Career Switching Secrets

Career professionals always aspire to move forward in their career gaining promotions and all the benefits that come with being promoted in your industry.

For many though, applying for a new position is a scary thought, with many job hunters asking themselves “why would the employer recruit me?”

Today you will learn the secrets to gaining a successful career promotion, we will look at two different job sectors – Medical and Educational, but many of the tactics discussed, can be used to fit your job sector.

In truth, most career professionals, these days will have three separate careers, some in the same job sector but in higher positions gained via a job promotion and for others in new industries.

What all applicants for new positions need to understand, is employers recruiting for any positions will have a list of essential criteria they require from their new employee. If you meet these criteria (and if you can offer more) you will be offered the position.

The hard part is the application. Many employers skim through job applications and resumes making quick assumptions about the applicant. What you need to do in writing, is leave the employer in no doubt that you have the skills, experience, qualifications and personality for each particular role you apply for.

As the employer reads your application they will form a picture of you, in many cases, this created image may not be true.

You have probably done this yourself when reading a novel, the author starts to describe a character “a tall business women walk in through the double doors of the office, her expensive suit and the way she walks with confidence demanded respect” from this short description you have probably created an image of this person in your mind.

Does your character have blond or brown hair? Why? Her hair colour hasn’t been mentioned yet. This generalisation is made by employers too, they read your application and make an opinion about you, if their opinion fits with the image of the type of person they want to recruit, you will be offered a job interview, if not then your application will be rejected.

The truth is we all make opinions and generalisations every day, it is one way our mind makes sense of the world we live in. what is important in the job market is the information you present makes a positive generalisation by the employer, which is especially important when applying for a promotion or new position.

Two Career Switch Examples in 6 Easy Steps

Career Switch – Nurse to Health Care Manger

A promotion from a Nurse to a Healthcare manager is a logical step to take. Healthcare managers work in hospitals, care homes, public health organisations and consulting firms. There are some key steps you need to take to make this career switch, but first you need to ensure that the new duties as a care Manager suit your career values, as they vary a lot to the duties as a nurse

Step One – Gain Experience

Employers often look for applicants with a minimum of 3 years of nursing experience. Before you start to apply for any Care Manager positions you need to meet this essential criterion. Effective care managers need to have an excellent knowledge of nursing, as your team will come to you when expert advice is required.

Step Two – Education

A bachelor’s degree is often the most common requirement for a Healthcare manager, but employers will also require a certain skills base to go with this.  In certain circumstances, some employers will offer internal training schemes to support internal growth, as part of this programme you will most likely be sent to university on a day release scheme to gain a healthcare management degree.

Step Three – Skills

The best nurse does not always make the best healthcare manager. The duties and skills required vary much from that of a nurse. When deciding whether or not to apply for healthcare management positions your first need to ensure you possess the required skills:

  • oral and written communication skills, as you will be required to  communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals and professional groups including senior management teams and nurses
  • listening skills; during senior management meetings you will be required to fully understand the meeting agenda  and when required to, be able to  negotiate and persuade others
  • Initiative and leadership skills and the ability to gain the trust, commitment and cooperation of others. This is key when implanting new producers or when encouraging your team to meet new targets
  • Excellent knowledge on clinical issues, including the understanding of treatments and evolving medical technologies which is where your three years of nursing experience comes into action
  • organisational skills;  to deal with a diverse range of challenges, this role will require a flexible and creative approach to  problem-solving
  • decision-making ability; being able to absorb information, analyses complex issues and understand data and trends, particularly in sensitive areas such as the allocation of funds or organising staff levels for a department

Step Four – Duties

Healthcare is a business and, like every business, it needs good managers to keep the business running smoothly Healthcare managers, plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of healthcare. As a healthcare manager, you will specialise in a certain healthcare sector or department.

The healthcare sector is changing rapidly with the introduction of new technology, medication and procedures which are saving more lives than ever before. These new changes are affecting healthcare systems and legislation, which as a healthcare manager will need to implement in the day-to-day duties of the working day.

Step Five – Do The Benefits Meet Your Needs?

Once you have the experience, relevant qualifications and you know you would enjoy the working duties of a healthcare manager, you need to check if the benefits meet your career criteria.

As a healthcare manager, you will have the status that comes along with a managerial position. Compared to a nurse you will have more control of your time, you will make key decisions and the responsibility of those decisions rest of your shoulders. You can be creative and have the power to implement your own ideas. This role is financially better than that of a nurse, but more importantly, for some, is the great sense of personal achievement gained in this management position.

