The MicroTrain Blog

Hump Day Hunting Help: March 23, 2011

by Kassandra McGhee on March 23rd, 2011

Tip of the Week: Before You Apply For That Job!

I am almost certain we have all been asked, “So what do you want to be when you grow up?”  Now throughout your life your answer may have changed a hundred times or maybe not, but the question is still relevant.  What do you desire to do for a career and more importantly why?  Ask yourself some key questions:

  • Do I like this career?
  • Are jobs available?
  • Are salaries adequate?
  • Do advancement opportunities exist?

Long-term job satisfaction is typically found when you engage in tasks that coincide with both your skills and your interests.  And these 2 areas should help serve as guides along your career plan.  Remember, employers are looking for employees that will love what they are doing, thus willing to commit to a long tenure with the company!  So doing some homework to identify the right type of job for you is the proper place to start!   

Are You Afraid of Interviewing?

by Linda M Foy on March 21st, 2011

“People always fear change … You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so … Fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind.”  Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it … Inaction breeds doubt and fear.  Action breeds confidence and courage." – Dale Carnegie.

This article, http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/an-interview-with-your-favorite-person-yourself.html, suggests it may be time to become a subject matter expert on your favorite person … you! Yes, time to thoroughly interview yourself! We talk to ourselves all the time but rarely ask ourselves serious insightful questions to know our true selves. So, choose a quiet place to be alone and without interruption. Relax, talk out loud, in a mirror, be honest, be yourself and take notes. 

Using this method can be very enlightening. It challenges those things that may block productivity. This type of preparation can also calm fear and anxiety by bringing suppressed procrastinations and dreaded activities to the surface to be recognized and resolved. Simply giving acknowledgement could be all that's needed. “Know thyself” – Kassandra McGhee.  

Look at this process as another way to practice how well prepared you are to sell yourself honestly and professionally.  Also how well you research target companies.  Make sure you include questions to demonstrate your worth and connection to company ambitions. 

When you find that you know yourself quite well, you ARE your subject matter expert! You know the value of research and practice.  And you certainly understand that knowledge, action, truth and preparation conquer fear.  YOU are confident and hold the keys to your success.  CONGRATULATIONS!

“The thing you fear most has no power. Your fear of it is what has the power. Facing the truth really will set you free” – Oprah Winfrey. 

Raves & Praise

Karine Bucci

Project Management

Great class, loved the interaction and team-building exercises. Plenty of materials and learning tools supplied. Although it was a full week's class, never boring. Donna [Russell] was awesome and gave many supporting examples for better understanding.

Jennie

Student Employment Success - Project/Process Manager

My Career Services Manager was very friendly and helpful and had excellent follow-up. She seemed to really care how things were going and kept me moving in the right direction. The resources available in job search were great and the visibility that there were jobs out there looking for my skillset was promising. Additionally, the training, as well as having an updated resume stating the Microtrain course work I had taken made me feel more confident and marketable as I looked for employment. It showed that I was dedicated and took project management and process management seriously.

David

A Cisco Success Story

I attended a resume writing seminar & conducted mock phone interviews with a Microtrain career counselor. These two activities gave me a leg up on distinguishing myself from all the other people looking for work. Since the career counselor's at Microtrain had a track record of getting people hired, their insight and positive past experiences helped me tremendously in getting hired with a Cisco Voice Systems Integrator in the Chicago area. I was hired as a Cisco Voice Tech Engineer with a starting salary of $65,000 / year with a Cisco voice systems reseller located in the Chicagoland area. Microtrain was very instramental in making this a reality. From expediting my WIA grant, to providing excellent hands-on training from knowledgable instructors I was able to achieve becoming certified with my CCNP. Microtrain's career services was the final catalyst in connecting me with this company by communicating with them on my behalf and with me in setting up the interview. One week later and I was hired. No joke. Thanks Microtrain!

Kaycee Ekufu

MCSA

The instructor [Al Khalfan] was very knowledgeable in the field. He presented the materials and concepts with a professional touch. He also frequently adds humor to his teachings, which made it easier for me to understand. The support staff was all nice, gentle, caring, and very helpful. The materials, rooms and amenities were excellent and exceeded expected standards.

Christopher Fowler

MCSA

Very thorough, good mix of lecture and lab work. Al is great! Keeps classes interesting and supplements required test material with need-to-know items from real world experience.

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