The 6 Success Factors for a New Job

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Congratulations on getting the job! Although you have passed through enough hurdles already – from having an eye-catching application to mastering pre-interview and interview etiquette –landing the job doesn’t mean your efforts should stop. In fact, the first few months at a new job are oftentimes a trial period to ensure the company has hired the right person. Even though everyone’s workplace is different, we all face the same challenges when we start a new job. Become a rockstar in your new position with these success tips!

  • Accept the “Newbie” status (and the grunt work that comes along with it). Chances are when you start a new job you’ll be asked to do some grunt work before you have any real responsibility. Showing good work ethic no matter what the task is you are assigned to do is what will set you apart from others. This means no complaining or disagreeing.
  • Ask questions. Managers like when you ask questions as it shows you are taking your new role seriously. Your manager wants to see you do your job correctly (they did hire you after all!), and the best way to make sure that happens is to ask questions. Be sure to actively listen and restate what your manager answers back to avoid miscommunication.
  • Take initiative. Asking questions when you need to and wanting to learn are great qualities to posses, but so is taking initiative. If you see an area that is lacking or something that needs to be done – like napkins that need to be folded or silverware that needs to be put away –doing it rather than asking permission will show you take initiative, which is another excellent quality to have.
  • Go above and beyond. Have you heard the term, “The more you put in, the more you get out?” Well this is especially true of any job you hold. Oftentimes, it’s not the person who does only their job that gets promoted – it’s the person who goes above and beyond what their role is. This means that even if a certain task is not in your job description, you do it — especially if your manager asks.
  • Keep organized and never miss a deadline. Being on time, getting your work done, and keeping yourself organized are important factors when starting a new job. Don’t come in late and make sure you always complete your tasks before you leave for the day.
  • Break time and time off etiquette. Although companies are required to give their employees breaks and lunches, asking when your next break will be does not leave a good impression. Your employer will believe you just see the job as a paycheck – not one that you enjoy doing. The same goes for time-off requests. If you already have a vacation planned before you accept your new position, be sure to let your new manager know as soon as possible (when you accept the position is the best time). Otherwise, wait until your 90-day trial period is over until you start asking for time off.

Do you have any success tips or advice to share? We’d love to hear from you! Post your comment below.

Knock Em’ Dead: Phone Interview Etiquette

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Congratulations! Landing a phone interview means you most likely have the necessary skills and requirements for the job. Your mission during a phone interview is to explain more about your skills to earn an in-person meeting — and to ultimately land the job. Companies usually conduct phone interviews because they don’t have enough resources to manage in-person interviews with every qualified applicant. It is a screening technique that saves the company time, which is why companies refer to them as “phone screens.”

Your mission during a phone interview is to earn an in-person meeting, and to ultimately land the job. Preparing is similar to that of an in-person interview, except you will want to keep these pointers in mind:

Set up in a quiet area, one that is in a controlled environment with no background noise and outside influence. Keep your area pet free, as these noises can be distracting. It is best to use a landline during your call, but if you need to use your mobile be sure the battery is charged, you have good reception, and the volume is turned up.

Dress up just as you would to an in-person interview. Dressing up and sitting in an upright position will put you in the right mindset and keep you focused. Trust us, dressing in pajamas slouched in bed or on the couch will only knock you off your focus — and translate through to your voice!

Print out your ZippyApp application and have it in front of you during your call. The interviewer will most likely ask about the details you included on your application, like your past work experience and skills. You will want to have a copy so you don’t get caught off guard or stumble on a question. It is also good to have one just in case your Internet connection crashes.

Prepare yourself by researching the company and the job description just like you would for an in-person interview. We discussed this in detail in last week’s Blog.

Check your body language. Even though the interviewer won’t be able to see you, your body language can be reflective in your enthusiasm and excitement during your call. Be sure to smile, as it will bring energy and excitement to your voice. Sit up in an upright position and stay in one place – don’t move around and pace from room-to-room.

Don’t mention pay or benefits just yet. In fact, leave that conversation time and place up to the interviewer. Even though these are important factors, you don’t want to come across like these are the only things you are interested in.

Follow up with a thank-you email to the interviewer after an hour or two. Following up so soon after is perfectly OK, since the phone interview process is shorter (you usually want to wait a day or two after an in-person meet up to follow up). If you don’t already have it, be sure to ask the interviewer for their email address before you hang up.

Be Ready for out-of-the-blue calls, a tactic some hiring managers use to see how prepared you are. Be wary when answering unfamiliar numbers, and if you do answer the call and are asked for an interview, it is OK to tell them you need to call back, which will give you time to prepare and organize yourself.

