Interviewing: Practice Makes Perfect

Most of people are really bad at the most important part of the job search – interviewing. The sad reality is most people do not even know they are bad interviewers until they are told, which rarely happens. Unfortunately, human resource departments do not offer much follow-up detail if you are not the selected candidate do to potential liability concerns aka. lawsuits!

Therefore, it is up YOU, the candidate to do your due diligence. The best way to ace an interview is to practice. Thankfully, the old adage is true, practice does indeed make perfect. Participating in mock interviews help to reduce nervousness, helps centralize thoughts, and forces you to think about yourself and your job history. In many interviews, there usually is not a right or wrong answer, hiring managers simply want to see how well you think, communicate, and react under pressure.

While it certainly helps to practice with someone like myself, who is trained to point out mistakes and help coach you to do better, any practice is good practice. Friends and family members are a good place to start. Remember the more comfortable you are with the questions and the process, the better you will do in the end. Feel free to set-up a mock interview with my team and I by scheduling an appointment at www.msselfconfident.com.

So You Didn’t Make The Cut!

Nobody likes rejection, especially when it comes to a job interview. All of us have experienced it at some point in our lives. The best thing you can do after getting turned down is to stay positive and not get discouraged. Most people are hesitant to speak about job rejection because it means admitting failure. Instead, we need to treat each rejection as a lesson learned, realize that it is over and move on to greener pastures. The job market can be very tough and competitive at times, but don’t give up. Job rejection is to be expected and is very much a part of the job search process. Here are some ways on dealing with being rejected:

1. Don’t take it personally; sometimes even a great candidate doesn’t make the cut.

2. After each interview ask the interviewer for feedback. Take a step back, re-group and think of the things that you could have done better.

3. Get busy occupying your time with positive things that will help you forget what happened. Focus on your goals and research companies and positions that meet your needs and skills.

4. Talk about it. Your friends and family can provide valuable insight to guide you in the right direction. The more you open up, the more likely you will have to get interview tips or even job leads.

In your future interviews send a thank-you note to the interviewer as soon as possible. Thank him or her for the interview, and say that you look forward to hearing about the position. By following up, this shows that you are really interested in the job. Dealing with job rejection can be tough, but it is something everyone encounters at some point or another. Sometimes not getting a job can be a blessing in disguise, you can learn what you seek in an employer, what you want in a job, better prepare for the next interview and help you move forward in your job search.

Whether you are currently out of work or a working professional looking to be happier and more successful at work, feel free to contact me at http://www.msselfconfident.com. I can help with your interviews and implement a career plan that works best for you.

Interview Your Best: Frequently Asked Questions

There are all sorts of books written about the most frequently asked interview questions with suggestions about how to answer them. Some of the questions are quite simple and can be answered right away, while others require some thought before an answer is given. Two questions in particular you can bet the interviewer is going to ask is: “What is your greatest strength? & What is your greatest weakness?” The interviewer is really trying to find out what skills you have that will help you succeed in the job, if you are hired, as well as what could cause problems.

When you try to find your strengths, choose those skills that describe things that come naturally to you. It is also important not to confuse strengths with likes. What you like to do is not necessarily what you do best. Your strengths are what you do best and where your real talents lie, it gives you a competitive advantage and shows where you can create the most value for other people. Equally important is knowing your weaknesses, and everyone has some. These are the skills that you have a hard time getting done, they are difficult for you. If you are not good at something, improving even a little can have a positive impact on your overall quality of life.

As we all know, the interview is a meeting of the minds. It is a short period of time spent with the interviewer who has to decide whether the employee is a perfect fit for the job or not. Put your energy into your strengths statement; show what you have to offer. Let the interviewer know that although you may not be perfect, you are working on any shortcomings you might have. Knowing your strengths & weaknesses can help you choose the right career path. It can also help you effectively prepare answers to interview questions that are likely to come up. Remember, practice makes perfect so you need to practice well before the interview. At the same time, your answers should not come out as too rehearsed.

Whether you are a freelancer or employed professional looking to be happier and more successful at work, feel free to contact me at http://www.msselfconfident.com. I can help you with your interview questions and implement a plan that works best for you.