Step Six – Apply

If you believe that this role will meet your needs and personality, the final stage is to apply. To make a career switch from nurse to care manager is easy, first, read the job spec and ensure you fully understand the job criteria. Obvious I know, but essential.

Second target your application/resume/CV to the job criteria; what I mean here is, you may do 10 duties in your current role and the new employer has five of these down as essential criteria. Don’t waste time and space on your application by recording how you do all 10 duties, just discuss the five essential criteria to really sell yourself to the role you are
applying for. IE if you’re applying for a managerial role and record your managerial responsibilities

Finally, if you’re applying for, as an example as a health care manager and you’re currently a nurse. You can change your job title to Nurse/Manager. People make big assumptions on your job title, so if you are currently a nurse and you undertake some managerial duties use the slash icon on your job title. Now the manager will generalise and think your main duties are that of a manager.

  

Career Switch – Teacher to Head Teacher

There are several steps to take from Teacher to Head Teacher. The logical steps are Teacher, Head of Year, Deputy Head Teacher to Head Teacher. There are some key steps you need to take to make this career switch, but first you need to ensure that the new duties as a Headteacher suit your career values, as they vary a lot to the duties as a Teacher.

Recently there has been an increase in graduates becoming headteachers through schemes such as teach first. Schools are seen as businesses they have budgets and need to meet targets; these targets include student attentions, student achievements, financial targets and quality standards

Step One – Gain Experience

Experience as a headteacher is gain through the several steps you need to undertake from teacher to headteacher. With each promotion (head of year, deputy head) your managerial and head duties will increase building on your skillset and knowledge base.

This experience and skillset can then be used in your application, highlighting how you meet the job criteria.

Step Two – Education

All teachers require a teaching qualification, and the PGCE is the most common teaching qualification required in high schools.

The most common head teaching qualification is a NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) which takes around 18 months to complete but is no longer mandatory.

Step Three – Skills

The role requires an ability to understand the complex workings of an organisation while also being able to resolve high school issues such as pupil attendance, pupil achievements and emotional and personal conflicts and challenges of staff and pupils.

You will need to be able to set high standards, plan how to achieve your goals and to influence others to get on board with your new procedures and ideas.

A key skill will be your leadership skills. You will work with a variety of different staff members from teachers, to pastoral workers, heads of years, plus catering staff, janitors and external workers. You will need all staff to be positive about any changes you implement.

An ability to devolve responsibilities, delegate tasks and monitor practices is key as a headteacher. This requires excellent communication skills, being able to work under pressure and a key skill in prioritisation, planning and organising

Step Four – Duties

A headteacher provides professional leadership for the school which secures its success.

You will ensure a high-quality education for all your pupils and set good standards of

learning and achievement throughout the school. As a headteacher, you work alongside the school governors to provide inspirations, guidance and boundaries to staff and pupils. 

As a headteacher you will still teach lessons, this is minimal and is really so you have a

hands-on understanding of the day to day issues of teachers and pupils in your school. A headteacher’s main responsibilities are to implement a continuous development plan to drive the school forward.

You will evaluate the performance of the school, manage the school finances and the school’s administration.  You will ensure that school policies and practices take account of national, local and school requirements.

A key role of the headteacher is to ensure that all those involved in the school are committed to its aims. And to involve all staff in meeting long, medium and short term objectives and targets.

Step Five – Do The Benefits Meet Your Needs?

Once you have the experience, relevant qualifications and you know you would enjoy the working duties of a headteacher, you need to check if the benefits meet your career criteria.

As a headteacher, you will have the status that comes along with a head of school position. You will set your own policies and mission to improve the educational results of your pupils.

Many headteachers find the head position more rewarding than that of a teacher as you have a real impact on many more pupils than a teacher. As a headteacher, you can implement ideas that can have a real effect on pupils, exam results and teachers.

This role is financially better than that of a teacher, but more importantly, for some, is the great sense of personal achievement gained in this head of school position.

Step Six – Apply

If you believe that this role will meet your needs and personality, the final stage is to apply. To make a career switch from teacher to head manager you will need to work your way up through the career ranks, from head of year, to deputy head and headteacher.

First research the school, is the school is underperforming the governors will be looking for a headteacher who can make quick and lasting changes with a direction of increasing the educational performance of the school.

Some schools will have a focus on support vulnerable students or students with disabilities. You need to ensure your application meets the values of the schools. With this in mind, don’t believe that your management abilities alone will get you the job, you need to ensure you can’t improve the schools performance and meet their values.

You will need to provide real examples of when you have met the criteria for the head position. This is why following the steps of the career from teacher to head of year, from deputy head to head will help you with your application. At each stage you will be able to met the criteria and provide real examples of how you can add added value to the school you are applying for.

