Interview, Without Regrets

Interviewing, most can say they’ve done it, but have they done it well and without regrets? Every professional is expected to know how to interview well, though that is not their expertise and how they prepare for this process differs greatly.

Doing Your Homework

Most candidates will tell you that they prepare for interviewing by doing their homework on the company through online research of the company website and industry reviews, candidates gather basic, relevant information about the organization’s mission statement and basic history. But does that really help win the interview, doubtful. The interviewer is a representative of the company and likely knows much more than solely online research will produce; therefore impressing them with public-knowledge is not likely the homerun of interviewing.

Know Yourself

It’s not just about demonstrating your ability to transfer your talents towards the benefit of this new organization, it’s about effectively sharing your experience and discussing the decisions you made throughout your professional history. Your resume highlights the who, what, when and where, and it is now up to you to detail and support how and why things were as they were. Knowing yourself and the key roles you played will keep you on point.

Have No Regrets

No one knows your experience better than you do, so stand tall and firm. Interviewers are creatively finding new ways of trying to dissect your rationale, engage your thinking processes and gage your response, but don’t let them rattle your cage. Asking a range of questions like if you could have any job in the world, what would it be, or when did someone anger you on the job, or what has been your biggest professional failure, is par for the course. These questions are meant to shake things up. Stay calm and respond with a cool head, always keeping in mind that this is an interview and it’s probably best to be a choiceful author and have no regrets.

Are You Sure This is What You Meant to Send?

When was the last time you actually read your resume, professional summary or cover letter?  More importantly, did you actually read the entire job description for the job you are applying too? All too often, job seekers are so anxious to get their resume out that they neglect to carefully review what it is they are really presenting to perspective employers. They quickly shoot of their resume and do not take the time to craft their credentials to speak clearly and directly to the position and the organization. This misstep can be costly, especially considering that you only have one chance to make a first impression.

 

When quality job opportunities seem to be in limited supply, many job seekers are under the impression that they need to have their credentials to the employer as quickly as possible. What’s the rush? Does having your resume on top of the pile really benefit you if it what you have written does not reflect the position or accurately reflect your ability to meet the needs of the company. For example, many professional resumes have some kind of summary or objective outlining their background and highlighting their career goals. Frequently, these summaries are created when the resume was written, which automatically makes it an outdated statement. You want everything you present to potential employers to this to be fresh and current, addressing your related strengths for that job.

 

Let the employer know you have thoroughly researched the company as well as the details of the position and articulate in your written presentation that you are not only interested in the job, but have gone beyond all of the other applicants. Let them know that while you do appreciate the demands of the position, you have also have a clear and well-defined understanding of the company and how you can make positive contributions to the overall objectives of the business. In too many instances, job seekers are over confident in what was previously written in their resume, that they miss a golden opportunity to highlight what makes them the ideal candidate. Simply editing and tweaking your resume each time you send it out will increase the chances of employers wanting to interview with you.

 

Invest the time in a well-written cover letter and updated resume. Bells and whistles aren’t needed in your resume and cover letter to make you stand out; just draft a well-written presentation that actually speaks to the job description, the company, your experience and potential. After all, prospective employers do not want to read a forgettable resume and cover letter in the same standard boilerplate that the average job applicant relies on. Employers hire candidates who value their career, and it’s easily understood when they read your resume and cover letter, those who invested their efforts and those who did the minimum. 

To Temp or Not To Temp

Q: After being laid off, I am actively seeking a new full time, permanent position. Since that’s my goal, I've been telling most recruiters I’m not interested in temp work, or temp to perm at this point. When do you think I should go down that avenue of employment? I'm hesitant to accept a short term position, because I am still interviewing for permanent jobs, averaging about one interview per week…

A: No time like the present! Give that recruiter a call today and be honest with them. As long as they know you will be accepting interviews for permanent positions, with consideration to your temporary employer, it can be a win-win for all.

In this unique market being open to temp and temp-to-perm employment opportunities adds to your professional network and opens your search to a new demographic of employers, and the more companies that can consider you for their staff, the better. This is especially a good idea for professionals who have spent many years working within one industry or niche and are finding they are, “always the bridesmaid, never the bride.” Employers today are often extremely specific about the desired skills and the practical application of those skills, in other words if they are in the confectionery business, they may hesitate hiring someone from non-profit for example. A chance to evaluate the fit, without any obligation is a great option for both the employer and temporary employee.

That "No Thanks" Letter is Gold!

"After searching online for days, I finally came across a position that must have been written just for me! The industry was a niche I worked in for the past ten years, the qualifications were on point with my experience and the responsibilities were almost identical to my last full time position. I took the time to customize my cover letter and eagerly sent it in…waiting for that call to meet, but no call came.
I was bummed and stumped, but tried to leave it behind until one afternoon a few weeks later. In my stack of mail was a letter, a very thin letter from that company. I opened it up only to read my “No Thanks” letter and proceeded to get frustrated…..."

This note came to me from a former colleague of mine and I had to write about it because we’ve almost all had this experience by now and have felt just like him.

