Interview Quiz: Are You Making a Good Impression?

Posted on April 1, 2009 - Filed Under Career Success | Leave a Comment

Interviewing is an issue fraught with myth, controversy and sweaty palms. There are a myriad of books and articles on the subject, many of which conflict with one another. One expert will tell you to be yourself while another will intone with a flourish, “Job search is theater!”

As with many of life’s more sophisticated processes, hunting for a job is both an art and a science. Science will tell you there is only one right answer. Art, on the other hand, leaves itself open to many interpretations.

Below is a short quiz on some major issues involved in interviewing. Decide whether you think the statements are true of false, then read the rationales for the “correct” answers. If the answer makes sense to you, use it. If it doesn’t, develop your own course of action, recognizing that sometimes the artful route can be a grand success (or a dismal failure).

1.  T    F   The main purpose of an interview is to convince an employer to

                hire you.

2.  T   F    Job search is theater!

3.  T   F    Learn as much as you can about the job, the company and its

                products/services before you go to an interview.

4. T   F     Good questions impress an interviewer as much as good answers.

5. T   F     The way a manager behaves in an interview is a good indicator of

                how he will act once you’re on the job.

6. T   F     Acknowledging your weaknesses can make a powerful, positive

                impression if handled properly.

_______________________________________________________________

Ready to check your answers? Pencils down, everyone:

1. = False.

Interviewing should be an investigative process. Its main purpose is finding a good match between employer and employee.

Consider the parallels between getting engaged and finding a job. Both are relatively permanent, require large amounts of time and energy, and thrive on a mutual respect and trust. While most people spend months getting to know their potential spouses, they have only a few hours to size up their employer. Consequently, they can’t afford to squander precious moments concentrating exclusively on selling themselves. They must use some of their time to decide if the employer will be a good partner as well. Approach any interview as a prelude to a potential professional marriage and the likelihood for an untimely divorce will decrease dramatically.

2. = False.

In a method similar to preparing for an interview, an actor learns his lines, examines his character’s personality and tries to understand the context of his script. Yet, he is only playing a role. In an interview, you are taking part in a real-life event, which requires real-life people. Posing as someone you are not is very hard work and can lead to nasty complications.

3. = True.

Interviewing can be unnerving, especially when you don’t know much about the job, the company or its management. Fortunately, with some research and forethought, you can replace potential panic with quiet confidence.

If possible, uncover the job opportunity through networking. In an information interview, you can ask about position descriptions, company goals and philosophy, and profiles of ideal employees. Then when you approach your employment interview, you’ll already know what the organization wants.

Online research can also be very helpful. Annual reports, general business and trade journal articles, 10K reports and a host of other resources await you on the internet. If you don’t know where to start, google the company name. If you’re really lost, head for the public library. Librarians are both patient teachers and information search gurus.

4. = True.

Two old clichés point to the veracity of this statement:

  • I don’t know enough to ask a good question.
  • People appreciate good listeners more than good talkers.

When you ask a well-conceived question, you demonstrate your understanding of the subject and give your interviewer a chance to showcase his expertise. Interviewers like this.

Good questions elicit revealing answers which tell you about the firm’s philosophy, structure, goals, problems and strengths. You’ll also find out how your potential manager deals with open-ended queries, which require more than pat replies. If your questions easily intimidates him, or he gives you the standard reply, remember this in evaluating if he’s the right boss for you.

5. = True and False.

Many managers are on their best behavior in an interview. You may not discover the real person until you actually start working with her. This is another good reason to ask probing questions about management style, reaction to stress, problem-solving techniques and more.

On the other hand, if someone is rude, distant, incompetent, indecisive or disorganized in the interview, you’ve probably captured a glimpse of your future relationship. If this behavior is her best, imagine her “business as usual” demeanor. 

6. = True.

Individuals who know themselves know both their strengths and weaknesses. A savvy interviewer will hoist a red flag when a candidate either says he has no Achilles heel or can’t think of a response. Everyone has some traits he would like to improve. Be prepared to discuss yours.

How did you do on the quiz? My next post will continue with more interviewing “true and false” questions. Stay tuned…

-Taunee

Are You Focusing On Problems Or Solutions?

Posted on March 16, 2009 - Filed Under Career Success, Life Strategies | Leave a Comment

“If you expect the best, you will be the best. Learn to use one of the most powerful laws in this world; change your mental habits to BELIEF instead of DISBELIEF. Learn to expect, not to doubt. In so doing, you bring everything into the realm of possibility.”

