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#JobSearch : Former Co-Workers Could Be Sabotaging Your Interview. You can Get Sabotaged When Applying for a New Job. A MUst REad!

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You can get sabotaged when applying for a new job. There have been many instances when a job hunter with all the right skill sets and experiences was knocked out of contention due to disparaging comments made by former employees.

Recruiters refer to this as a “back-door” reference. On an unofficial basis, behind the scenes and without the candidate’s knowledge, former colleagues get wind that a person is interviewing and go out of their way to deliver unflattering opinions about the person to people at the new company.

 

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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 …

Now, human resources, the hiring manager or other executives at the company are placed in an awkward position. They’ve received an unsolicited negative reference citing issues of the person not being a team player; they botched a big deal; are difficult to work with or some other action that raises red flags.

Armed with this knowledge, they have a couple of choices. If the applicant has impeccable credentials and is a perfect fit for the role, the company may want to bring up the negative reviews during the interview process. It would make for an uncomfortable conversation and blindside the applicant. However, raising the topic would allow the interviewee to offer their side of the story.

Some managers may elect to halt the interviewing process, offering vague comments to the candidate that they are going in a different direction, placing the role on pause or have already isolated a person for the job. This action signals that the managers lack confidence in themselves.

They could continue the process, which for mid to senior-level white-collar professionals, may mean three to six-plus interviews with several people conducted over about three months. After the culmination of the process, they’d possess sufficient information to render an intelligent decision, including the damaging unsolicited performance review. On the condition of extending an offer, the firm could require the candidate to submit references from their last two or three employers. The responses may be in complete contradiction to the allegations levied against the person.

This happened more frequently pre-pandemic when interviewing was nearly 100% in person. You need to be prepared. As companies pivot toward hybridization and workers back in the office, the pattern will start again. Staff will deduce you’re there for an interview, sizing up your new wardrobe and haircut. You could be that person walking into the building and navigating the hallways into the meeting rooms when a former co-worker recognizes you.

Some People Just Can’t Let Go Of Past Grudges

An empathetic person would make a mental note to say something positive about the candidate to help their chances of getting hired. Managers and human resources place credence on internal referrals. They feel more comfortable hiring someone well-known and highly regarded by a currently valued worker.

Unfortunately, there will always be people who harbor past grudges and can’t let go of prior arguments and disagreements. Some may feel that the person got a promotion, but believe they richly deserved it. There may have been some long-standing rivalry or they just disliked the person.

Try To Work And Play Well With Others

You don’t always have to be a people-pleaser, but try to get along and make friends and allies instead of enemies. It’s essential to be honest and trustworthy and deliver on your promises. Be respectful to your boss, co-workers and staff. Burnish a reputation above reproach that will follow you to the next job. Remain humble in your victories, and don’t blame others when you fail to achieve your objectives. Avoid talking badly about co-workers behind their backs. Praise and applaud your colleagues when they do well. The advice is both helpful for excelling in your career and minimizing the number of haters who are wishing for your downfall.

The Broken Recommendation Process

Recommendations from former employers are mostly a farce. Nearly all businesses ask for one to three or more references when applying and interviewing for a new job. This is one of the many standard practices that don’t make sense, but continue to happen out of habit.

The reality is that the applicant will seek out only those professionals who will say positive, flattering and overly kind things about them. It’s an open secret that everyone helps each other out in this aspect of the job search. Few people would say anything negative when asked to submit a reference. If that happens, the candidate would cast it aside and choose another person to write a reference. The result is that the company receives questionable references that may not be wholly accurate and are tilted in favor of helping out a work friend. Nevertheless, employers pretend that the reference checks are legitimate, which checks off another box on the interviewing to-do list, and have some cover if the newly hired person turns out to be a dud.

 

Forbes.com | October 28, 2022

#JobInterview : How To Talk Positively About A Negative Job Experience. MUst REad!

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You don’t have to love everything about your current job. It’s no surprise to prospective employers that there are aspects of a candidate’s current job that are suboptimal. That’s why the candidate is looking or agrees to an exploratory interview or returns the recruiter’s call. That said, no employer wants to feel like you’re looking at them only because you want to get out of wherever you are.

