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#JobSearch : Two Of The Worst Things You Can Say In A Job Interview. If you Show Up for the Interview and Say Anything Close to the Following Two Phrases, you will Immediately Diminish your Candidacy…

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If you show up for the interview and say anything close to the following two phrases, you will immediately diminish your candidacy and likely get yourself ruled out of consideration for any job offer at all. The interviewer, especially a very good one, will be evaluating you for the things you say, the things you don’t say, your overall demeanor and presentation as well as your ability to appear contemplative and thoughtful with your dialogue and questions.

As you prepare for your next job interview, you’ll likely be thinking about many different things including the company/organization, the organizational culture, the leadership, pay, benefits, etc. You’ll also likely be thinking about what you want to say during the interview and what messages you want to send as you attempt to show the interviewer that you’re indeed the best candidate for the job.

The problem here is that what you say during the job interview is just as important—if not more—as what you don’t say. Here are two of the worst things you can say in a job interview.

1. Tell me about the job and the company.

Okay—if you show up for the job interview and you haven’t taken the time to understand the core aspects of the job and the company in advance, you will start off sending all the wrong signals. Not only could this simple phrase cause the interviewer to question your seriousness as a candidate, the interviewer may decide in that very moment to effectively end your candidacy for the position.

Yes, it’s okay to want seek out more details and insights during the interview (and you should do this), but you can’t just show up and ask a question like, “What is the job?” or “What does the company do?” and think that this isn’t going to make you look bad—very, very bad.

You have to be far more savvy than this. Even if you were only able to garner very limited information about the job and/or the company, don’t make the mistake of leaving the interviewer with any impression that you didn’t do your homework.

Here’s a better way.

Instead of asking the interviewer about the position or the company, state some details that you are aware of and then engage in a conversation that prompts the interviewer to freely share more details and insights about the specifics of the job and the company without ever concluding that you didn’t even know the basics. Rather than saying something like, “Tell me about the job and the company,” you’d be better off saying something like this:

I’ve reviewed the position announcement and while it was thorough, there are three key aspects of the role that I’d like to get more information about. Can we dig in on aspects A, B and C of the position because I believe I’m uniquely suited to make immediate contributions in these areas as well as some others.

When you frame it this way, the interviewer comes to believe that you have actually done your homework and that you understand the role enough to have already thought about where you might best contribute. She will be impressed by how contemplative you are and proceed to volunteer all sorts of useful information about the position and company that will give you a competitive edge in expanding the conversation and creating moments to be memorable and shine.

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

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2. No, you’ve answered everything so I don’t have any questions.

No, no and just no. Under no circumstances should you leave the interview without asking thoughtful questions. Asking questions during the interview shows the interviewer more than just what you want to know; it shows her how you think. And by allowing the interviewer to see how you think, you can gain a leg up on the competition.

Why don’t you have any questions?  Leaders ask great questions so you should plan to ask the interviewer approximately three really good questions. But to ensure that you have at least three great questions you want to ask, you should actually go in with between five to eight questions because you never know how many of these might get answered by the interviewer before you ever get a chance to ask anything. You want to be prepared with your best preferred questions and then have some extra questions on hand.

Prior to applying for any job, it is incumbent upon you to evaluate the specifics of the career opportunity as much as possible and learn all you can about not only the job, but the company as well. Your thoroughness—and hence your questions—will send a message that you are indeed interested in the role and that you have already contemplated how the position might fit with your career interests and align with your career goals.

Here’s a better way.

You should always be prepared with thoughtful questions for the interviewer. And in a circumstance where the interviewer really does answer every question you had prepared, you have to think on the fly and frame a question in response to what you’ve learned during the interview. But, by all means, ask your interviewer some questions.

Most candidates will go into the interview with a goal to show the interviewer what they know and how that knowledge will help them succeed in the job. But when you ask great interview questions, you end up showing the interviewer how you think instead, and this will distinguish you from the other candidates. When you ask good questions, you demonstrate that you have a strategic-thinking mindset that can help to advance organizational efficacy and produce high-value deliverables for success.

The way to bring it home and get the job offer is to remember this. It is not about what you know. It’s about how you think, and the job offer will likely go to the candidate who shows himself or herself to be a strategic thinker with a mindset to advance organizational goals and add more institutional value than the competition.

Forbes.com | August 28, 2020 | Author:  Terina Allen 

#JobSearch : How To Prepare For Your Next Job Interview As A Senior Manager Or Executive. Great Checklist for All!

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If you fail to prepare for your next job interview, you will likely fail to get the job offer. Interview preparation is important regardless of the position, but it becomes increasingly important for jobs in senior management and executive-level roles.

But believe it or not, it happens far more often than you’d expect. Some of the most qualified job applicants end up being thoroughly disappointing during the job interview. Despite all their education, training and experience, they sometimes fail to demonstrate why they are best suited for the job and can fail to communicate what contributions or value they’d add to the team or organization if offered the job.

