How to Encourage Your Child's Career Plans

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Whether you have a teenager or a toddler, odds are you've heard "I want to be a [fill in your child's career of choice here] when I grow up."

Whether it's garbage collector, truck driver, ballerina, pilot, doctor, or veterinarian, it's easy to discount it. After all, kids have hundreds of wacky ideas every day. But what if we were to support it instead? Nurturing your child's dreams and ambitions is a healthy way to build their self-esteem and teach them the interesting things they want to know.

Listen to Your Child:

If your child is constantly talking about becoming an animal doctor (it's hard to say veterinarian when you're small!) why not do something to help them? Call a friendly vet in your region and explain how your child is simply enthralled with becoming a vet. Would they have a bit of time when you could bring in your child? Perhaps the vet can show them around and explain a little bit about their job. Many places of work alos particpate in "open house" type programs where they open their doors to the public. Make some calls and find out. Your child will appreciate how you listen to what really makes them happy.

Find Out Your Child's Interests:

Many children and teens are quite vocal about their interests and some are more shy. With a little encouragement, most will be able to tell you what they like. Don't be too pushy. "Have you thought about your future?" and "What do you want to do with your life?" may put your kids off by adding unnecessary pressure. Instead, try to notice the activities they do, and ask them questions about it. If your child likes sports, ask them if they've ever thought of becoming a coach someday. It's interaction that will get them thinking.

Don't Limit Them:

Everyone has a place in the world and everyone deserves a shot at doing something that makes them happy. Don't limit their choices by encouraging a certain job on them. "Oh, little Billy's going to be a great doctor or lawyer" makes little Billy feel inferior his whole life if he doesn't accomplish your goal, unless of course it's his goal too. Leave the door open in case it really isn't his goal. Remember to support your children by accepting the concept of non-gender specific jobs. Little Billy can be a nurse or a teacher just as much as Heather can be a brain surgeon or an engineer.

Encourage:

Do what you can to support your child without pushing them. Support their choices. Sure, you might not think your child will really be able to be a doctor if they can't stand the sight of blood, but they will appreciate your support. Some day, they may get over their fear of blood or decide it really isn't for them. Either way, the fact that you supported them and didn't mock them, will mean the world.

Encouraging your child in their career choice is a great way to tell them you believe in them. It helps them achieve a postive attitude and self-esteem. If they believe they can do anything, they just might.

Ready for a Career Change?

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If you are considering a career change, here are several suggestions you can keep in mind to help you achieve your new career goals.

Research:

Doing some research before you make a career change can save you a lot of time and energy. By knowing what skills you'll need, what the salary range is, and other information, you'll be better able to make an informed decision about the industry and what it takes to work in it. Try contacting an association that deals with the specific career you'd like to transition to. They will be able to provide you with plenty of information about what that career choice really involves. It's easy to glamorize a dream career but with some research, you can make a decision that will be based on facts. Other ways to discover more about a career include volunteering and finding a mentor in your new career choice. The insight you will learn can go a long way to helping you determine if this new career is right for you.

Education:

Once you've done some research into your new career, you'll be able to determine what sort of education you'll need. Can you apply the skills you have already, or will your new career require specific education? Where is the best training available? Can you get it in your local area or will you need to relocate?

Flexibility:

Are you willing to look at all aspects of your new career? What if it takes you longer to achieve your career goals than you first thought? By being flexible, you'll increase your chances for success in your career transition. Don't be solely set in a very specific career path because often, as we explore career options, we discover opportunities we never considered. Being flexible means seeing opportunities and adapting them to suit our needs. It also means considering the lifestyle changes that will be brought on by your career change.

Passion:

Changing careers should be about passion. What is the sense in changing careers if you aren't going to like it more than your current career? Changing careers isn't about making more money, pursing someone else's goals, or dreaming about job satisfaction. It's about passion and curiosity to see what else is out there that might bring you happiness and fulfillment.

By researching your career choice, you'll be prepared and you'll be able to determine if this new career really is your passion. By thinking ahead, you can help make the transition to a new career more easily. Remain flexible and open-minded, and remember to consider the education and lifestyle changes you'll likely need to make.

How To Handle a Phone Interview

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Phone interviews are a common technique used determine which candidates will move forward in the interview process. They can also replace an actual in-person interview and so they are critical in determining whether or not you will be hired. Here are some important tips for phone interviews.

Be Available:

Be there when you say you will be. Recruiters and employers are often very busy calling other candidates and you don't want to give them the impression that you don't value their time. If you make an appointment to receive their call, be prepared to give them your full attention.

Have a quiet space where you won't be interrupted by kids, pets, or household chores your spouse or housemates might be doing, like running the dishwasher or vacuuming. Also ensure that there isn't any loud music or other distractions. Let others know that you are setting this time aside for an interview so that they won't be barging in.

Be Prepared:

Re-read your resume and know all your skills and strengths, just as you would for a regular interview. Just because you can have all your information in front of you and the interviewer can't see you looking at your resume, you still need to be prepared so that you'll sound polished and confident.

Be Professional:

Just as you would a regular interview, ensure you appear professional. Practice talking on the phone with a friend, simulating a phone interview. Keep an eye on your speech patterns and don't talk excessively or mumble. Be attentive to the interviewer. Because the interviewer can't see you, they can't see your body language or how you act when you respond to questions. All your feedback is coming to them through the phone, so it's critical that your phone skills be excellent.

Also, ensure that you aren't chewing gum, that you sit straight, you smile, and that you dress the part. No one will see how you are dressed but it will change your attitude. By thinking and acting like this is an interview (and it is!), you will come across as more confident and prepared. 