Have any phone interview etiquette tips to share? Our job seekers would love to hear from you!

Knock Em’ Dead: Ace The Interview and Land the Job

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Now that you have mastered pre-interview etiquette and understand the importance of your punctuality, greeting, and attire, lets get you prepared to ace the interview! Here are some common interview questions and answers that will land you the job!

Can you tell us about yourself? By asking this, your interviewer will want to determine how friendly and personable you are. Talk about things they would not be able to Google about you — throw in any sports or extracurricular activities you participate in, especially those that are relative to the job. For instance, saying you take cooking classes because you aspire to become a chef one day is a great thing to include when applying to a restaurant.

What excites you about the job? Research and understand the job description under the company’s Hiring Portal on ZippyApp prior to your interview so you know the duties and requirements of the position. Getting an interview means you likely have the necessary experience and requirements needed to get the job — the interview is a better way for you to showcase your skills, rather than just having them on a piece of paper. Explain your experience with each of the duties the job requires. For instance, if you are applying to a Host position, explaining you have experience working in a fast-paced environment (like a mall) is a great way of showing you have the ability to take care of multiple customers at one time. See any skills you don’t have? Think about experiences you have had that are non-work related – like group projects or team sports.

Why do you think you are a good fit? Hiring managers usually are interested in seeing if would be a good fit for the team or not. Picture yourself in the company environment and ambiance, and explain how you are a good fit with that. Mentioning you play sports and enjoy a team environment is a great way to demonstrate you are a team player.

Why our company? Understanding what makes the company unique from others will score you points in the interview. Research their menu and/ or merchandise; then tell them you embrace their concept and explain how you would bring value to that. Demonstrating your knowledge about their products and offerings will convey your desire to work for them.

Come prepared with questions to ask of your own. Remember, you are interviewing the hiring manager just as much as they are interviewing you. Going in to an interview prepared with questions of your own will show the hiring manager you are serious about the position. Some good questions to come prepared with are:

  • What will a typical workday look like?
  • What are some of the challenges someone in this position would face?
  • What are the opportunities for growth for someone in this position?

Have any interview questions to share? We would love to hear from you! Post your comments here.

Knock Em’ Dead: Pre-Interview Etiquette

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The job interview: You hope to get one, but you dread going to one. There probably isn’t a more uneasier situation than walking into a room full of strangers and keeping your composure while you’re every move and word gets scrutinized!

Before you head out the door to your next interview, remember the most powerful skill in business: Etiquette. Manners and respect are the foundation of good relationships, and good relationships translate to business success. Your etiquette is a reflection of your personal brand and reputation, and possessing proper etiquette can make all the difference in nailing the interview and getting the job or going back to the ZippyApp Job Board. Master the pre-interview with these etiquette tips.

If you decide the job isn’t for you or you have taken a position elsewhere, be sure let your interviewer know as soon as possible that you will not be attending the interview. Email is good, but a phone call is better. It may seem like common sense to do, but you’d be surprised to find out the number of people who forgo this vital step. Not doing this can tarnish your reputation and burn a bridge before you even got the chance to build one. Keep in mind in any industry you get into, people know people — and they talk. You don’t want to be known in the industry as someone who is unprofessional, irresponsible, and unreliable.

Your punctuality says a lot about you as a person, and even more as an employee. Punctuality demonstrates that you are professional, dependable, and respectful of other people’s time. It gives the interviewer a sense of your time keeping skills, which is a further indication of your organization skills and your ability to meet deadlines. It can also tell them whether or not you are more likely to show up for work on time. A good rule of thumb is to arrive five to 10 minutes before your interview, but never before 10 minutes (remember to be respectful). Give yourself plenty of time to travel, with extra time for unforeseeable circumstances. If you do end up running behind, call right away and explain the situation with the new time you will arrive.

Your interview begins as soon as you walk into the building, even if the hiring manager is not your first point of contact. Before going in, be sure to turn your cellphone off (keeping it on vibrate can still be distracting if it goes off) and leave any unnecessary belongings behind. Smile and greet the first person you see with a strong handshake, stating your name and who you are there to interview with. An example greeting to practice: “Hi, my name is Bruce Bowers. Nice to meet you! I’m here to speak with Kamyar Faron about your open Host position.” If the person who escorts you to your interview is different than the first person you spoke with, stand up, shake hands, and introduce yourself in the same manner before they escort you into your interview.

