Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Considering a career change means a complete transformation; a new job, new industry, new employer. It’s a big deal. These kinds of changes cause massive amounts of stress, anxiety and worry. It takes more planning and preparation than most people realize. Akhtaboot provides you with some things to consider when making a career change to ensure you’re making the right decision and you’re on the right track.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
1. View your Thank You Letter as a sales letter; restate why you want the job, what your qualifications are and how you are planning to make a significant contribution to the company.
2. Follow up with any information the employer may have asked you to provide after the interview.
3. Remember to Proofread; check spelling, grammar, typos, etc. If in doubt about the correct names, spellings or titles of your interviewers, call the office to double-check. Your efforts will be worth it!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The only 3 true job interview questions are:
- Can you do the job?
- Will you love the job?
- Can we tolerate working with you?
That’s it. Those 3! Each question may be asked using different words, but every question, however it is phrased, is just a variation on one of these topics: Strengths, Motivation, and Fit.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Most people get paid just enough money not to quit and work just hard enough not to get fired, yet, there are a number of hidden reasons that you might not be aware of that can lead to your dismissal. Although there are plenty of legitimate reasons to fire someone, many of which vary by the company culture and employer expectations. All in all managers have no right to fire employees unless they have a valid reason for doing so. Most of the employees who have quit their jobs think that they have left the company by choice, but in fact it is very possible that the company was considering letting them go before they resign willingly. Management may start using simple but powerful techniques to make you hate your job and leave. Some of these techniques include favoritism, setting unreasonable deadlines to make you work overtime and using unfair reward systems. Akhtaboot presents you with 5 things you might be doing that may cause you to get fired.
Unstoppable Negative Attitude
Your management and colleagues can only cope with negative attitude for a limited time. However, your manager might start taking corrective actions once you begin poisoning your whole team or department with your unending display of negative attitude. Even if you feel you had been unfairly excluded from a supervisory position or you have not been given the raise you were promised, do not start grumbling to yourself or to your co-workers. Managers may find negative attitude a cause for dismissal when it starts affecting the operations of the company. In this situation they may release an employee with a reasonable severance payment.
Being an office Jerk
Many of today’s employees spend their working days scrambling to please and prevent outbursts from the office jerk. An occasional fit of bad behavior may be excusable, but if an employee’s abusive behavior reaches the point that it injures the other person either physically or psychologically then he may be asked to leave the firm. Do not underestimate the effect of repeated verbal insults, sarcastic jokes or name calling. The absurd actions or downright inappropriate behavior of the office jerk reduces the productivity and morale of every other employee. Most office monsters have been created due to childhood or family problems. Nonetheless, that does not give them the right to disrespect and disregard the feelings of others.
Performance Problems
Some employees are sloppy and do not exert any effort in doing a good job. Unless their attitudes change for more productive beliefs, they will most likely be fired. Employers are often reluctant to dismiss an employee over performance issues that have some potential of being solved and improved. They would usually give the poor performer several warnings and enough time to enhance his work quality. However, if the poor performer does not meet his employer’s performance standards after they have been set and communicated directly to him, the employer can establish a legitimate cause for dismissal.
Bringing Personal Issues to Work
You had an argument with your spouse in the morning, so you take it all out on a colleague. You had a fight with your boyfriend or girlfriend, so you spend most of the morning work hours talking about it and taking advices from your colleagues. You have money issues and you can't meet your home loan payment, so your productivity drops. As you get more stressed, it seems more dreadfully harder to keep your personal life under covers. If the complaining habit becomes obviously noticeable by your co-workers and manager and starts affecting your performance as well as the productivity of others then your manager might feel that something has to be done about it.
High Absenteeism Rate
High absenteeism rate is a vital problem that might cause a lot of troubles to the employer such as reduced revenue. It is a disease that might be easily transmitted to the rest of the team. As long as one employee feels free to go on with such a behavior, the rest of the employees would assume it is only normal to do the same. When an employee takes extended or unauthorized breaks, leaves work without the approval of his supervisor or takes a day off without permission, it means that he has reached the final stages of the disease. In this case the employer can only eliminate the source of the problem and prevent the spread of the disease to the rest of the staff by firing the employee.
Reasons why managers would fire an employee may not be crystal clear at the first glance, yet, employees do not usually get fired unless they have been warned numerous times and have been given sufficient time to adjust their behavior. Employees may not be aware of their disruptive behavior and when confronted may immediately adopt a defensive approach or even deny the whole accusation. A more productive approach is to acknowledge your shortcomings so that you can shore up those areas with the appropriate solutions and skills and show signs of improvements to both your manager and co-workers. If you can improve in these areas on the job, you should take action now. Avoid an employment gap on your resume while achieving what you desire in your career!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Your relationship with your boss is probably the most critical relationship that you have at work; it actually plays a major role in how you perceive your current job and may also impact your ability to succeed in the career of your choice.