       -Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

In the world today, there are many hooks for us to feel scarcity and lack. Now more than ever we must be aware of our thoughts and what we are focusing on. What we focus on expands. Are you thinking about what you don’t want or what you do want? It is so easy to lock our minds onto problems rather than opening them to receive solutions. What we think about is what we get!

One way to help ourselves not be so immersed in negativity is to limit the time we spend watching television and reading the newspaper. Walk away from negative conversations and surround yourself with people who believe in possibilities and are taking action toward solutions. Our mind is the most powerful tool we have so let’s feed it positive thoughts!

- Jane

 

WAIT, THERE’S MORE… Taunee Besson, Jane Warren and Leia Francisco are excited to announce their upcoming webinar, “Living Your Purpose.” We will explore where you are today in your life, where you want to be and how to get there! Mark your calendars for May 12th, May 19th, May 26th and June 2nd. The classes are all on Tuesdays at 12 noon. Stay tuned for more information!

Laugh

Posted on March 10, 2009 - Filed Under Life Strategies | Leave a Comment

Laughter nourishes the soul and triggers joy. It’s a natural stress reliever. It stimulates the immune system and increases oxygen, stamina and our breathing capacity. Look around you every day to find things that will bring laughter and joy to your life.

-Jane

 

Romance in the Office

Posted on February 11, 2009 - Filed Under Career Success | Leave a Comment

Soon it will be Valentine’s Day.

In honor of Cupid’s holiday, I have written a column titled “Romance in the Office: Should You Act on a Workplace Crush?” for a new career website called CareerCast.com, which debuted on January 6th. According to the press release for the launch of the site:

“CareerCast.com is the premier job search portal which offers extensive local, niche and national job listings from across North America as well as job-hunting, career-management and HR-focused editorial content, videos and blogs, and provides recruiters with the ability to post jobs directly to more than 500 niche career sites.”

As the Senior Columnist for the site, I am writing articles each Tuesday at the request of Tony Lee, my long-time colleague with The Wall Street Journal’s National Business Employment Weekly and CareerJournal.com, the Journal’s career website. I am honored that he chose me from the many writers he’s known over the years.

My column will always be the first one on the homepage under “Career News.” You can also go to the Career Dimensions Blog, where you’ll find articles on a variety of career-related issues. If you are a job seeker or know someone who is in the midst of a job search, I hope you’ll check out CareerCast.com. While it’s the new kid on the block, I’m confident you’ll find its thousands of job listings and robust content very helpful.

-Taunee

Q & A: How Do I Stay Motivated During My Job Search?

Posted on February 11, 2009 - Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Q: A recent layoff put me in a job search mode again. The last time I looked for a new position, it was really hard to maintain my motivation. Do you have any tips on what I can do to stay positive and productive?

–Heather, Jefferson City, Mo.

A: A job search can be an emotional roller coaster. One day you feel like you’ve conquered the world. The next you can crawl under a snake with your high hat on! Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to temper the low moments and focus on finding your next position. Below are some techniques my job-seeking clients think are particularly useful:

  • Before you start looking for a new job, put together an ideal job description. Then concentrate on finding the closest real-world match. Don’t waste your time on unsatisfying, “just OK” opportunities unless you really must to pay the bills.
  • Develop a systematic approach for your job search. Determine the appropriate activities and approximate employment date. Then schedule things to do each day to advance your objective. Being able to cross items off your daily to-do list will provide tangible rewards on the way to your ultimate goal.
  • Try using word or picture affirmations — positive visualization — to keep your brain thinking good thoughts. Imagine yourself acing an interview, accepting a job offer or managing an exciting project in your new position.
  • Plan time to nurture yourself. When your career is in temporary disarray, it’s important to focus on satisfying activities such as your hobbies, time with people you love or a great book. Most of us play many roles. Concentrating on the ones you most enjoy will lift your spirits and remind you there’s more to life than a job.
  • Ask your friends and family for their support. Suggest specific ways they can help you conduct a successful search, from praising your capabilities to editing your resumes.
  • If you currently have no volunteer commitment, find one. Fulfilling the needs of others can raise your self-esteem, remind you of how lucky you are and offer potential networking opportunities. You never know what potential networking resource you might find working beside you at the regional food bank.
  • Join a job club sponsored by a local church, temple or professional organization. Teaming with other job seekers will help all of you stay motivated and expand your network.

If you must throw an occasional pity party for yourself, set aside an hour to wail and gnash your teeth, then have at it. Periodically purging negative feelings can be truly rejuvenating.