We all get it. The interview and hiring process can be daunting—even anxiety inducing—for job candidates. It can also be daunting for hiring managers and recruiters as well, and (in both instances) a lot of time, money and emotional investment might be at stake. But these interview anxieties and tensions can be alleviated with proper homework. Preparation and research can do more than just help you have a good interview. The most successful job interviewers start putting in the work long before the interview, and they go through a process that incorporates these ten aspects for preparation.

How to prepare for your next job interview.

  1. Research the company/organization thoroughly. Review any and all available reports; i.e., strategy, financial, company performance, reputation, future outlook, past, current and future challenges. Use industry journals, the company website(s), corresponding websites, news organizations and so forth.
  2. Be deliberate about finding out where the company has been, where they are currently and where they want to go.
  3. Try to get a feel for the culture. This is hard to do until you are actually on the inside, but you can garner some basics such as formality, friendliness, structure and so forth via the website and, even better, social media.
  4. Learn all you can about the leadership team and, specifically, the person whom you would be reporting to. Check out bio pages, social media (especially LinkedIn), and read blogs to see if any of these people are writing about things/topics that you should know about. Finding relevant connections between you and your interviewer(s) is critical. You might find something worth mentioning during the interview or in your subsequent thank-you letter.
  5. Get a copy of the position description. You might already have the job posting, but you want to get your hands, eyes and mind around that position description, if possible, so you can better prepare.
  6. Prepare a comprehensive portfolio packet for each member on the interview panel. Include things such as your cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, a list of directly related trainings/workshops/seminars/certifications that you have completed beyond what is already listed on your resume/CV. You could also add in any relevant work product and writing samples.
  7. Learn the names and titles of everyone who will be interviewing you. Not only is the person you would be reporting important to research, but check out everyone who might/will impact the hiring decision (include all the panel members and the chair of the search committee or firm). Knowledge is power, and you might learn little tidbits of info that you can subtly use to make a connection. Find out what is important to these people so that you can find alignment and bridge gaps between them and you.
  8. Determine what to wear. If possible, check out what the current executives and senior managers who work at the company are wearing. Your image should align closely with theirs or be one step above. You can be a little bit unorthodox, but not too much.
  9. Read this article by Glassdoor to learn more useful tips for how to interview for a senior-level job.
  10. Prepare—in advance—some really good questions to ask your interviewer(s) during the job interview. Here are The 5 Best Interview Questions Candidates Ask During Job Interviews.

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

Article continued …

Preparation will set you apart during the job interview!

When a job candidate combines really good interview preparation with strategic thinking, he or she can knock it out of the park and actually lock down that job offer! But first, you really do need to dedicate some time to your success by first doing your homework.

You should conduct research and evaluate the position description, the company and the culture to the extent possible. You should do some research on the specific individual (or individuals) who will be interviewing you. Learn all you can about what he or she is interested in. Gain some insights on the interviewer’s leadership philosophy if you can, and contemplate which aspects of the job might be of most interest to this person or individuals so that you can best anticipate what kinds of questions might come your way and how to steer the conversation towards a direction that would most interest your interviewer.

Forbes.com | August 28, 2020 | Terina Allen

#JobSearch : Five(5) Questions You Should Ask In A Job Interview. Got that Interview? MUst REad!

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When you finally see that job interview request pop up in your inbox, it can be tempting to start thinking about all the ways you can please and impress the interviewer, especially right now in a competitive job market.

But, now is not the time to forget that interviews are your chance to interview the company, too. So many companies and industries have changed due to the pandemic. It’s your duty to ask insightful questions to ensure you make the best-informed decision for you. At the very least, it’s your responsibility to make sure you know what you’re walking into if you do accept the job.

Here are 5 new questions you should consider asking in a job interview, whether you land an interview during or post the pandemic.

1. What are the company’s biggest challenges right now and in what ways will this role help alleviate those challenges?

Any company that has decided to open a new position during this pandemic has determined that the particular role is essential to the growth or continuation of the company. As a job candidate, it’s vital you understand the challenges the company may be experiencing as a result of the pandemic and how the company desires for your role to solve those challenges.

Asking this question allows you to go beyond the job description and gives you an idea of what you should expect if you were to land the position. It shows the interviewer that you’re a problem solver and that you’re not just thinking about yourself, but that you’re also thinking about how you can contribute to the company’s goals. Plus, as you move forward in the hiring process, their answer to this question will give you more ways to show the hiring manager that you can be impactful to the team right away.

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

Article continued …

2. In light of social distancing and remote work, what tools or practices have you all implemented to continue communication and collaboration, and to support employees?

