Turn Yourself into the Company SUPERSTAR

Have you ever heard of the Pareto Principle or the 80-20 rule? This principle states that in many cases, 20% of something is always responsible for 80% of the results. You’re probably wondering what this principle has to do with the topic at hand; actually it has everything to do with it.

You may have noticed that your office or team always seems to have someone who is outperforming, delivering above and beyond what seems to be the average performance. This person may actually be you. But if you’re not, then let Akhtaboot help you turn yourself from an ordinary employee into the company superstar.

Since 20% of the employees produce 80% of the results, you should learn how to leverage your performance in order to stand out and earn yourself a spot in the “20% gang”!

Plan Your Career

It’s really important that you start planning your career as early as possible; if you’re still a student, try to know exactly what you want to do after college. Don’t worry if you are long past your university years, just don’t waste any more time and start planning immediately.

Your career plan should be flexible, clear and realistic. Do not set impossible goals or wait for the perfect job to come your way. Create your own opportunity to sell your skills to the right company at the right time.

Re-assess your career plan every now and then to make sure it makes sense or if you need to modify it.

Learn, Learn and Learn Some More!

Superstars never fail to learn something new everyday, they don’t just settle for what they already know, but instead they constantly ask for feedback on the work they’ve done and are open to new suggestions. Step out of your comfort zone and take advantage of every learning opportunity that comes your way.

Superstars have no problem saying, “I don’t know”. They try to understand “the box” and are ambitious enough to venture out of it as well.

Work On Your People Skills

Superstars are always willing to give coworkers a helping hand; they show interest in others and take the time to know someone as a whole person.

You might even notice that your coworkers feel threatened by you for fear of being replaced, but there are many ways that you can get these people to like you. Try to win them over by letting them know you’re one of them, be nice, ask them questions about their background, interests and family.

If your coworkers think highly of you, your job will be easier and you are more likely to shine.

Bounce Back, Every time!

Winners bounce back every time they fall. They come back better, stronger and smarter. A temporary setback should not hinder your progress, so don’t give up, instead analyze what led to the relapse and try not to fall into the same pattern.

Keep things in perspective, the setback should never prevent you from fulfilling your career goals; just learn from it, accept it and rise above it.

It’s Not All About Money

Although the name “superstar” suggests a higher salary, money shouldn’t be the only reason you work to become a superstar. Superstars don’t think in terms of cash, they are actually motivated by long-term growth and the potential of the job itself.

They may even consider a pay cut because they are confident their new employer will recognize their achievements and contributions, which will result in them being promoted to a better and more lucrative position later on.

Let Your Ego Die

Don’t let your ego run your career. When it comes down to learning something new, your ego shouldn’t be around. Don’t settle for your current level of success and be open to new ideas on how to do things.

Always fix what you screw up, be the first to admit your mistakes and the first to congratulate a coworker when they succeed.

We all have something unique about us that makes us special, but some people always seem to get faster promotions, stand out and make more money.

Success isn’t simply a matter of money, power or prestige; it’s all about work and knowing what you want out of life.

While there’s no one thing that can guarantee equal success for every one of us, it’s really important to remember that success doesn’t happen overnight; there’s always a period of reflection, trial and disappointment before the pieces start falling together.

Despite the fact that we are all surrounded with opportunities, few of us really have the nerve to take advantage of them. The fact that you are actually reading this article proves that you are already far ahead of your coworkers.

If you feel lost in your career and feel that you need a reliable mentor to guide you through your professional challenges, allow Akhtaboot to help you with that, check out the career center at www.akhtaboot.com.

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5 Different Personalities That You Will Definitely Meet at Work

Interpersonal skills are just as vital as technical know-how. After all, your coworkers (ranging from an Administrative Assistant to the CEO) represent a broad spectrum of personality traits that you will eventually have to deal with in order to survive and shine in the work place. I bet you can come up with at least three coworkers with whom you really find difficulty interacting with. Since it is impossible to change these people, you must learn to accept them.

