What do we do when we meet someone new? We shake hands. In the American culture of the professional world, handshakes are how we greet each other at the start of interviews, meetings, conferences, and networking events. When closing a deal, we “shake on it.”
In the COVID-19 pandemic world, the CDC guidelines recommend that we avoid close contact with others to prevent the spread of the virus. We are able to swap out appointments and meetings with Zoom or other virtual formats. We have options for “contactless” food pick up or delivery.
So what are our alternatives for a handshake-free future? You may consider a little wave or elbow bump. Perhaps a polite nod or a small bow. Making deliberate eye contact while addressing the person you are meeting can make a connection. There will be a lot of different approaches as we get back to the face-to-face world.
How do you know the best way to greet someone? Ask them! Follow their lead and make it work with what you are comfortable with in that situation. Learning how to interact with others is key to personal and professional success. Working through this new way of doing business will show your willingness to learn and adapt – great qualities we can all agree on.
Want to learn more? Contact a Careers Instructor today. Yes, we can meet with you virtually!
Picking a program can be as simple as A, B, C. Steve Maraboli is quoted as saying “Life is simple, it’s just not easy”. The same can be said of deciding on a career path. You put a lot of thought into it. You asked a parent, best buddy, relative, and maybe even the family dog – “what career should I chose?” But. . . how do you really know which career is right for you? The MPTC Careers Instructors are here to help you find an answer to that questions. Just follow your A, B, C’s. . .
Assess.
Take career assessments to figure out who you really are. What do you like? What are you good at? What is truly important to you? What problems of the world would you like to solve? What are your natural gifts? Answers to these questions can get you on the road to identifying and utilizing your true gifts. We all have unique gifts. Take the time find out what they are. A great investment in YOU.
Brainstorm careers.
Once you have an idea of “who you are”, now it’s time to brainstorm career options. What careers are out there in the world anyway? Unprecedented times will bring unprecedented opportunities.
Clarify fit.
Now that you know what’s out there, it’s time to clarify what fit’s YOU. Is salary important to you? How about location? Are you looking for a career with short training requirements? Whatever your “hot points”, clarify before jumping into a career. It could save you the frustration of a never-ending cycle of unsatisfying jobs.
If you are interested in checking out career opportunities that might be out there for YOU, contact one of the MPTC Careers Instructors. We would be happy to walk this journey with you. It’s as simple as A, B, C.
With a shift of more Americans working remotely during COVID-19, companies are using virtual platforms to interview job candidates. Want to get prepared for a virtual interview? Contact a Careers Instructor today!
Moraine Park’s Career Centers have virtual interviewing practice available using InterviewStream software. InterviewStream mock interviews provide students with knowledge and confidence to excel at job interviews in a virtual setting. This format provides flexibility to practice interviewing anytime and anywhere. Interview preparation helps students perfect their pitch to employers.
InterviewStream
Here are some useful tips to increase your virtual interviewing success (adapted from InterviewStream Best Practices)
Create a Video-Friendly Environment
It is important to have everything in place before you begin. You want to limit distractions so the focus is on you, not what’s in your background. Follow these simple guidelines below to create the ideal background environment:
Position your webcam at eye-level.
Adjust your lighting for high-quality video,
Turn on any available lights in the room and check to make sure there is no glare on your monitor. Never use your monitor as your light source.
Be mindful of your background.
Position yourself in front of a wall with neutral colors; avoid patterns, wallpaper, and mirrors.
Be sure your recording area is clean and organized. A tidy workspace conveys professionalism and organization to your potential employer.
Turn off all appliances or devices that may create ambient noise or disrupt your interview.
Make your recording space quiet and comfortable.
Eliminate all possible distractions and interruptions – turn off your cell phone and if you’re at home, make sure people in the house know you are taking an interview.
2. Prepare for your Interview
Mental preparation for your interview is just as important as the physical setup. You should prepare for your pre-recorded video interview with the same tenacity and focus as if you were walking into your potential employer’s office.
Practice, Practice, Practice – before you even turn your webcam on, try practicing by looking into the camera as if you were having a conversation with someone sitting in front of you.
