How to use soft skills in a job interview to land your dream role

How to use soft skills in a job vorstellungsgesprch to land your dream roleHow to use soft skills in a job bewerbungsgesprch to land your dream roleAs important as it is for a candidate to have the required technical skills for a job, companies are increasingly giving more weight to a potential employees soft skills during an interview.Denise Dudley, behavioral psychologist and founder of SkillPath Seminars, mentions that each candidate she interviews is virtually on the same playing field, or she wouldnt have agreed to meet them in the first place.Once I get them in the interview Im going to spend pretty much all my time testing soft skills, Dudley said.Ladders has outlined how to identify, practice and use soft skills during an interview so that you can secure your dream job.What are soft skills?ShutterstockSoft skills are desirable qualities that are often learned through environment rather than official education.Soft skills include communication, leadership ability, critical thi nking, creative thinking, coachability, curiosity, time management and work ethic. Emotional intelligence, which encompasses many soft skills, is an extremely helpful skill for candidates to use during interviews.On the flip side, hard skills are anything from coding to understanding how to work with a content management system. Hard skills are usually what one studies in college, while soft skills have been learned through family and friends. That being said, Dudley stresses that soft skills can indeed be taught and acquired.Wherever anyone is on the continuumwe can work with them, said Dudley, who works with recent graduates to master the use of soft skills during interviews.How will an interviewer test your soft skills?ShutterstockAs soft skills become increasingly more important, hiring managers are asking specific questions in order to target them. Anecdotal interview questions, which are formally called behavioral interview questions, ask candidates to tell a story about a tim e theyexperienced a certain issue and how they handled it.Pearlie Oni, the senior manager of employee experience at RedPeg, stresses that you should be well organized, listen closely to the questions, and bring any necessary materials.Youre being judged for everything, not just your work product, Oni said.How to communicate your soft skills during an interviewShutterstockThere are two different facets to the art of expressing soft skills during an interview. First, one must express soft skills through their actions and conversation. Rachel Karitis, the director of marketing for TransitScreen, stresses the importance of pausing to think about questions instead of jumping in before you are truly ready. To avoid rambling, take a few seconds to think about the question and prepare your response.The second part has to do with the stories one tells while answering behavioral questions. Providing stories that point to strong soft skills is extremely important to acing the interview.How do you answer behavioral interview questions?ShutterstockDudley recommends using the STAR method to prepare answers to behavioral questions. The STAR method allows a candidate to tell a story with a solid beginning, middle and end. Using STAR, you can form a coherent story about a time when you were in a situation, were assigned a task, took action to solve a problem, and reached an impressive end result.How do you practice behavioral questions?ShutterstockThe key to rocking an interview is preparation, so mock interviews are great ways to practice answering behavioral questions. The first step is to brainstorm situations in which you used soft skills in a professional setting. Next, use examples of anecdotal questions to think of which situations will be useful to discuss during interviews. Write each situation down using the STAR method.You can tell the kind of people who have actually thought about who they are in the workplace, Karitis said, stressing the importance of thoughtful p reparation.Next, you should actually practice telling these stories to someone. If you dont have a professional to practice with, grab a friend or family member and provide them with a list of behavioral questions to ask you.Heres are some examples of behavioral questions to practice while preparing for an interview,provided by Jen Shirkani, Pearlie Oni, and Rachel KaritisQ Have you ever unintentionally offended or upset somebody? Can you describe the details?Q Can you tell me about the last time you had to act and there welches no formal policy or procedure on how to do so?Q Can you tell me about a time that you let someone down? How did you handle it?QWhat was your relationship with the best boss you ever had?QWhats been the toughest criticism you received so far in your career? What did you do with it?Q Can you tell us about a time you took initiative on a project or a task at work?Q How do you approach a task that youve never done before?Oni explains that while preparation is ke y, its also important that a candidate doesnt sound too rehearsed while answering questions during interviews.Prepare just enough so you dont feel like youre getting put on the spot by every question, Oni said. But dont stress yourself out because nervousness will shine through and it can keep your personality from shining through.Why is it important to use soft skills during an interview?ShutterstockYour resume, which should outline your hard skills, already landed you the interview. In order to land the job, youll have to excel beyond your technical skills.The soft skills are really your own personal marketing device to convince someone that you are the person for the job, Dudley said.Karitis expressed that its much easier to train an employee in a technical skill than in a skill like communication. These days, employers are more likely to choose the candidate that already brings soft skills to the table.How can you continue to use soft skills after an interview?ShutterstockSendin g a thank you email or handwritten thank you note is a common suggestion, but its especially important if a candidate wishes to express their soft skills to an employer. A well-written message to an employer showcases that a candidate has strong communication skills, is thoughtful and is willing to go the extra mile.

