We humans are judgmental beings, and we judge fast.

How fast? When it comes to hiring:
■Some Recruiters spend as little as six seconds per resume before deciding whether an applicant is a good fit.
■Interviewers “know” within 10 seconds whether a candidate is right for the job.

As a job seeker, if you make it past these 16 grueling seconds of judgment and get hired, you’re still not home free.

No, now it’s time for the next round of judging: your first day of work.

Put your best foot forward by avoiding these nine off-putting behaviors:

1. Showing up Tired

Fact: fatigue kills your performance and productivity. Don’t give your employer second thoughts on your first day. Get plenty of rest and show up ready to bust your butt.

2. Dressing Inappropriately

People judge books by their covers, wines by their labels, and you by your first-day attire. You should know what the company dress code is by now, so pick a clean, wrinkle-free outfit that reflects it. While you’re at it, make sure you’re hygienically sound.

3. Oversharing

Being an open book is fine, but tone it down at first. Your new co-workers probably aren’t ready to hear why you were let go from your previous job or that you conceived your 16-year-old son on a first date in high school.

4. Complaining

Your parking spot is a mile away, the training for new hires is putting you to sleep, and you’re not that fond of your cubemate. Annoying? Perhaps. Worth mentioning? No. Workplace negativity is toxic and will send your new co-workers running.

5. Flirting

Are you there to work or find a date for Friday night? Even if your company is all right with office relationships, jumping into one right away brings your professional brand into question.

Would you rather be labeled “the new guy who’s amazing at sales” or “the new guy who’s dating Jane”? Establish yourself first, then decide whether dating Jane is worth it.

6. Saying ‘No’ to Lunch Invites

As the new face around the office, you’ll be invited by co-workers to lunch, coffee, happy hour, and other events outside of the office. Don’t turn them down. This is how you become part of the company’s family, an important step for both personal and professional growth.

7. Trying to Make Your New Job Like Your Old Job

Organizations have deeply rooted ways of doing things. If you come in and insist others do it your way, it’s not going to go well. I have a good friend who experienced this recently. He works for a company with a fast-paced, startup mentality. A new guy just joined from the slow-moving corporate world (The Land of Red Tape, as I like to call it) and continues to add in the extra steps and checks he’s used to.

It’s fine to make suggestions, but first ask yourself why you’re making them. Do you really see room for improvement or are you just being stubborn in your ways? If it’s the former, go for it; if not, then let go and move on.

8. Forgetting to Say, ‘Thank You’

It takes time to train new hires. Even those with years of experience need to learn the nuances of the company and its culture. So thank co-workers who take the time out of their busy day to help you, even if all they did was point you to the nearest restroom.

9. Concealing Your Excitement

Excitement, like negativity, is contagious. The difference is that excitement is a great feeling to catch. It’s easy for long-time employees to lose sight of why their job is so great. Having a new, excited face around the office is an excellent reminder. If you’re that face, people will be drawn to you.

None of this is to say that you should lie to your co-workers or not be yourself in front of them. Just be a more tactful, selective version of yourself for a while.

P.S. Sound like too many things to concern yourself with? We agree. That’s why, in addition to recommending the behavior above, we encourage you to be aware of your own judgements and give the next new employee a break.

Article originally posted: http://www.careerealism.com/wrong-impression-first-day/

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A job interview can be a nerve-racking experience, especially when you have been removed from the job market for an extended period of time.

It is one thing to sell on paper with the resume and another thing to sell in person at the interview.

Regardless of whether you have been out of a job for an extended period of time, are looking to change careers, or are still employed and seeking a better opportunity, the key to conducting a job interview successfully is a result of a collective number of factors. However, one of the more defining factors is the relationship you establish.

People hire people they like. Even if one candidate is more qualified and experienced than another, without a good relationship there is minimal chance at securing the job opportunity. The same goes for referrals. When you are referred by an existing employee, your chances are much stronger than a candidate who applied simply as a result of finding the opportunity through an ad from a job board.

So the question becomes how do you develop a strong enough relationship from a job interview to strengthen and lock in your chances at a job offer?

