Job Interview Tips and Tricks

Job Interview Tips and TricksJob Interview Tips and TricksA job bewerberinterview can be considered an opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer. While this might be a slightly exaggerated description, in some ways its true. Interviewers are critiquing you, assessing your skills, evaluating your qualifications, and trying to landsee whether you are the best fit for their organization. There are some ways you can help make sure that the employer views you as a strong candidate for the job. Tips and Tricks for a Successful Job Interview Here are some tips and tricks that will help you ace your job interview. 1. Research the Company Before the Interview Research the company prior to the interview. Hiring managers know that theyre dealing with someone who is serious about the position when the candidate hastaken the time to research the company. During the interview, try to ask thoughtful questions about the company based on what youve found outonline. Search engine resear ch can turn up valuable information on most companies. Do your best to locate reviews from employees and customers on sites likeGlassdoor.com. Forstartup companies, try to find out who the investors and parteners are, as well as how much money they have raised so far. Be aware that a startup job may not be long term (should the new business fail), but getting in on the ground floor of a profitable company can prove lucrative for you down the road. 2. Plan What Youre Going to Wear First impressions are the most important in job interviews. If youre not sure what to wear, ask ahead of time about theworkplace dress code. The safe bet is to dress professionally, paying attention to grooming, soothing colors, and tasteful accessories. If youre actively seeking employment, have a couple of interview outfits ready. That will help avoid the stress of figuring out what youre going wear at the last minute. 3. Practice Interview Techniques and Responses Employers will try to challenge intervie wees with tough questions to judge their compatibility and tosee how they cope under pressure. Expect questions about work experiences, stressful moments, difficult decisions, and where you see yourself in several years. Practice answering some of thestandard interview questions. If you feel overly nervous about the interview, have a family member or friend role play as the interviewer and videorecord yourself. Dress in that interview outfit you just picked out, so you feel the part. While no one wants to hire someone who acts mechanically and comes across as too rehearsed, feeling prepared can help you tofeel confident enough to be yourself.Inturn,thiscanenableyoubettertorecall relevant details from your past employment during the interview. Bring some copies of your resume, both to refer to if your brain freezes, and to offer to the people you interview with. For many people, the only way that they do well in interviews is by doing a lot of them. If this applies to you, it may be in your best interest to take an interview, even if you are not very excited about the job. While you should never let on to an employer in the moment that you dont care about the job, putting yourself in the interview chair more than once can help you nail the big interview for the job that you really want. And who knows? After the interview, you might find that you do want the job after all. 4. Prepare for Behavioral Interview Questions Employers usebehavioral questionsto dig into past achievements and topredict future performance. Behavioral questions are those that give the interviewer insight into your personality and emotional intelligence in the workplace. These questions identify applicants key competencies and skills, so its vital to prepare answers to match your skills to the employers requirements. Focus on past achievements that highlight your abilities inleadership,teamwork,problem-solving,conflict resolution, and learning from failure. 5. Make a Pit Stop If youre stres sed and theres a rest room you can use before you go to the interview, stop in and take a few deep breaths to calm down. Wash and dry your hands to minimize sweaty palms. If you are a coffee drinker or smoker, or you have a meal before an interview, use a mint or brush your teeth before starting. 6. Arrive Early, But Not Too Early Arrive for your interview about 5-10 minutes early. Good employers value punctuality, and if you arrive even a minute late, you willlikely give a poor first impression. Arriving more than 10 minutes early can put undue pressure on the interviewer, especially if they have a number of interviews to get through in the day. If you are unfamiliar with the area where your interview will take place, give yourself plenty of time to recover if you get lost. Rushing will negatively affect your interview performance, so if you think you might be late, call ahead to advise them of the situation. If you have a reasonable excuse, most employers will understand and may e ven offer to reschedule. 