Mini Resume Template and Examples

Mini Resume Template and ExamplesMini Resume Template and ExamplesA mini resume contains a brief summary of your career highlights and qualifications. The mini resume highlights your accomplishments rather than presenting a full-length account of your work experience, education, and achievements. When to Use a Mini Resume In most cases, your traditional long-form resume will be appropriate. A mini resume, however, comes in handy at job fairs or networking events when youre meeting with many people and want to leave them with something more than a business card, but less bulky than a full resume. You can use the mini resume when youre networking and want a contact to reisepass on your information to a hiring manager or recruiter. Your goal is to provide the basics a company needs to decide whether it should pursue you as a candidate. Having a mini resume on hand in the format of a business card can be useful since its easy to carry and you can pass it on to potential employers, cl ients, and business contacts you meet unexpectedly. Arranged thoughtfully, the mini resume can impart far more information than your basic business card. Mini Resume Templates Contact Information The first section of your resume should include information on how the employer can contact you, or this contact information can be printed on the front of a standard-size business card with your career highlights on the back. (A professional printer may be able to generate a slightly larger card if you have more information than can fit on a standard business card- but remember, your goal is conciseness.) Think about including your LinkedIn address, as well as your basic contact information. This will allow interested employers to access your full resume immediately. First Last NameStreet AddressCity, State ZipPhone (Cell/Home)Email AddressLinkedIn Address Career Highlights A mini resume lists your key achievements and skills.The best way to present your information is in a bulleted li st format. Mini Resume Sample 1 (Text Version) Janet Miller848 Excelsior CircleStanford, MI 09991999-999-9999jmillerabcd.comwww.linkedin.com/in/jmiller123456bCareer CoachCertified Workforce Development Professional with 14 years experience as a Career SpecialistAbility to provide career counseling, coaching, and job seeker servicesExpertise at identifying values, developing possible career paths, and proposing strategies for entering a career ExpandMini Resume Sample 2 (Text Version) John Smith848 Abbott RoadStillfield, CT 08888999-999-9998jsmithabcd.comwww.linkedin.com/in/jsmith345678bComputer ProgrammerFive years experience in successful design, development, and support of live-use applicationsC, Java, C, ASP.NET, SQL, MS Visual Studio, Eclipse, JBoss, TomcatCertifications CCNA, Unicenter Certified Engineer ExpandMini Resume Sample 3 (Text Version) Jill Green763 Oceanview AvenueBellingham, WA 98225999-999-9998jgreenabcd.comwww.linkedin.com/in/jgreen987654bCommunications Specialist Three years experience heightening organizational reach through dynamic print and online initiativesKeen eye and creativity in crafting engaging messages enhanced by clever graphic designAdept in use of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, emailing systems, and HTML Expand More Tips for Your Mini Resume Be Brief. This is your highlight reel, so dont go too long. Around 50 words is probably the best length to aim for. Keep It Simple. Remember to keep the backdrop of your mini resume simple black text on a white or cream background is preferable. Since you want the text itself to pop on the page, avoid distracting colors, logos / initials, fancy fonts, or borders. Choose Readable Fonts. voreingestellt fonts are best Times New Roman, Courier New, or Verdana. And make koranvers to choose a font size that wont leave readers squinting. You dont want a hiring manager to have to find their reading glasses in order to register that youre a candidate worth interviewing. Be Consi stent. End one bullet point with a period? End all them the same way. Make sure that you dont switch tenses or go from full sentences to fragments in similar sections. These minor details can make a big difference. Consistency signals professionalism. A contact might not know why your mini resume seems off, but theyll register the wrong impression and thats the last thing you need. Proofread, proofread, proofread. How many mistakes could a person make in 50 words? You might be surprised. Before you hand out your mini resume, make sure its perfect. Check the spellings of proper names, especially brand names. Software packages in particular are easy to get wrong, because they frequently include random mid-word capitalizations and other style choices that you might not expect, e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint. Getting these things right will signal to prospective employers that youre someone who cares about the details. Have an eagle-eyed friend take a look, too, before you finalize your min i resume.

