6 Tips Towards Finding Success in Group Interviews
While a one-on-one interview may still be the standard across many industries, some companies are making the move toward group interviews as a way to screen potential applicants. Although many of the usual interview tips apply to this newer format—be polite, be attentive, be properly groomed—there are other facets of the group interview that require some well-tailored advice.
Group interviews tend to require you to interact with others, whether they be current employees or other potential candidates.
1. Group interviews tend to require you to interact with others, whether they be current employees or other potential candidates. Do your best to stay comfortable, open and engaged during these interactions. Interviewers are reviewing how you work and communicate with others, so maintain eye contact, stay composed, and get interested in the process of the interview as it unfolds.
2. Be prepared to speak. While group interview formats vary widely, most include a set exercise in which candidates have to speak in front of other job applicants, as well as the company’s interviewers. Before the interview, decide upon a one-two minute introduction of yourself (name, birthplace, education, work experience and personal details) that shows why you are the best candidate for the job. If you’re intimidated by speaking in front of others, take some time before the interview to practice calming techniques, or even practice your “spiel” in front of friends or family.
3. Consider your leadership skills. Some group interviews include exercises that seek to bring out the leadership potential in the present candidates. Remember to stay calm under pressure, and work with those in your group, as opposed to seeing them as competitors. Often the most likely indicator of a true leader is not that they corral others through force, but that groups naturally coalesce around their calm demeanor and desire for group consensus.
4. Be even in your attention. For group interviews in which more than one company interviewer is present, remember to be equitable in your interactions with all interviewers. Don’t always maintain eye contact with one interviewer, or ask one interviewer all of your questions. Most likely every employee in your interview are people with whom you would interact in your new position, so making a good impression on each one is imperative.
5. Don’t feel the need to be the moderator of the interview. That is, if you encounter another applicant who seems to be overtaking the interview in an aggressive way, the group interview is not the place to take them to task. Instead, rely on the fact that the interviewers will note the same behavior you have seen, and reject that person as a candidate on their own. Take the time to be encouraging and compassionate, but don’t feel the need to level the playing field or call out another candidate on their deficiencies!
6. Finally, remember that the usual interview rules apply. Show up to your group interview on time, dressed neatly and appropriately, and with a smile on your face. The group interview may be a newer interview format, but it still requires you to be the most professional and courteous version of yourself.
Tips for Generating Fresh Job Leads
Posted by admin2 in Job Posting on January 3, 2012
When looking for a job, continually generating leads on open positions can be one of the most important (and key) parts of your job search. If you find yourself coming up dry on new leads, or feel like you’ve tapped your network and have found nothing, here are some ways in which you can jumpstart your progress and move closer to your dream job.
IMG Source: millerlittlejohnmedia.com
Important parts of your job search is continually generating leads on open positions.
1. Figure out what you want. All the networking in the world won’t help you if you can’t figure out what sort of job position you truly want. Think seriously about what sort of position makes the most sense (and the best fit) for you. Do you want a global corporation? Or a “mom and pop” shop? Are you interested in a job that requires travel? Or would you rather work from home? Would you like to manage other employees? Or do you prefer working solo on projects, without much supervision? Knowing what you want makes it easier to evaluate potential positions and inform others about the type of work you’re looking for.
2. Make it memorable. It may seem cliché, but a well-crafted tagline can be vital to selling yourself as a person to be hired. Take the time to hone the message of your skills and desired position into a single sentence that you can easily remember, and that can be remembered by others. There’s a huge difference between a job seeker saying “I want to work as an electrician” and “I’m a fully trained, licensed and certified inside wireman looking for a foreman position in new homes construction.” Giving specifics helps others remember who you are and what you’re looking for, thereby increasing your chances of landing a plum lead.
3. Get focused. Remember that there are a number of ways in which you can focus your job
search. While many people search for jobs based on job title, there are other ways to approach your own job search. You could single out your strongest or most valuable skill and market that across industries; refine your search geographically or consider relocating to a more robust job market; concentrate on relevant positions or companies within a single industry; or extend your search out to groups with which you share common interests or characteristics, such as women’s career organizations or ethnic business bureaus. Re-focusing your search may open up new employment opportunities that you had never previously thought to explore, while exposing you to vast untapped networks full of potential leads.
4. Finally, don’t forget to keep your contacts and network connections fresh. Let people know on a regular basis (perhaps monthly) that you’re still in the market for a job, preferably using your finely-crafted job search tagline to do it. People’s lives are busy, and without hearing otherwise, they may assume that you’ve been hired already—passing that great lead on a job on to someone else, and not you. E-mails, meet-ups, online networks and the good old telephone call are all ways in which you can reach out to your friends, family, acquaintances and associates, keeping you top-most in their minds, and making them part of your ongoing search for the perfect job.