Mastering essential people skills will not only dramatically increase your chances of achieving the best outcome but it will also enable you to effectively improve the way you communicate with others at work.

Here are five types of difficult people you may meet at work along with some advice on how to handle each one.

The Know-it-all

We all know someone who always has an answer to every single question ever asked, whether or not that answer is correct or accurate. The know-it-all is typically someone who thinks he knows everything about everything! He is usually opinionated and assumes that he can do everyone else’s job and would never hesitate to turn every single mistake you have ever made into a never-ending soap opera. He likes to show off in front of management by correcting you even if you are not wrong and no one asked him to.

How to handle a know-it-all?

The most effective way to discourage a know-it-all is to ignore him, because responding to him or feeding his ego encourages him to continue his abuse. Don’t ask him questions or seek his advice. You may also be surprised to discover that management has already noticed his inappropriate behavior.

The Big Mouth

The big mouth is someone who can’t keep their mouth shut. No matter what happens at work, no matter what you say, the next thing you know, everyone knows about it. You can hear them talking to people as soon as something happens.

How to handle a big mouth?

You need to be careful around this kind of person so you don’t become the topic of their next juicy gossip session. Don’t bet on them keeping any secrets. If they try to gossip to you, just let them know in a polite way that you are not interested. You can out smart a big mouth by putting him to work for you, tell him things you want others to hear like how nice everyone is or what a hard worker she is.

The Mentor

The mentor is someone who is willing to provide guidance to those who ask for it. He is someone whose work ethic, accomplishments, management style and professionalism you admire. A good mentor will share information gained from their experience, offering insight into your own career future while helping you avoid the same detours and drawbacks he encountered along the way.

How to approach a mentor?

When you actually find a mentor, approach him, let him know why you’re contacting him, and create a relationship that is beneficial for both parties. In most cases the mentor will be flattered. Finding one who will be the best fit for you is a matter of individual preference based on the goals you are looking to accomplish. But one thing is for sure, a mentor can support you through your self-development and career maturity journey.

The Whiner

There is nothing worse than working with someone who whines all day long about every little thing and never does anything about it. Whiners usually focus on the problem itself without bothering to find a solution for it; they are insecure about their own abilities and are often afraid to take risks. As harmless as they might appear to be, whiners create a general atmosphere of negativity that affects everyone around them.

How to handle a whiner?

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should never allow a whiner to drag you down to his level. A positive shift in his attitude will not happen until the whiner recognizes the primary root cause of his complaints. You may be able to help him or her recognize this with a compassionate and understanding approach. This approach might take more effort but it will surely pay off in the long run.

The Delegator

No, we are not talking about those who have a legitimate right to delegate a certain task to a subordinate. We are actually talking about those who either don’t know how to do all the work they have been given or don’t want to do it because they are lazy or incompetent and they try to hand off the responsibility to you.

How to handle a delegator?

If you work in a team environment and deal with all your teammates on a daily basis and you feel like you have the time to help those who are in need, then you should. However, if supervisors are the only ones who have the right to delegate and you already have your own thing going on, then you have to rebuff the request. Apologize politely and tell your coworker you have your own work with which you have your hands full.

There is no doubt that the environment you choose to work in can have a tremendous impact on your ability to do your work. Unfortunately, the only way to really know what a certain company’s work environment is like is to work there. However, Akhtaboot (www.akhtaboot.com) has created a platform for companies that allows them to set up a dynamic profile page describing their business and their work environment, namely, the ‘Why Work for Us’ section.

Remember that the workplace is an environment that mixes a large variety of personalities. Stay true to yourself; be a professional and always try to be the bigger man or woman in any situation that comes your way.

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8 Simple Techniques to Getting Promoted

Have you been in the same position with the same company for a while now, athough you feel like you are ready to move up? Does it seem like all the employees who get ahead in your company don’t work nearly as hard as you do, but somehow they are the ones who get rewarded?

