Please visit our new blog at www.interviewangel.com.
Thanks!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Interview Tips For The Self Employed
The current economic condition has led many people to pursue opportunities beyond typical employment. Starting a business, pursuing freelancing or consulting work, or taking on short term projects on a contracting basis has helped many people supplement their income as the economy recovers. It's being predicted that in some industries, consulting and contracting will eventually replace many traditional salaried full time jobs.
If you are in business for yourself, you already know that one of the most challenging aspects of running your company is attracting new clients. Every time you meet with a new customer, you are, in effect, going on a job interview, selling yourself and your services to a potential employer. Why not polish this presentation with some of the same strategies that I recommend for other job seekers?
1. Research before the interview. Your client has already given you some idea what they are looking for and why they are interested in talking to you about your services. Be ready to "wow" them with a new idea or solution.
2. Have your accomplishments and achievements categorized and formatted for presentation, as in "Interview Angel"; so that when the client asks for examples of your past accomplishments and how they are relevant to the project at hand, you are confidently prepared to discuss them fluently.
3. Take action during the interview. Demonstrate your ideas by sketching them or showing a computer presentation. You should always open doors, pick up dropped objects, and be ready to offer a pen. Be a proactively courteous, dynamic presence.
4. Pay attention to the client's needs. Keep your presentation simple, and relevant to the project at hand. Be wary of intimidating. Many times a client's needs are relatively straightforward and they don't need (or want to pay for) your more extensive expertise. The time to try to upsell is not during an initial meeting. If you have no interest in servicing the client's current, stated needs, it's far more courteous not to waste their time- or yours.
5. The usual job interview etiquette applies. Many client meetings take place in public or at lunch. Arrive on time in a freshly washed vehicle, neatly dressed, with your cell phone set to vibrate. Be prepared to give the meeting your full attention. Have everything you need at hand, pens, business cards, proposals, contracts, and other materials.
6. Make it a priority to send a "Thank You" note after the meeting. If your business has promotional items (mug, magnet, calendar, etc) this would be appropriate to include as well. Many times a client will interview several service providers before hiring one. Taking this extra follow-up step can make all the difference.
If you are in business for yourself, you already know that one of the most challenging aspects of running your company is attracting new clients. Every time you meet with a new customer, you are, in effect, going on a job interview, selling yourself and your services to a potential employer. Why not polish this presentation with some of the same strategies that I recommend for other job seekers?
1. Research before the interview. Your client has already given you some idea what they are looking for and why they are interested in talking to you about your services. Be ready to "wow" them with a new idea or solution.
2. Have your accomplishments and achievements categorized and formatted for presentation, as in "Interview Angel"; so that when the client asks for examples of your past accomplishments and how they are relevant to the project at hand, you are confidently prepared to discuss them fluently.
3. Take action during the interview. Demonstrate your ideas by sketching them or showing a computer presentation. You should always open doors, pick up dropped objects, and be ready to offer a pen. Be a proactively courteous, dynamic presence.
4. Pay attention to the client's needs. Keep your presentation simple, and relevant to the project at hand. Be wary of intimidating. Many times a client's needs are relatively straightforward and they don't need (or want to pay for) your more extensive expertise. The time to try to upsell is not during an initial meeting. If you have no interest in servicing the client's current, stated needs, it's far more courteous not to waste their time- or yours.
5. The usual job interview etiquette applies. Many client meetings take place in public or at lunch. Arrive on time in a freshly washed vehicle, neatly dressed, with your cell phone set to vibrate. Be prepared to give the meeting your full attention. Have everything you need at hand, pens, business cards, proposals, contracts, and other materials.
6. Make it a priority to send a "Thank You" note after the meeting. If your business has promotional items (mug, magnet, calendar, etc) this would be appropriate to include as well. Many times a client will interview several service providers before hiring one. Taking this extra follow-up step can make all the difference.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Proceed With Caution
In work, as in life, we face dilemmas every day. For every question, there are often as many answers as there are opinions. When the question is, "How do I get hired?" the answers can, and do, change constantly, depending on the trends of the moment, the industry, the organization, the area, and, obviously, the candidate.