Offline Social Networks: 3 Overlooked Resources
Say the phrase “social networking” to anyone these days, and immediately their minds rush to various online incarnations of our social world that have re-defined how we interact in the digital realm. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are just three of the biggest names in online social networking, and their impact on job searching is substantial. Not only do they provide employers a place to promote their own interest in hiring quality candidates and learn more about their candidates, they also allow job seekers to find and research quality employers. Yet there are other aspects to our social networks that can be utilized in a job search, which can’t necessarily occur online. These arcs of our own social circles can present powerful leads and referrals, so they’re certainly worth delving into.
"Social networking" is a great buzz word, but let's not forget where social networking began... Offline.
Number 1: Alumni Networking
Alumni Networks have been around as long as colleges and universities, and for good reason. Graduates of particular institutions not only form life-long friendships with people during their collegiate years… they also tend to favorably view other graduates of the same institution, particularly when it comes to their suitability as a candidate for employment. Job seekers should be sure that they are receiving and reading their alumni magazines or newsletters, and keep tabs on graduates employed in their preferred industry. A personalized letter to a fellow alum in a powerful management or hiring position can be just the ticket to making in roads at a particular company; just be sure to mention your connection at the beginning of the letter. Also, alumni meet-ups and get-togethers are great ways to meet other local graduates and expand the circle of people who are helping you to find employment.
Number 2: Your Neighbors
Neighbors are another often-overlooked resource when it comes to looking for a job. While you may only know them as the people you wave to as you take out the trash, remember that your neighbors provide an avenue into various other social networks of which you are only tangentially a part—by virtue of the fact that you live near some of the people who are a part of them. Don’t be afraid to chat and get out the fact that you’re looking for a job. Tradespeople can benefit from referrals or hires by neighbors to do work (electricians can be the most popular neighbors on a block!) while white collar workers may benefit from a referral to business owners, HR reps or even hiring managers. You never know who your neighbors know until you ask… and then you may be surprised!
Number 3: Hobbyists and Enthusiasts
Hobbyists and enthusiasts are likely a part of your life already, particularly if you have a hobby that you follow passionately. One of those people you meet up with once a month in order to fly kites may own their own business; some of the members of the gardening club may be hiring managers looking for someone just like you. However loose your affiliation with other hobbyist or enthusiasts in your chosen pastime may be, you already have one of the key elements of successful networking in place: a strong connection that enables you to build relationships and expand the network of people that you know. Letting these casual acquaintances know that you’re looking for employment may open doors for you that may not have otherwise been open, had you not shared a passion and shared your search for a job.
While online social networking sites have become a staple stop in our search for employment, nothing can truly replace the strong social bonds that develop when we interact with people in the offline world. Making use of the social networks that you don’t interact with online can expand your possibilities, and create real opportunities for long-term and satisfying employment.
Salary Talks, Part One: 4 Tips for Setting the Stage
Once the hard-work of landing a job offer has been completed, you may soon come to realize that the process of accepting a job—and getting the terms you want—can present challenges of its own. One of the most vital parts of the job offer process is that which involves your compensation. Whether its the base annual salary you’ll receive, the benefits you’ll have, or the sales commission you’ll work for, every position comes with its own salary issues that may well have to be discussed between you and your future company. Here are some ideas on how to start the process in a civil, beneficial and appropriate way.
If a pay raise is on your mind, you should definitely take several aspects into consideration when approaching your boss.
1. Do your research.
What you should earn isn’t always a simple calculation, which is why many employers often include salary ranges in their job postings. Things like an employee’s work experience, education, particular skill set, the demands of the job, the local cost of living, and even the general size of the company can also affect how much a particular job may pay. Look at salary information websites such as thecareerproject.org or salary.com for salary details on various careers, trying to hone in on commensurate positions at similar-sized companies, for employees with similar experience and education to you. This research should yield you a general sense of what your prospective position should pay.
2. Be sure that you fully understand the job.
Having a detailed talk with your new employer about the demands of the job can give you a much better idea of what sort of work will be involved in your new position, and a much clearer idea of how your skills may make you more valuable in completing the work that will be assigned to you. Know up front the more demanding contingencies of the job, such as whether or not you will be managing others, if you’ll be expected to work off-hours like weekends or evenings, or whether or not travel will be involved. Having a clear idea of not just your core responsibilities but the extended expectations of the employer can help you assess what you feel would be fair remuneration for your work.