While some companies embraced remote work and flexible hours years ago, many other companies have been forced to embrace remote work because of the pandemic and have experienced many changes because of it. Now more than ever, it’s important to know what type of company culture you’re walking into – or logging into from home, before you accept the job. Especially if you are applying for a manager role, this question will help you get a good understanding of how the company is working together. This will help you be sure you’re joining a place that will allow you to connect and support your direct reports and senior leadership in a way that is productive and effective for everyone.

3. I noticed that you all are big on collaboration and failing fast [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][or other aspects of the company’s culture] and I could imagine that being adaptable and flexible are a few traits that are even more essential right now. What other qualities have become even more vital in a new hire since this pandemic?

One of the hardest things for recruiters and hiring managers to determine while interviewing virtually is if a job candidate will mesh well with the team. Role fit and culture fit are the top two things companies look for when hiring. Eliminating face-to-face communication makes it a bit harder to determine the latter. But luckily, it’s still your duty to do everything you can to show the interviewer that your values, work style and personality align well with the company and team. Asking this question is a great way to show them that. It will also give you a chance to see if the team has qualities that will allow you to thrive on the team and at the company.

4. I’m interested in joining a company where I’ll be able to contribute and add value right away. Could you share more about the onboarding process, in light of COVID-19? What changes have been made to ensure that the new hire is still successful once they join the team?

Everyone knows that the first 90 days at any company are crucial to success. As a job candidate and potential new hire, you need to know how the company intends to onboard you while working remotely and practicing social distance. What new methods have they implemented to ensure you get started on the right path? How do they plan to connect you with other employees once you’re hired? What tools or trainings do they plan to give you access to once you join the team to make sure you’re well informed and well equipped? How long do they intend for you to work remotely before transitioning to the office?

Asking this question will help ensure you’re not lost at sea once you accept the job offer. It will also show the interviewer that you plan to be a valuable asset to the team right away.

5. I know things are quite uncertain right now but as we continue to navigate this time, what are the company’s top priorities and plans for the next few months? 

Transparency is key right now. If your future company can’t be honest with you as a job candidate about their plans or goals right now, then they most likely will not be honest with you once you’re an employee. Of course, none of us can predict how the next few months will pan out, but you can get clarity on the company’s rough draft. Job security is never guaranteed but, at the very least, you should know that you’re joining a company that has a strategy for proactively moving forward.

Asking some variation of these questions will give you a good understanding of the company you could be joining. These questions will also show the interviewer that you’re a problem solver, a big-picture thinker and an adaptable team player, all things companies are looking for right now when hiring.

Author: Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level and secure the positions they’ve been chasing. Sign up for her free online workshop.

 

Forbes.com | July 9, 2020

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#JobSearch : 10 Key Tips For Acing Your Video Interviews. What to I Need to Do Differently?

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Today, as in-person interviewing has had to cease or slow due to restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, thousands of professionals are now needing to learn how to effectively interview in a new way using online platforms, such as Zoom, GoToMeeting and others. According to an April 2020 Gartner survey, 86% of organizations are using new virtual technology to interview candidates at this time.

As a career coach, I’ve been asked by numerous clients in the past months the question, “What should I do to ensure I’m coming across in the best way in the interview now that’s its virtual?” What to I need to do differently?

Here are 10 helpful tips for making the best impression you can in your video interview, and demonstrating that you’re a great fit for the role.

Be conscious of what’s in the view

While so many of us are now working remotely and using Zoom or other platforms for our meetings, we’ve grown more accustomed to seeing people in their home settings, and noticing their home décor, pets, family members, and other aspects of their personal life in the background.

For an interview, it’s fine to be in your home or living room but try to present whatever people see as neutral and professional as possible. You want to let yourself and your words, conversation and experience speak most powerfully about your qualifications and suitability for the job.  And you want to avoid the chance that your interviewer will be distracted by what’s behind you, or perhaps have a negative reaction to any personal items (such as a plate of food behind you or a messy room) in your home.

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

Article continued …

Show your real background (if it’s suitable)

Many people today use virtual backgrounds in their meetings (photos that they’ve selected to appear in the background) but for an interview, I suggest going the more authentic route, showing the actual room where you’re speaking from, if it’s suitable. Often, virtual backgrounds create more distraction and a sense of artificiality than is effective for an interview.

Select professional attire

Even though you’re conducting the interview from your home, remember you are being judged and assessed for your fit for the role, so dress professionally, just as you would if you were meeting in person.

Ready your sound and video equipment

Make sure that you have working Wi-Fi, a strong connection, and a quality headset or microphone so there are no tech issues during your call. Invest in quality equipment for audio and video work.

Also, test audio and video prior to the call, and if the interviewer is using a platform that you haven’t used before, make sure to download the app in advance and give it a test run before the interview. Arrive early to the video meeting, and ensure the camera is at a proper angle, featuring your face and shoulders.