Finally, many schools will want you to provide ideas and suggestions on what you as a headteacher would implement to improve the school’s performance. These suggestions need to be practical, realistic and you will need evidence of how your idea will make a real impact.

10 Common Mistakes We Make During Interviews

This week’s guest post was written by Sarah Brooks from Freepeoplesearch.org, a Houston based freelance writer and blogger.

Today’s job market is tough, with numerous candidates applying for each position. If skills are a match with some fellow competitors, the selection may be made solely based on personality and interviewing skills. To improve the odds of getting hired avoid making these 10 interviewing mistakes.

1. Poor Time Management

Failure to arrive on the appropriate day and in a timely manner may cause a prospective employer to cancel your interview altogether. Even if the interview does commence, a late arrival will not show you in your best light, nor give the opportunity to speak with a calm and focused approach. To help avoid being late, practise the travel route in advance. Also, make it a point to verify time and date after the initial schedule is set.

2. Ill Preparation

Interviews are not to be taken lightly. It’s important to do one’s homework so that the history and culture of the organisation are clearly understood, as well as the job description at hand. Such insights will give an added edge over less-proactive competitors. Proper research can also help the candidate shape answers in a favourable light.

3. Dressing Inappropriately

With so many new companies on the market, “inappropriate”  means different things to each potential employer. For instance, an interview at a law firm would call for a suit, whilst a computer software startup may be looking for younger and more individualistic employees. Study each company’s culture before selecting an outfit; tailor the choice, accordingly.  

4. Failing to Listen Carefully

Interviews are nerve-wracking experiences. Yet the ability to keep a cool head under pressure makes for a more desirable new employee. One common symptom of nerves is the failure to properly listen to each question with the utmost attention. Be as succinct as possible with answers but don’t be afraid to add any extra pertinent information, if beneficial.

5. Keeping the Mobile On

It happens. However, the inability to silence one’s phone during an interview can be the kiss of death for hopeful candidates. In addition to showing poor forethought, it can also give an employer the sense that their time is not truly valued. Plus it’s just rude and distracting and will throw you off your game. Before your interview, check that all alarms are disarmed and silence all programmes. Better yet, shut the phone down entirely.

6. Asking About Benefits

The interview’s going well and then comes the time when an employer asks if you have any questions. Do not, under any circumstances, ask about employee benefits. If you ace the interview the company will make an offer and bring all that pertinent information to the table, which you can then accept or decline.  To broach the subject of benefits before such an offer makes an applicant look crass and needy. The employer’s decision to let a candidate ask questions should be taken as a chance to provide insightful queries that better position a person for getting that dream job.

7. Being Too Funny

This one’s tricky because if interviewing in a group setting it can be very easy to fall into a bit of a comedy routine. Don’t let nerves turn an important interview into a series of one-liners unless you’re hoping to be hired by a comedy troupe. Showing personality is never a bad thing because you want to fit in at your new workplace, but don’t let humour override confidence and competence.

Interview questions and answers

8. Complaining of Past Jobs and Employers

For those who have left a particularly unrewarding job this one could be tempted to do. Some interviewers may even set candidates up to see how diplomatic they are about past jobs. No matter how frustrating or miserable the job, do not make the mistake of making disparaging remarks about past employers and jobs.

9. Ignoring the Value of Thank You Letters

It is astonishing how few still write thank you notes after getting to interview with a company. This basic offer of courtesy could be the one thing to set you apart from other equally-qualified candidates. Not only does a follow-up letter show the prospective employer’s time was appreciated, it also provides an additional chance to show your business demeanour.

10. Underestimating the Competition

So you’ve got all the right credentials and even some valuable work experience under your belt—that doesn’t mean there aren’t more than a few others who have the same qualifications applying for the job. If it’s a job you really want then approach the interview armed to the teeth to show the employer exactly why you’re a perfect fit.

Author Bio:

This is a guest post by Sarah Brooks from Freepeoplesearch.org. She is a Houston based freelance writer and blogger. Questions and comments can be sent to brooks.sarah23 @ gmail.com.

Job Interview Questions for a HR Manager

Human Resource Job Interview Questions

    • Job Interview Question 1: What is your experience in the HR sector?
    • Job Interview Question 2: How do you assess the success of HR services – What do you measure? How did you determine the priorities?

    • Job Interview Question 3: How does the HR department contribute to the strategies and goals of the business?