3. Be honest about your skills and abilities.
It can be easy for us to underestimate our own worth as an employee, but it can also be easy to over-grab for a salary or benefits that we may not necessarily merit. To help you objectively consider your worth, consider drafting a list of the ways in which your specific experience, education, connections or abilities enhance your ability to successfully accomplish the requirements and responsibilities of the job. If you can’t come up with a substantial list, it’s likely that your hiring company can’t either, so use this as a tool to keep your salary requests in-line and on-track.
4. Finally, stay realistic.
Your salary research should always compare apples to apples, not a corporate position in New York City with a non-profit job in the Heartland! Your employer, of course, doesn’t want to pay too much, but they also don’t want you to feel disgruntled or dissatisfied in your job; happy employees are always the most productive! Keep in mind that the range for your position’s salary was likely set long before the company ever met you, and was conceived in relation to the rest of the company’s budgetary concerns. You don’t want to squash your job offer by demanding too much compensation from a company that is simply unable to give it, but you also want to be paid fairly. Keep your eye on an agreement that will be palatable to both parties, and you’ll be much more likely to find success in your salary talks.
In Part Two of Salary Talks, we’ll cover the nitty-gritty of salary negotiation, including the best way to get into salary specifics without overly-tipping your hand.
LGI Homes New Home Sales Consultant – Austin, TX
Posted by LGI Homes in Uncategorized on December 7, 2011
Requirements:
- 2-3 years proven Sales Experience a must
- No real estate experience required
- College degree or equivalent work experience preferred
Job Description
LGI Homes is currently accepting applications for New Home Sales Consultants in the Austin area. All candidates must be experienced top producing sales people and must be willing to work weekends. No Real Estate experience is necessary, extensive training is provided. LGI Homes has been recognized as the fastest growing private home builders in the United States and is among the most profitable.
Salary Range
From $90,000 to $300,000 per year (salary plus commission)
LGI Homes Administrative Assistant – Austin, TX
Posted by LGI Homes in Austin, Job Posting, LGI Homes, Texas on December 7, 2011
LGI Homes is currently accepting applications for an Administrative Assistant in the Austin area. We are looking for a team player who is positive and outgoing, with a professional manner, honest character and can work at fast pace while maintaining accuracy. The successful candidate will be detail oriented with strong organizational and computer skills and must interact well with management as well as other associates.
Requirements:
- High school diploma
- 3 to 5 years of administrative experience
- Computer experience (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Non-smoker
General Duties:
- Report to work Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
- Answer and Operate Phone System
- Greet and handle walk-in clients and vendors.
- Various Administrative tasks as assigned by supervisor.
- Daily Computer Data Input
- Prepare Weekly reports & submittals for management
- Order Supplies for Office
- Maintain Office & Project Files
- General Filing & Copying
Job Search Tips: Keeping Organized
Posted by admin2 in Uncategorized on December 2, 2011
In searching for work, as in work itself, keeping organized is imperative to your production, efficiency and sanity. A job search run haphazardly and tracked in heaving piles of paper scattered across a desk not only is likely to be unfruitful, it also speaks to the unprofessionalism of the person attempting to find a job. Keeping, at all times, your goals of employment in your mind, it is best to keep your job search organized—an effort made easy by following just some of the following tips.
Start out right. As soon as you begin your job search, make sure that you have an organizational infrastructure in place that will help you to easily track the efforts you are making, as well as keep tabs on the progress of your applications at various companies. Those who prefer to work digitally may use folders on their computer to organize their applications, cover letters, and responses; others may set up paper files in a file drawer or in a tabletop file organizer. What you choose depends upon what allows you to work comfortably, efficiently and happily—there are no set rules, only preferences.
Be consistent. Any organizational system—no matter how brilliantly designed—is useless if used only sporadically, or without sustained effort. If you find yourself eschewing your organizational system and cutting corners either your system is too elaborate, or it is inadequate for your needs. Remember: staying organized can be as easy as keeping printouts of all of your applications and emails in one single folder; as long as you can easily find what you are looking for, and have a good idea of what work you have done and need to do, you can consider yourself organized.
Include the necessary details. A good organizational system will allow you to see—at a glance—where you are in your job search. Spreadsheet software is an excellent way to keep yourself organized, and might include column headers that allow you to track your progress, such as: Company name, Position applied for, Referral/Job Posting Source, Date applied, Application contact information, Date of response, Date of phone interview, Date of in-person interview, etc. Such a spreadsheet will not only keep you up-to-date, it will also allow you to easily see on which applications and contacts you need to follow up. You can also create a “Contacts” spreadsheet to help you track your efforts to generate leads and utilize your social networks.