Demonstrate positive body language and behavior

Just as in an in-person interview, you want to demonstrate through your voice and body language that you’re interested, engaged, and professional in demeanor and language. Make sure you are not distracted (with your pet, or by loud sounds or interruptions in your home, etc.). If you know there will be significant interruptions or distractions during the scheduled time for the interview, see if you can change it to a time when those interruptions are at minimum.

Engage the interviewer with eye contact and connection

Make sure you smile, come across as engaging and interested, and make strong eye contact. Try not to look away during your interview or look down at your notes too frequently. Your eye contact reveals a good deal about how you’re feeling and thinking about what the interviewer is sharing with you.

As with every interview, prepare, prepare, prepare

Be fully prepared for your interview. Do your research in advance, understand clearly from what the hiring manager has shared in advance what they’re looking for in the role and be ready to talk about why you’re potentially very well suited to it. Have in front of you some written sound bites and bullet points that speak to how you can leverage your great talents and abilities and hit the ground running successfully in this job.

Know the “20 facts of you”

In my new book The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss, I share the importance of overcoming a key power gap of Communicating From Fear, Not Strength (one of the 7 most damaging power gaps professional women face today). One way to close this gap and speak more confidently is learning how to clearly articulate the 20 “facts of you”—the most exciting and compelling achievements you’ve made in your career and how they moved the needled at your organization or in your role. This takes time and effort, but once you’ve identified those important and rewarding accomplishments and can learn to speak about them with energy, authority and excitement, your confidence will rise significantly.

For more on overcoming this damaging power gap, check out my Finding Brave podcast episode:

Practice with a friend or coaching buddy

If you’re a novice at online meetings or interviewing, practice and practice some more. Have a friend or coaching buddy role-play the interview and record your online meeting. Have them ask some tough questions that many interviewers will ask (here’s more on that) and get very clear and comfortable with how you’ll answer these questions.

Be clear too on what you should avoid asking in the interview. Then watch the recording of your mock interviews, and identify where you need to improve in your online delivery. And ask your coaching buddy for their candid feedback, too.

Finally, remember that you’re talented, experienced and have so much value to offer and that the interview is a two-way street

Don’t lose sight of the fact that you have a great deal to offer and so much experience and talent to leverage to be of service in important ways. Make sure too that you understand this is a two-way street and you are interviewing the hiring manager about the role and the organization just as much as they are interviewing you. Have your list of questions that you want to make sure you cover so that you will get a strong sense of this role, the work, and if you would truly be a fit, both emotionally and functionally.

Do what’s necessary to bring your highest and best self forward, and present yourself in the most polished, effective and confident way possible so that your accomplishments and desirability as a candidate can shine through.

But understand too that your values, interests, needs and goals are also critical. Get the information you need

Author:   Kathy Caprino Senior Contributor Careers to accurately assess if this is the right next step for your career and your life.

To build a better career, work with Kathy in her Career Breakthrough programs and read her new book The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss.

 

Forbes.com | July 3, 2020

#JobSearch : 3 Major Changes To Job Interviews You Need To Prepare For. Must REad!

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If you’re in a job search or plan to be soon, you know that the stakes are high in this competitive market. A major part of the process where many job seekers routinely underprepare is the interview. In fact, I often see candidates spend more time planning their outfit than their content.

While what you wear certainly has an impact, what you share earns an offer. And just when you thought the interview couldn’t get any more stressful, the current pandemic has changed up the game in new ways, so there are a few additional things you need to be ready for if you want to stand out and secure a great next step in your career.

Although you’ll no longer need to worry about the grip of your handshake (perhaps ever again), here are three new aspects that will be important to focus on in your next job interview:

1) You’ll need to set up the environment. While video teleconferencing has become more popular over the last several years, use of this medium for job interviews has dominated in the past few months due to social distancing, which means expectations for a near flawless execution have also skyrocketed. Fumbling through the process while experiencing distractions and technical difficulties isn’t an option, so it’s up to you to master the platforms being used and practice beforehand so you appear confident in troubleshooting any unexpected challenges.

And now, instead of showing up to a building where you meet in a conference room or office, you are required to set the stage for the interview environment, which takes some additional preparation and can have a major impact on the outcome. As the host of at least one side of the interview space, you’ll need to consider lighting, connectivity, audio quality, ambient noise, background visuals and video angles just to name a few. Everything counts and will be a part of the evaluation since it’s likely you’ll be using video technology regularly to communicate in the new role, perhaps with customers, so the interview has become an audition of sorts.

Interviews are inherently anxiety-provoking and there’s a lot you won’t be able to control, so it’s in your best interest to control as much as you can regarding the environment. The ball for much of this is now in the job seeker’s court.

 

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

Article continued …

 

2) You’ll be asked how you’re handling the pandemic (and you should ask them as well). On a positive note, employers in the near future will be more forgiving of resume gaps and layoffs due to the major disruption in the job market over the last several months. However, a question that is more frequently being asked of candidates is, “How have you handled work during Covid-19?” They’re not wondering about your hand-washing routine or collection of animal-themed masks. More often than not, they are assessing your leadership, creativity and adaptability during a crisis.

