By Abdul muanwar, Managing Partner, Mohammed Althaf although there are signs of an improvement in business activity, there are still fewer jobs on the market than ever before. The competition for these positions is therefore increasingly
Employers often use psychometric testing to vet potential employees and help them understand a little more about your personality and ability to fit into the role they are offering – and this type of testing is becoming increasing popular.
Understandably, many people find discussing salaries uncomfortable and embarrassing during an interview.
However, most interviewers expect some bartering and, if it motivates you to put more into the job, it is worthwhile for both the applicant and the employer.
A Curriculum Vitae is a self-marketing tool and getting an interview can depend on how good your CV is. You will need to consider what to include, how much detail is needed and how to make your CV stand out from all the others.
The main aim of a covering letter is to encourage recruiters to read your CV. However, it needs to do a lot more than say, 'here is my CV!'. In short, it is the biggest chance you have to sell yourself.
Rapport is the connection between two people; the spoken and unspoken words that say ‘we are on the same page’. In an interview situation you can employ numerous techniques to maximize the rapport between yourself and your interviewer.
Planning Your Future
Puzzled about your future? Making choices about your major, career, or graduate school is an important part of your experience at Cal. To help you piece everything together, use the Career Center’s career planning resources. Select a Decision Scenario that most closely represents what’s on your mind, or select a Planning Resource
What are the best career options for me?
Real World
A student developed an interest in marketing but wasn’t sure how to find people in the field to talk to. He had worked as a clerk in the payroll office of University Extension for several years. He decided to talk over his career interests with his supervisor, who pointed out that Extension had a marketing department and that she’d be happy to introduce him to the director. This "right in your own back yard" referral led to a great informational interview and lots of other contacts. Sometimes making connections can really pay off!
You might pursue a career based on your major, or you might pursue one based on passions or interests outside of your field of study. Whichever the case, making a good choice about a career essentially depends on three things:
- Improving your awareness and understanding of your interests, skills, and motivations
- Learning what kinds of jobs,employers, and career fields exist that fit with your interests, abilities and values
- Making a decision that matches what you want and what opportunities are available to you
Your successful match may result in identifying a rewarding career path, seeking (and landing!) a job, or pursuing further training, including internships, certifications, or graduate school. The following Career Center planning resources can point you in the right direction as you shape your own set of criteria for evaluating the options that are ideal for you.
How can I best prepare for the career I’m considering?
Real World
Read some of the Real Life Stories in the Article Archives for examples of paths alumni took to achieve their current career positions.
There is almost always more than one plausible path to your career destination. If you asked five people in your targeted career field how they got there, chances are you would hear five different stories. Nevertheless, if you have a specific career goal it is a good idea to plan the steps you could take to get there.
Before you can come up with a solid plan, you need to know some things about your intended occupation, such as
- Required and recommended education, certification or licensure
- Required and recommended experience or training
- Skills needed for success in the occupation
How can I decide which graduate or professional degree to pursue?
Reality Check
Have you talked to your professors to gather information about different graduate programs? They are an excellent resource to tap into because they are inside experts into the various fields you may be considering. It’s helpful to balance their opinions against the other information you should be gathering as you assess whether an advanced degree fits with your goals for the future.
Pursuing a graduate or professional degree is a decision you should make in light of your overall career and life goals. To help you determine whether obtaining an advanced degree is the best option for you at this point in time, the Career Center offers several planning resources to guide you through the decision-making process.
