family makes it perfect. I can get out and use my brain and have the time at home too. It’s a dream come true!
What is your go-to stress reliever? Getting outside and walking, being in the sunshine!
Describe your overall experience with Mom Corps: It was a game changer for me! My life has changed for the better.
Posted on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 @ 11:57 AM
By contributor, Hallie Crawford
You’ve probably heard people say, “I feel pigeonholed in my industry! How do I reinvent myself?” … Or, “how can I find a new job doing something I will truly enjoy?” We all want to enjoy our jobs, and many of us spend more time at work than we do sleeping! So it’s vitally important to our health and well-being that we enjoy what we do and find a career that fits our needs. Regardless of the economic climate, changing your career direction takes time and effort, but it is a very attainable and important goal.
Here are a few tips on how to kick-start your transition to a career that’s a better fit for your life.
1. Ask yourself these questions:
- What do you enjoy most about the work you do now?
Make a list. How can you translate those things into a new career direction?
- What are your greatest strengths and how can those transfer over to a new industry?
Review your resume and pull out transferable skills. Enlist the help of a friend or family member to get an objective opinion.
2. Consider conducting informational interviews with people in the industries you are exploring. Gather information about those possible new directions and find out from people in the field what it takes to transition into the field. Are there certain skills or a specific type of experience required? Do you need to take some classes, or volunteer outside of work to gain additional experience in a certain area?
3. Make a plan with a timeline. How long can you give yourself for this change? A realistic timeline might be 3-6 months. Set a deadline and work backwards. Write your plan down in black and white and revisit it every week to determine the action steps you need to take that week. You’ll need to set goals for yourself that are realistic, but that will also require you to step out of your comfort zone.
And realize that reinventing yourself is a process. Because you're probably relying on your current job to support yourself, whether it’s a full time or part time job, make the move gradually and create a plan up front to implement the change.
4. Revisit your plan weekly and make adjustments. Because you're learning and you can’t predict the future, the course of your path may need to change. That’s ok! It doesn’t mean you’re a failure; adjustments are necessary. Trust that you will figure it out!
5. Start sooner rather than later. We encourage you to start now because this is a process that usually takes time. It’s easier to make a change and take action now, while you are feeling more stable, rather than reckless or impulsive because you’re miserable at your job.
Good luck and congratulations on kick-starting your way to better work-life synthesis!
Guest blogger Hallie Crawford is a certified coach and founder of Create Your Career Path. She was recently featured as a guest speaker on our 30 Minute Mentor monthly webinar series for job seekers. Her team of coaches help people find their dream job and make it a reality. Hallie is regularly featured as an expert in the media including the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and US News & World Report. Visit their website at www.HallieCrawford.com for more information about their services and to sign up for a complimentary consultation.
Posted on Tue, Jun 05, 2012 @ 08:43 AM
Are you the obnoxious professional networker, the lost cheerleader, the distracted thumb, the flirt, or the conference pro?
Mint.com recently featured tips from Mom Corps Founder and CEO, Allison O’Kelly, alongside other career industry experts on how to avoid becoming a “conference cliché”. In this hilarious and informative article, Rachel Weingarten, a personal brand consultant and blogger for mint.com, outlines typical networking mistakes people often make at conferences.
Weingarten and O’Kelly share some great tips on how to improve your conference style including:
- How to create a positive first impression
- How to “do your homework” to make the most of your conference time and money
- How to recognize and leverage networking and learning opportunities at conferences
Read more!