As you prepare, consider your audience’s greatest pain points and which skills would be of most value for them to hear about. For example, “One of our team’s priorities was to ensure that our customers remained informed during our transition to working virtually, so I partnered with our IT team to set up a new email address that would be monitored after hours to respond to customer requests, which helped to eliminate disruption of response times.”

If you were furloughed, describe the new skills you developed, relevant online courses you completed, volunteer efforts you participated in throughout your community or how you supported three school-age children participating in online education. While there isn’t a right or wrong response necessarily, there are certainly ways you can be strategic in your answer to demonstrate your positive attributes versus wasting an opportunity to showcase relevant competencies by not thinking through your reply beforehand.

Learning about company culture just got harder. Part of the interview process is assessing the company and job fit for yourself while the hiring team is assessing your skills and fit at the same. A big piece of that puzzle is often revealed during an in-person interview when you have the chance to observe the building decor, employee interactions, workspace set-up and overall office vibe. With in-person interviews on hold or in offices that have been significantly restructured to comply with social distancing guidelines, much of this information is now muddled or lost.

However, culture is an important part of your future happiness and career success in a new role, so it’s worth exploring other strategies to understand what your new employer will expect. Ask to speak with people you’ll be working with including peers, colleagues on collaborating teams and direct reports. Use online tools like Glassdoor, Twitter and even LinkedIn to view comments or postings about the organization.

Tap into your network to get honest feedback about their experience working in the company. Get creative with your questions by inquiring: “Who was the last person on the team to get an award and what was it for?”, “Can you give an example of a recent team conflict and how it was handled?”, “What are the top traits of the most successful team members?” These types of questions demonstrate your interest in finding a mutual fit and are harder for others to answer with a canned response.

And just for good measure, here are some important aspects of a successful job interview strategy that haven’t changed:

1) Don’t count on a good interviewer. It’s 100% your responsibility to leave on the table the messages that convey your value proposition. This includes what skills and abilities you’re bringing to the role that will help to solve the department’s greatest problems and lead to increased success. To do this effectively, you must research the company, market, key players, and competition, and then create the messages you want to share during the interview to show how you’re the candidate of choice, regardless of what questions you’re asked. Unfortunately, there are many untrained interviewers in the world, and it’s little consolation after being passed over to complain that you weren’t asked the questions you’d been expecting. Here’s how to nail it.

2) Practice – out loud. I would be willing to bet that for many job seekers, the only time they’ve practiced out loud was during an actual interview. This is not where you want to discover your mistakes, and for most of us, that perfectly curated message in our minds loses something when it comes out of our mouths. As someone who has worked in corporate recruiting interviewing eight plus candidates every day, it’s very obvious who has taken the time to prepare. Do yourself a huge favor and practice with a friend if possible, a video tool or at the very least a mirror. You’ll be happy you did.

3) Negotiate. While not a part of the interview per se, negotiating the offer is the last step before accepting the role and perhaps the one and only time you have leverage in the hiring process as a candidate. Don’t waste it. In the current economy, you may feel lucky to just get the offer, but don’t forget that you’re providing a valuable service that helps the company’s bottom line, and it’s worth ensuring you’re being paid market value.

And although market value may be shifting, there are many aspects of compensation outside of base salary that you can negotiate such as equipment to work more effectively from home, additional vacation days or even a later start date. It’s important to be sensitive to that fact that if a company just experienced a massive layoff and there is a lot of competition for your position that you may not get everything you want. However, most hiring managers are open to making reasonable adjustments where they can.

Happy hunting!

 

Author: Dawn GrahamContributor  Careers I write actionable insider tips for job seekers and career switchers.
Forbes.com | June 10, 2020

#JobSearch : 7 Things You Shouldn’t Say in the Interview. There is an Unspoken set of Rules that Goes On in the Interview.

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And you are expected to know them.  These rules come from the recruiter or hiring manager. They have things they want to hear and things they don’t want to hear. How do you know what they are and how do you prepare for them?

Candidates practice their interviewing skills vigorously. They read up on what to say and how to answer. Dress appropriately. Smile. Follow body language. Get in front of a mirror and practice. Be on time, but not too early.

They go over their lists of strengths and weaknesses, their accomplishments, their contributions to the last job, and what they offer this new company.

But what about the things they should NOT say? Interviewers are weighing what you DON’T say just as much as what you DO say.

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

Article continued …

Here are 7 key things you shouldn’t say in the interview.