In a traditional interview, eye contact is of the utmost importance, so make sure you look directly into the camera to answer the questions posed to you.
Do not look at the computer screen when answering questions – this places your line of sight below the webcam and you will appear to be looking down from the interviewer’s point of view.
It may seem awkward at first, but the more you rehearse looking at the webcam and not the person on the screen, the more comfortable you will feel during your interview.
Research the organization and be prepared to answer company-specific questions.
Familiarize yourself with the company’s mission statement, history, product and service offerings, management, and information about the company culture.
Polish your answers – nothing destroys your credibility faster than a constant stream of filler words such as “um”, “like”, and “you know”.
Dress for success; communicate professionalism with your attire.
Men: Navy, black, or dark pants, long sleeve dress shirt, conservative tie, professional, clean-cut hairstyle, clean-shaven.
Women: Navy, black, or dark grey pants or skirt, coordinated blouse, limited jewelry, professional hairstyle, and light make-up.
In general, you should look as if you put considerable time and effort into your personal appearance. Your clothing should be a complement, not a distraction.
3. Complete the Interview
The most important step in this process is answering the pre-recorded interview questions. Our video interviewing experts have provided some suggestions below:
Speak clearly and enunciate.
You don’t want your brilliant answers to be lost because you were mumbling.
Practice answering questions and time yourself to make sure you are answering effectively in the allotted time.
Listen to each question, contemplate your response, and answer concisely.
Make sure you answer the question being asked.
If you are given the opportunity to retry your answer, attempt to nail down your response sooner rather than later. We have found that more tries may begin to dilute a clear message, so your first or second answer will likely be your best.
Take a deep breath, relax, and let your personality shine through.
At the end of the day, employers hire human beings, not just the name at the top of a resume.
Smile and have fun – remember, if you are adequately prepared, you will be successful.
4. Contact a Moraine Park Technical College Careers Instructor for additional practice and feedback!
Careers Instructors are available to support you remotely.Take advantage of online resources through Canvas, Zoom and/or phone appointments.
We are here to help and can provide guidance specific to your goals. With the uncertain economic state, it is important that you use this time to maximize your career readiness and make yourself as marketable as possible.
In this strange and uncertain situation, you might find yourself with less structure to your days and more adjustment for life at home. During these times, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Instead, see this as an opportunity to improve yourself and make progress toward your career goals. Here are six ways you can make the most of this time and maximize your career development:
1. Update your resume. It is essential that you make your resume the best it can be—and now is a great time to do it. Identify your personal brand and strongest selling points. Highlight your unique accomplishments and transferrable skills. Optimize your resume with keywords and customize it each time you apply to a different position.
2. Create a professional online presence. Many employers check a candidate’s online presence to learn more about them. This may be even more prevalent in the COVID-19 climate with employers having limited access to candidates in person. Google yourself and clean up any inappropriate or questionable content. Create a LinkedIn profile, if you don’t already have one.
3. Build new skills. In today’s digital age, it’s possible to learn almost anything through the internet. Use your time at home to build new skills. Learn a new technical skill. Read a book or listen to a podcast related to your industry. Join a professional organization. This is your chance to take advantage of your time.
4. Practice virtual interviewing. In response to COVID-19, many companies have changed recruiting strategies to reduce/eliminate in-person interactions. For job seekers, this means virtual interviews—so be prepared to take your next interview digitally. Choose an at-home interview space and check your technology. Reach out to the MPTC Careers Instructors to set up a practice virtual mock interview.
5. Cultivate your professional network. Social distancing doesn’t mean that you have to put networking on hold. Use email or LinkedIn to reach out to professionals in industries and positions of interest. Embrace the sense of community. Participate in an online forum or join in a chat during a webinar. COVID-19 is a shared global experience. This is your chance to check in with the people you know and re-establish old connections.
6. Get help from the MPTC Careers Instructors. You don’t have to do this alone! Although not physically on campus, Careers Instructors are available to support you remotely. Take advantage of online resources through Canvas, Zoom and/or phone appointments. We are here to help and can provide guidance specific to your goals. With the uncertain economic state, it is important that you use this time to maximize your career readiness and make yourself as marketable as possible.
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