7. Be Aware of Your Body Language Remember to exude confidence- holdyourhead high, stand straight and tall, hold a slight smile, and relax. Introduce yourself with a smile, a reasonably firm handshake, and a relaxed and self-assured demeanor. Greet others, andif youre interviewing with more than one person, follow the interviewers lead to sit down or move to another room. Do your best to enjoy the interaction as much as possible. Keep it professional at all times. Nonverbal communication cuesare a major part of the impression you make. A weak handshake, for example, shows a lack of authority. An averted gaze signals distrust or disinterest in the job. You can show assertiveness by sitting up straight and leaning slightly forward in your chair. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer without staring him or her down. If there are multiple people present in the interview, focus your attention on the individual asking you questions. 8. Take Notes Bring a notep ad and pen to take notes during each interview. This is an effective way to show your interest in the job and your attention to detail. It also gives you an opportunity to look down at times if you struggle with nerves or eye contact. Be sensitive to the possibility that the interviewer may not feel comfortable with you taking notes. While atypical, highly competitive industries might send spies to competitors under the guise of a job interview. Therefore, it is appropriate to ask permission before pulling out your notebook and taking notes. 9. Dont Ask About Salary or Benefits Dont bring up salary on your first interview, unless the employer brings it up first. If they ask what youre making at your current place of employment, provide anexact salary or a salary range. If appropriate, you can mention that you feel it might be premature to talk salary. What is most important in the first interview is getting a sense of compatibility between yourself and the company. Dont ask about be nefits unless the interviewer broaches the subject, and never bring up overtime, even to show a willingness to work extra hours. The interviewer will nearly always note that you asked about overtime, and they may doubt your determination to work efficiently during regular work hours. 10. Always Be Honest Dont lie if you were laid off or terminated from a previous job. The truth will likely come out before being hired. If you lie and secure the position despite your dishonesty, your future at the company will be in jeopardy once the truth does come out. Answer with the facts as best you can. Be open and confident, providing valid reasons for any part of your employment history that you are not proud of. If you were laid off, make it clear that your performance did not contribute to the decision and that you can provide references from the company that laid you off. If you were terminated or fired, you can use a softer phrase, such as let go. Stay focused on the skills and suitability for the job presently on the table. References andletters of recommendationare a major help in this part of the process. 11. Have Questions Ready to Ask A job interview is an investigation into your experience, achievements, and compatibility with the company culture. But its also your opportunity to find out if the company is a good fit for you. You can demonstrate your intelligence and communication skills (active listening) by asking thoughtful questions. Examples include What are some of the challenges facing the company?Where do you see the company in five to 10 years?What does success mean to you and to the company?What have previous employees in this position gone on to do?I believe Im a great fit for this company. Is there anything else I can do to dispel any doubts? Heres a list of more questions to ask the hiring manager during a job interview. 12. Follow-Up After the Interview Its a good idea to follow-up on an interview within 24 hours. Email each interviewer or, if you want to make a lasting impression, send a writtenthank-youcard. In the email or letter, thank the interviewer for his or her time, reiterate your interest in the opportunity, and mention one topic from your notes that addresses an area of the interviewers focus. How to Ace the Interview Dont Feel Nervous About Being Nervous.fruchtwein interviewers understand that those they interview are nervous. Employers want to see how you respond under pressure, not how well you act like that pressure doesnt exist.Have a Conversation.Everyone in the room of an interview is a human being. Each of you have desires, needs, and fears. Do your best to relax, listen carefully, and simply engage in the conversation as it is being led by the interviewer(s). The more you do to prepare ahead of time, the better you will be able to relax in the room.Interviews Improve with Practice.For many people, the only way that they do well in interviews is by doing a lot of them. If youre one of those people, the mo re interviews you do, the better.