Akhtaboot is coming to the rescue by unveiling the most successful techniques that you should master in order to get noticed by your boss and get the promotion that you have always dreamt of and know that you deserve.

Whatever industry you are in, your success depends on how well you promote yourself. Fortunately, there are ways to do this without giving people the impression that you are self absorbed or greedy. So without any further delay, here are the 8 Simple Techniques to Getting Promoted.

1. Take On Extra Responsibilities

Simply doing what is expected of you, and even being the best at what you do, are not guarantees for advancement. You should proactively look for other responsibilities that you know you can do well and that would be useful to the company. To qualify for a promotion you need to do more than what you are already being paid to do. Taking on extra responsibilities will not only give the impression that you are interested in your current job, but it will also help you earn the respect of your supervisors and co-workers as well.

Remember that extraordinary employees are not stuck within the job description box; they take the initiative to make their jobs better.

2. Be a Team Player

Know your part within the team you are working in and provide your co-workers with positive drive and inspiration. Offer to help your co-workers even if the problem doesn’t concern you. If you believe you have the ability to solve it, then lend a hand! Supporting your colleagues in achieving their goals will create a loyal group of people who will support you in the long-run.

3. Arrive Early

Always arrive at work a few minutes before others, this will give the impression that you are always at work and committed to your job. Showing up a little early also reflects your interest and desire to do a good job. Being on time might sound like a cliché bit of advice, but it is a cliché bit of advice that works! Someone who respects the value of time will always be chosen over someone who doesn’t when it comes to promotions.

4. Dress the Part Everyday

Extraordinary employees dress for success everyday. They take pride in their appearance everyday. If you are capable of doing the work and taking on extra responsibility AND you dress like you already have the job, there will be a better chance of being chosen for the promotion. Investing in a good suit right now will surely pay off later on.

5. Make Yourself Replaceable

This may sound like an odd piece of advice and somewhat counterintuitive, yet it is critical to getting a promotion. You will make it easier for your boss to promote you if you have made yourself replaceable. In many cases, employees who deserve a promotion don’t get it simply because there is nobody who is qualified enough to take on their existing responsibilities. Your boss can’t promote you if it means that leaving your position will cause his or her organization to fall apart. You should always take on apprentice and mentee and teach that person how to take over your responsibilities so that you can go on to bigger and better things one day.

6. Act Professionally

Extraordinary employees don’t whine and complain when things go wrong. Instead, they ask intelligent questions when they aren’t sure how to do something and always keep a positive attitude towards everything that surrounds them.

Saying please and thank you, greeting customers and co-workers, speaking nicely, and being patient are essential elements of success in the workplace or anywhere else for that matter. In short, work on your people skills!

There may also be someone in your company who wants the same position that you want. Don’t feel threatened. Work hard to distinguish yourself and make yourself stand out.

7. Upgrade Your Skills

Kick off with a quick analysis of your strengths and weaknesses. Identify what skills and personal characteristics are required for the role you aspire to fill one day. Akhtaboot’s MBTI personality test will help you focus on your most marketable assets, providing you with critical insight into how to be taken seriously for promotion purposes, as was as with a list of key skills that you need to develop in order to get there. Signing up for training courses and reading appropriate material will greatly enhance your career portfolio as well.

8. Get Ready to be Interviewed Again

Most companies don’t just promote their employees overnight. Instead, they require that you go through a whole new interview and selection process. As with any interview, preparation is the key to success. Provide an updated CV including a cover letter. The letter should explain in detail the reasons why you be the one they choose to fill the position in question. Make sure that you produce an accurate and professional document that clearly demonstrates the value you have added to the company during your current position and highlights the skills you have developed along the way that make you a perfect fit for the new role.

Getting a promotion is about working hard and making sure the right people notice it. It is all about pushing the limits of your current responsibilities and showing everyone that you are ready to take on new ones.