  1. Salary. “How much does this pay?” is one of the worst ways to start a conversation. Don’t talk about it right away. The longer you wait, the more leverage you have when negotiations start. They know you are anxious for clarity, but they are also interested in what their ROI will be before they make an offer. Wait it out.
  2. Company. Come prepared. Know what the company does! Know their mission, product, or service. What do they do? Who do they sell to? Who is their biggest competitor? What were their quarterly and year-end earnings last year? Act as though you are the company ambassador. The more you know about it, the more impressed they will be. Telling the interviewer you are “sort of familiar” with their company will put you in the NO pile.
  3. Your old company. Do not bash your last company, manager, co-workers, or the way they did things. It might have ended badly, but the new company doesn’t need to hear about it. It makes you look bad and will let them know that you will bash them as well. It also makes you look difficult or whiny. Honestly, when I talk to a client and all they do is bash their old company, it does send up some red flags. I also assume that the client will be difficult to work with (past experience tells me they will). Work out your feelings before going to an interview and leave it behind.
  4. I need this job. Don’t let your desperation show. They know you want the job. They know you (most likely) need the money. Keep your focus on what the company needs from you and how you are the right fit for the role. You want to lead with your strengths and experience. They don’t want just anyone for the job. They want the RIGHT person.
  5. I want your job. When they ask you “where do you see yourself in 5 years” don’t tell them you want their job. You might think it sounds ambitious but it could come off as arrogant or that you plan on leaving soon. Plus, you may be talking to a sensitive or worried manager who doesn’t know how stable their job is. Telling them you want their job may automatically make them defensive or turned off. Instead, let them know that you hope to gain experience and knowledge from the role with a promotion following.
  6. This is a stepping stone. If you know this next role is only to benefit your career through additional experience so you can move on to the role after that, don’t tell the interviewer that. They don’t need to know that you only view their company as temporary. They want to hire someone committed to the company and the role.
  7. Questions. Have questions ready! Expectations? Culture? What is a typical day like? How do you measure success in this position? What type of advancement is there? What types of challenges should I expect? Who will I be working with? You’ve read my resume and spoken with me; do you think I am a good fit for the role? Even ask them about their role! Going to an interview without follow up questions will make you look unprepared.

Interview don’ts are just as important as interview dos.  Good luck!

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. 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 |  May 26, 2020

#ResumeGaps : 5 Tips On How To Explain Gaps In Your Employment History. Must REad!

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There’s a misconception that it’s a red flag to recruiters if they see breaks in employment on a résumé. Job seekers tend to assume that companies prefer candidates with work experience that seamlessly flows from one employer to the next; many people worry about how to explain common occurrences such as being laid off, quitting a bad job before having a new one, taking extended family leave or experiencing a personal emergency that temporarily takes them out of the workforce.

However, recruiters are used to dealing with candidates in these situations and rarely is it a cause for concern. It isn’t the break-in employment that hurts a candidate’s chances at landing their next job, it’s often how they choose to describe the situation that mistakenly creates a negative perception of their temperament or abilities.

If you find yourself conducting a job search while unemployed or needing to answer questions about a previous gap in your employment, here are five tips to help you comfortably discuss your time out of the workforce and cast it in the best possible light.

1. Assume that recruiters have good intentions

Asking about why you are currently looking for a new job or inquiring about a gap in the years on your résumé is a routine practice for recruiters. They aren’t trying to uncover hidden secrets; they are simply making sure they can answer any questions about your background that may be asked of them later.

Recruiters are selective and do want to find and assess the best talent for their company or client, but that doesn’t stop them from hoping you’ll turn out to be a good match. When you prove yourself to be a strong candidate it saves them time and relieves some of the pressure to keep searching. If a recruiter wants to have a screening call or video interview with you, assume that they are genuinely interested in your background and are hoping that you are a fit.

Remembering that recruiters have good intentions will help you remain calm and to be confident in your abilities, and therefore provide better answers throughout your interview.

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

Article continued …

2. Leverage familiar narratives

Most of the reasons that people find themselves unemployed are extremely common and can be explained quickly because recruiters and hiring managers are already familiar with the narrative.

Some examples of the kind of career disruptions employers run into again and again are: if you were laid off because it was (fill in the blank year when the economy was terrible or something bad happened in your industry), if a new CEO (or another senior leader) came in and replaced your entire team, or if your company was acquired, merged with another or went out of business. Employers also understand disruptions that are more personal, such as if you took time off to be a full-time parent if you tried to launch a start-up but decided it wasn’t for you, if you or another family member had some medical concerns that needed to be addressed, or if your spouse’s career required a relocation.

These are the easiest explanations to give about an employment gap so if any of these situations apply to you, make sure you are simply presenting the recruiter with what is already a known and valid reason to be out of work. Don’t go into any additional detail about your departure or time off unless asked because there is a good chance that using one of these descriptions will be enough to satisfy their curiosity.

3. Be honest, but keep it light and positive

While everything you say in an interview needs to be genuine and accurate, it is not the place to share your most vulnerable stories. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t know you well enough yet to see your career journey and to appreciate what you have endured and learned.