Stay flexible. As you expend more effort into your job search, you’ll find that certain aspects of your organizational system aren’t working, and need to be changed. For instance, maybe you opted to create a paper filing system, but you find that keeping track on your smartphone is easier and more efficient for you. No organizational system should be set in stone; rather, it should adapt to you as your needs and activities change.
Keep your eye on the prize. Finally, it goes without saying that your job search has one goal: getting employed. While staying organized can help you tame the process of looking for a job, it shouldn’t become so central that it overshadows your work to find work. If you’re spending more time filing and indexing than you are applying for work, at best you’ve confused your priorities; at worst, you may be in denial about the labor involved in finding a new job. Using your organizational system to present a seamlessly professional and competent face to your potential employers will reward you in many ways, not least of which is the sanity you will keep on the road from unemployed to new hire. Just remember that organizational systems are merely a means to an end, not the end in itself, and you’re sure to make the best use of this simple but effective job searching tool.
With 50 Closing in Just 3 Months, San Antonio’s Luckey Ranch is Off to a Great Start
Posted by admin2 in LGI Homes, San Antonio on December 1, 2011
San Antonio, TX – November 30, 2011 – The Kalikow Group, on behalf of KEP Luckey Ranch Global Associates, announces the closing of sales on 50 homes in the past three months at the first development parcel of the planned 2,400-home, 610-acre Luckey Ranch project.
This homeplan is Pecos by LGI Homes,
located at Luckey Ranch in San Antonio.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR DETAILS
The site consists of 539 acres slated for residential development parcels as well as 71 acres zoned for commercial use currently being marketed for sale and/or development. The property is located at Loop 1604N and Highway 90, an 18-minute drive to downtown San Antonio, in the growing “Donut Hole” area of San Antonio, TX.
Last year, LGI Homes (LGI) and GTIS Partners acquired a 93-acre residential land parcel within the Luckey Ranch master development. The property is zoned for 393 residential lots, 93 homes have already been built and 50 families have already moved in. The homes range in size from three to five bedrooms offering 1,200 to 2,600 square feet of living space. Prices range from $129,900 to $172,900.
In addition to the 50 closings recorded in the past three months, an additional 16 sales are already in contract in November. Traffic has been brisk at the LGI sales office, averaging more than 100 new inquiries about the homes per week.
LGI Homes ranks highest in the New-Home Quality Study and in the top 10 in customer satisfaction among new-home builders in the Houston, Texas market, according to the J.D. Power and Associates New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study. LGI Homes was also named one of 2012′s “Best Companies to Work For” by Texas Monthly magazine.
The Kalikow Group, which acquired the site in 2007, is capitalizing on San Antonio’s emerging housing market fueled by new job growth and strong demand for affordable, single-family homes. The company has a long track record of successful land banking and development of master planned communities in the Texas region.
“San Antonio is the third fastest growing area by population in the U.S., homes are reasonably priced and job growth is expanding,” said Edward Kalikow, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Kalikow Group. “This all equals increased demand for single-family homes, and we are executing a successful business model in a sound market.”
San Antonio has the country’s second strongest job market, with some 10,000 new jobs slated to be filled soon, thanks largely to Fort Sam Houston’s military medicine expansion, Toyota’s expanded Tacoma production and new government projects — such as the San Antonio River Walk — aimed at stimulating employment and new business creation.
Since 2008, nearly 50 percent of all single-family home development and 30 percent of all retail development in San Antonio took place in the Donut Hole area on the city’s west side.
About The Kalikow Group
The KEP division of the Kalikow Group is a private source of Joint Venture Equity financing for middle-market Real Estate Developers, Operators and Builders. Headed by Edward Kalikow, it has been acquiring, developing and investing in all types of real estate projects for well over 30 years. The Kalikow Group is a multifaceted source of equity for a variety of investment platforms including retail, multifamily, condominiums and single-family home development, as well as land-banking for future projects. To date, The Kalikow Group has raised over $100 million of equity capital which has funded projects valued in excess of $850 million.
About LGI Homes
Founded in 2003, LGI Homes is one of Texas’ most robust homebuilders, named one of the nation’s fastest growing companies by INC Magazine, and lauded by its industry for its groundbreaking marketing techniques and ongoing sales
success. The company was also recognized as a New Home Quality Award winner for its communities in the Houston area. For more information about LGI Homes, please visit http://www.lgihomes.com
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Interviewing In-Depth: Researching the Company You’re Applying To
Online articles on job sites are legion, and most offer long lists of helpful tips that can help job-seekers show their best face during an interview. Yet some of those tips are often so brief, that they tell a novice or rusty job-seeker little about what they really need to do. Thus, we’re starting a multi-part series that promises to dig a little deeper into the common advice given to interviewees, sharing a bit more about what needs to be done to make your interview truly shine.
