What Are (job search) Your Weaknesses?

August 1st, 2008 admin Posted in careers |

By Lucy Evans

With careful preparation, difficult interview questions can present you with an opportunity to shine under pressure. The important thing with all questions is to show a balanced and considered approach. The following examples will show you some of the pitfalls and ways to avoid them.

Lets start with the classic interview question what are your weaknesses?

There are many variations on this question, common ones include tell me a strength and a weakness and what are your three greatest weakness. To fully prepare you should have three strengths and weaknesses prepared. The worst mistake to make with this question is to claim you dont have any weaknesses. This approach is unlikely to impress the interviewer and will present you in a cowardly light. This question may not be as difficult as it first appears. Sit down and consider what your true work related weaknesses are. When you really think about it this is often quite a long list (I know mine is). The next stage is to think what you have done to overcome these weaknesses in your working life.

Let me give you an example. I personally am very task orientated, I like to get stuck in to the main tasks and often used to ignore the more minor responsibilities. I realized that although I completed my core projects, I had forgotten to do the other tasks I needed to do like complete time sheets and tracking reports. I now make lists of all the tasks I have to complete in a day and make it my priority to complete the list above everything else. This has really helped me to multitask more effectively. When choosing a weakness, look for one that is work related where you can demonstrate that you recognised the weakness, and found an effective method of overcoming it.

Examining your strengths can be just as difficult as your weaknesses. The important thing here is not to appear like an ego-maniac. Consider carefully what your strengths are, then consider the supporting evidence you have for these strengths. Always present a considered argument with supporting evidence.

Why are you leaving your current Job?

The purpose of this question is for the interviewer to discover if you are leaving due to any current difficulties. If you are unhappy where you are, whats to say you will not be unhappy in your new job. Avoid at all costs talking about any problems in your current job and especially any problems with your current management. Highlighting problems, even if they are not your fault will give the impression that you are hard to work with or difficult to manage.

Look for the positive aspects of moving job role both for you and your future employer. Emphasize why you want to move and relate them to the specific company and job. Potential answers include seeking a new challenge, looking for somewhere with training and looking for a role with more opportunities for advancement. Consider how your answer relates not only to you, but how it will benefit your new firm. As an example if you are looking for a role with more possibilities for advancement, you need to emphasize how important work is to you and the effort you are prepared to put in in-order to advance.

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Lucy works for Graduate Careers London Graduate Scheme

Jobs Online Doing Transcription
By Chris Simpson

Good news, online transcription positions don’t have to be purely medical. There are many different types of transcription services available, the key is finding the one that captures and keeps your interest. Transcription services can involve E-Books, Tele-seminars, Business Meetings, Webinars, Radio Talk Shows, Talk Show Interviews, Focus Groups, Meetings, Home Study Courses and various business based correspondences. And clients will range from Authors, Seminar Speakers, Talk Show Hosts, Coaches and Business or Marketing Managers.

Equipment is one of the most important factors when considering a home based career in transcription services. It is best to do some research on the equipment that a professional transcription service would use. It could be as easy as purchasing transcription software, a head-set and a foot-pedal, but some companies may require you to have more elaborate equipment. Depending on the type of transcription they specialize in, a company may require you to have a secure internet connection and firewall for file transfer activities.

As different types of transcription, such as interview transcription, may have more than one speaker, it will take a high level of concentration to provide a professional output. For example, a radio talk show will be formatted differently than an e-book. Files that have more than one speaker may require more attention to formatting detail. Be sure to check with your client before starting to transcribe the files, and be clear on all expectations, it will save you a lot of time. In terms of file output formatting, make sure the word processor or transcription software you use has the proper output formats. Most basic word processors have file conversion capabilities such as RTF, HTML and Plain Text, so this is not a major issue.

Unlike medical transcription, which has a clear knowledgebase, general audio transcription will cover a wider area of topics. You may not be familiar with the topic and technologies you may be covering, causing a multitude of misinterpretations that at times, may be very difficult to catch. Be sure to set aside some time to perform proofreading to find misused or misspelled words. Errors in brand names, buzz words and other concepts can be harder to detect. As a basic spell checker can be invaluable, it is not necessarily error proof, therefore the human element is very important.

In terms of turnaround time, this element is based entirely on your typing skills and the deadline that has been defined by your client. Some projects can be finished in a day, while others may take 3-5 to complete. It will certainly depend on what you need to do, your time frame, the content topic, and how important precision and quality are to your client. Be sure to determine whether your client wants precision, or faster and more immediately presentable results.

Chris Simpson is dedicated to helping people find honest and legitimate work at home and home based business opportunities. Find legitimate work at home opportunities today at: http://www.HomeNetPro.com

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