Still, sometimes the truth about why you left a particular job is messy, or reveals a mistake on your part, and you may worry that it’s impossible to be honest and positive when discussing it.

Most people have a job transition (or two) that they are somewhat embarrassed by and wouldn’t want to tell the full, detailed story in an interview. Talented and competent people can find themselves without a job if they take a job they aren’t qualified for or if they find themselves caught up in office politics. Furthermore, there are many times when people have to make personal decisions that unfortunately have a negative impact on their career.

While you may be harboring anger, regret or shame about these episodes, it’s critical that you don’t let these negative emotions influence your interview responses. The key is to candidly present the facts without going too deep into the story or letting the discussion turn negative. Instead, try to refocus the discussion on what you learned or how you plan to use that knowledge in the future.

4. Pivot to the present

Overall, you are looking to strike a balance between providing enough information to answer the question about why you are looking for a job (or why you left a particular employer) and using this response to pivot into a follow-up discussion about why you now want this job.

For example, if you couldn’t get along with the overbearing boss at your last job, a more positive way to position this is to say that you didn’t fit in with the competitive and bureaucratic culture. Then, pivot into a description of how this company’s focus on collaboration and giving employees the freedom to innovate is what interests you most about this job. If a previous employer was less than forthcoming about their financial problems and shut down without notice, use the story to explain what you learned about business strategy and financial planning from that experience and how you plan to use those skills in this job.

There’s no perfect answer but try your best to shift the focus of the reason you found yourself out of work and back onto the present opportunity.

5. Remember to connect

Impressions about how it would be to work with you are influenced by more than just the words you choose. The style in which you respond—things such as tone, body language, listening skills, how and when you choose to pause, and how confident you appear—will all weigh into the overall feeling that the interviewer will take with them from the discussion.

The secret to nailing a job interview isn’t just about having a strong résumé or giving the best answers to hard questions. Often, the winning candidate for a job opening is the person that was better able to build rapport with the interviewer.

While you work to explain your background and address any employment gaps, don’t forget that your main goal is to make a personal connection and leave the person able to envision working with you. Try not to get so caught up in answering any one question correctly that you fail to make eye contact, smile, and match the energy of your interviewer.

It’s important to prepare for discussions about your work history, but remember to take a deep breath, relax, and know that questions about these employment gaps will not necessarily make or break a hiring decision.

Author:   Kourtney Whitehead is a career expert and author of Working Whole. You can learn more about her work at Simply Service.

 

Forbes.com | May 11, 2020

#JobSearch : I Was The Perfect Fit! Why Wasn’t I Hired? (Reasons Why)

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How many times have you felt you were PERFECT for that role, but still didn’t get it? You went over the interview in your mind a hundred times, noted how easily the conversation flowed, how they interviewer would nod enthusiastically when you described a certain experience or skill. They seemed excited when they said they would get back to you soon.

Then you got the email that you weren’t chosen. Safe to say, I think we’ve all been there.

I’m a firm believer in if you didn’t get the job, something better will come along. Through the years, some of our clients have come back to us to tell us about interviews they nailed and were sure they got the job. But didn’t.

However, there are various reasons companies may choose a different route:

They decided to hire internally. As unfair as it sounds, they may have already had a front runner in mind but posted it anyway to see if there is someone better.  Some companies HAVE to post externally due to contract constraints or affirmative action plans. Federal contractors or government agencies may have to post externally as well.

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

Continue of the article:

You were overqualified.  Perhaps they think you won’t do tasks you deem “beneath you”. While it’s unfair for them to assume what you will or won’t do, it is a common concern. They may also fear that you will be bored at the job—especially if you’ve been on an impressive career track. Or, that after a while, you will leave and they’ll be back to square one.

You were underqualified. Thinking you’d be great in a role and actually having the experience to master the role are two different things. Read the job description thoroughly and make sure you have the experience to apply for the role.

They already had another candidate in mind. It’s possible they already found their choice but they had to have a certain amount of candidates to interview to fill their candidate roster. It might be a company policy that X number of people need to be interviewed before a choice can be made.

Your online presence wasn’t professional or up-to-date. Hiring managers check your social media profiles to learn more about you. Turn on your privacy settings if you have personal pictures or information on there. Also, if you haven’t updated your LinkedIn profile in a while (or years!), now is the time to do it. Lack of LI presence can hurt you as well. Get it up to date.

You shared too much. I’ve talked with recruiters who said the candidate told them their life story—the good, bad, and ugly—and in the process turned off the recruiter. Keep the conversation on the company, their pain points, how you can help them, and that’s it. Don’t talk about your jerk boss, your sick parent, or a personal health problem. They really don’t want to or need to hear it. Keep it professional.

You didn’t know enough about the company. Be very prepared when you go to the interview. Research the company, its mission, what they do, what they sell, or what they are about. Research the role, figure out their pain points. Have questions ready to interview the interviewer, questions like, “What should I know about the role I am seeking? Do you have any other insight?” Be both knowledgeable and inquisitive.