Today, we cover a common suggestion: research the company at which you’re interviewing. This sort of research is particularly important because it makes you knowledgeable about the company, allows you to ask informed questions, and shows the potential employer that you are interested enough in the position to put in some extra work before the interview. Here’s what to do:
If you have a big job interview coming up,
it's often a good idea to familiarize yourself
with the company you are applying to.
1. Begin at the beginning. Start by visiting the company’s website. It should give you a feel of how the company is trying to present itself to the world. Is it a colorful website? Reserved? Is the text conventional or humorous and wry? Your general perceptions garnered by visiting the website will tell you much about what the company is probably like on the inside, and the sort of employees they’re looking to hire.
2. Look deeper. Larger, more established companies are likely to have large websites with many pages; spend time reviewing any pages that correlate to the position for which you’re applying. These may include pages dedicated to the department of the open position, or even reading biographies of people at the company you are likely to work with or for. Make notes about them, and their prior work experience, looking for commonalities. Get a sense of who already works there, and what they do.
3. Go offroad. Your next steps should be to go off of the company’s website and dig into how they are positioned within their respective industry. Google the name of the company, and see what type of results come up. You may find references to the company, its competitors, and even industry news. Learning as much as you can about the priorities the company has—as well as the challenges it is facing—will allow you to position yourself as a person that can solve problems and advance agendas.
4. Analyze and assess. After you have completed this research, it’s time to review what you’ve found. What sense did you get about who this company is, why it exists, and where it’s headed? What strategies is it undertaking to succeed, and how is it coping with obstacles? How does the company fit in with its competitors or cohorts, and what sets it apart from them? Answering these questions will help you formulate a “big picture” for the company, which can help you determine how your position will fit into the larger scheme of things.
5. Note your questions. Finally, turn your research into two or three thought-out questions, which you can ask at your interview. Make the questions specific-enough so that they’ll be easily answered, but broad enough so that they’ll invite discussion. Remember, you’re not only trying to learn more about the company, you’re also trying to set yourself apart from the candidates who have not taken the time to investigate deeper into the company with which they’re meeting.
7 Points to Address when Writing the Perfect Thank You Letter
After an interview is over, many job-seekers make the mistake of thinking that their work in presenting themselves as viable candidates has ended. Restlessly, many sit by the phone or refresh their e-mail inbox, waiting for a job offer that never seems to come. What have these job seekers failed to do? Follow-up after their interview with a note of thanks. While writing a thank you note may seem quaint to some, for many employers the measure of social grace and the attention to detail displayed by following through on this custom is enough to tip the scales into (or out of) a candidate’s favor.
If you've recently interviewed for a job that you really want, be sure to send a thank you letter to the employer for being considered. This may just land the job for you!
Job seekers can protect their hard won consideration by taking the short amount of time it takes to compose a thank you letter, which is sent to the individual with whom the recent interview was conducted. The letter can be either mailed or e-mailed, depending upon the relative formality of the company and the time frame set out for hiring a candidate. A good thank you letter will align itself with a comfortable but polite style, and should include some basic elements:
1. Address the interviewer in the same way in which they were introduced (or familiarly, if the interviewer asked you to do so), and should thank them for their time spent on the interview.
2. Express continued interest in the position and the company, and your excitement about the position’s possibilities.
3. Mention the pleasure had in meeting any other members of the company who were introduced during the course of the interview, referencing those individuals by name.
4. Reinforce the reasons why you are the ideal candidate for the position, such as pertinent skills or background experience.
5. Include any information that you failed to cover during the interview, such as a germane project in a past job.
6. Include expedient contact information such as an email address or phone number, and let the employer know that you are excited to hear back from them about their decision.
7. If you’re prone to grammatical or spelling mistakes, take the time to have another person proofread the letter for errors.
The letter should be no more than three or four short paragraphs.
For secondary interviews, the agenda of the letter should be much the same, although these letters can delve more deeply into your qualifications for the position, and discuss more in-depth how they will help you drive the company’s success. You can also recap (in a few words) the central theme of your interview. However, take care that these letters remain brief, and to the point.
Whatever the nature of the business you are in, common courtesy can play a huge role in positioning yourself as the ideal candidate for the job. A thank-you letter—sent in a timely manner and written with a sociable and professional tone—can make an instant and positive impression on a potential employer. Setting yourself apart from candidates who don’t take the time for pleasantries is not just easy… in today’s economy it’s imperative
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