If you apply these 8 techniques yet you still feel like you are getting nowhere in your company and that the hard work you do everyday goes unnoticed, then maybe it would be best to look for work elsewhere. It’s only worth the effort to work in a place where the people appreciate the work that you do.

If your boss does not promote you, then we will! Promote yourself TODAY to hundreds of employers by uploading your CV on www.akhtaboot.com!

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Switching Jobs

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.

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Akhtaboot - The Unemployment Eater

Akhtaboot today launched the first video version of its popular radio advertisement. This marks the first of many video appearances of Mr. Akhtaboot. I think that the video says it all… Enjoy!

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Your First Day at Work

Have you uploaded your CV on Akhtaboot yet? If you did, then chances are that you have already landed your dream job. Congratulations. Let the first day begin. Whether you are still a fresh graduate or you simply want to switch jobs, your first day can seem overwhelming when you don’t know what to expect.

If you want to have a successful first day you need to be prepared, and knowing some basic workplace rules will help you survive.

So what can you do to make sure that you make a lasting good impression on your first day at work?

Do Your Homework

Before you even start your new job you should research the company and their competitors to get a clear idea about the industry as a whole. Most of the information you need is readily available on the company’s website as well as other places on the Internet. Check out the company’s profile on Akhtaboot.com for instance, it has great information about the company including the company profile, the working hours, insight about their environment and corporate culture and even their location on a map. You should also study the company brochures and read their press releases and annual reports to get a solid background and understanding of the company. This will show your employer that you care enough to learn about your new organization.

Dress Appropriately

First impressions are really hard to change, especially in the work place. Play it safe when it comes to your outfit, or at least until you get a clearer idea of what is acceptable and what is not. Try to keep your attire as simple and professional as possible. Keep in mind that each company and specific position within that company has a different requirement when it comes to dress code, some companies don’t require a formal outfit, and other companies do. Sometimes the same company may have a different dress code depending on whether your position is client facing or not. When in doubt, basic black will solve the issue in most cases.

Don’t Be Late

Now that you are preparing to join the workforce, get used to hearing the words: “Don’t be late to work”. Being on time is essential if you want to hold on to your job and make sure that you gain the approval of your supervisors. In order to make sure you arrive to work on time, leave your house much earlier than you usually would in order to account for unforeseen circumstances such as traffic and accidents on the way to work. Arriving late will not only create a bad impression, but you will have a bad start to your day.

Ask Questions

Ask questions, even if they seem a bit silly to you. Remember that there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers. It is always better to ask a question rather than assume something and do something wrong. Show that you are interested. Listen more than you talk. If you listen carefully you will be in a much better position to add value to the organization, and your opinions and suggestions will be that much more constructive. We cannot stress enough the importance of listening; it is a key component for career development and promotion within any company.

Meeting Colleagues

Expect to meet lots of people with different backgrounds and from diverse cultures on your first day. Introduce yourself to those you meet and make an effort to remember their names. You probably won’t be able to remember everyone’s name or what they do during the first week. Don’t worry, if possible, try to remember the names of those who sit directly around you. It makes it a lot easier when you need to ask for things. Writing down the names of your colleagues might sound a bit boring, but it definitely works if you are bad with names. One very important thing to remember is not to participate in “gossip” sessions, even if the person you are talking to seems trustworthy, it might come back to haunt you one day.

Let The Real Work Begin!

Asking if there is anything you can do is very important because members of staff will be busy for sure. You can’t just sit around looking bored, you will be forgotten and you will have nothing to do all day. Try to come up with some things that you can actually do without being told to; the staff will be grateful and perceive you as mature, proactive and ambitious person.

It’s OK to make use of some things that you learned at your previous job or at university, but you must never forget that each company has its own way of doing things and that you’ll eventually need to adjust your working habits according to the way things are done at your current company.

Being the newest member in the company can be both stressful AND exciting. You’ll be faced with many difficulties at first, but things will get better over time.

Just look around you, each one of your colleagues had to go through the same process at some point; they all sat there confused, anxious and even a bit unconfident. But they all survived, and so will you.