Sifting through the flood of ever changing suggestions and expert opinions to find that winning combination of common sense, innovation, and smart business strategy can be a daunting task for even the most intelligent and motivated job seeker.
There is no 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to career planning, but there is 'one-size-fits-none'. I say this because it's so very important for job seekers to carefully pick and choose which advice to follow, and which to ignore, when seeking new strategies for their job searches. Not all of what you hear or read will be credible, reliable or advisable, so choose carefully.
I caution you to be wary when adopting new strategies to your job search. Ask yourself some key questions:
• Is it congruent with your personal belief system? (Remember the Golden Rule!)
• Does common sense tell you it’s a good idea? If not, there’s probably a reason you never heard it suggested before!
• Is there a better way to apply the advice for your particular career path?
• Is it right for YOU? Your personal strengths and weaknesses will determine how effectively you can apply any given suggestion. What works for an extrovert, for example, could be damaging to an extreme introvert, and so forth.
• Consider the source, but realize even great sources are occasionally wrong.
As an example, Fortune Magazine recently ran a cover story titled, "How To Find A Job." Along with a lot of great ideas, the article included some unfortunate suggestions.
Candidates were advised to use interviews as an opportunity to gather intel on an organization; then offer the company’s competition this insider information in exchange for a meeting. This behavior is unethical, and a display of questionable morals is never a good tactic for a job seeker. Many companies would quite justifiably call their competitor to report such a candidate, thus eliminating any chance of a job offer from either company.
Another recommendation from the article was for candidates to follow up after interviews by sending the hiring manager links to relevant articles. This is good, but it only goes halfway. Summarizing key points from the articles and making recommendations is a better demonstration of your problem solving skills and initiative.
Ultimately only you know what tactics will work best in your job search, and in your life. Only by being selective and remaining true to your own standards will you find success.
Sifting through the flood of ever changing suggestions and expert opinions to find that winning combination of common sense, innovation, and smart business strategy can be a daunting task for even the most intelligent and motivated job seeker.
There is no 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to career planning, but there is 'one-size-fits-none'. I say this because it's so very important for job seekers to carefully pick and choose which advice to follow, and which to ignore, when seeking new strategies for their job searches. Not all of what you hear or read will be credible, reliable or advisable, so choose carefully.
I caution you to be wary when adopting new strategies to your job search. Ask yourself some key questions:
• Is it congruent with your personal belief system? (Remember the Golden Rule!)
• Does common sense tell you it’s a good idea? If not, there’s probably a reason you never heard it suggested before!
• Is there a better way to apply the advice for your particular career path?
• Is it right for YOU? Your personal strengths and weaknesses will determine how effectively you can apply any given suggestion. What works for an extrovert, for example, could be damaging to an extreme introvert, and so forth.
• Consider the source, but realize even great sources are occasionally wrong.
As an example, Fortune Magazine recently ran a cover story titled, "How To Find A Job." Along with a lot of great ideas, the article included some unfortunate suggestions.
Candidates were advised to use interviews as an opportunity to gather intel on an organization; then offer the company’s competition this insider information in exchange for a meeting. This behavior is unethical, and a display of questionable morals is never a good tactic for a job seeker. Many companies would quite justifiably call their competitor to report such a candidate, thus eliminating any chance of a job offer from either company.
Another recommendation from the article was for candidates to follow up after interviews by sending the hiring manager links to relevant articles. This is good, but it only goes halfway. Summarizing key points from the articles and making recommendations is a better demonstration of your problem solving skills and initiative.
Ultimately only you know what tactics will work best in your job search, and in your life. Only by being selective and remaining true to your own standards will you find success.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
How to Shine in an Informational Interview
Even when a company isn’t hiring, the informational interview can still be a great opportunity for candidates to create meaningful relationships within target organizations. LinkedIn is a great tool for finding connections within your network through which to request these informational discussions. The key to using informational interviews effectively in a job search is advance preparation.