Many talented people are stuck in the conventional wisdom of expecting their bosses to manage them. They take a passive approach in whatever they do at work, waiting for orders and direction. They may even whine about a bad boss, but do little or nothing to turn things around. Let’s face it; there are actually a lot of “bosses from hell” out there, and it is unlikely that you will be able to control your boss, but there is actually something you can do to turn things around, and that is to “Manage your Boss”.
Managing your boss is not about being manipulative or kissing up to your boss. Rather, it is a conscious effort to build a relationship of trust, respect, support and acknowledging who is superior while maintaining the freedom to do what is best for the company, the team and your own career. Here are a number of helpful techniques that will help you improve your relationship with your boss.
Get to Know your Boss
When it comes to effectively managing your boss, you must really get to know your boss in both the professional and informal contexts. After all, your boss might be a great person but your negative attitude is keeping you from seeing his good side. Knowing your boss’ priorities will help you improve the way you work and manage your time. When you tie your activities to what matters most to your boss, you become a more valuable team player. With that being said, keep in mind that your boss, like yourself, is a human being with a job to do at the end of the day.
Ask for Both Feedback and Criticism
A good working relationship between you and your boss is one that encourages two-way feedback and fosters honest conversation. While compliments are always nice to receive, if you want to advance in your career and make a good impression, the ability to positively receive constructive criticism from your boss is often more useful. If your boss doesn’t coach you regularly, be sure to take the initiative to ask about things that you can do in order improve your performance. Talking to your boss about your different perspectives and how they affect the way you see the same things will help you both gain a better understanding of each other’s positions.
Keep your Boss in the Loop
When you’re working really hard, it’s easy to assume that your boss knows precisely what you’re doing. Your boss obviously has other subordinates to manage and bigger responsibilities to take care of, so it is very possible that in the chaos of daily pressures and changing priorities, your contribution will get lost in the shuffle. Make sure that your boss knows exactly what you’ve accomplished so far without showing off; after all, it’s up to you to stand out!
Take Initiative to Impress your Boss
Don’t wait for your boss to tell you what to do. The less direction you require, the more you will be perceived as an independent competent professional. Offer to help your boss when you have the time to do so. Make sure that these initiatives clearly make an impact and that they are visible and meaningful to others as well. In other words, if you go outside the boundaries of your job description, choose to work on things that matter most to your boss.
Stay on Good Terms with your Boss
Never burn bridges! Whether you get along with your boss or you can’t think of one positive thing to say about him, try to stay on good terms at all times even if you hate your boss. Being decent and respectful may prove to be more rewarding than giving your boss a piece of your mind; in spite of everything, you never know when that boss may be contacted to comment on your performance. Make leaving your firm, whenever that might happen, a chance to build a bridge!
Your relationship with your boss can be a gateway to unlimited opportunities for your career growth and on-the-job advancement, if nurtured properly. Maintaining a harmonious relationship with your boss can make all the difference in your career progress, your relationship with your coworkers and in your reputation in the industry as a whole, even after you leave the company.
While it’s unlikely that you will ever find the perfect boss, learning how to manage your own will help you build a productive and communicative working environment in which both of you achieve the results that matter to you most.
Working for the right person can definitely be 10 times better for your career and professional development, but this might not always be the case. If you find yourself working under a boss who is performing badly, then you don’t have to be the victim of his own weaknesses; consider switching jobs. For more on “Switching Jobs”, click here.
Monday, January 26, 2009
with Ala'a Khatib, Business Development Managerat ITP
Last Saturday, the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and Akhtaboot teamed up with a number of leading IT and Telecommunications Companies in Jordan to put together the IT & Telecommunication Open Day for both students of NYIT and job seekers who are interested in working within the ICT sector.
The fair took place at the NYIT campus, which is close to the 6th circle, and was hosted by approximately 10 of the top ICT companies in the country. Human resources and IT representatives from these companies were there to inform the attendees about their businesses as well as to showcase their new products and IT solutions.