The way you dress is a factor in how people perceive you, and can be a deciding factor in whether or not you land the job. In fact, 65% of hiring managers say they will select the candidate who dressed appropriately for the interview over someone who did not if all other factors were the same. So what is appropriate dress attire? It can really depend on the company and the position you are applying to. Your interviewer is going to look at you and assess whether or not you would be a good fit, so you will need to make sure you look like a good fit. An easy way to do this is to check out the companies social media profiles to see how their employees dress — Facebook and Instagram are great channels to do this. If all else fails, dress up and conservatively to give a positive impression.

* ZippyApp Tip: You can get a leg up in this area if you upload a photo or video to your ZippyApp application, since the hiring manager(s) will already have a good perception of you in their minds.

In our next Blog we will  discuss the questions most likely to be asked in your interview, and impressive ways to answer them. Stay tuned!

* Statistics taken from collegeatlas.org

Make Your Application Stand out from the Crowd with ZippyApp’s Unique Video Tool

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Personal videos offer a great way to display your personality and allow potential employers to see the person behind the application. Although videos are not likely to take the place of applications and resumes, they could be the cherry-on-top to a good application. ZippyApp’s unique video tool allows you to upload and post your personal video with your work application, offering an even richer applicant profile. Stand out from the crowd with these video-building tips!

  • Tell your story: Your video should tell your story — employers want to get to know you. Your story is your brand, and getting others to understand your brand helps them identify with your story.
  • Relate your previous experience: The information in your video should be relevant to the type of jobs you are applying to, but there is no need to do a separate video for each job. Discuss your previous positions and the skills you took away from each. You can say things like “I greeted and seated 75 customers in one hour in my previous Host position. It was a fast-paced and challenging experience.”
  • Sell yourself: Video is a great way to display your personality. Try not to repeat what is written on your application – instead showcase your talent and skills in ways you can’t on paper. Can you juggle? Sing? Adding these in to your video are great ways to set yourself apart from other applicants.
  • Keep it short and sweet: You don’t want the viewer, your potential employer, to get bored and switch it off. A good time frame is between 1-2 minutes. Before beginning, write down what you want to discuss in bullet point format, which can help you communicate efficiently and to the point.
  • Delivery: Your personal video is not that much different than an in-person interview, so be sure to talk clearly and address the camera (the interviewer) directly. Make sure to record your video in an area where there isn’t any background noise or distracting sounds.
  • Dress to impress: Present yourself in a way prospective employers might envision you in their workplace. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and style.
  • Tools: Nowadays you don’t have to have a camera, microphone, and expensive video equipment to create your video – you can simply use your smartphone. Some video apps we like are Mobli and video editor Magisto.

Have any personal video tips to share? We would love to hear from you!

ZippyApp Receives Record Reception at 2015 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference.

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ZippyApp’s complete suite of social, local, and mobile recruiting solutions for the hourly job market was a major success at the 2015 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference in Las Vegas, NV.

Sunnyvale, CA, May 19, 2015 – ZippyApp, the marketplace for hourly job seekers and employers, announced today that it had a record number of exhibit traffic at the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference held in April in Las Vegas, NV. The conference is attended by successful franchisees looking for new franchise opportunities as well as solutions to improve the operations of their existing franchise units. The event is primarily attended by QSRs and other food-related concepts, however, there were participants from other non-food related concepts as well.

“We are thrilled by the reception we received at the conference and the enthusiasm of the franchisees in experiencing the innovations offered by ZippyApp. Franchisees were excited to hear about the well thought-out solution and were delighted by the cost effectiveness of ZippyApp. A significant majority of visitors were ready to engage at the show and most went live with ZippyApp immediately following the conference,” stated ZippyApp Founder and CEO Kamyar Faron. “Participants particularly appreciated how ZippyApp addresses their unique recruiting challenges, which are always missing from on-boarding and workforce management solutions,” added Faron.

About ZippyApp: A true innovation in the hourly job market, ZippyApp provides social, local, and mobile solutions for 24/7 recruiting and hiring. ZippyApp is raising the bar in recruiting and hiring by setting the gold standard for local staffing with their efficient, effective, and effortless system. ZippyApp fits into any recruitment budget so organizations have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying this innovative approach to staffing. For more information, visit http://www.zippyapp.com.

ZippyApp to Attend The Multi-Unit Franchising Conference in Las Vegas, April 8-10th

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The 15th annual Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (MUFC) is just a week away and we are busy at the office getting ready! The MUFC is a unique event as it is highly influenced by the very best in multi-unit franchisees. The purpose of the show is for franchisees to learn how to grow their business, and this year’s theme Shaping the Future is designed to help franchisees identify ideas, take action, and build growth.