Informational interviews are, by nature, informal. It’s a nice touch to offer to meet outside the office and buy a cup of coffee or lunch for the decision maker who is giving you his or her time. As a job seeker you should not make the mistake of thinking that this more informal meeting requires any less preparation than a formal job interview.
Their purpose is twofold- the first, as the name implies, is to gather more information about a company that you are interested in working for. The second, far more subtle, purpose, is to create a connection that will allow you to showcase your value to an organization in a less traditional setting. Thus, preparation is key. It’s critical to research the organization, and indeed the individual, that you desire to meet; ideally before requesting their time, so that you are prepared to clearly and knowledgeably exchange information during what is likely to be a brief meeting.
Preparing an agenda for the interview shows the manager that you respect the time they have allotted for you and that you have a clear focus. The questions that you ask should reflect that you have done research on the challenges currently facing the organization and that you have an understanding of what you can contribute to solutions. Never ask a question during an interview- any interview- that you could have answered with a Google search ahead of time. This level of preparation, respect, focus, and interest in the needs of the organization will ensure that you create an outstanding impression.
An informational interview should never be an obvious plea for a job. If conducted properly, the interview will focus completely upon the organization, and the manager you’re speaking with. If you do proper research beforehand and ask the right questions, you will come away with some great new information. Your opportunity to shine even further will be in the follow up. Of course, you should always express your gratitude for the opportunity to meet, and send a note of thanks.
It is through proper follow-up that an informational interview’s value for both participants becomes apparent. Once you have gathered your information, what you do with it creates your opportunity. Use the knowledge you gained to do still more research on the company, industry, and competitors. Then you can follow up with and reach out to the manager by summarizing relevant articles, presenting solutions that you have formulated, and any relevant research that may be of value to them. This type of continuous follow up creates an impression of you as a self-motivated, forward thinking problem solver, and when you are on target with your observations and suggestions, you will have established yourself as a resource they will value.
When they do have or hear of an opening or a vacancy that you can fill, you will be positioned properly to seize the opportunity. Keep in mind that even if the informational interview doesn’t lead to a more formal interview and then job offer, at the very least you will have extended your network, increased your visibility, helped develop your personal brand, and expanded your knowledge base.
An informational interview is always a winning opportunity with the right level of preparation and execution.
Informational interviews are, by nature, informal. It’s a nice touch to offer to meet outside the office and buy a cup of coffee or lunch for the decision maker who is giving you his or her time. As a job seeker you should not make the mistake of thinking that this more informal meeting requires any less preparation than a formal job interview.
Their purpose is twofold- the first, as the name implies, is to gather more information about a company that you are interested in working for. The second, far more subtle, purpose, is to create a connection that will allow you to showcase your value to an organization in a less traditional setting. Thus, preparation is key. It’s critical to research the organization, and indeed the individual, that you desire to meet; ideally before requesting their time, so that you are prepared to clearly and knowledgeably exchange information during what is likely to be a brief meeting.
Preparing an agenda for the interview shows the manager that you respect the time they have allotted for you and that you have a clear focus. The questions that you ask should reflect that you have done research on the challenges currently facing the organization and that you have an understanding of what you can contribute to solutions. Never ask a question during an interview- any interview- that you could have answered with a Google search ahead of time. This level of preparation, respect, focus, and interest in the needs of the organization will ensure that you create an outstanding impression.
An informational interview should never be an obvious plea for a job. If conducted properly, the interview will focus completely upon the organization, and the manager you’re speaking with. If you do proper research beforehand and ask the right questions, you will come away with some great new information. Your opportunity to shine even further will be in the follow up. Of course, you should always express your gratitude for the opportunity to meet, and send a note of thanks.
It is through proper follow-up that an informational interview’s value for both participants becomes apparent. Once you have gathered your information, what you do with it creates your opportunity. Use the knowledge you gained to do still more research on the company, industry, and competitors. Then you can follow up with and reach out to the manager by summarizing relevant articles, presenting solutions that you have formulated, and any relevant research that may be of value to them. This type of continuous follow up creates an impression of you as a self-motivated, forward thinking problem solver, and when you are on target with your observations and suggestions, you will have established yourself as a resource they will value.
