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#JobSearch : Critical Job Interview Mistake You Cannot Recover From. A MUst REad, Do NOT Go Into an Interview Until you REad this First!

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I talked to a couple of HR directors, and we got to talking about serious mistakes individuals make in the job interview. When I pointed out one of the errors I saw, everyone in the group said, “Yes, that’s the one you can never recover from.” With so many people getting job interviews right now, many people are not preparing properly. They certainly don’t roleplay before the interview and script out how they’ll answer the employer’s questions. Since most of the time these days interviews are held over video calls, job hunters approach their interviews very casually. After all, it’s just on Zoom—they can wing it. That may explain why they are making this critical error.

The fatal mistake happens when you are asked about your former or current company and one of your worst bosses. You may think these are easy questions to answer, but they are not. If you bring anything negative, it can torpedo your chances. For example, I was working with a CEO, interviewing professionals for a director job. When I asked Rick, “tell us about your worst boss,” this candidate certainly got our attention. He said, “That woman had Satan in her,” and then off he went complaining about how truly terrible this former boss was. In his mind, Rick was vindicating himself. But that is not how the CEO saw it. He wrote “Satan” in large letters across Rick’s resume. The CEO reacted strongly when I stated that I couldn’t believe how Rick had answered. “Neither could I,” he said, “and I will never hire that guy. If he talks that way about his former boss, that is how he’s going to talk about me if he comes to work here.” The CEO reiterated that speaking badly about a former boss or employer was a critical error that no one can recover from.

 

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We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

Article continued …

How to handle the worst boss question the right way

When asked, “Describe the worst supervisor you’ve ever had,” this situational question requires a precise answer. As much as you want to tell the truth and criticize an old boss and point out that person’s faults, reconsider. As this CEO and the HR directors stated, being negative will reflect poorly on you and eliminate you from consideration.

Here is a better way to answer that question. Find something that you can say that doesn’t overly criticize in a very negative way. Try this: “One boss didn’t give me very much feedback. I only heard from him when there was a problem. Months might go by without any feedback or idea of what he was thinking. Although I don’t like to have someone standing over my shoulder, I do like feeling I’m part of a team. I want to collaborate, have input, exchange ideas, and feel that my work is in line with my boss’s and the company’s goals. Open communication, I guess, is what was lacking. I think that’s important to have with a supervisor.” This answer demonstrates a positive response concerning the importance of teamwork and the desire for collaboration—two things most employers want in their employees.

Answer to why do you want to leave your job 

Everyone will be asked, “Why do you want to leave your present job?” Companies want to hear that you seek more challenge, more advancement, a promotion, more growth opportunities, and in some cases, more financial reward. You can also leave to shorten your commute, want only remote work, or because your company is unstable. Try: “I have learned so much working for my current company, but there are no promotional opportunities. I enjoy challenges, learning new skills, and improving my old ones. Therefore, I am seeking a new position at this time that has upward mobility options.” Here’s another: “I noticed that your company had an opening I qualify for. I’ve been happy at my present position, but the option to move to a good company, such as yours, along with it being a remote job is very appealing to me. Also, I want a position with more responsibility, so I to have an even greater impact on the end results.”

Maybe you are unemployed right now. The question you’ll be asked is, “Why did you leave your last job?” I guarantee that you’ll get asked this question, so having an appropriate, acceptable answer is a must. Good reasons to depart include relocation, layoffs, reorganization, or downsizing that affected your duties. A reasonable response might be, “The company went through a downsizing; that’s why I’m available.” Maybe you have just moved to the area. Try this, “We’ve just relocated to this area to be near our family, and that’s why I’m available.” It shines a better light on you when “that’s why I’m available” is a part of your answer. It also signifies to the employer that you are a perfect candidate to consider.

Did you leave to care for your children and now wish to return to the workplace? If you have been gone more than a year, you’ll need to explain why you left and how you have stayed current during your time off. A good way to reply is to state that you kept your skills up to date. For example, say, “I’ve taken several courses and even completed a couple of new certifications. I’m involved in the professional association and groups too.” By demonstrating how you have been able to stay current, you reassure the employer that you still have the skills to perform the job now.

The moral of all this is always keep your answers positive. I highly recommend that every job candidate do a thorough interview preparation, including role-playing, before you ever talk to an employer. Any mistakes you make will be during those practice times, as you can draft the very best answers to impress the employer when you face them.

Forbes.com Author:  Robin Ryan
Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | January 25, 2022

#JobSearch : Tips to Tailor Your Resume to the Role. Writing a Resume to ‘Cover All the Bases’ is a Great Way to get Passed for an Interview.