Follow-up:

Just as you would a traditional interview, follow-up with the interviewer to let them know that you appreciate the time they took in interviewing you. Let them know again of your interest in the job and that you look forward to hearing from them regarding the position.

Remember, a phone interview is just like a regular interview. It can determine whether you get hired on the spot or get selected for a future interview. It's important to treat it just like any other interview you would participate in, so ensure that you are prepared, confident, and attentive to the interviewer.
 

Handle the Group Interview

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Facing a group interview or multiple interviewers can be a stressful ordeal if you haven't prepared for it. Here are some tips and suggestions for you on how to deal with multiple interviewers at once.

Be Prepared:

It's critical at a group interview to be prepared. There will likely be a panel of interviewers from different areas of the company that will quiz you. Each person will probably have a particular interest. An HR manager might want to know if you are a good fit for the company, the team leader of the office you are interviewing for might want to see your personality and if it fits with those currently working for him or her, and a supervisor's goals for the interview might be there to assess your skills.

By keeping this in mind, you can make sure that, during your interview, you showcase your skills, your personality, and your ability to be a part of the team.

Do Your Homework:

Because you will be interviewed by multiple people, it's critical that you've prepared. Make sure you fully understand the job description and what will be required of you should you get the job. Make sure you know your skills inside out and how they can be tied back to the position being offered. You should also know how the company works, its culture, and how they are structured. 

Be Confident:

Being interviewed by a panel of interviewers is stressful stuff and the company wants to know if you can handle it. Practice a panel interview with a few friends before you have to do the real thing. Simulate the type of questions you might be asked and get a feel for how it is to be interviewed by different people. This is your opportunity to be interviewed by everyone at once. It could actually save you time and stress. By being confident and having the right mindset, you can turn this into a positive experience.

Focus:

While at the interview, make sure you make eye contact with everyone. Take the time to respond to every question with thought and concentration. It's easy to be distracted with others there. Look directly at the person who asked you the question, but take the time to also make eye contact with the other interviewers. However, your attention should be predominately focussed on the person who posed you the question.

Things to Remember:

It's critical at a group interview that you treat everyone with the same respect. You don't necessarily know who the person making the final decision will be and it's just good manners. The goal is to appeal to as many people as possible, so bring your smile, your positive attitude, and be prepared (bring extra resumes too.) By being able to handle everyone's questions with poise and skill, you can overcome the stress surrounding group interviews and turn your interview into a job offer.

Dressing For Success At Your Job Interview

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Have you got a job interview coming up and you're not quite sure what to wear?

Here are some tips to help you achieve a professional, polished look.

Stay Away From Scents:

Many offices now have a scent-free policy prohibiting workers and even visitors from wearing perfumes, colognes, and very odorous deodorants. Even if they don't, you should refrain from wearing scents when interviewing. This goes for men and women. Many people are irritated by odours and others might have mental associations with certain odours. A perfume can quickly remind them of someone they dislike. You want to be a blank slate, where only what you have to say, your experience, and your skills do the talking for you.

Dress Comfortably:

You don't want to look uncomfortable and ill at ease in what you're wearing. That being said, you should have a polished professional look. You've heard the expression "Dress for the job you want to do." You should go one step further. You should dress for the job that you want, but a touch more dressy. A good standard for a management job interview is a nice traditional dark suit, with a clean, pressed dress shirt and co-ordinating tie. Remember to wear comfortable dress shoes with dark dress socks. If you don't wear suits often, try on your outfit a few days in advance to make sure everything still fits from the last time you wore it.

For women, the same standard applies. Remember that you want to project a professional image. A good standard to go by is a nice fitted suit jacket in a neutral color like navy with either matching pants or skirt with an unfussy neutral blouse. Your shoes should be classic and just blend into your outfit. Don't forget plain pantyhose.

It's important to be comfortable as this helps you look confident and successful.

Don't Stick Out:

Interviews aren't usually the time to make a loud, personal fashion statement. Of course, you can certainly inject your own flair and style into your outfit. And for some job interviews in the creative fields, flair is a great thing. But make sure it isn't inappropriate. Get a friend's advice if you aren't sure. Sometimes we get used to wearing a certain style and we don't realize that perhaps, the trend has passed. It's important to stick with the basics and to be professional. The whole point of the interview is to get across how qualified you are, how your skills will be a great fit for the company you are applying for. Don't give them anything to remember you by but your content.

When interviewing, wear clothes that are or appear new. Women shouldn't wear clothes that show cleavage, skirts that are cut too short, see-through tops, or very high-heeled shoes.

Of course, we want to look our best at an interview. Women should refrain from wearing loud makeup. Everything should blend in nicely and your makeup should not be so dramatic that it distracts your interviewer.

Hygiene:

Remember to look and smell nice to be around. Enough said.

Before Your Interview:

• Try on everything a few days before to make sure everything fits as it should. Snip off any stray threads from your clothes and mend any loose buttons or snaps. You don't want something coming apart unexpectedly.
• The night before, press anything that needs pressing. Don't wait until the day of, in case your iron doesn't work properly, or you burn something accidentally.
• Take an extra few minutes to quickly polish your shoes.
• De-lint your outfit, especially if you have pets in your home.
• Get a haircut a couple of days before. This gives you extra time to correct any problems in case it doesn't turn out the way you were expecting.
• Before you leave the house, take off one accessory. We tend to overdo garnishes when we are nervous and dressing up. Keep jewellery to a minimum - a wedding band (if applicable) or a ring, and a subtle watch, and plain earrings for women.
• Women, bring an extra pair of pantyhose with you.

If you have any doubts about wearing a certain outfit, piece of clothing, or item of jewellery at an interview, leave it at home. Following these simple steps, should help you feel confident, prepared, and polished for your interview. Good luck!