When they do have or hear of an opening or a vacancy that you can fill, you will be positioned properly to seize the opportunity. Keep in mind that even if the informational interview doesn’t lead to a more formal interview and then job offer, at the very least you will have extended your network, increased your visibility, helped develop your personal brand, and expanded your knowledge base.
An informational interview is always a winning opportunity with the right level of preparation and execution.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Seven Ways to Stay Motivated During a Job Search
"Success is what happens when preparation meets opportunity"- Seneca
For many people, one of the toughest things about finding themselves unemployed is staying positive and focused during the job search. It's all too common to spend several weeks dealing with the emotional impact of the loss of a job, only to fall into a pattern of depression and inertia that is difficult to break free of. Remaining enthusiastically and confidently motivated during your job search can be challenging at times, but it can make all the difference in the world when you are meeting with a potential employer.
There are several strategies that I endorse for job seekers.
1. Approach your job search as you would a project at work. Identify your goals, potential problems, and target completion date. Sketch out a plan of action.
2. Maintain a routine consistent with your working day. Make yourself a schedule, with goals for each day related to your job search, and force yourself to stick to it. An example would be a goal of identifying and researching two potential employers and making three phone calls per day, and attending two networking events per week.
3. Get out of the house. Go to the library, local resource center for job seekers, or coffee shop. Join local professional organizations, and attend workshops, employment fairs, and classes for job seekers. Be visible!
4. Get organized! Use a system that makes sense to you to track and record the efforts you are making in your job search. Keep notes on: which jobs you are interested in; research you do on potential employers; which positions you've applied for; events you attend; contacts you make; copies of cover letters and Thank You notes you send; and most important- write down your plans to follow up. A master calendar where you can jot reminders, events, appointments and interviews is crucial! These notes are also valuable because they will help you see patterns emerging so you can change your tactics as necessary.
5. Just because you aren't drawing a paycheck doesn't mean you can't use your skills. Volunteer your professional services in your community; organize your own local networking organization for professionals in your industry; write a White Paper; or start a professionally relevant blog. By staying attuned to trends and challenges in your field, you remain relevant.
6. Be accountable. Share your goals and timeline with someone- perhaps another job seeker- and ask them to help you stick to your plan. Return the favor. Knowing that you will have to check in to report your progress regularly will help you find that extra motivation when you need it most.
7. Finally, find and utilize healthy methods of dealing with stress. Practice positive thinking. Exercise, journaling, volunteering, talking to friends, prayer, or meditation- all are good stress relievers and can help you maintain perspective and stay focused.
For many people, one of the toughest things about finding themselves unemployed is staying positive and focused during the job search. It's all too common to spend several weeks dealing with the emotional impact of the loss of a job, only to fall into a pattern of depression and inertia that is difficult to break free of. Remaining enthusiastically and confidently motivated during your job search can be challenging at times, but it can make all the difference in the world when you are meeting with a potential employer.
There are several strategies that I endorse for job seekers.
1. Approach your job search as you would a project at work. Identify your goals, potential problems, and target completion date. Sketch out a plan of action.
2. Maintain a routine consistent with your working day. Make yourself a schedule, with goals for each day related to your job search, and force yourself to stick to it. An example would be a goal of identifying and researching two potential employers and making three phone calls per day, and attending two networking events per week.
3. Get out of the house. Go to the library, local resource center for job seekers, or coffee shop. Join local professional organizations, and attend workshops, employment fairs, and classes for job seekers. Be visible!
4. Get organized! Use a system that makes sense to you to track and record the efforts you are making in your job search. Keep notes on: which jobs you are interested in; research you do on potential employers; which positions you've applied for; events you attend; contacts you make; copies of cover letters and Thank You notes you send; and most important- write down your plans to follow up. A master calendar where you can jot reminders, events, appointments and interviews is crucial! These notes are also valuable because they will help you see patterns emerging so you can change your tactics as necessary.