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I spoke to a client recently who wanted a resume to “cover all the bases.” In other words, it needed to be general enough in case he wasn’t the right fit for the position he was applying for, he may be considered for other open positions the company had. This is a great way to get passed over for an interview! And if your resume doesn’t have the right keywords an employer is looking for, it won’t make it past the automated applicant tracking system they may be using.

Tailoring each resume to the position you are applying for by matching it to the job description is the best way. You probably have heard from an executive resume service that it’s important to do so, but in what ways are you supposed to match them?

Here are some tips to consider when writing your resume.

 

Identify Keywords in The Job Description

It’s time to grab your old-school highlighter, print out a hard copy of the job description, and make every keyword you can find. These keywords should describe the particular candidate the employer is looking for, as well as the strengths and skills you possess. Once you identify them all, plug them into your resume as high on the page as possible. Include as many keywords as you can, but be careful not to stuff too many of them in to make it sound unnatural.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

Article continued …

 

Consider the Reader

When writing your resume, you have to think about it from the reader’s perspective. They are looking for specific keywords, but they are also thinking about the company’s pain points and seeking a candidate that can address those. When writing, it can be easy to focus on your past experiences and accomplishments, without giving thought to what may be relevant to the position you are applying for. They want to see how you have solved problems in the past that they may have or how you have added value. If you have done it for someone else, chances are you can do it again. They aren’t necessarily interested in anything else. By looking closely at the job description, the best professional resume writers can identify what’s appropriate to mention and what should be avoided.

 

Discover What You Truly Want From A Job

A common misconception about writing an effective resume is it should be more general instead of focused. The idea is the more general your resume is, the better your chances are of landing another open position, even if you don’t qualify for the one you really want. This can lead to a sloppy resume and an unfocused job search effort. Taking the time to truly discover what you want from a job, from a salary standpoint, cultural standpoint, work/life balance and more will help you target your resume.

When tailoring your resume to a specific role, be clear about your career goals, think through what the reader is looking for, and focus on the keywords the job description has mentioned. Do this with every position you apply for, tweaking your resume carefully to address each employer’s specific needs. This is the best way to showcase your specific skills for a specific role.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog – August 5, 2021

 

#YourCareer : Should You Change Careers Because Of The Pandemic? Great Read for All!

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The pandemic and its fallout definitely impact career planning. Unemployment numbers are ticking upward, so job seekers overall are competing in a more crowded overall market. Certain industries such as travel are hit hard, so workers in contracting fields in particular face dwindling opportunities. Even if you’re currently employed, you should pay attention to how well your employer can hold up in these challenging times.

If you find yourself in a troubled industry, should you change careers and target other areas? As with most career questions, there is no one-size-fits-all response to your individual career. Even though I just made some generalizations about the negative impact of the pandemic on career planning, the optimal next step for your career depends, not just on the market, but also on you.

Here are some arguments for and against changing careers because of the pandemic to help you choose the best course of action for you:

Yes, change careers because your industry may take longer to recover than you are willing or able to wait

I coached a client who loved her travel job but lost it along with 90% of her colleagues. Projected recovery for the travel industry could be next year or several years. Sure, jobs don’t totally disappear even from hard-hit industries. However, if you need to land quickly, you may want to change careers into a growing market.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

No, don’t change careers because you love your field and want to stick it out

That said, if you have a passion for the industry you are in, you may want to stick it out. There are ways you can help your job search in a down market, such as revisiting old employers or targeting project work over permanent, full-time. Maximizing your career isn’t just about getting any job, but about landing a job you love.

Yes, change careers because you have severance that can fund your job search

But do you love your job? The industry or role you start with isn’t something you have to do forever. Some professionals get so caught up in the day-to-day busyness of their immediate job that they don’t take a long-term, more proactive view of their whole career. If you had been getting complacent in your current career, this pandemic may be just the jolt you need to reconsider and redesign your career. If you have been laid off, you could invest the severance or unemployment benefits you receive into yourself and a career pivot.

No, don’t change careers now because a changing careers takes longer than landing a similar job, and your severance may run out

That said, timing a career change during a down market is like swimming upstream. You already have a shrinking pool of jobs and employers who are feeling cost pressures. Add in the fact that as a career changer you are an unproven and therefore riskier choice. Are you prepared for a much more difficult job search? Do you have the time and financial means to stick it out?

