Greater Milwaukee Jobs

2 GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS • November 13, 2014 we hire you?" Here's a simple way to prepare. Take a sheet of paper and fold it in half vertical- ly. On one side list all the specif- ic technical qualities that you possess. Look at the job descrip- tion and consider each skill that is mentioned. For example, if the job description mentions soft- ware skills that are required and you have those skills, go ahead and list them. In the other column, list the personal qualities that you bring to the job. These could be things like punctuality, reliability, enthusiasm, work ethic, professionalism, etc. Again, take another look at the job description and anticipate what qualities that hiring manager would be looking for. Here is your chance to sell yourself. Don't be afraid to let them know what a great addition you'll be to their company. 3. "What is your greatest weakness?" "How have you over- come it?" You have two good choices here. You can either choose a weakness that is really a strength to an employer (you become so engrossed in your work that you find it hard to take a break until the project is com- pleted), or choose something that you had to master at the begin- ning of your career that would be an expected learning curve for any entry-level recent college grad (you didn't really grasp project management in your first job and you had to make a delib- erate effort to learn about time lines and time management). If you choose the second example, make sure that you stress how your performance increased once you mastered the missing skill. 4. "What do you know about our company?" "How did you hear about us?" Or, "Why do you want to work for us?" These are all variations on the same theme. The real question is: Did you do your homework? Any interviewer w i l l ex p e c t t h a t y o u h ave researched the company. That means that you should know their website inside and out. Have you Googled the company? Have you read any recent articles about them? If the only information you have to offer is what any person off the street who isn't applying for the position knows, it shows that you don't care enough and you're not very thorough. 5. "What would your past employer tell me about you?" Again, tread carefully. Do not under any circumstances say anything negative about any past employer. Settle on a few of your strongest qualities and concen- trate on those that reflect your strong work ethic and profes- sionalism. Here is another per- fect opportunity to sell yourself, but once again, be careful not to ramble. O n c e y o u 'v e d o n e y o u r research, practiced answers to commonly asked questions and become comfortable with the idea of selling yourself, remem- ber to smile. In most interview situations, the candidate who appears to be relaxed, confident (not arrogant) and enthusiastic usually has the best chance of being hired. In office turf battles, look for shared ground By Liz Reyer Star Tribune (Minneapolis) & A Q A. Find a balance between communicating and standing your ground. THE INNER GAME If he's getting under your skin, take some time to get your reactions under control. Frus- tration, resentment, anger – none of these will serve you well. Focus, breathe and let your emotions settle. Then consider his perspec- tives.What may he be worrying about? It doesn't matter if you agree or not. The important thing is to deepen your under- standing so that you address his worries with empathy. Putting this behavior in a broader context, think about what you've noticed in his interactions with others, in par- ticular about power dynamics. It's quite a different matter if the "turfiness" is more pro- nounced just with you than if it's his general style. What other resources do you have to manage the situation? If you report to the same manag- er, consider whether you need additional support, and if your manager would be likely to pro- vide it. Finally, clarify in your own mind how big an issue this is and how far you're willing to go to address it. Is it a big enough problem that it's a "him or me" if it doesn't change? If so, you may want to be considering a potential exit strategy. If it's more of an annoyance, focus on approaches that make your life easier. THE OUTER GAME Communication will be at the heart of your approach. You'll get the best results by planning the timing and content. First of all, don't address the issue in the heat of the moment. That'll only cause emotions to flare and could easily make things worse. Instead, set up time for coffee in a "touch base" meeting. He may well ask about the agenda; in that case, you might say some- thing general about being able to work together effectively. Go into the conversation assuming the best of his inten- tions. He may well just not have a clear view of your role, so dis- cussion about your respective roles and responsibilities may be all it takes. Even if you've tried this already, it'll be a neu- tral way to begin your meeting. What if he is defensive or resistant to talking about this? In that case, talk directly about what you're observing – "It looks like this is bothering you." – to give him an opening to lay out his point of view. Stay open to hearing whatever he has to say – don't argue, just clarify as much as you can. E s t a b l i s h s o m e mu t u a l ly agreed upon ground rules for working with joint clients. You may need help from a third party if you're having trouble finding common ground. And remember to keep perspec- tive so that any stress it causes doesn't carry over into other aspects of your job or personal life. THE LAST WORD Focus on building a shared point of view to reduce turf battles at work. Q. One of my co-workers is territorial and has a hard time if I talk to our mutual clients without him. Our roles are different so it makes sense to have independent conversations. How can I get through to him that I'm not cutting him out? A publication of Conley Media Distributed by: Conley Distribution 262-513-2646 ©2004 by Conley Media, LLC Waukesha County Independent and Locally Owned GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS is published weekly by Conley Media – Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS assumes no liability for any error in copy or content. It is the advertiser's responsibility to be aware of the laws pertaining to employment advertising. Subscriptions are available for $34 (non-refundable) for a 6-month subscription. Call 262-306-5035 for information. Call Center Director: Cindy Shaske 262-306-5016 cshaske@conleynet.com Account Executive: Jeanne Bonlender 262-306-5035 jbonlender@conleynet.com Story Coordinator: Dwayne Butler 262-513-2626 dbutler@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262-513-2690 GREATERmilwaukeeJOBS Volume 17 • Number 10 November 13, 2014 To place an ad: Call us at 262-306-5035 or fax us at 262-542-6082 deadline: Noon on Wednesdays job interview . . . from page 1 Unemployment rates may still be high and the opportunities out there in specific careers might be waning, but there is one job sector that may be promising – healthcare. Statistics from the U.S. Depart- ment of Labor indicate that 3.2 million jobs will be created by 2018 in the healthcare industry. Other forecasters say that with an aging population who will pro- vide the demand for healthcare workers, jobs in the health sector make sense as a stable career option. Plus there are more opportunities for hire. But what healthcare jobs are out there for those who don't currently have a medical degree nor the time to devote to a long education or much additional schooling? As it turns out, plenty. • Dental assistant: This career is one of the fastest-growing careers in healthcare, according to industry experts. While formal schooling may not be needed and some dentists train on-site, there's better opportunity for those who have completed a training program. Some dental assistant diploma or certificate programs can be completed in as little as a year. The median expected salary for a typical dental assistant in the United States is $32,969. • Registered nurse: Nurses are often the unsung heroes of the healthcare industry. Though doc- tors may get all the glory, it's often nurses who provide the much-needed, behind-the-scenes care that complements a doctor's expertise. Applicants can consid- er earning a 2-year associates degree in nursing to get started in the field and then continue their education and certification as they advance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a registered nurse in the United States is $67,720. Explore healthcare careers now see HEALTHCARE . . . page 6

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