Tailor, Tailor, Tailor Your Resumes

Posted on February 6, 2009 - Filed Under Career Success | Leave a Comment

Responding to all job listings with your one, perfect resume is a sure way to commit job-search suicide, even if you’ve created a tailored cover letter.

Potential employers want to know specifically what you can do for them, so if you craft your resume for each opening, the screener is more likely to note the difference and give you the opportunity to talk in person. Here are some time-tested guidelines for writing a tailored resume:

  • Begin by stating a specific objective. Example: “Credit analyst for Alpha Corp.” Then make sure the rest of your resume speaks to this position.
  • If you use a qualifications summary, it must be specific to your job objective. Phrases like “Results oriented,” “Hands-on” and “People person” have become clichés, so don’t use them.
  • Prioritize everything in your resume, putting the most important facts on the top two-thirds of the first page. Remember, you’re hitting the high points here, not telling a life story.
  • A listing of job titles and duties can be pretty boring to read. On the other hand, accomplishments that outline your unique contribution put real sizzle into your resume. Use action verbs such as collaborated, designed, planned, developed, initiated, sold, mentored, etc.
  • Quantify whenever you can. Mentioning that you increased territory sales by 50% in one year or managed and decreased expenses by 20% through operational efficiencies tends to capture the reader’s attention.
  • Name-dropping also can be useful. If you’ve worked with highly respected clients, give their names. If your responsibility covered an eight-state area, mention it.
  • When you’re listing your current or previous job title, company and dates of employment, think about which would be most impressive to the reader and put that first or in bold type or italics. (Dates rarely deserve this honor.)
  • Use an outline format rather than paragraphs. Information grouped in more than 3-4 line clumps looks onerous, especially if the recruiter is reading through dozens of resumes.
  • Include continuing education along with your degree(s) in the Education section. Savvy employers will appreciate your efforts to keep current with state-of-the-art developments.
  • If you have volunteer work or a hobby that you’re passionate about, mention it under Other Facts. You never know when the reader is an avid snowboarder or hiker too.

-Taunee

What are you feeling?

Posted on February 3, 2009 - Filed Under Life Strategies | Leave a Comment

Many of the qualities that bring fulfillment in life are feelings like love, joy, freedom and gratitude. In our overly rational world, we tend to think about how we feel, which, of course, is not feeling at all…..it’s thinking. Honor your feelings, both positive and negative, and be willing to experience them. They give us valuable feedback about what is and what is not working in our lives. They are the signposts to meaningful inner work!

-Jane

Tips for Writing an Effective Cover Letter

Posted on January 30, 2009 - Filed Under Career Success | Leave a Comment

To give yourself an advantage in the screening process, your first priority should be to concentrate on each job opening and create an email (or letter if you prefer) that speaks to the requirements the company hopes to fill. Here are suggestions for encouraging a recruiter to put your correspondence at the top of the interview pile.

If you know the company, but not the person who will review your resume, call the organization’s main number and find out the name of the top Human Resources manager. If that doesn’t work, try using Facebook and other online tools to search for the names of appropriate company executives. Then address your cover letter or email to that person. Few people take the time to do this, and it shows impressive initiative.

While talking with the receptionist, see if you can also find out the name and email address of the manager of the department where you would be working. Send a resume to that person too. It’s likely that few resumes cross that person’s desk and, if she likes yours, it will automatically go into the interview pile.

Of course, many organizations refuse to divulge names of employees, especially managers. So if you can’t find a name, use “Good Morning” as a greeting. It’s upbeat and it sounds a lot better than “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Recruiter.”

Generally, cover letters have three main topics:

  • Why I’m interested in you.
  • Why you should be interested in me.
  • Let’s get together to discuss our mutual needs.

Instead of using the typical opening line, “This letter and the attached resume are in response to your job listing,” try something more original. Visit the company’s web site and read its annual report. Look for a professional journal article about the company. Then compose an opening paragraph that specifically mentions one of the employer’s attributes, policies or programs you particularly admire. You’ll not only impress the reader with your initiative, but you’ll also give him some genuine pleasure in acknowledging that he works for an organization you admire.

To write an eye-catching second paragraph that summarizes your relevant skills and background, take your cues from the ad. Look carefully at the job description and requirements for the position. Then construct three to five sentences that show how your experience specifically matches what the employer is seeking. A good listing wears its heart on its sleeve; it outlines exactly what the company wants in an applicant. Pay close attention with what the screener hopes to see and you’ll capture his attention and make the interview pile.

Please don’t close your email with “I look forward to hearing from you,” as the other 400 people responding to the ad probably will. Instead, seize the responsibility of making the second contact yourself. Say you will call in a week to schedule an appointment, make sure they received your resume, and then do it. Following up shows initiative, persistence and genuine interest, three traits potential employers love.