Some of the topics that will be covered are:

  • Build topline sales in your individual locations
  • Access and develop the talent needed to grow your business
  • Determine how to grow: Is it through new brands, locations, markets, or acquisition?
  • Access the right capital to put your growth plans in place

So where do we fit in? Our Social, Local, and Mobile recruiting and hiring platform is a fresh take on old hiring processes. Traditional hiring methods do not work for localized franchisees — particularly those in the restaurant and service industries. Each franchisee location experiences varying hiring needs at any given time. Turnover rates are extremely high, sometimes averaging over 120%.

Our platform is specifically designed to address the recruiting and hiring needs of these franchisees. With our unique QR Code Apply System and Common Employment Application, job seekers simply create one application and use it to apply to jobs — straight from any mobile device. Our Organization Pages, Hiring Portals, and Applicant Management System are designed to meet the needs of even the busiest hiring managers.

Are you ready to go Social, Local, and Mobile in your recruiting and hiring? Stop by our booth #210 to learn more. To incentive you even further, one lucky visitor will win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, and a year of free service! If you won’t be attending the show, you can contact our Help team at info@zippyapp.com.

Why attend the 2015 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference? MUFC Chairman Robert Branca explains:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1zVk_O00_A

ZippyApp Announces Partnership with CREAM, Inc. to Provide Recruiting and Hiring Solutions for all Corporate and Franchised locations.

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ZippyApp’s complete suite of social, local, and mobile recruiting and hiring solutions supports staffing of all CREAM’s corporate and franchisee owned operations.

Sunnyvale, CA, April 1, 2015 – ZippyApp, the meeting place for hourly job seekers and employers, announced today a new partnership with CREAM, home of handcrafted ice cream sandwiches and cookies, favoring ZippyApp’s complete suite of recruiting and hiring solutions and extending it to all corporate and franchised locations.

CREAM will now be able to take advantage of ZippyApp’s Common Employment Application, Job Distribution Network, Applicant Management System, Organization Pages, Location based Hiring Portals, and unique QR Code Apply System. Combined, these products are designed to streamline the recruiting and hiring process. Applicants can scan a QR code or go online to apply – from any device, anywhere, anytime.

CREAM will also have access to ZippyApp’s On-Call and Seasonal/ Temporary features, which allows additional options for staffing high-season operations.

“CREAM evaluated many recruiting and hiring solutions and ZippyApp’s unique social, local, and mobile recruiting solution is the ideal answer for providing the best candidate experience for our applicant demographic. It also is the easiest applicant management system for our busy hiring managers,” said Helen Gutierrez, Marketing Manager for CREAM.

“We [ZippyApp] are thrilled to announce our new partnership with CREAM. Our goal is to provide the most efficient and cost effective hiring solution for the hourly job market, and being selected by CREAM Nation, one of the fastest growing chains in the U.S., is a testament to the achievement of this goal,” stated ZippyApp Founder and CEO Kamyar Faron. “Today’s frontline hourly workforce is very sophisticated and their job seeking practices are very local, through social channels and on their mobile devices. ZippyApp is unique in meeting the needs of this sector.”

About ZippyApp: A true innovation in the hourly job market, ZippyApp provides social, local, and mobile solutions for 24/7 recruiting and hiring. ZippyApp is raising the bar in recruiting and hiring, and setting the gold standard for local staffing with their efficient, effective, and effortless system. ZippyApp fits into any recruitment budget so organizations have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying this innovative approach to staffing. For more information, visit www.zippyapp.com.

About CREAM: In 2010, Jimmy and Gus led the Shamieh family in opening the first CREAM location in Berkeley, California. It was a throwback to their childhood, when they used to sandwich rich ice creams and fillings between their mom’s fresh-baked cookies. Their goal is to share these secret creations with the entirety of humanity (or at least Berkeley). As of April 1, 2015, there were 20 locations in California, with plans to expand rapidly. Fans of CREAM can find out more about CREAM’s locations as well as special offerings and promotions by visiting www.creamnation.com.

Not Getting Call-Backs? The Top Application Mistakes That Could Be Costing You

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You’ve applied to a job on ZippyApp, and never heard back. What went wrong? You might be surprised at the things you overlooked. We gathered the most common mistakes hiring managers see on applications — and how you can avoid them.