1. Use Appropriate Body Language

What you don’t say matters just as much as what you do say. Your body language and facial expressions inform an employer how engaged you are in conversation and how interested you are in the opportunity. Smile, exhibit confidence, and listen carefully so you respond appropriately and know how to build on the conversation.

2. Seek More Information

Asking questions expresses to an employer that you are engaged in the conversation. Try to ask questions to probe for additional information. Instead of simply addressing what is asked of you, respond and follow up with a question of your own and turn the interview into a conversation. This expresses to the employer that you have an interest to learn more.

3. Demonstrate You Are Up for the Challenge

There are challenges with every job. What is important to an employer is that you are up for the challenge and that you have the ability to succeed. Research information in advance of your interview by reviewing the company’s website and information in the news. You will have a better understanding of what challenges or changes the company has recently been through, and how it may impact the position you are interested in.

Ask related questions during the interview to find out more. This informs an employer that you have come well-prepared for the interview. You can also take the opportunity to relay how you have experience with similar situations and how you dealt with them.

The more confident and comfortable you are with yourself in the interview, the easier it will be for the employer to develop a strong rapport and relationship with you. This is not to say you sit back and relax as though you are sitting in your own living room. Instead, the point is to be open to conversation and for it to be developed with ease.

Consider a candidate sitting stiff, head down, and who is brief in response to conversation and questions asked. It makes it difficult for him as well as the employer to try to establish good rapport and the relationship. Don’t let that be you!

Don Goodman, president of Resume Writing Service – About Jobs – is a nationally recognized career expert.
Article originally posted: http://www.careerealism.com/important-things-job-interview/

Don’t let the media and the news put you down.

No matter how bad they say it is companies are always looking to hire the best available staff. If you have the right skills and passion, there will be a job waiting for right around the corner.

You just need to remain upbeat and positive. Below is a list of things you need to do in order to help you through the job search process.

1. Keep a routine: Don’t get into the bad habits of waking up late, sleeping in the afternoons or procrastinating around the house. Get up at your normal time, eat properly and get some exercise (walking is free)!

2. Volunteer: You can do this at a church, hospital, homeless shelter or non-profit organization will open your eyes to people who are less off than you and give you a sense of contribution. There is no greater reward than helping people who are less fortunate than us.

3. Stay up to date with what’s happening in your industry: Don’t let yourself fall behind just because you’re not working. The best approach is to learn more about your particular industry. This way you will be ahead of your competition when it comes time to interview.

4. Explore potential new careers: It’s never too late to try to learn a foreign language or a new piece of computer software. I remember working with a senior archaeologist of 10 years experience who came to me wanting a change in his life direction. After six months of learning Spanish and then travelling through Spain for another six months, the senior archaeologist is now a junior English/Spanish translator!

5. Positive thinking: Do not focus on the negatives – you need to be able to bounce back. Concentrate on the skills and knowledge you have. Sitting around saying “what if” all the time is only going to further depress you.

6. Support group: You may feel as though you’re the only person in your situation without a job, but guess what – you’re not. Reach out to people for support. There are many groups that provide excellent assistance in the areas of resume writing, interviewing, and job hunting. Aside from the secular groups, there are also many faith groups ready to offer you a supporting hand. Don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help. Let people help you change your life.

7. Avoid negative people: Negative thinking is of no value to you. You need to be around positive people and people who can have a positive impact on your life.

8. Network: maintain contacts and stay in touch with people. Make sure you network with positive people!! Again, avoid negativity. Negative thinking does nothing to help your situation.

Last but not least…

9. Manage your expectations: Not every job you apply for will be a success. Don’t be put off by this. Instead, concentrate on the positives and look at what you achieve each day. For example, you could have applied to 3 great jobs, connected with 2 people who are great resources or maybe you found a course or book that will help to improve your skills.

Don’t give up!

Jobs don’t find you, you find them!

During the last decade, RedStarResume has successfully written hundreds of professional resumes for candidates across the globe.

Originally posted http://www.careerealism.com/tips-staying-positive-looking-job/