5. Just because you aren't drawing a paycheck doesn't mean you can't use your skills. Volunteer your professional services in your community; organize your own local networking organization for professionals in your industry; write a White Paper; or start a professionally relevant blog. By staying attuned to trends and challenges in your field, you remain relevant.
6. Be accountable. Share your goals and timeline with someone- perhaps another job seeker- and ask them to help you stick to your plan. Return the favor. Knowing that you will have to check in to report your progress regularly will help you find that extra motivation when you need it most.
7. Finally, find and utilize healthy methods of dealing with stress. Practice positive thinking. Exercise, journaling, volunteering, talking to friends, prayer, or meditation- all are good stress relievers and can help you maintain perspective and stay focused.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Working with Recruiting Firms, Part II
**Thanks to Jeff Jefferson of Actum, Inc for this two part guest post about recruiting. Learn more about Jeff and join his network on LinkedIn here.**
The main thing to remember about any recruiting firm is this; they don’t get paid unless they place you, so immediately there is a vested interest in you being a fit for one of the jobs that they are working to fill. In most cases that’s a good thing, but unfortunately, in some cases it is a bad thing. Here is what I mean, if the recruiter doesn’t have the right motivation (i.e., “right candidate, right job, right time”), or the experience, you could end up as a square peg being stuffed into a round hole. There are a percentage of recruiters out there, that are merely playing the numbers game. They are trying to throw spaghetti at the wall and seeing if anything sticks. In a lot of cases recruiters are managed to a weekly quota that measures the number of resumes that they send to a client company and even the number of candidates that they personally interview, regardless of whether or not they have a job for that person. That is where it can be a big waste of time for a job seeker. In most cases though, a seasoned recruiter has both the relationships, and the knowhow to match candidates to appropriate job opportunities quickly, and if not they will be completely up front with you and let you know that. Quality recruiters are also masters of follow up, if they say they will call you, they call you. I have heard all too often stories of candidates interviewing for jobs, and not getting so much as an email from their recruiter to let them know the feedback from the hiring manager. If I had a nickel! Not all hiring managers give the recruiter feedback, but the recruiter should always let the candidate know, even if they themselves have no idea. You deserve a simple email, or call.
Remember those contract jobs that I referenced earlier? Well, recruiters are the only people who are able to help you get those jobs, and in a down economy, that’s not always a bad way to go. There are also a large number of companies who prefer to hire their permanent employees through an initial contract assignment; these are called contract to hire or temp to perm assignments, and the contract terms typically range from 3 to 6 months. I am a fan of these types of placements because both the employer and the employee get an opportunity to make sure it is a good fit. Again, I have heard a lot of horror stories about these types of placements, so you have to make sure that your recruiter is someone you can trust. Some recruiters will tell you it is a contract to hire when it is a contract only, so that is a very appropriate discussion to have in the interview with the client.
Choose your firm carefully.
Its important to work with a firm that is reputable. If you are looking for work, make sure that you ask around and see which firms your co-workers and friends have used in the past that have treated them right, and obviously make sure that you pick an appropriate firm based on your skill set. If you have zero experience working with recruiters and your friends aren’t able to refer you to anyone, you can turn to users groups, or associations for referrals. Recruiting firms will regularly provide sponsorship for these organizations, and their networking events are a great way to get to introduce yourself directly to many recruiters. Most important of all, use your gut when working with a recruiter. If you feel like they have your best interest at heart, and they are following up consistently and providing opportunities, then you can get a lot out of the relationship. My biggest piece of advice is, “don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” During my career as a recruiter I personally placed hundreds of people, and a 99+% of them were completely happy with the process, and landed great jobs.