An Open Book Test

Applying for a job can be stressful, but interviewing for one can be just as stressful. Many people are focused on applying for the job that they seem to forget about the interview.  Interviewing doesn’t have to be hard, you just need to feel confident in your education and your experience, as well as know how to sell yourself to potential employers.  After you land the interview, do some research about the company, research is like having an open book test; you have everything you need to know to do well.  Next, you need to think about what you will wear to the interview. Just as your résumé is important in establishing a first impression on paper, your clothing, and overall appearance will establish a first impression that is very hard to take back.  So when you go to your interview you will need to arrive about fifteen minutes early, unless you are told otherwise. The worst thing you can do is arrive late.

Interviewing comes naturally to some people, while others never really get the hang of it.  If you find interviewing difficult you should prepare as much as possible.  Preparation is the key to what a great interview is all about. If you have the education and other qualifications you need to actually qualify for the job, then you just need to prepare mentally and physically for it. Confidence is something that you need to have when you go into an interview, so you need to believe that you are good enough to be there.  Remember, even if you do not land this job, the interview is a great chance to become more confident in your ability to interview and land the next job that is the perfect fit for both you and the employer.  Not sure how to get started?  Feel free to give me a call or contact me at www.msselfconfident.com.

New Year, New You!

Year after year, many people make New Year’s resolutions but don’t follow through.  For those of you that make them, you need to differentiate if your resolution is just a fleeting interest or a true commitment.

As most people know, life is going to take you through numerous twist and turns, ups and downs, but it’s up to you in the end to see your resolution till the end.  You can pass through another year, coasting through with blinders on, or you can step out of your comfort zone, and try something new; be committed.

Kenneth Blanchard said, “There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient, when circumstances permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.”   

For 2014, accept no excuses, elevate from where you are and soar.  If you need any help, please feel free to contact me directly at www.msselfconfident.com.

Five Steps for Career Planning

Well, to start off this week, I would just like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving in advance!  I have to admit, I was going to go the easy and generic way with this blog, and tell everyone to list what they are thankful for.  However, you can do that on Thursday.  Today we are going to focus on Career Development and Planning.  While there are books, surveys, videos, and an abundance of additional tools to help, your career development planning can happen in five simple steps.

FIVE STEPS FOR CAREER PLANNING

1. First, Have A Starting Point:  Your starting point is where you are now.  Think about your educational and professional abilities, your work experience, interests and hobbies.
2. Know Your Ultimate Goal:  Where do you see yourself in one year, five years, 10 years?  What is your career goal?
3. Steps Involved In Getting There:  Think about how much time and money you are prepared to invest. Do you have sufficient resources to support your search or are your resources limited?  Are you prepared to make changes and sacrifices if you have to?
4. Write It Down:  By writing down your goals and objectives will remind you of the necessary things needed to fulfill your goals.
5. Go For It, Just Do It!  There is no substitute or magic formula for doing, You just have to…Do It!

Never stop working on your career development plan and making it work for you. When the successes of today start to add up, they will confirm that you were right all along, and you will be motivated to see it through until the end.  

 

The Hiring Freeze Myth

Well, it’s November!  For much of the country the temperature is dropping along with the number of applicants in the job pool.  While there is still a large number of unemployed people looking for jobs, a large part of the population seem to take a break during the holiday season.  It seems like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year put many job applicants in the holiday spirit, and not the job-hunting spirit.  But it is important to note, companies are still hiring, and are NOT in a hiring freeze!  And companies are not just looking to hire for seasonal temp work and contract jobs, but full-time positions.  Certain key roles need to be filled, regardless of what time of the year it is.  Additionally, many hiring managers are trying to fill roles before the end of the year, to ensure they have a full team before January brings in any potential budget cuts or headcount changes.

So if you are still in the job market keep putting in those applications, networking, and reaching out to those hiring managers.  While you may not land a position today, your application will already be on file after the holiday rush and everyone gets back to job-hunting.  However, it is important to know that unless a company is hiring for a key skill or higher-level position, getting relocation will be tough.  Most relocation budgets will be near-empty towards the end of the year.  So, if you happen to get a job offer without relocation, be sure to ask for a sign on bonus or a lump sum to help with moving costs (but don’t forget to make sure its tax-assisted!).

So keep applying and don’t fall for the hiring freeze myth!  What better way to bring in the holiday season than a new career or job you’ve always wanted?