  • Job Interview Question 4: How do you investigate complaints made by employees about their line managers?
  • Job Interview Question 5:  Have you ever implemented strategies to develop the workforce through a change management process?
  • Job Interview Question 6: What is your process when recruiting new staff? How do you ensure the new employee will fit within the organisational culture?

Interview questions and answers

    • Job Interview Question 7: How do you decide which questions to ask during the job interview for specific roles.
    • Job Interview Question 8: What is a strength-based interview? Are these interviews successful?
    • Job Interview Question 9: Have you ever had to implement a successful corporate cultural change
    • Job Interview Question 10: Do you have any questions to ask?

Job Interview Questions That Interviewers Ask That You Haven’t Prepared For

Some questions that you may be asked are not as obvious, which means you may not prepare for them.

These questions below are asked on a regular basis in the job interview, but often throw candidates as they had no idea they would be asked.

Job Interview Questions That You Need To Prepare For

    • Job Interview Question 1:

      What was the most challenging part of your university course?

  • Job Interview Question 2:

    Tell me about a time when you were not able to build a successful relationship with a difficult person.

  • Job Interview Question 3:

    Describe how you contributed to a group project?

    • Job Interview Question 4:

      Give me an example of when you were able to see the big picture when working on a project.

  • Job Interview Question 5:

    Have you ever gone above and beyond in a working situation?

  • Job Interview Question 6:

    Give me an example of when you have had to write an accurate document.

Interview questions and answers

    • Job Interview Question 7:

      How would you act if a co-worker was acting unethical?

  • Job Interview Question 8:

    Tell me about a time you had to confront a manager.

  • Job Interview Question 9:

    What do you do to overcome obstacles?

You will also be given the opportunity to ask the interviewer some questions.

Important Points to Prepare Yourself for the Job Interview Questions And Answers

Interviews are one of the stressful phases of life.

A proper preparation is helpful to clear them. When you called for the interview then you may be asked many questions these may be tough also.

Everyone wants to get a job that can offer him personal satisfaction along with money. Besides this everyone wants to work in a company which has a brand name in the market.

It is always better to prepare yourself with job interview questions and answers. The list of such questions can be obtained from newspapers, magazines, or the internet.

It will make you more comfortable during the interview because you will be prepared to answer them.

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Some common questions are asked in most of the interviews but it is also true that no two interviews can ever be same.
You can face interview questions by impressing the interviewer with your behavioral qualities because a lot of things are judged in the interviews.
The interviewer will not only check about your book knowledge, he will also test your confidence, your way of talking with people, your knowledge on the current updates and your way of representing yourself etc.
So it is better to remain conscious throughout the interview.

You can tell him about your educational achievements and previous achievements during the last job. But start by introducing with your name. It is also a chance for the interviewer to know about yourself so your way of representing yourself should be impressive. Always offer positive information about yourself in the interview.

The interviewer can also ask about your knowledge related to the respected company. So when you go for interview, it is better to gather information about the company.

You can get relevant information from the website of the company. In order of this question you can say about the services of the company, its target customers, public dealing and if the company was in news recently then tell about that too.

It will show your grip on the current issues. But at such time always offer positive information about the company.

You can also tell about the skills that you have learned during the last job. You can also talk about your achievements during your study or in the previous job. Good knowledge of job interview questions and answers can help a lot there.

In an interview, it is important to show yourself as a practical person. Don’t be emotional or talk about your personal family problems at any stage of the interview. Make yourself feel as a perfect candidate for the job.

About the Author

For more information related to this job interview questions and answers please visits: interviewsuccessformula.com

How to Get in a Winning Mood For Your Job Interview

How to Get in a Winning Mood For Your Job Interview

Doesn’t it make sense to prepare yourself mentally as well for your job interview?

Having that inner confidence and poise will shine through to the interviewer when you walk in that door and give you even more of an advantage over all of your competitors.

If you are nervous, this will show in your body language and your speech reducing the chances of being offered the job role.

Confidence comes form mental preparation. If an interview was a race, the mental preparation would be the pre-race ‘warm up’

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1. Fake it till you make it

Act confident and you will be confident.

Just by imagining being super confident in a job interview, research shows, actually increase job interview confidence.

Using positive visualizations tricks your mind into believing you are confident.  Once you believe you are confident, your posture, body-language and your communication in general will come across as more confident.

Prior to the interview take 15 minutes to practice interview confidence meditation.

2. Search for the interviewer

Most people have a social media profile.

By finding your interviewer online you can start to view them as human.

Interviewee anxiety comes from how the interviewer is perceived to be – a big scary industry expert.

Applicants, to increase confidence, can change their view of an employer by seeing them in a new light. As you flick through their social media profiles and pictures you can see them for who they are – a person who also interviews people.