The “positive twist” that Ivy is asking for is simply a reframing of what you don’t like in your current job to the aspirational thing you do want in your next job. Talk about what you’re looking for, not what you’re running from.

Here are five common job complaints and how to put a positive spin that helps your candidacy move forward:

1 – If you think you’re underpaid

Never talk about compensation as a reason for wanting to leave your current job. It just makes you sound like money is a primary motive, which is a shortsighted way of managing your career. Of course, money is a motivator, and you can and should negotiate for what you deserve once an employer expresses interest in hiring you. However, the driving motive should be career-related.

Employers want ambitious people with long-term aspirations. Highlight how broad your scope of responsibility is and how you’d like a similar or even larger role. This sets the level of your role, which indirectly sets the compensation expectation. You can also highlight specific wins and their impact on the bottom line. This introduces money into the conversation but in terms of the value you’d bring, which also indirectly sets a compensation expectation.

 

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

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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 …

2 — If you don’t like your boss

If you’re asked to describe your boss, don’t talk about what drives you crazy and pretend it’s okay. That’s just lying, and you might attract more of the same in your next role. Instead, think about a small specific thing they do that is okay, and then quickly shift the conversation back to the job at hand. For example, if you have a micromanager, for interview purposes they are someone who gives detailed instruction or who asks for exactly what they want or who gives continual feedback. If you have a yeller, they are passionate. If you have an idiot, they are hands-off. Then talk about your ideal work environment, and get the interview focused back on the best case, not the worst.

Many interviewers don’t ask about your boss, so definitely don’t offer. Even when you are asked about them, it’s typically to get a sense for the current environment you’re in. It may be in the context of asking how you like to be managed. It could be a trick question to see if you do go negative – and are the type of person who talks behind other people’s back. The only positive way to spin this question, if it pushes your hot button, is to be quick, gracious and focused on the next question.

 

3 — If you disagree with the company direction or are concerned about its business prospects

You don’t want to go into too much detail if the company isn’t doing well because you might give away confidential information. If you’re not sure, assume all financial details and other numbers are confidential. Instead, you can point to the broader industry or the general economy as a reason that you’re listening to other opportunities.

What if the economy is strong, your industry is growing and even your company has had positive media coverage, but you don’t have faith in the leadership or strategic direction? In a strong market, keep your motives general. You’re open to opportunities because you like hearing what else is out there. You recognize that business can shift quickly, so you like to keep your options open. You have seen situations where conditions change unexpectedly (you don’t have to specify that this situation describes where you’re at), and so you’d like to be prepared.

4 — If you feel mistreated

A project did worse than expected, and your boss blamed it on you. A recent restructuring means you’re now stuck doing less desirable tasks than others in your group. You once had resources that are now taken away. There are many legitimate reasons why an employee can feel slighted, frustrated or upset.

However, your prospective employer can’t help with any of these things, so there’s no point in raising upsetting experiences in a job interview. If you’re worried that you’ll leave one blaming boss for another or be stuck doing tasks you don’t really want or think you have resources only to have them taken, then earmark time in your search for thorough due diligence once you get an offer and know who your new boss is, what the job scope is supposed to be and what resources are supposed to be yours. Till then, find another reason that is motivating your move, and do not discuss problems specific to your old company with potential new ones.

5 — If you want to do something else and no longer want your current role ever again

Don’t get defensive if you get calls for the same old jobs you no longer want. It makes sense that employers will target people who have done the job before. Have people to refer so you build a relationship, and pivot the conversation to what you are looking for, not a diatribe on why your current role no longer suits you.

Even if you only have positive experiences, you will encounter the negative interviewer

It’s well worth your time to learn how to handle difficult questions because you will encounter difficult interviewers. Some people frame all their questions to put others on the defensive. What was your biggest mistake? Tell me about your least favorite boss. How do you deal with a difficult client? The negative interviewer tries to stress you out and bring you down. The positive twist is to not let negative interviewers or negative questions bring you down, but rather move the interview back up with your aspirational talk and focus on the ideal.

Forbes.com | October 13, 2022 | Caroline Ceniza-Levine

#JobSearch : How To Make A Great First Impression In An Interview. Here are Some Suggestions for Making a Great First Impression. Great Read!