Salary Negotiation Tips for Employers

Salary Negotiation Tips for EmployersSalary Negotiation Tips for EmployersSalary Negotiation Tips for Employers Hopkinson, author of Salary Tutor Learn the Salary Negotiation Secrets No One Ever Taught YouThe moment of truth has arrived. After weeks of research, networking, perfecting resumes, meeting all the right people, and an intense interview, the topic of compensation is broached. So what were you looking for in terms of salary?The question hangs in the air as your heart beats faster, your mouth goes a little dry the anticipation is palpable. How will this play out? What do I say next?If youre envisioning a 25-year-old job seeker squirming in their just-purchased suit and youre starting to feel bad for them, dont.In the scenario above, its the hiring manager that is the nervous one.Salary Negotiation A Two-Way StreetDuring any interview, common thinking says that all the pressure is on the job candidate after all, they are the ones trying to set themselves apart from the crowd and impress the company enough to get hired.But remember that the interview processis a two-way street. For companies with an important job to fill, extracting the perfect candidate from the legions of uninspiring Im looking for a company that will utilize my interpartieal skills resumes can be a challenge. Once you have that person in your grasp, they pass your rigorous qualifications, and you want to need to get them on motherboard as soon as possible, the final question is asked Can you afford them?Here are 5 salary negotiation tips for employers to consider1.Access the best candidatesStudies have shown that upwards of 80% of jobs are found through networking. So if job seekers are out there expanding their network and tapping into friends of friends, why arent you? You dont even have to do it all yourself. Empower your employees to spread the word that you are looking for amazing new people to join your team, and reward them for quality referrals.2.Dont scare them off Some emp loyers try to screen out candidates before they even know their name. If your job description or application has hazard label warning language such as RESUMES THAT ARE SUBMITTED THAT DO NOT CONTAIN A FULL SALARY HISTORY WILL BE IGNORED, what does that say about your company?3.Give them the tourIn my book Salary Tutor, I instruct candidates to defer premature salary talk by eager HR screeners by saying something such as Ive done my homework in terms of salary, but would really like to know more about the company before we talk details. The key for them is not just saying the words, but believing them.For example, what if they give a low number early, but upon getting a full description of the jobs responsibilities, they find out there is more travel than anticipated, longer working hours, and shrinking budgets. They realize theyd need a lot more compensation to take the job. Conversely, if they say a high number up front, then instantly click with their would-be manager, find out the res a fantastic new project in the pipeline, and realize this is their dream job, they could be screened out for being too expensive.So before pressing candidates for a bottom line number, make sure theyve seen the big picture.4.Do your researchSome employers begin salary talks by asking What are you making at your current job?The problem with this question is, unless you plan on doing an extensive background check, you wont know if the candidate is telling the truth, taking their salary +20%, or picking a number out of hat. Furthermore, if the person is unemployed (zero salary), doing some consulting (where satzs vary dramatically), or changing careers, it can be difficult to compare the past with the present.But most importantly, it doesnt matter what they are making now. The fact is,you are the one offering the job. The assumption here is that youre hiring because you feel an additional employee will bring in more revenue to your company, so you should have a number in mind that makes sure that the return on investment is worth it.Its up to you to do the research and know the market value of the employee you are looking to hire, factoring in years of experience, geographic location, and demand for the position. Fortunately, a host of online resources make it easy to determine a jobs market valuefor bank tellers in Boise or software engineers in Silicon Valley.5.Respect their researchThe way a prospective employee handles salary negotiationshould give you a pretty good indication of their character. Are they too timid to ask for what theyre worth? Do they get frustrated or demanding if your initial offer doesnt align with their thinking?Or, do they calmly and confidently approach this part of the interview like a business transaction? A candidate that has done extensive research on current market rates, shows you supporting documentation for the rate they are asking and ultimately knows their true worth and stands by it sounds like someone I would want on my team.In the end, negotiating a salary can be stressful for all parties involved. But with the right preparation, employers can get their moneys worth when the moment of truth arrives to make a job offer.Author Bio Jim Hopkinson is a marketing director at Conde Nast in New York City, hosts a popular blog and podcast called The Hopkinson Report,and teaches a social media class at NYU. His book, Salary Tutor Learn the Salary Negotiation Secrets No One Ever Taught You is available on Amazon.com. Learn more at SalaryTutor.com.