In 2009, searching for a job isn’t easy, but perhaps what’s harder is keeping positive day in and day out. It takes a dedicated effort, some ingenuity and determination to get through the weeks of unemployment and all that comes along with it. To succeed, you have to champion your accomplishments along the way, no matter how small they may seem at the time. Had my dear colleague been able to do just that, he would have seen that letter as a new opportunity. For the first time, he processed a contact name, email and direct-phone number for the recruiter in their Human Resources’ department…and that’s gold!

Q&A: When I asked about salary on my Interview, things changed...

Q: Everything seemed to be going great as we wrapped up my interview when I was asked if I had any additional questions. I was excited and having learned so many details about the company, the job, their expectations and goals, I asked about the annual salary and benefits plan. As the words came out of my mouth, the recruiter’s expression completely change…it was as if I said their family pet died.
Needless to say, I never got a call back for a second interview.

Was I so wrong asking this one question that it negated all of my years of relevant abilities and actually disqualified me from being considered for the job?

A: Frustrating as it may be to hear yes, you may as well have erased your years of related experience and applicable skills when you asked about the compensation package during your first meeting.

Even during these more than trying economical times, first interviews are always all about the potential employer and that company’s needs to hire a qualified professional…after all, that’s why you were invited into their office, right?
Going forward remember, first interviews mean NO “me-questions.” If you are successful at sharing your strengths and accomplishments as they relate to the job description, you will likely be asked back for a second interview where you may ask general “me-questions” towards the end of your meeting.


Don’t forget, until the company formerly extends you a written job offer, the salary, benefits and parking spots technically don’t matter!

Streamlining Your Job Board Searches

Whether you’re working full time or unemployed, searching for available positions on the job boards is still an important feature of your job search. In 2011, job boards are still a reasonably priced means of communicating employer’s open positions to the masses of job seekers that rest beyond their own database. But how do you know which boards to use?

Every day more job boards are started and employers enter into new contracts with them to test the waters and expand their candidate pool. How on earth can you possibly keep an updated list of which boards are appropriate for your niche and desired role? While we’re sure there are ways, there’s simply no need.

Just like Google, there are job board search engines that are created for the simple purpose of identifying any relevant position to your search, regardless of what board it may appear on. They work just like any board’s search terms would. You choose your location, travel distance and enter the keywords that have been successful in resourcing applicable positions for you. The aggregate will pull-up the positions that are most closely matching your requests, bringing every known and unknown posting site to your desktop in a nice, easy list!

Once you have confirmed these are the right searches for you, you may take this one step further by automating your search. You may schedule daily delivery of any newly posted positions right to your very own Inbox. Think about the amount of time you’ll save, avoiding jumping from site to site, keeping track of which keywords you entered last…instead, step 1 - open your email, step 2 - read the brief listing and by step 3 - you’re already considering the actual position and company. Work smart and hard, not just hard!

To learn more about these search aggravates, email Jennifer@CaterpillarCareerConsultants.com

Staying Fresh in a Stale Job Market…

Yes, while it’s often true that you could probably make more money collecting unemployment. And is flipping burgers or stocking shelves really going to add to your resume? Probably not. So what do you do to keep your skills sharp and still stay active?

Many communities have numerous ways for professional adults to continue their education. Take a look at some of the Adult Education course given at your local high school. I don’t know QuickBooks, and many of us are little rusty on Office 2007, so why not take that evening class at the high school? I’m sure you’ll learn a lot and think of what a great addition to your resume something like QuickBooks would be. Adult Education courses are usually free or have a nominal fee to cover basic costs. And of course, it’s another opportunity to network. But act quickly; these courses usually fill up quickly.

If you are not finding the level of coursework you need at your local high school or community group, check out your local college or universities. Perhaps you can take courses that advance and enhance your current career. It will show perspective employers that you do have a passion for your field and that you are willing to stay current on topics related to your profession. Many college and universities offer courses specifically designed to accommodate working, or unfortunately not working, professionals. Something else to explore is additional certifications. Many industries require additional certifications and training. So get that PHR, C++, PMP or Medical Coder certification while you have the time. It’s much better than sitting at home and will eventually get you more salary when you do get back to the workplace.

Finally, look at some volunteer opportunities. Participate in a community event, walk dogs at an animal shelter or give some time to a charity or non-profit that has positively affected you in some way. Find something that has touched your life or something that you’ll really enjoy, and get involved. If your area of expertise is marketing, than show that local non-profit how to effectively market their events and see how good you feel when they raise a record amount of money. There are so many organizations that need your professional expertise; and it may lead to your next interview. Many professionals give back to their communities and would like to be considered an example to others. So it’s a great chance to meet people in a social setting and network. And with your involvement clearly visible on your resume, it could be that the company you interview with is also affiliated with that organization. And you never know who you’ll meet at that next walk-a-ton, so start hitting the treadmill now.

Of course, always have your resume, references and sales pitch ready. If you are active, involved and have access to influential people, then there’s no excuse not to offer your skills, especially when the benefits could be more than a warm feeling, but could lead to your next job.

If you are searching for a job and not working, you MUST have business cards! In this wireless world, handing someone your resume & cover letter in most settings just doesn't work. However a business card noting your contact info and a blurb as to your talents & niche is perfect, handy and very professional.