Army Reserves and Full-Time AGR Positions

Army Reserves and Full-Time AGR PositionsArmy Reserves and Full-Time AGR PositionsThere are many opportunities to continue your military tafelgeschirr as an Active Guard Reservist. AGRsActive Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldiers serve in the military reserves but are full-time and have the same benefits as Active DutySoldiers. The AGR refers to the military program of the Army and Air Force which places Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers and Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve airmen on federal active duty as needed to fill critical billets for at least 180 days or more. But a recall to active duty can also be by choice and for a variety of jobs such as the following Recruiting,Public Affairs, Transportation, Quartermaster, Chemical, Military Police, Signal, Retention, Logistics, Judge Advocate General, Military Intelligence, Ordnance, Civil Affairs, Aviation, and many other career fields. Since 9-11, there has been an increase in AGR billets as a result of ongoing efforts to add more full-time support to Army Reserve units. About another 975 positions will also become available during this fiscal year through muster attrition, according to officials at the Army Reserve Active Duty Management Directorate in St. Louis. Recent numbers have the Army Reserve force at about 200,000 and the AGR is as high as 20,000 full-time or deployed Reservists / National Guard. The AGR program is absolutely vital to the training and readiness of our units, said the chief of the Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly. AGR Soldiers are now deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the world as an essential part of our Army, enabling mission accomplishment and executing important missions on behalf of the nation. We will continue to grow the AGR program with the required skills necessary to transform the Army Reserve while at war, enabling a greater level of readiness, agility, and responsiveness, he said. We need the best and brightest as AGR Soldiers and I encourage all wh o are interested to apply and join the ranks of our AGR Soldiers. AGR Soldiers serve in full-time, active-duty positions in worldwide locations. They provide day-to-day operational support needed to ensure Army Reserve units are ready to mobilize when needed. The program, begun in 1979, provides AGR Soldiers with the same benefits as their counterparts in the active Army. This includes active-duty pay and allowances, medical care, commissary and PX privileges, and full retirement after 20 years of active federal service. In plus-rechnen to a wide range of assignment locations, the AGR program also offers officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers the opportunity to serve in a variety of fields including transportation, human resources, military intelligence, finance, medical service and recruiting. Here Are the Requirements for Enlisted Soldiers If you are anenlistedSoldierinterested in applying for an Active Guard Reserve job, you must be discharged the Army, Army Reserv e or Army National Guard.at least 18 to 54 years old.in ranks SPC through MSG/1SG.have accrued less than 15 years of active federal service.be eligible for reenlistment or extension.meet the medical fitness standards for retention prior to entry.pass a Defense Central Investigative Index. You must not have been relieved from any duty assignment for cause in the 36 months prior to your application and you must not have been involuntarily removed from Active Duty. Requirements for Warrant Officers and Officers If you are anOfficerorWarrant Officerapplying for the Active Guard Reserve program you must be pending discharge from the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.be a 2LT through MAJ.be a W01 through CW4.have completed the Officer Basic Course, if you have served less than five years in rank.have completed the Captains Career Course, if you have served more than five years in rank.have accrued less than 15 years of active federal service (waivers possible).meet medical fit ness standards for retention prior to entry.pass a Defense Central Investigative Index.NOT have received a referred Officer Evaluation Report in the 12-month period prior to the date of application or entry. What Are the Benefits of Going AGR AGR Soldiers receive the same full-time pay and benefits as ArmyActive DutySoldiers, including medical and dental benefits, commissary/PX access, full retirement after 20 years of active federal service, education and tuition assistance and other programs administered through the Department of Veterans Affairs. You can also be stationed in a large variety of training locations (over 6,000), with three years on-station (current average for tour stability), and offer the same promotional and training opportunities at Active Duty Army Schools (Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger, Special Forces, etc). Contact an AGR Recruiter The AGR program is open to Soldiers who serve in the Army Reserve, the Army National Guard, and the active Army.If youd like to apply for the AGR program call Officer Applicants 1-502-613-6365 and forEnlistedapplicants call 1-502-613-5927.