3 Fresh Tips to Get a Knockout Resume Format for Internships

3 Fresh Tips to Get a Knockout Resume Format for Internships3 Fresh Tips to Get a Knockout Resume Format for Internships

Susan Nathan - The Balance

Susan Nathan - The BalanceSusan Nathan - The Balance

2 snap judgments people make when they first meet you

2 snap judgments people make when they first meet you2 snap judgments people make when they first meet youAmy Cuddy, a psychologist at the Harvard Business School, has been studying first impressions for more than a decade. She and her colleagues found that we make snap judgments about other people that answer two primary questionsCan I trust this person?Can I respect this persons capabilities?According to Cuddys research, 80% to 90% of a first impression is based on these two traits. Subconsciously, you and the people you meet are asking yourselves, Can I trust that this person has good intentions toward me? and Is this person capable?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWe often assume that competence is the fruchtwein important factor, and people have a tendency to play this up when they meet someone however, Cuddys research shows that trust is the most important factor. In order for your competence to matter, people must trust you first. If theres no trust, people actually perceive competence as a negative. As Cuddy said, A warm, trustworthy person who is also strong elicits admiration, but only after youve achieved trust does your strength become a gift rather than a threat.How to Master the Art of the First ImpressionSince it only takes seconds for someone to decide if youre trustworthy and competent, and research shows that first impressions are very difficult to change, the pressure that comes with meeting new people is justifiably intense.If you try to project confidence but havent first established trust, your efforts will backfire. No one wants to end up respected but disliked. As Cuddy said, If someone youre trying to influence doesnt trust you, youre not going to get very far in fact, you might even elicit suspicion, because you come across as manipulative.Once you recognize the importance of trustworthiness over competence, you can take control of the first impressions you make. Here are some tips to help you make that happen the next time you meet someone newLet the person youre meeting speak firstLet them take the lead in the conversation, and you can always ask good questions to help this along. Taking the floor right away shows dominance, and that wont help you build trust. Trust and warmth are created when people feel understood, and they need to be doing a lot of sharing for that to happen.Use positive body languageBecoming cognizant of your gestures, expressions, and tone of voice and making certain theyre positive will draw people to you like ants to a picnic. Using an enthusiastic tone, uncrossing your arms, maintaining eye contact, and leaning towards the speaker are all forms of positive body language, which can make all the difference.Put away your phoneIts impossible to build trust and monitor your phone at the same time. notlagehing turns people off like a mid-conversation text katechese or even a quick glance at your phone. When you commit to a conversation, focus all your energy on the conversation. You will find that conversations are more enjoyable and effective when you immerse yourself in them.Make time for small talkIt might sound trivial, but research shows that starting meetings with just five minutes of small talk gets better results. Many trust builders, such as small talk, can seem a waste of time to people who dont understand their purpose.Practice active listeningActive listening means concentrating on what the other person is saying, rather than planning what youre going to say next. Asking insightful questions is a great way to illustrate that youre really paying attention. If youre not checking for understanding or asking a probing question, you shouldnt be talking. Not only does thinking about what youre going to say next take your attention away from the speaker, hijacking the conversation shows that you think you have something more important to say. This means that yo u shouldnt jump in with solutions to the speakers problems. Its human nature to want to help people, but what a lot of us dont realize is that when we jump in with advice or a solution, were shutting the other person down and destroying trust. Its essentially a more socially acceptable way of saying, Okay, Ive got it. You can stop now The effect is the same.Do your homeworkPeople love it when you know things about them that they didnt have to share. Not creepy stuff, but simple facts that you took the time to learn from their LinkedIn page or company website. While this may not work for chance encounters, its crucial when a first meeting is planned ahead of time, such as a job interview or a consultation with a potential client. Find out as much as you can about all the people youre meeting, their company, their companys primary challenges, and so on. This demonstrates competence and trustworthiness by highlighting your initiative and responsibility.Bringing It All TogetherIts the l ittle things that make a first impression a good one, and the importance of establishing trust cannot be overstated. Now if someone would just tell this to the politiciansWhat do you do to convey trustworthiness to the people you meet? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below, as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.This article first appeared on LinkedIn.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Who Else Wants to Learn About When You Lie on Your Resume Meme?