Yes, change careers because you were thinking about making a change anyway

There is never a perfect time for a big life decision, like changing careers. If you had already been thinking about a career change and then the pandemic hit, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should abort your earlier plans. I have coached several professionals who make a change even at a peak in their careers – another time when arguably you shouldn’t make a change. Just because it doesn’t seem like the right time in general doesn’t make it the wrong time for you.

No, don’t change careers because getting experience in a down market is good experience

If you feel like you’re coasting on the job and you’re looking for a challenge, navigating a down market can be that challenge. If you have never experienced a down market in your current industry and/or role, this is good experience to have, especially if you aspire to the executive ranks one day. As a recruiter, I have seen many employers prioritize candidates who had a good track record, not just in growth times, but also in hard times. If you get tapped for a big cost-reduction effort, restructuring or turnaround initiative, you have the opportunity to get tangible, measurable results that can put you in a better position for bigger roles in the future.

Yes, change careers because you have an idea or inspiration prompted by the current market

If you change careers just to get away from your old career, that’s like a bad approach to dating. Instead, you want to be genuinely attracted to the new career. If the pandemic and its fallout have revealed a new interest for you – e.g., you love virtual meetings and decide to focus on remote learning – then that is an excellent sign to pursue that option. The best part is that you don’t have to quit your job right away, as the first step in career change is about making life changes, not launching a job search.

No, don’t change careers because you have other constraints vying for your time

Speaking of life changes, the pandemic has upended much more than just your career. If you’re in a dual-career household, if you have children, if you have elder care responsibilities, if you have a side passion that has been put on hold, then there are other areas of your life that may need more urgent tending than your career. The right time to make a career move needs to account for everything else going on in your life too.

Internal readiness trumps market conditions always

As you can see, there is no one answer to whether you should change careers because of the pandemic or not. Instead, I would divide the question into two parts: 1) should you change careers; and 2) because of the pandemic. Then, I would focus on the first part – whether or not you should change careers. The second part is just about how the market may impact you — and it may not. Your internal readiness to make a change — your willingness to do the work, your fortitude to stay the course — is more important than market conditions. If you want to make a change that badly, you will find a way.

This post is inspired by a question I received from Echo Me Forward, a career platform for diverse professionals. I love answering reader questions, and they run the gamut – like whether to target a familiar job or stretch role, how to market yourself to a new industry or whether to quit a job to care for elderly parents. What is your most pressing career question?

Author:  Caroline Ceniza-LevineSenior Contributor

Careers
Career Change Expert and Author of “Jump Ship: 10 Steps To Starting A New Career”
Forbes.com | May 10, 2020

#CareerAdvice : #InterviewingQuestions – How To Best Answer ‘Why Did You Leave Your Previous Job?’ #MustRead !

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One question that’s guaranteed to be asked in a job interview is some iteration of ‘why did you leave your last job?’. What the hiring manager really wants to know is if you’re looking for a new job for a legitimate and well thought out reason, or if you’re just bored and looking for greener pastures.

This question can be phrased differently depending on your current employment status. Other versions are ‘Why are you looking for a new job?’ and ‘Why did you leave Job X?’ Regardless of the question that’s asked, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when you’re giving your answer.

Keep it professional, not personal.

You want to speak about the professional reasons you left your job, not about personal ones. Looking for a shorter commute, to get away from a terrible boss or colleagues, or anything else along those lines are all completely valid reasons – but not to tell the hiring manager. Keep it to the professional side and talk about your work itself.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

Avoid generic answers.

Generic answers are the surest way to lose a hiring manager’s interest, as they don’t say anything definite about the candidate. Instead of giving a canned answer like ‘I’m looking for more growth opportunities’ or ‘I want a new challenge’, explain why you want those things.

Don’t speak negatively.

Do not speak negatively about your previous job, employer, manager, or colleagues – even if one of those things is exactly the reason you’re leaving. You want your answer to be constructive, not critical. A negative answer shows you off in a negative manner. Avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as a complaint.

Don’t lie.

No explanation needed here – just don’t lie or make things up. Sometimes the reason for leaving is out of your control, so you might be tempted try to spin it like it was your decision to leave. If you lost your job due to the company downsizing and eliminating your position, you can say that. If you were fired or let go for performance issues, speak to what you learned from that experience like how it taught you to be a better employee or to work harder. Being honest, especially about a bad situation, shows that you have integrity.

Don’t over explain.

Keep your answer short and concise, and only speak about what is most relevant. Provide enough detail to paint a clear picture, but don’t overexplain. You can actually end up doing more harm than good if you go into too much detail.

Turn negatives into positives.

