At Your Next 9 to 5 we are dedicated to helping our clients utilize different resources to help with the job search. We have listed a few of them and will constantly be adding to our list.

The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics offers valuable information regarding pay and benefits, employment and unemployment, consumer spending and much more. To read the different subject areas they offer go to: http://www.bls.gov/

The Phone Screen.

To do and what not to do!

• DO! Schedule the time for your phone screen after referring to your date book. That may mean getting back to the recruiter once you have had a chance to check you availability, but that is fine. Do not just agree to any date and time, and then have to reschedule once you realize a conflict. You may not get a second chance.
• DO! Do your research! Make sure you check the company’s website and Google them as well. Gather all of the information you can about the company including press releases (a great way to get a summary on the company’s significant dates/events).
• DO! Develop relevant questions. Refer to the research you did and the job description itself (if you do not have a job description, ask the recruiter for one BEFORE the phone screen). Is there any thing ambiguous that you need to clear up? Is there anything that questions the company’s stability (outstanding lawsuits, change of ownership, financial issues)?
• DO! Review you own resume thoroughly. Be prepared to answer questions about your career progression, descriptions of your positions and responsibilities, and any dates since graduation that you have not accounted for on your resume.
• DO! Select a quiet place to conduct your phone screen. Select a place where you can talk without distractions such as the television, radio or children in the background. It is distracting to you and the interviewer if there is a lot of noise or disruptions.
• DON’T! Chew gum, eat, drink, or smoke during your phone screen! This is so rude and obvious, even if you think you are undetectable!
• DO! Excuse yourself if you cough or do anything else distracting during the interview. Don’t just pretend it didn’t happen. Excuse yourself and move on.
• DO! Get to the point and be succinct when answering questions. Don’t be afraid to ask “Does this answer your question”? Write questions down as they are asked and make sure you are actually answering the question and you are not going off on tangents.
• DO! Clarify any question you are not sure about. Paraphrase the question if you are having trouble and check if you are on the right path in answering it.
• DO! Express your interest in the position once the interview has concluded and ask about the next step in the process.