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Within moments of meeting, the other person immediately forms an impression of you. A successful way to do well in an interview is by quickly capturing the interviewer’s attention—making them feel comfortable and like you. Obviously, skills are important, but people place a large premium on a person’s personality, looks and actions.

The corporate world is usually buttoned-up and traditional. If you are interviewing for a job with an investment bank, you will most likely wear a sharp, tailored suit. At a startup tech company, a more casual attire is acceptable.

The managers want someone who they feel comfortable with. Since they will work closely together with you, the supervisors want to like and trust you. To gain their interest, you need to play the game by doing a number of things. Here are some suggestions for making a great first impression.

The Interviewer Is The Most Important Person In The World

At this moment in time, no one is more important than the person who is interviewing you. You must give them your complete undivided attention.

People’s opinions on how to win someone over are characterized in the media as the smooth, fast-talking salesperson who schmoozes their way into a big deal. In reality, that approach often backfires. You need to take the opposite approach and put your ego aside. Listen more than you speak. You want to come across as authentic, genuine, empathetic and caring about how you can help the manager.

The best way to do this is by asking them how you could help, and then actively listening to their needs. Once you hear what the important tasks are, you could ask specific questions to flesh out more details. The more they talk, the better they feel about you. In addition to the job description, you now have great insights from the source of what’s needed for the position. You can then address the pain points by sharing your background, talents, experience, skills and education that will make you successful in the role.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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 …

Eye Contact, Smiling And Body Language

There are very easy steps to take to make the interviewer like you. Whether it’s an in-person or video call, you need to make eye contact. This doesn’t mean continually staring at them for long durations. It’s about showing that you are paying rapt attention to what the person is saying and absorbing the information.

Along with eye contact, nod your head every once in a while to acknowledge that you agree and understand what they are talking about. When the time is right, you want to offer a smile and a certain sparkle in your eyes to demonstrate that you are interested in the role and the company.

Stay present in the moment. Don’t fidget in your seat, look away from the camera or seem distracted. If you are in the person’s office, remember to sit up straight, pull your shoulders back and maintain a relaxed vibe. On a video call, you need to ensure that the lighting and sound and video quality are top-notch. The background must be aligned with the image you seek to present.

Ask Questions That Show You Are Interested

We all know that compensation, raises, bonuses, stock options, career progression and work style (remote, hybrid, in-office, flexible) are the most important things you are thinking about. Put them aside for now.

The initial questions you should ask relating to the hiring manager. You want to ask the interviewer about what made them decide to work at this particular company. Inquire whether or not they like their job. Politely bring up why they chose you out of all the other candidates.

These questions will get them talking. You will learn a lot from their answers. When the person doing the hiring talks more than the interviewee, it’s a good sign. The interviewer starts telling themself that they must like you because they are spending so much time selling the job to you.

Later on, during subsequent interviews, you could then ask questions about salary, bonuses, vacations and other important matters. You first want to get the buy-in and then the salary and other negotiations will be easier later on.

Mirror The Interviewer

Everyone has different speech patterns. In New York City, people tend to talk quickly and abruptly. Folks from the Midwest have a more laid-back, quiet and slower tempo. If you are not conscious of the other person’s style, it could be a turnoff.

Mirror the interviewer’s cadence. This doesn’t mean copying what they say. It’s the art of tailoring your speech pattern to align with the interviewer. This will make them feel more at ease and comfortable.

In addition, use their name once in a while. People like and respond better when you use their name in a conversation. It draws them and creates a bit of intimacy. Don’t overuse it or you’ll risk alienating the person with too much repetition.

Always Be Positive, Genuine And Authentic

No matter how dreadful your former boss and co-workers were, don’t say anything negative or derogatory about them. If you do, everyone in the interview process will assume that you’ll later badmouth them too when you leave and interview with another company.

You want to come across as positive, motivated and enthusiastic. Demonstrate that you are a team player. Avoid putting on airs. Instead, be genuine and authentic. Let them see the real you.

 Forbes.com Author:  Jack Kelly

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.

 

Forbes.com | June 27, 2022

#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