Who Else Wants to Learn About When You Lie on Your Resume Meme? You may naively think they have your welfare at heart. Unfortunately, at times the truth is boring. The sorry reality is that several men and women will just never bother to return to you. Not one of that matters in any respect. You might not be in a position to answer questions regarding the skill in question. Monsters experts will be able to help you make the best of what you have regarding skills and experiencewithout bending the reality. In truth, it is excellent practice. Theres no mystery regarding how this came to be. Facts, Fiction and when You Lie on Your Resume Meme Individuals will take a single look at your application and laugh you from the building. Speak to them about your very best experiences. So basically, youre offering something more than that which the position actually requires. That is, for instance, youve got a continuing distance course that youve undertaken. Again in another instance , you wouldnt need to attempt to find a job as a front end developer when youve limited knowledge on HTML and CSS. All jobs have elements in common and sometimes it simply wants a creative approach to discover the hyperlink. If you are in possession of a criminal record, make peace with the simple fact your employer is going to learn about it. Always be free to take advice from others but you want to understand the correct way to request career advice. There are many explanations as to why you may be searching for a career shift at this moment. Make no mistakes, the work market is a tough place to be for a complete group of factors. But that doesnt seem to stop some people from telling a few whoppers since they make an effort to weasel their way to work. For some reason, these individuals appear to think that receiving a job is easy. The fact of the matter is that job interviewers are not searching for people who have a wicked sense of style. That usually means they will tr y to find the most fundamental person out there. If youre going to lie on your CV, making yourself quickly necessary to the operation is just about the perfect way to make certain you dont get shown the door immediately. But should you encounter one that does, it is going to sink you when youre being untruthful. Sure, it might not be your dream position, but nevertheless, it will pay the bills. Because it feels like itll be quite some time prior to getting a paid position, youve got to settle for something different. Then, after you have the chance, amass the abilities and accomplishments you need on the job so that you wont need to stretch the truth next moment. Develop your skills on the way you would speak in an interview. In other words, embellishing your skill sets a small bit, including the most suitable jobs and focusing on associated job experiences. You have all of the necessary skills except for one. Giving into the desire to lie when applying for employment is risk y though. When you would like to change the domain of your work, find strategies to do the type of work you would like to do at your present job so that you can claim it as experience on your resume. Trying to locate a job is essentially a full-time gig in itself. Part of the issue is awful recruiting. This question is directed at finding out your career targets and if you like the line of work, which might indicate a long-lasting and productive career at the business. Many people have completed the very same thing at work, although we arent cops. Whats even worse is how everyone treats you once youre searching for a job. Keeping track of all of the lies youve told is a tough and complicated organization, and lots of companies run annual background checks on you.

The New Job Hunt #INFOGRAPHIC - Spark Hire

The New Job Hunt INFOGRAPHIC - Spark HireThe job search has morphed into something very different than what it was five, even three, years ago. The job market was in the gutter for so long, and is mucksmuschenstill trying to get itself out, but things are looking up slightly. Those currently holding a job are actively seeking out better ones. In fact, an infographic from Visual.ly states that 7 out of 10 workers search for new opportunities on a routine basis. Remember the passive job seekers you try to target? Apparently that concept is becoming obsolete.Employee retention has never been more important 69 percent of workers say that searching for a new position is part of their regular routine and 35 percent are preparing for their next job within weeks of starting a new one. On top of that, the generational differences between job seekers also changes the job search up. 83 percent of Millennials are willing to relocate for a new position while only 58 percent of Baby Boomers are wi lling to do the same. This is likely due to Baby Boomers already being rooted with a family in a particular location while Millennials are still young and starting their career. Take a look at the infographic below to see how the job search has changed over the years and how you can change your hiring process to snag top talent.