The main thing to remember about any recruiting firm is this; they don’t get paid unless they place you, so immediately there is a vested interest in you being a fit for one of the jobs that they are working to fill. In most cases that’s a good thing, but unfortunately, in some cases it is a bad thing. Here is what I mean, if the recruiter doesn’t have the right motivation (i.e., “right candidate, right job, right time”), or the experience, you could end up as a square peg being stuffed into a round hole. There are a percentage of recruiters out there, that are merely playing the numbers game. They are trying to throw spaghetti at the wall and seeing if anything sticks. In a lot of cases recruiters are managed to a weekly quota that measures the number of resumes that they send to a client company and even the number of candidates that they personally interview, regardless of whether or not they have a job for that person. That is where it can be a big waste of time for a job seeker. In most cases though, a seasoned recruiter has both the relationships, and the knowhow to match candidates to appropriate job opportunities quickly, and if not they will be completely up front with you and let you know that. Quality recruiters are also masters of follow up, if they say they will call you, they call you. I have heard all too often stories of candidates interviewing for jobs, and not getting so much as an email from their recruiter to let them know the feedback from the hiring manager. If I had a nickel! Not all hiring managers give the recruiter feedback, but the recruiter should always let the candidate know, even if they themselves have no idea. You deserve a simple email, or call.
Remember those contract jobs that I referenced earlier? Well, recruiters are the only people who are able to help you get those jobs, and in a down economy, that’s not always a bad way to go. There are also a large number of companies who prefer to hire their permanent employees through an initial contract assignment; these are called contract to hire or temp to perm assignments, and the contract terms typically range from 3 to 6 months. I am a fan of these types of placements because both the employer and the employee get an opportunity to make sure it is a good fit. Again, I have heard a lot of horror stories about these types of placements, so you have to make sure that your recruiter is someone you can trust. Some recruiters will tell you it is a contract to hire when it is a contract only, so that is a very appropriate discussion to have in the interview with the client.
Choose your firm carefully.
Its important to work with a firm that is reputable. If you are looking for work, make sure that you ask around and see which firms your co-workers and friends have used in the past that have treated them right, and obviously make sure that you pick an appropriate firm based on your skill set. If you have zero experience working with recruiters and your friends aren’t able to refer you to anyone, you can turn to users groups, or associations for referrals. Recruiting firms will regularly provide sponsorship for these organizations, and their networking events are a great way to get to introduce yourself directly to many recruiters. Most important of all, use your gut when working with a recruiter. If you feel like they have your best interest at heart, and they are following up consistently and providing opportunities, then you can get a lot out of the relationship. My biggest piece of advice is, “don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” During my career as a recruiter I personally placed hundreds of people, and a 99+% of them were completely happy with the process, and landed great jobs.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tips for Staying Unemployed
With so many experts regurgitating the same career advice, it is enough to make job seekers wonder what on earth they are supposed to do to stand out from the crowd and get hired. After awhile, the advice just becomes noise and nothing sticks. So I’m not here to tell you how to get hired. I am here to tell you how to stay unemployed in your elusive pursuit of a white collar professional career. I have been witness to every scenario I have outlined below (many more times than the opposite) and let me tell you, it works. These memorable tips will keep you from getting the job you deserve.
When you decide a never ending job search is no longer right for you, try the complete opposite of everything you are about to read. You will discover getting hired on your next interview is a pretty good feeling too.
Rule #1: It is all about YOU.
Rule #2: Repeat Rule #1
You’ve heard the old adage that your resume and connections get you the interview, but the interview gets you the job. However, that probably sounds so old school to you.
After all, the hype right now is around social media to build your networks and fast track the whole process. Who needs to worry about preparing for an interview when you have 1,372 followers on Twitter and 500+ connections on LinkedIn? Granted, most of these people you have never spoken to in real life, but hey it’s a numbers game and you feel like you’re winning.
Let’s start with that great resume of yours. More pages the better! Hiring managers love the five-page resume because they have so much extra time on their hands to read through all those bullets. Besides, the magnitude of your experience could never be summarized in one or two pages.
The next step is to blast your resume out to as many job postings as possible (Really, no one else is taking this approach). Maintain your focus as a job seeker, and not as a problem solver. Employers prefer to meet with people who appear desperate for jobs rather than with people who are eager to address their organizations’ needs.