Turn a negative into a positive by framing it as something you learned. If you really dislike an aspect of your current job, think about what that made you realize you enjoy. A good way to frame this answer is, I’ve been doing X in my current role, but I’ve realized that my strengths/passions/interests are more in line with Y and Z. For Y and Z, tie in key components of the job you’re interviewing for.

Don’t be overzealous.

When the position you’re interviewing for is your dream job or with your dream company, it can be tempting to want to focus on that as your sole reason for leaving. While it’s worth mentioning your enthusiasm for the new job prospect, don’t go overboard. Mention it as part of your reason but don’t forget to answer the actual question of why you’re leaving.

Mention what you’re looking for in a new role.

Only half of your answer should be about why you’re leaving your current job. The other half should be about what you’re looking for a new role. This shows that you’ve fully thought out your reason for leaving and aren’t just looking to leave because you’re bored.

Author:  Ashira Prossack

Ashira is a Multi-Generational Workplace expert helping organizations understand, manage, engage, attract, and retain Millennials & Gen Z and bridge the gap between

… 

Forbes.com | September 28, 2019

#CareerAdvice – #JobInterview – How To Answer ‘Are You Overqualified?’ In An #Interview . Great Read!

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When you’re searching for a new role, the real question you must answer is if you are “overqualified” or “fully qualified” for a position. If you are overqualified for a position, what that likely means is that you are applying for a step-down position or a position below your education level or your experience.

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As a career coach, I’ve found this is actually fairly common, especially for those who want more of a work-life balance. For example, let’s say that you are a regional sales manager who must put in 70 hours or more a week and travel often. You want more time to spend with family, to get out of management and to get back to an actual sales position where your real passion lies (and avoid working 70 hours a week). This makes perfect sense, right?

Provide transparency about work-life balance.

Where the problem arises is that to an outside hiring manager who is unaware of your desires, they might see this as a step backward for you. If you don’t explain that you are truly looking for more of a work-life balance to the hiring manager, you could be passed over. A hiring manager is likely going to assume that you have been unable to find a position at your current level and are “just settling” for this position. In my experience, they will presume that you will be bored at the position and that you will set off for greener pastures as soon as you find another senior management position.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

The first step to overcoming the problem of being overqualified is to be truthful about your situation and let them know that the job you are currently interviewing for is the job you want and are passionate about. Assure them you are in this for the long haul. Once you do this, you are no longer “overqualified.” You are now “fully qualified” for the position.

Avoid oversimplifying your resume.

You don’t want to oversimplify your credentials or undersell yourself. This is a common interview mistake that often costs one the position. Once you have made it clear that this is the job you really want, you then want to sell your skill sets and show the potential employer what an asset you can be to them with your additional skills and experience.

The next step is to make sure that when you are answering interview questions, you don’t spend the majority of the time talking about yourself. Instead, make sure you are letting the hiring manager know what you can do for them.

Show that you’re there to solve the company’s problems.

The best way to go about this is to try to flesh out the problem the company is currently having (i.e., the reason they are hiring for the position). A company only hires when they have a problem to solve and need someone to help them solve it. So, there is an underlying problem attached to this position.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the interviewer and try to determine what the pain points or problems are that the company is experiencing. Once you figure that out, you can speak directly to how you can help them solve the problem. Doing this will put you in the driver’s seat by showing the hiring manager how bringing you on board could fundamentally shift their situation around.

The other point to be made is that a hiring manager might feel that you are going to be an expensive hire due to your experience. While you need to be prepared to take a potential pay cut from the higher-level job, if you can hit on how you can solve the company’s pain points, you will be worth much more to them. This will give you leverage to negotiate when given a job offer.

Put it all together.

Here is an example of how to answer when you are asked in an interview if you are overqualified for the job:

“While it might appear on paper that I am overqualified, I feel that a better term would be that I am fully qualified. I am currently looking for a position where I won’t have to travel as much and can achieve a quality work-life balance. I can solve your company’s current problem of customer retention by implementing new value programs and customer reward systems. This can be done with proven systems at minimal costs and will result in an increase in revenue on a monthly basis. This is an area I not only have experience in but where I thrive, as customer acquisition and retention is a passion of mine.”

Craft your answer with your own experience, and practice this prior to the interview to ensure that you can deliver your answer confidently. Tip: Do not memorize any interview answers because you don’t want to sound like a robot. Just practice the general format, and get comfortable with it. Let your personality shine through in the interview.

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Author: Tammy HomegardnerForbes Councils Member

Career Coach, LinkedIn Expert, Author and Founder of The Job Search School. Learn how to find your dream job.

 

Forbes.com | July 17, 2019