 

Interview Tip- Listen, Pause, and Respond

I constantly hear my clients and potential job applicants say interviewing is hard.  In my opinion,  interviewing is easy.  Actually landing the interview is the hard part!  I am a total advocate of keeping things simple, so I have devised a simple yet effective way to help others during the interview process.  Simply listen, pause, and respond.

Interviewing for many is a very stressful time.  There are a million and one thoughts racing through your head, and many times we don’t really hear interview questions.  When we are nervous, we often overlook simple things like actively listening.  When we engage in active listening, we focus on the person.  Active listening really gets us to a point where we can hear what the other person is saying.  Most interviewers can see this, and that focus and attention to detail will be appreciated during the interview.

Next, take a breath and pause.  There is nothing wrong with a small pause to gather your thoughts before answering a question.  Now let’s be clear, we don’t want to take so long that the pause turns into a moment of awkward silence.  But a quick second to engage your mind before you open your mouth can often be a God-send.

Last but not least, respond.  While listening and pausing are awesome tools to gather yourself internally, the response is what counts the most as this is what the interviewer is really analyzing.  Be sure to be as engaged in your response as you were in listening.  Maintain eye contact, use a strong sure voice, and be confident. Interviewers are simply asking questions about you……and who knows you better than you?!

Top Five Interview Questions You Should Know

Recently, I’ve been coaching many of my clients on the interview.  Inevitably, I always get asked what are the toughest questions hiring manager ask.  To be honest, due to the interview being highly subjective, it difficult to address this question properly.  However, below are several of the most frequently asked questions during an interview.

1. What is your biggest strength and weakness?
2. Describe a difficult work situation or project, and describe how you handled it.
3. What interested you in applying for this position?
4. Why are you looking to leave your current position?
5. Why should I hire you?

Here are the best tips to address these questions:

• Tip 1:  Never discuss a weakness without following up how you address it.  Additionally, stating you don’t have any weaknesses is not an appropriate answer.  It makes you look arrogant and out of touch with reality, we are all human and have flaws.
• Tip 2:  The STAR interviewing technique comes in handy here!
• Tip 3:  This should be the easiest question to answer, simply tell the interviewer why you are interested in this job.  Don’t forget to tie in how your skills and accomplishments are a match for the position!  Additionally, this is a great time, to impress the interviewer with information you learned about the company during your research.
• Tip 4:  NEVER mention or talk badly about your previous employer or boss, even if it’s true!  The world is incredibly small, especially in business.
• Tip 5:  This is usually the last question of the interview and  gives you the chance to discuss or add anything you meant to mention earlier but didn’t have the opportunity to.  Always take time to describe how your abilities are a match for the job, and reiterate your interest in the position.

Always remember, how you answer the interview question is just as important as what you say to answer it!  Be sure to practice your answers and responses, so they are natural and don’t sound scripted.   Need more specific examples or have additional questions? Feel free to give me a call!

I Still Hate Resumes, but….

Okay, so I received a lot of flack from others concerning my blunt honesty about resumes in my earlier post.  Although, I stand by my statement, I do not want current job seekers and others to take my comments out of context.  I still hate resumes,  but they are needed and necessary requirement in the current business environment.  Therefore, below you will find the top five reasons why you need a resume.

1. Resumes are a requirement of doing business.  While networking will help you find positions what other resource do you have to show you are qualified for the job, once your network provides a job lead?  You can’t talk to everyone!
2. Resumes demonstrate your writing skills.  Written communication has become increasingly important in this age of social media.  Resumes showcase your ability to write clearly and concisely.
3. Resumes offer you detailed speaking points and reminders in interviews.  Don’t believe me?  Name your last three positions, and what you learned from each.   How did that feel,  did you struggle?  Having an UPDATED resume helps you remember this information, and helps you glide through your interview with ease.
4. Resumes contain information you would have to document anyway.  Even after landing the interview, many applicants are still required to go online to the job application and fill it out.  Resumes, help makes this process quick and easy.
5. Two words:  keyword optimization.  The importance of online resumes cannot be denied as recruiters and hiring managers  scour the internet looking for people with certain skills and expertise.  A finely, crafted and targeted resume can mean the difference between a potential opportunity or not.

As you can see resumes are not going away anytime soon.  While, the format may change, I believe they are here to stay.  So make sure yours is updated, showcases your skills and experience, and most importantly, don’t forget to proofread!