Once your resume gets broadcast on job boards, LinkedIn, and Twitter, third party recruiters will definitely be in touch. They all work feverishly to earn a commission on your placement.
Avoid the sincere and seasoned recruiters (with the placement results to prove it) who actually have a direct relationship with the hiring manager. These are the same recruiters who will follow up with you when they say they will, and who only present candidates who are fit for their client (stay away from them if you want a job!). Instead, use multiple recruiters you don’t know to apply for the same job at a single client. This will endear you to the hiring manager and demonstrate how committed you are to getting the job.
Do not attempt to use your network to schedule informal discussions with decision makers at the organizations for which you are interested. Nobody drinks coffee these days so an informational interview one morning would be of no interest. Steer clear of career support groups that simply use the internet to meet up in person. This type of activity will unfortunately hold you accountable every week to getting hired.
Once you have formal or informal interviews falling into place, there is no need to do any more work. Walk into every interview completely unprepared. Better yet, treat it like a closed book exam. You are simply demonstrating how you would approach working there. Use that ragged old padfolio from your junior year class project to hold an extra copy of your resume and work examples. No need to bring in any notes because, good news, you did not do any research on the organization.
The interview should really be all about you and what the position will bring to your life. Therefore, it is important to focus only on your own needs and what the organization will be able to offer you during the interview. Don't waste your time attempting to problem solve for the company during the interview, after all, you don't know a thing about its corporate culture, the challenges of the business, sources of revenues, or business model. While you probably had ample time to look up all that information on the internet prior to the interview, why would you? There will be plenty of time for you to learn all of that after you're on the payroll.
During the interview, you will likely be asked to talk about your experience and accomplishments and how they have prepared you for the position for which you are interested. You could have documented your own success stories and practiced delivering them in a succinct and meaningful manner for weeks prior to your next interview, but I am sure you had more critical work to do on Facebook editing your status. Instead, feel free to steer the conversation toward your lousy former boss, latest personal problem, or a controversial political gripe. This way, the interviewer gets a taste of the real you - not just the achievements on your resume.
It is important to use as much meaningless jargon as possible during the interview, so as to appear to be extremely articulate. Don't give short, simple answers - give as much detail as possible, no matter how irrelevant. The more YOU talk, the less work it is for the interviewer, and the more intelligent you appear! Don't hesitate to interrupt during questions, for example, "I can see where you're going with that thought, Bob, and here's what I know...." It will also give the hiring manager the opportunity to check his Blackberry messages while you keep talking.
Eliminate wishy washy words like "think" from your interview vocabulary. You should appear supremely confident, even arrogant. Remember - your attitude and demeanor should always communicate the wonder of YOU, leaving no room for doubt in anyone's mind! If the interviewer seems annoyed by this, don't take it personally, after all, they are probably threatened by your obvious superiority.
When asked if you have any questions for the hiring manager, don’t bother asking any questions about the organization’s needs. Instead, ask questions about the company’s benefits, your expected salary, and the size of your new office. In fact, be sure to state your salary demands even before an offer is made. That way, you can jump ahead to getting everything you want.
Being too polite during the interview is another strategy to avoid. For example, opening doors, greeting people warmly, and remembering everyone's names just makes you look like a brownnoser.
Finally, sending a thank you note after the interview is overkill. It has been reported that only five percent of job seekers do so, and the last thing you want to do is stand out.
Keep up the great work!
Brent Peterson
Founder, Interview Angel
www.interviewangel.com
When you decide a never ending job search is no longer right for you, try the complete opposite of everything you are about to read. You will discover getting hired on your next interview is a pretty good feeling too.
Rule #1: It is all about YOU.
Rule #2: Repeat Rule #1
You’ve heard the old adage that your resume and connections get you the interview, but the interview gets you the job. However, that probably sounds so old school to you.
After all, the hype right now is around social media to build your networks and fast track the whole process. Who needs to worry about preparing for an interview when you have 1,372 followers on Twitter and 500+ connections on LinkedIn? Granted, most of these people you have never spoken to in real life, but hey it’s a numbers game and you feel like you’re winning.