1. Spelling and Grammar Errors. According to CareerBuilder, 61% of hiring managers agree typos and grammar errors are one of the top reasons that led to an automatic dismissal of a candidate. Luckily, we are your second set of eyes and flag any typos that are on your application. After running through our spell check, take your time and look over your application prior to submitting — even if that means stepping away and coming back to it later.

2. Using an Unprofessional Email Address. Your email is the first thing potential employers see when they look at your ZippyApp application. It can say a lot about you as a candidate, as this is the first impression potential employers will get of you. Do not use an inappropriate or unprofessional email address, like the one you share with friends. Instead, create one using Yahoo or Gmail with your first and last name — it’s safe and only takes a minute to do.

3. Uploading an Inappropriate Photo. You have the ability to upload your photo to give your application an edge — take advantage of this feature and post! But be wary when posting. A tacky or tasteless photo of you may turn potential employers away. Do upload a professional photo of you — a headshot is a great option. Don’t upload one of you at the bar — or of your Tinder profile picture. You’re applying for a job, not a date.

4. Putting Down Incorrect Information. Submitting a wrong phone number, email, or past job title will just set you up for failure. If a potential employer tries to reach you and receives a mailer demon or wrong number, they will most likely dismiss your application. Also, don’t exaggerate about your past job titles and duties — chances are prospective employers will reach out to your previous employers to confirm. If they find out you lied, chances are they won’t want to hire you.

5. Submitting the Same Application to the Same Organization. Hiring managers love when they see effort put into an application. This is why we provide our users with the ability to update their application (called their Master Application) for each job submission. Be sure to tailor your application to each job you are applying to — especially if it is within the same organization. If you submit the same application, it shows you didn’t want to take the time to update, which gives hiring managers the impression that you aren’t serious about the job (unless of course the jobs are very similar and your past duties align well with both). To get some tips on how to tailor your application, click here.

6. Clean Up Your Social Media Presence. Have you ever met someone who is not on social media? Probably not. Because of this, potential employers are turning to social media to learn more about you. In fact, 92% of recruiters now use social media as a part of their recruiting process. That is why it’s important that you view your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media accounts as an extension of your application. Check out our Blog on How To Spring Clean Your Social Media Profiles to make sure you don’t get passed over because of something the hiring manager found online.

The Cover Letter Debate

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Cover letter, or no cover letter? Different hiring managers have different perceptions on this. One argument is that it depends on the position you are applying to, however, that doesn’t ring true for jobs on ZippyApp. On average and across all types of jobs on our platform, users who attach a cover letter get contacted 50% more than those who don’t — that’s a huge difference!

So now that you know you do need a cover letter to up your chances of landing the job, the question becomes how do you write a cover letter that will get you noticed? Here are some pointers to get you started!

For starters, it’s important to know the purpose of a cover letter. One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is that they repeat the information that is in their resume or application. This is a sure way to get your application passed over. Hiring managers don’t want to read information they know will be in your application. Instead, use your cover letter to entice hiring managers to learn more about you, and want to look at your application. Be sure to highlight and explain why you are the best fit for the position.  A great way to think about this is to put yourself into the hiring managers shoes — explain how you will solve their problem.

The biggest challenge when applying for a job is making yourself stand out. Using the right keywords is a great way to get noticed! The company’s profile and job description on ZippyApp is a great start in obtaining the right keywords. For example, a key part of Asian Box’s job descriptions is to be “friendly,” while being a “team player” is a requirement of joining the CREAM team. In a cover letter to Asian Box, you might say “my friendly and outgoing personality will provide a better customer experience, which will contribute to more repeat customers.” Not only are you using keywords Asian Box is looking for, you are also explaining how you will fix their problem.

Here is an example cover letter:

Mary Smith

March 3, 2015,

Dear Hiring Manager,

I wish to apply for the Server position with The Counter team, which is advertised here on ZippyApp. I have no doubt I have the capabilities of handling all requirements of the position, and have included my application for your review.

My excellent people skills will provide memorable dining experiences for customers, in-turn providing repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals. I am currently attending San Jose State University, where I am studying Hospitality Management and want to pursue a career in restaurant management. I also worked as a Host and a Server at Spaghetti Factory, and can provide you with glowing references from past managers.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak more with you about what I have been doing in detail, and would love to hear more about this position. Thank you so much for considering my application today!

Best Regards,

Mary Smith

Key Take-Aways:

  • Tailor your cover letter for each job you are applying to.
  • Use keywords specific to each company to make your cover letter stand out.
  • Don’t repeat the information hiring managers will find in your application.
  • Do highlight and explain why you are the best fit for the position.
  • Explain to hiring managers how you will solve their problem.