Participating companies included:
- Akhtaboot, the Career Network
- New York Institute of Technology, Training Center
- Mada
- Orange
- iSystems
- Spotcell, Wireless Media- Mada
- Wateen Information Technology
- Compute
- ITP, Information Technology Planet (Jordan’s Number 1 Web Company of the Year 2008)
- MyTechPlus, MG Group
- Brands, Out of the Box
A significant number of students and job seekers attended the full-day event, which took place from 12 noon until 8pm. The event was widely covered in the national media by Rotana Radio, Akhtaboot’s website Al-Ghad Newspaper and Al-Rai Newspaper.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Many of us get caught up in the daily routine of going to work without assessing their progress on the job or carefully managing their careers. Remember the times when it was a good thing to hold on to your job for the rest of your working life even if you were unsatisfied? Well, those days are long gone. Considering a new career direction has become an option that a lot of people are thinking about and exploring as we speak.
Making a major career change is not as easy as it sounds, since we all have responsibilities and bills to pay. Worry no more; Akhtaboot is here to help you move up to the next level and to take your career in the direction you want to take it.
But how can you be sure that you want to change careers rather than just get a new job? Any job has its ups and downs; we have all had days when we were not excited about our jobs. But if you find yourself constantly reading articles such as this one, asking friends in other careers questions about their jobs or even attending “career change” events, then most probably you are ready for change. Let us discuss the steps that you should follow in order to make a smooth transition into your new career.
Likes and Dislikes
Think about your previous jobs, what were the things that you liked and did not like about them? This will give you a clearer idea about what you might be naturally good at, which will eventually lead you to the career path that leverages your strengths. Of course, having the chance to do what you like most is not always the case, but if you have your clear career path in sight then you are more likely to get to it. Akhtaboot’s MBTI Personality Test will provide you with some insight into how you should approach the process of managing your career and hunting for jobs. It can also help you identify potential pitfalls and blind-spots that might hinder your professional progress.
Researching Careers
It is vital, at this stage, to research the careers that interest you the most. By doing so, your career path will gradually become evident to you. There are many career research methods. One excellent method is to turn to friends or mentors for advice, especially if they were working within the industry of your interest, they will definitely help you get established in your new career. Another important method is to do some actual research. Visit job websites such as Akhtaboot (www.akhtaboot.com). Check out the job descriptions, employment opportunities and the required education and training. In other words, learn the language of the industry that you want to enter into and make your new career in.
Tweak Your CV
So you have identified your strengths and done your homework, now is the time to work on your CV. It is true that few companies will hire you as a Marketing Manager if your CV highlights your 10-year experience in Finance! You can’t just present your old CV since it will only emphasize your old career path. Try to draw attention to the aspects of your past experience that matches the current needs of the new industry you want to enter into. A CV writing service might be just what you need at this point, and there are plenty out there to choose from. Akhtaboot’s professional CV writing team will help you create the perfect CV that will help you get noticed by prospective employers. To learn more about Akhtaboot’s CV writing services visit: www.akhtaboot.com/career_center/cv_writing
Test-Drive Your New Career
Now you can test-drive your new career before you take the plunge and switch careers. It’s really not easy to walk away from your old job and start over, but there are many other options that can help you gain the necessary experience in your new career field before you quit your current job. Find an internship program, volunteer, or find a part-time job within your new career industry. This will not only equip you with the required knowledge but will also provide you with the confidence and contacts that you will definitely need along the way.
Start the Job-Hunting Process
It has probably been a while since you have had to look for a job. It is time that you re-used your job hunting skills. It’s OK if you are feeling a bit unsure or insecure; it is a natural part of the career change process. The Internet has simplified the way you search for jobs, and the way employers find employees. Akhtaboot.com has made the job searching process easier than ever; all you have to do is: complete your profile, upload your CV, and change your status to “looking for a job”. That’s about it! You can now apply to any job in the company that you really want to work for.
You must really understand that career transition is not easy, but if you know exactly what you want then follow a precise career plan, stay focused, and really believe in yourself and that your perfect job is out there and you will definitely find it. The whole process might require a lot of your time and effort, but ultimately, the reward of having a gratifying and inspiring career makes it all worth the hard work.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Are you having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning knowing that you are actually heading to the place that you hate the most? Is your current job negatively affecting your personal life? Do you feel unappreciated in your current job even though you work hard everyday? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then are you ready to quit? Ideally, the answer would also be “yes”. However, real life circumstances are often a lot more complicated.
Most people who work in a job they actually hate choose not to quit right away, maybe because of the paycheck they get or maybe because they are worried they aren’t competent enough for the job they really want to do. There are all sorts of reasons or excuses for not seeking out a “dream job”. However, finding the job that you have always wanted is closer than you might think, if you can only prepare yourself properly.
You must know someone who has gone from job to job, always leaving because they were unhappy. This person would always find themselves at a new job that also made them unhappy, simply because they didn’t take the time to figure out what it was about their current job that they didn’t like.
Let us explore the steps that you should take to make sure that your career transition is smooth and that you are fully prepared for the switch.