Let’s start with that great resume of yours. More pages the better! Hiring managers love the five-page resume because they have so much extra time on their hands to read through all those bullets. Besides, the magnitude of your experience could never be summarized in one or two pages.
The next step is to blast your resume out to as many job postings as possible (Really, no one else is taking this approach). Maintain your focus as a job seeker, and not as a problem solver. Employers prefer to meet with people who appear desperate for jobs rather than with people who are eager to address their organizations’ needs.
Once your resume gets broadcast on job boards, LinkedIn, and Twitter, third party recruiters will definitely be in touch. They all work feverishly to earn a commission on your placement.
Avoid the sincere and seasoned recruiters (with the placement results to prove it) who actually have a direct relationship with the hiring manager. These are the same recruiters who will follow up with you when they say they will, and who only present candidates who are fit for their client (stay away from them if you want a job!). Instead, use multiple recruiters you don’t know to apply for the same job at a single client. This will endear you to the hiring manager and demonstrate how committed you are to getting the job.
Do not attempt to use your network to schedule informal discussions with decision makers at the organizations for which you are interested. Nobody drinks coffee these days so an informational interview one morning would be of no interest. Steer clear of career support groups that simply use the internet to meet up in person. This type of activity will unfortunately hold you accountable every week to getting hired.
Once you have formal or informal interviews falling into place, there is no need to do any more work. Walk into every interview completely unprepared. Better yet, treat it like a closed book exam. You are simply demonstrating how you would approach working there. Use that ragged old padfolio from your junior year class project to hold an extra copy of your resume and work examples. No need to bring in any notes because, good news, you did not do any research on the organization.
The interview should really be all about you and what the position will bring to your life. Therefore, it is important to focus only on your own needs and what the organization will be able to offer you during the interview. Don't waste your time attempting to problem solve for the company during the interview, after all, you don't know a thing about its corporate culture, the challenges of the business, sources of revenues, or business model. While you probably had ample time to look up all that information on the internet prior to the interview, why would you? There will be plenty of time for you to learn all of that after you're on the payroll.
During the interview, you will likely be asked to talk about your experience and accomplishments and how they have prepared you for the position for which you are interested. You could have documented your own success stories and practiced delivering them in a succinct and meaningful manner for weeks prior to your next interview, but I am sure you had more critical work to do on Facebook editing your status. Instead, feel free to steer the conversation toward your lousy former boss, latest personal problem, or a controversial political gripe. This way, the interviewer gets a taste of the real you - not just the achievements on your resume.
It is important to use as much meaningless jargon as possible during the interview, so as to appear to be extremely articulate. Don't give short, simple answers - give as much detail as possible, no matter how irrelevant. The more YOU talk, the less work it is for the interviewer, and the more intelligent you appear! Don't hesitate to interrupt during questions, for example, "I can see where you're going with that thought, Bob, and here's what I know...." It will also give the hiring manager the opportunity to check his Blackberry messages while you keep talking.
Eliminate wishy washy words like "think" from your interview vocabulary. You should appear supremely confident, even arrogant. Remember - your attitude and demeanor should always communicate the wonder of YOU, leaving no room for doubt in anyone's mind! If the interviewer seems annoyed by this, don't take it personally, after all, they are probably threatened by your obvious superiority.
When asked if you have any questions for the hiring manager, don’t bother asking any questions about the organization’s needs. Instead, ask questions about the company’s benefits, your expected salary, and the size of your new office. In fact, be sure to state your salary demands even before an offer is made. That way, you can jump ahead to getting everything you want.
Being too polite during the interview is another strategy to avoid. For example, opening doors, greeting people warmly, and remembering everyone's names just makes you look like a brownnoser.
Finally, sending a thank you note after the interview is overkill. It has been reported that only five percent of job seekers do so, and the last thing you want to do is stand out.
Keep up the great work!
Brent Peterson
Founder, Interview Angel
www.interviewangel.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