The Troops-To-Teachers Program for Military Personnel

The Troops-To-Teachers Program for Military PersonnelThe Troops-To-Teachers Program for Military PersonnelSince 1993, mora than 20,000 military veterans have made their way to the classroom as teachers for their follow on career after military tafelgeschirr. According to the Department of Defense program and Defense Activities for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES), military members with 4 year college degrees can become teachers in the school systems and teach kindergarten through 12th grade. The program is known of the Troop To Teachers Program (TTT). See official website ProudtoServeAgain.com. Military members with a baccalaureate degree or higher are eligible to begin the teaching certification process to become an academic subject teacher. However, many tafelgeschirr members may already qualify to become a vocational/technical teacher. Military members only need the equivalent of one year of college courses and six years of experience in a vocational or technical field to begin the certification process. To complete the process, individuals can use an Alternative Certification Program (ACP) or University Teacher Preparation Program. Military Members within the European theater may benefit from an ACP, since this method offers online courses to obtain the teaching certification. Even better, there is no cost to participate in the program for the military member. This is free on the job training. The TTT program provides counseling, referrals, and job assistance to all current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who want to transition to a teaching career. Military members from all of the armed forces can use tuition assistance for their teaching certification while on active duty. Members may also be eligible for financial assistance for teacher certification expenses - a $5,000 stipend or up to $10,000 bonus based on eligibility. A commitment to teaching for three years in a high-need school district or at a high school with a high percen tage of low-income families is part of the obligation for receiving some forms of financial aid. The Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) are authorized by statute which permits the Secretary of Defense to make grants to states in order to support efforts of recruiting eligible current and former members of the military for the Troops to Teachers program. This helps to facilitate the employment of participants as K-12 teachers, and career or technical teachers in Vocational Schools. Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 grants help the states selected provide services for a term of up to 5 years through May 2023. There are 31 state TTT offices nationwide that offer placement assistance for the more than 50 states and territories participating in the program. Offices can assist military members with state certification requirements. Service members can take advantage of the TTT Web site to correspond with representatives and receive alternative certification information. Its important to focus on where you want to teach, to start checking what your states requirements are. Teacher certification is done state-to-state, not nationally. But some states will recognize another states certification, said John Gantz, director of the TTT program. The program began in 1993 during the military downsizing of the early 90s as transition assistance towards a teaching career.The military members who have become teachers have established a good reputation for the program with school administrators and principals. School systems are finding former military members to be very valuable assets. They bring leadership skills, a concern for their students (similar to their troops) and a lot of experience to the classroom, said Gantz. Schools are also seeing a higher retention rate from former military members than teachers who just finished college. The cultural diversity of the military is proving an added bonus, as the pro gram is providing individuals from a variety of backgrounds. Schools are looking for a stronger presence of male and minority teachers at the elementary level. A lot of kids are being raised by one parent, and schools are looking for positive role models to help fill that void, added Gantz. Teaching positions are available at the elementary, middle and high school levels in suburban, small towns, rural and inner-city areas. There is a higher demand for math, science and special education teachers. Positions for other subjects are obtainable, but applicants may need to be more flexible with location. Vision of the Troop To Teachers Program Every service member interested in a career in teaching will receive assistance to transition his or her leadership, training, and core values to teaching in kindergarten through grade twelve schools. Mission of the Troop To Teachers Program Assist transitioning Service members with meeting the requirements necessary to become teachers Assist prog ram participants with finding employment as a teacher when eligible Goals of the Troop To Teachers Program Reduce veteran unemployment Improve American education by providing motivated, experienced, and dedicated personnel for the nations classrooms Increase the number of male and minority teachers in todays classrooms Address teacher shortage issues in K-12 schools that serve low-income families and in the critical subjects - math, science, special education, foreign language, and career-technical education. Military Members can consult their TTT representative on job availabilities, or check the Department of Education Web site at www.teachers-teachers.com. The Web site lists teaching vacancies for each state. Service members interested in the Troops to Teachers program can get more information from their state TTT office, stateside DSN 312-922-1241 or on-line at www.ProudToServeAgain.com.

How to Write the First Paragraph of Your Cover Letter

How to Write the First Paragraph of Your Cover LetterHow to Write the First Paragraph of Your Cover LetterYour titelseite letter is one of the first things that employers see when you apply for a new job. They use the content found in that letter with a copy of your resume to determine if you are worth a call back. A strong cover letter that highlights the top skills you have and shows how your experience can help you with the job at hand is the key to getting an interview from a company. Though you may have a hard time identifying your key skills and putting those skills together in a cover letter, you can use online cover letter examples to see how you can grab the attention of employers.Writing Your Cover Letter A good cover letter starts with your personenname, address, email address, and phone number listed on the top. Include the name and address of the employer just beneath your contact information. You can then use a simple dear hiring manager to start the letter, though its often helpful to check the companys website and find the name of the hiring manager or the person in charge of interviewing employees. Sign the cover letter with your full name or the full name you used when applying for the position.The First Paragraph The first paragraph of your cover letter is the most important. It is what hooks the reader and makes a hiring manager want to learn more about you. Some of the things you should address in that first paragraph includewhere you first heard about the job openingyour current positionif you are currently in school and what level you are at, i.e. graduate school or collegewhat you study/studied in schoolany personal connections you have to the jobMaking Your Cover Letter Count Have you ever had a song stuck in your head for hours? With the right opening, you can make your cover letter stick in the minds of potential employers in the same way. Keep the first paragraph of your cover letter short, succinct, and to the point. Give employers a broad view of you as a person, including where you go to school or attended school, how you heard about the job opening, and why you decided to apply. Our cover letter builder can help you craft the perfect first paragraph and a great cover letter. Related Articles Is it Better to Apply for a Job Online or In Person?Is There Such a Thing as Workplace Privacy?Job References Adding to Your Resume