Assess your Situation
You must truly understand the reasons behind the dissatisfaction with your current job, and you will have to ask yourself a few critical questions before starting the search for new employment. If you don’t, you might end up in a situation with similar problems. Questions such as: Why am I not happy? What motivates me? Is the current work environment a healthy one? Is the current job too stressful? Are there any better opportunities out there? Am I fairly paid?
Once you have answered these questions (and others you might think of) sincerely and objectively, ask yourself whether you are willing to try and make your current situation work. Once you have identified the problems, it becomes easier for you to try and solve them. In many cases, a conversation with your boss, a change in attitude or an increase in responsibility could be all that is needed to give you job satisfaction. If, after some thorough reflection, you still decide that you need to take a break from your current situation, proceed armed with the knowledge of what you DON’T want from your next job in addition to what you DO want.
Get to Know Yourself - Take the MBTI Personality Test
The next critical junction in your job-switching journey is to determine your strengths and weaknesses in a career context, in addition to what environment you like to work in. Are you happiest working in teams, or alone? Do you enjoy motivating others or do you prefer to be motivated? Do you work well under pressure? Do you like to be given strict deadlines or general milestones?
Knowing your own work style and how well you fit within a certain type of company gives you a more realistic expectation of your next potential job.
The best way to understand your personality type is to take an official MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) test from a professional who has met the standards necessary to be “qualified” to administer this test, namely Akhtaboot.
Akhtaboot is the only career site in the Middle East that is qualified as a Myers-Briggs© (MBTI) provider. Once you sign up for an account on Akhtaboot.com and upload your CV, you can take the MBTI personality test for free. The results of the test will give you a full analysis of your strengths and blind spots within a career context and will help you overcome your miscommunication issues at work.
Explore Your Options
Nowadays, job seekers (and even job switchers) are spending hours on the Internet looking for new career opportunities. Akhtaboot (www.akhtaboot.com) has many job postings that cover a wide array of career levels and areas of expertise. Akhtaboot has also set up a platform that allows companies to share more information about themselves, the positions they are looking to fill and their work environment. Take the time to read this information and thoroughly analyze the company and the job before applying to it. Also keep in mind that the competition is fierce, so try and increase your chances for a successful application by refining your search and applying only to relevant jobs.
The Power of Networking
Another valuable career search tool is “networking”. This means you purposefully develop relationships with others in order to expand your social and professional sphere of influence. Networking is an essential part of career exploration and job searching. It is also a critical component of success in general. Networking is usually done offline, but Akhtaboot has developed a true online career network that will help you build and retain a professional network of business contacts to help you succeed at finding your dream job.
Be Honest With Your Current Boss
Once you find a new job, you should talk to your boss about it. Chances are that your current boss won’t be too excited about your decision, but if you are sincere and honest about your reasons for wanting a change, most probably, your boss will understand. Always be open to what your boss has to say at this point, and try to be respectful and to leave on a good note.
A former employer can be an incredibly helpful resource for you in your career, and it pays to leave on friendly terms. It is always useful to have a former boss that is willing to give you a good recommendation and to put you in contact with the right people that can help you develop your career.
Give Proper Notice
Once you have made up your mind to leave, be sure to give your employer the appropriate notice that is considered standard for your position. The amount of notice will normally be set out in the contract with your current employer. Typically, it is one month. However, many senior positions will require that you provide even more notice before you leave. Be aware of what your boss expects and give him or her as much time as you possibly can. You should also make sure that your new employer is aware of this notice period as well as of any time you need to take off in between jobs.
Offer your Training Services
Your current company has spent a lot of time and money training you and honing your working skills. It will naturally cost them just as much time and money (if not more) to find a replacement for you and train them all over again. In the spirit of cooperation and good relations, it will go a long way if you offer to train another employee prior to leaving. After all, you would not want to leave your former co-workers in a state of confusion after you are gone. Make a list of notes with tips that you have learnt while at your current job and hand it over to your boss and the new employee that will replace you. It will be greatly appreciated and noticed by the entire office.
Remember not to burn bridges, just make sure that you do what you can without inconveniencing yourself or your future employer.
Have you already made up your mind? Do you want to take the plunge and switch jobs? Just change your status on Akhtaboot.com to “Looking for a Job” and every employer in the market will take notice that you are aggressively seeking a job. Don’t worry though; Akhtaboot has taken steps to make sure that your current employer does not see your CV or that you are in the job market.
No matter what your reasons are, it is important to make your exit smooth for all parties involved. While you may be moving on to a bigger and better position, your current employer still has a business to run. You must maintain your professionalism at all times, no matter how much you feel like dropping everything and walking out the door today.