-Taunee

Q&A: Minimizing Dates on Resumes

Posted on January 23, 2009 - Filed Under Career Success | Leave a Comment

Q: Last week I was told for the third time in the past five years that my company is being acquired. While I haven’t been let go yet, I know it’s only a matter of time until my department is eliminated or moved to another state. Consequently, I’m revamping my resume once more. Is there any way I can minimize my changing jobs three times in the last five years, all at small companies, and de-emphasize the recent gaps in my employment?

–Paul, Seattle, Wash.

A: Unfortunately Paul, downsizing has become a way of life at many companies. Stockholders demand a quick return on their investment, and cutting payroll is the fastest way to improve the bottom line in a recession. Merger and acquisitions, like the one you’re experiencing now, also can lead to massive layoffs as companies seek to reduce redundancies in their workforce. Fortunately, many companies are continuing to try to hire for tough-to-fill positions, even in this downturn, especially in health care, sales and education. For every organization letting people go, there are others still expanding their headcount and eager to hire new employees. Employers are very aware of these trends, and it’s likely they’ll understand why your work history has been spotty the past few years.

However, there’s no reason to display your job hopping like a red badge of courage. Focus on your achievements instead. Rather than using a chronological resume format, which emphasizes your dates of employment, consider switching to a functional or hybrid approach, which highlights your experiences compared to the opening’s requirements.

First, look at the job description to determine its key functions. For instance, a training position’s main activities might include needs assessment, training design, facilitation and program evaluation. Using each of these phrases as a section title, pull together your most important accomplishments from all of your previous positions and list them in order of importance under the appropriate title. A trainer might include under the heading “Training Design:”

  • Created a one-day seminar for all levels of the organization on dealing effectively with change
  • Designed a cutting-edge workshop on conflict resolution attended by 2,000 people across the U.S.
  • Collaborated with colleagues in nine countries to put together a training program on how to adjust to foreign cultures
  • Adapted an off-the-shelf customer service training program to meet the specialized needs of the telecommunications industry

After you’ve completed your functional section, which may easily fill the first page of your resume, you can include a list of your job titles, companies and dates of employment under a section called “Work History.” Put the dates to the right on each line and conceal the time gaps between positions by using years only, instead of months and years.

Example:

  • Senior Trainer       Telecom Analytics        2004-2006

While not every recruiter will appreciate this type of resume, it will attract the attention of the ones more interested in your achievements than your chronological work history. Those who fixate on dates will have a problem with your employment record no matter what format you use.

-Taunee

How do you define your SUCCESS?

Posted on January 14, 2009 - Filed Under Life Strategies | Leave a Comment

Happy New Year everyone! I know we are all glad to have 2008 behind us and excited about a new chapter in history unfolding. I have heard many people say they want to be successful in 2009, but what does that really mean? Think for a moment about how you would define success for yourself.

Deepak Chopra says:
“There are many aspects to success; material wealth is only one component. Success also includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creativity, freedom, emotional and psychological stability, and a sense of well being and peace of mind.”

If you want financial success; what does that look like? How much do you want to make, how many days a week do you work and doing what? What environment do you work in and are you doing something you enjoy? Financial success for me equals financial security. The definition of financial security is different for everyone, and will change according to what stage of life you are in.

Take a minute and visualize your ideal yearly salary. See yourself doing the work for this money and ask, “Are you happy”? How does it feel to call yourself a success? If you are comfortable with this vision then you are most likely ready to live it. If you feel some hesitation or have questions about your success there may be some obstacles holding you back. Much of our thinking is negative and comes from our subconscious mind. Often we have no idea where a thought or belief comes from; yet if it is repeated in our mind it becomes a reoccurring pattern.

I’d like to share an example of one of my own hidden beliefs that was impeding my financial success. I had ambivalent feelings about making more money and living a more affluent lifestyle than my father. There was a part of me that felt it was disrespectful! My logical mind thought this was ridiculous but the idea was rooted in my subconscious. I was coached by someone who understood belief systems and eventually became free of this obstacle.

Once you are AWARE of beliefs, thoughts and feelings that are making it difficult to attain a successful financial goal; there are many available options. One way to increase self-understanding is to listen to your thoughts. When you are by yourself in the car, getting ready for work or in the elevator, notice what you are thinking or feeling. We usually don’t pay much attention to our silent self.

HERE’S TO A VERY SUCCESSFUL 2009!

- Jane

keep looking »