Keep in mind that you made it through the application and interview process; which means that the company must have hired you for a reason. You have earned this opportunity. So relax, try to enjoy your first day, make the most of every opportunity that comes your way, and bear in mind that there is always a first time for everything.

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Interview Advice from Akhtaboot

Thanks to Akhtaboot, finding a perfect career opportunity has never been easier. Just go to www.akhtaboot.com, sign up, fill in some basic information and upload your CV. Within minutes you are on your way to finding the right job. You can start applying to any one of the great opportunities by the leading companies of the region with a click of a button. Seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? It’s true that Akhtaboot has made finding and applying to jobs as easy as sending an email, however, Akhtaboot can only get you to the interview. But have no fear, the leading online recruitment website is not going to leave you confused and worried, Akhtaboot is determined to find the right career for you. So sit back, relax and take note of some of the best interview advice you have ever read!

Confidence

Take it from the experts, if you don’t believe in yourself, then no one will. You MUST be confident, and the only way to be confident is to know your stuff and come to the interview prepared. We live in the information age, and it is easier than ever to research what the company you are interviewing with does. Go to their company profile on Akhtaboot, watch any of their uploaded videos, read about their vision and mission. Then go and read the job that they posted on www.akhtaboot.com and get familiar with their requirements. Make sure you are comfortable with any possible questions that they might ask, and be prepared for anything. You can also go to their website and get a solid understanding of the business.

Another important thing is that you need to know your CV by heart. This means that you should memorize it and be prepared to answer any question about your skills and past experiences faster than the interviewer can complete their question.

Organization

You want to get things right for the interview, so make sure to be well organized. This means that you need to confirm the interview time, date and location as well as get the name of the interviewer if possible. You should also plan to get there at least 15 minutes before the interview time, and don’t forget to bring at least 3 copies of your CV in hard copy format to hand over to the interviewers.

You can also do a quick search on the Internet about sample interview questions and practice how to answer them. Looking at your CV and the job description and writing down possible questions and learning how to answer them is also a good exercise. As you do more and more interviews, stay organized and note down all the questions you are being asked and you will soon notice that many of them are repeated. Being organized this way will save you a lot of preparation time.

Make a Good First Impression

Remember that this is the first time anyone in the company sees you in person, so make sure that you look professional, that you are well groomed and that you dress appropriately. Greet your interviewers with a friendly smile and a confident handshake. Keep eye contact at all times and do not sit back in a relaxed casual position, lean forward with your hands on the table or on your lap. This gives the interviewer the impression that you are prepared for anything.

There are also other ways to make a good first impression. You should always ask intelligent questions. Asking intelligent questions shows your interest and also conveys how knowledgeable you are about the company. Questions about corporate culture, about the job itself and anything that you are curious about are fair game. But stay away from questions about salary during the first interview unless the interviewer brings it up. You should show excitement about the company and don’t be too presumptuous and ask about financial compensation early on, because that rubs some interviewers the wrong way. Also, when asked questions that require some thinking or solving, it is always a good idea to ask for a pen and paper and walk the interviewer through your thought process.

Avoid Common Mistakes

In addition to what you should do, there are things that you should not do during an interview. Do not talk too much. When asked a question, answer it clearly and concisely. If you talk too much then you give the impression that you are either uncertain or exaggerating.

You should also keep in mind not to talk negatively about past employers. If you don’t have anything good to say about past jobs, then attribute your departure to a difference of opinion. Talking badly about previous employers sends out the wrong message to potential employers: it says this person is not loyal and may one day talk about your company in this negative way.

If you follow this advice, you should be more prepared than most when sitting for an interview. When the interview is over, it is always a good idea to follow up with a phone call or an email that is polite and straight to the point. Make sure that you get closure and clearly understand what the next steps are or when you can expect to hear back from the company.

Akhtaboot is with you every step of the way, so go to www.akhtaboot.com and sign up now and start applying to your next dream job.

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