Power Electronics Isnt Just Electrical

Power Electronics Isnt Just Electrical Power Electronics Isnt Just Electrical As the world moves toward more renewable and sustainable energy solutions and smaller electronic devices, the demands of power electronics, once very much the core of the electrical engineering discipline, are requiring a combination of mechanical and electrical engineering skills.Many high-power devices need to be lightweight and more compact and some also must be able to operate in an unforgiving environment, in the rain or on salt-sprayed roads, and even while on the move.Vibration shock is another challenge to be met.These are mechanical engineering challenges, says Joe Sarokhan, a mechanical and aerospace engineer by academic training but whose title now is senior electrical engineer at Ocean Power Technologies, Pennington, NJ, a company at the forefront of creating energy from powerful waves of the ocean.The main obstacle to making electronics smaller is the heat buildup, Sarokhan says. If you can fig ure out a way of getting the heat out efficiently, twice as effectively, then you can make the device half the size, he says, adding that heat is always a factor, whether in electric vehicles or wind and solar systems.According to Sarokhan, cooling and air flow analysis are things that electrical engineers dont typically do. If mechanical engineers have some electrical background, they can pick up the power skills within a year.Understanding Power SystemsBeing able to convert power more efficiently is a major driver, says Sarokhan.Even traditional vehicles, which used to require mainly mechanical disciplines, are moving from hydraulically driven systems to electric power, so knowledge of both is required.Sarokhan considered a college major in electrical engineering but decided on mechanical (and aerospace engineering with a certificate in robotics) at Princeton University because he felt mechanical engineering would give him a better overall background and knowledge of general engin eering principles. Power engineering wasnt even part of his consideration even though his grandfather worked in the field after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II. Back then, electrical engineers had to have an understanding of high power lines because many jobs involved transformers and transmission lines as the infrastructure of this country was being put into place, and that was typically part of an electrical engineering education, Sarokhan said.But over time, electrical engineering evolved to focus more on digital circuits, microprocessors, and other aspects of computer science and less on high power systems. And power engineering wasnt considered such an exciting career path any more so fell out of favor as a field of study.But a combination of factors put Sarokhan in the midst of it in areas he never imagined. Upon graduation a decade ago when his first choice of an industry, aerospace, wasnt doing much hiring, he went to work as a project development engineer for a com pany making scanning electron microscopes and miniature equipment.The electrical and mechanical integration was very tight, he says.There he learned a lot about the cooling and shielding requirements of sensors of the electronics. After several years, he joined Princeton Power Electronics, which made solar inverters and military motor drives that required an understanding of high power. I picked up more experience in how to make electronics survive in a high impact environment, he says. Thats when he realized how important knowledge of both disciplines is. And now he sees the whole power engineering field starting to come back.Mechanical FocusIve had to hire people in this field and there arent many at all, Sarokhan says. I found that electrical engineers dont have experience with high power mechanics devices, transformers, and conductors, and it was actually easier to hire a mechanical engineer and train them to become electronics engineers because packaging the high power devices is more of a mechanical issue than electrical.In an article, Career Focus Power Engineering, in IEEE-USA Todays Engineer Online, Dr. Nada Marie Anid, dean of the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences at the New York Institute of Technology, said the nature of the work of a power engineer will not be the same from now on, and new skills will be required, skills that Sarokhan acquired in his early jobs.Now, he is putting those skills to work in a device capturing the energy of ocean waves. We are trying to put hundreds of kilowatts of electronics on a 260-ton buoy floating at sea and deal with all the operation and shock issues as well as create long-time reliability and optimization so that everything lasts for many years.Converting wave energy into electricity is still in the early developmental stages. Its a very tough mechanical and electrical engineering challenge to get electronics to work in that environment, says Sarokhan.Nancy Giges is an independent writer.Packaging t he high power devices is more of a mechanical issue than electrical.Joe Sarokhan, senior electrical engineer, Ocean Power Technologies