3. Exercise Away the Anxiety

Get up and go for a run!

Exercise is by far one of the best ways to release job interview stress.

Start the day with a run or yoga, sit-ups or a swim. Exercise releases dopamine  which improves job interview performance.

All that build up tension can be released by a simple exercise routine.

By changing how you approach the interview day can have a massive impact on the interview outcome.

Research shows how a relaxed and more confident applicant will naturally have a stronger rapport with an interviewer, and can recall past experiences that can be used during the interview questions.

Not Your Average Interview Techniques

This month’s guest post comes from James Harlan; an aspiring novelist and a young community leader.  He promotes lifelong learning and academic success through his contributions in the blogs, Master Dissertations and Oxbridge Dissertation.

Engaging in an interview is part and parcel of joining a company.

It is an essential screening measure that has been used for years.  And while interviewers subscribe to methodical interview guidelines, applicants continue to struggle to effectively nail it down.

Why is that?

There are various factors at play.  Listing all of them will not only take pages; it might also divert you from the obvious objective of this one-piece – which is to provide interesting approaches for amelioration.

And to provide better insight, some instances will be proffered under the perspective of an applicant vying for a freelance writing job.

Hone on interesting titbits

Have you noticed how easy it is for the interviewer to throw you unaware? The interviewer almost always possesses the upper hand – but that doesn’t mean you can’t do the same. Okay, before the technique is introduced, subscribe to this reminder: you are not to perform this to retaliate. Instead, perform this approach to show how in-depth your research had been.

1. Conduct an investigation with your eye on tricky issues. You can catch its whiff through an acquaintance who’s already working for the said company or through underground job forums.

2. Bring it out in your interview by politely asking about it. You can’t just ask for simple clarifications. Your best bet for a favourable response from your interviewer is by asking it in connection to the post you’re applying for (e.g., freelance business writer).

3. Express your satisfaction with the answer. And if you’re not really satisfied, feign contentment. There’s a reason why your interviewer is not giving it all. Pry more and your application might end up slouching in the nearby trash bin.

Bounce back with a bang

Perhaps, you’re the kind of applicant who gets real slumped when shoved down with heavy, out-of-this-world interview questions.

You obviously have a lot to work on your recovery techniques. Recovery techniques are methods that increase your chances of bouncing back from an unexpected interview question. It consists of the following:

  • Laughing at it. A good hearty laugh produces the effect of taking away the aggravating tinge of nervousness.
  • Repeating what was asked. Don’t be afraid to sound redundant. You are not repeating the question to mimic parrots; you are doing so to confirm the question – what it means to ask.
  • Make a joke out of it. This applies for unexpected interview questions that aren’t characteristically funny (e.g., “this is your very first time to opt for freelance writing?”). Jokes give a good reason to laugh, fan the panicky feeling away, and allows you to go back to striking it.

Pullout your tricks

Did you always want to do something a little bit crazy than usual? List them all and pick the ones you could really muster to do during an interview. The following entries are just a few examples:

  • Wear a coloured, chequered, or cartoon-themed socks or ties.
  • Take with you an interesting toy (e.g., miniature toy).
  • Bring a thickset and ancient-looking book.

For prospective freelance writers, you can sport an ‘I love Shakespeare’ shirt, or something of a similar ilk. Bring out your inner childlike creativity. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of crazy – as long as it doesn’t interfere with your job interview.

About the Author: James Harlan is an aspiring novelist and a young community leader. He promotes lifelong learning and academic success through his contributions in the blogs, Master Dissertations and Oxbridge Dissertation. You can connect with him on Twitter @c_jvinson.

Job Interview Questions for a Hotel Manager

Hotel Manager Job Interview Questions

  • Job Interview Question 1: Tell me about your experience as a hotel manager?
  • Job Interview Question 2:What are the main responsibilities of a hotel manager?
  • Job Interview Question 3:What is your experience of handling negative customers and feedback?

  • Job Interview Question 4:In your opinion, which hotel department is the most important?
  • Job Interview Question 5: What are the timing of the shift at the front desk?
  • Job Interview Question 6: How will you promote your hotel using social media?
  • Job Interview Question 7: Are you aware of health and safety rules in the workplace?

Interview questions and answers

  • Job Interview Question 8: How do you handle large groups of check-ins, when they all arrive at once?
  • Job Interview Question 9: How will you develop and support your employees?
  • Job IntJob Interview Question 10: Which strategise have you found most successful for customer retention?
  • Job IntJob Interview Question 11: How would you describe your management style?
  • Job Interview Question 12: Do you have any questions for me?