Whatever the answer, you may never know. You might have done everything right and still did not get the job. It might have been narrowed down to you and someone else, but they went with the other person because they had more strategy experience.

Either way, you gave it you’re all.

About two months ago, an operations exec said to me, “You know, after three rounds of interviews, they finally told me I wasn’t chosen. So, I reached out to a few old colleagues that resulted in a round of interviews with a company I was never interested in and an industry I wasn’t very familiar with. But they liked me and saw what my vision was for their company–and hired me. It has been the best job I’ve ever had.”

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. 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 |  March 30, 2020

#JobSearch : 5 Ways to Prepare for a Video Interview. Great Two(2) Min Read!

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With “social distancing“, face-to-face interviews are on the decline. However, companies still have job openings to fill. Just look at a job board and you will see thousands of positions available.

Even if you aren’t part of a video interview during this global crisis, chances are you will be sometime in the future. The good news is preparing for a video interview is similar to preparing for a traditional interview.

However, here are some aspects you don’t want to overlook.

Invest in the Proper Technology and Applications

Ask the potential employer which application they use for video interviews so you can download it and explore it ahead of time. Applications like Skype and Zoom are the most popular since they are easy to use. You also want to make sure your computer is fast enough to handle a video interview so there are no delays or lag times.

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

Continue of the article:

Test the App Prior to the Interview

Testing the application involves making sure your camera works correctly, ensuring you can connect to the application and determining whether there are any transmission issues. You don’t want to be struggling with navigating through the app during the interview, so testing well in advance will make the process seamless. 

Practice With a Family Member

You may have shared your executive profile with a family member or friend to proofread, and now you can use them again to practice for a video interview. The things you should be looking for are camera angles, lighting and whether or not there is lag time when communicating. Even a one-second lag time can make it seem like you are interrupting the interviewer, so you don’t want that to be an issue. 

Look Presentable

Your LinkedIn profile should have a professional headshot, and you need to match the professionalism in your video interview as well. Just because you are interviewing from your home doesn’t mean you should dress casually. It’s tempting to wear shorts and only put on a nice shirt since the interviewers will only see your upper body. However, if you have to get up for any reason, the embarrassment of not having on dress pants could be devastating. 

Eliminate Distractions

Finally, look around the room and eliminate any distractions you may have. Is there a clock that makes a sound at the top of each hour? What about any clutter in the background? All of these may seem normal to you since you live with them but can create huge distractions during a video interview. Take the advice from the best professional resume writers and make the room you’re interviewing in look like a professional environment as much as possible.

Just because you are sitting in the comfort of your own home, don’t let your guard down. You need to prepare as though you were traveling to an in-person interview. Make sure your technology is working and that your personal appearance is professional. You want them to remember you for the right reasons.

FSC Blog Author: Ms. 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 | March 24, 2020

Job Search: 3 Things to Keep You Busy While You Wait for your Executive Job Interview Call. Great Two(2) Min Read!

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Job searches can be stressful, time-consuming and frustrating, but they don’t have to be. It’s natural to think you’ll get a call for an interview right away when you send in your resume to a company. But even if you worked with the top-rated resume writing services, there’s still a chance you won’t get the call as quickly as you had hoped.

Instead of dwelling on it and thinking about where you may have gone wrong, use the downtime to your advantage. You never know what may happen, but keep yourself busy by doing these things. 

See if Other Companies Match Your Interests

Every executive resume service will tell you to not put all of your eggs into one basket. While you should spend a significant amount of time researching a company before sending in your targeted resume, don’t stop there. Move on to the next company to see if your personality fits with their culture and if you have the skills they are looking for. Most people have a specific list of companies in mind that they want to work for, but may discover other opportunities in the meantime they didn’t expect.

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

Continue of the article:

Make A New LinkedIn Connection

You can also use your downtime to update your LinkedIn profile and come up with strategic ways to utilize the platform. Take some time to find executives from other companies of interest and reach out to them. There’s never any harm in introducing yourself and making a new connection. Just don’t go overboard by building your list of connections so large and not knowing half of them. Making connections through your LinkedIn profile can lead to various opportunities later on. 

Thank Your Past and Current Mentors

Waiting for a job interview call is a good time to reflect on where you’ve been and look forward to where you want to be. An executive resume service may suggest reaching out to your past and current mentors to simply thank them for how they’ve helped shape your career. They will appreciate the gratitude more than you think, and you never know if they’ll be able to provide you with one last nugget to help you move forward.

The best thing you can do is have a plan, and it’s not sitting around staring at the phone willing it to ring. Set yourself up for success by researching companies, continuing to make connections through LinkedIn and your network, and reaching out to those who have helped you along your career path. Taking these steps will be more effective and keep you focused on your future.

 

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 |  March 16, 2020