The Savvy Networker
Liz Ryan, Yahoo! HotJobs
The great thing about a job interview is the way that it narrows the field. If you can get in front of the people making a hiring decision, that means that you've already moved from a group of perhaps 100 resumes to a field of just a few serious contenders. At that point, your chance of getting a job offer improves dramatically.
Of course, having surmounted that huge hurdle, the last thing you want to do is blow it. To that end, here are 10 job-interview gaffes to avoid.
1. Complaining about the parking or directions.
Don't think it doesn't happen! As cordial and happy-go-lucky as your interviewers may seem, they don't want to hear a job-seeker complain that the place was hard to find or that the parking is inconvenient. The best (that is, the worst) example of this I ever experienced as an HR person came from the candidate who said, "Seven handicapped parking spaces next to the front door? What, are you having a wheelchair convention or something?" That was a short interview.
2. Bad-mouthing your previous job, manager, or company.
If you've been laid off or suffered some other unpleasant experience at your last job, it's easy to launch into a litany of everything the old employer did wrong. Don't do it! The interviewer is bound to wonder "Will this person be bashing me behind my back on some future interview, too?" Zip it.
3. Digging into details off the bat.
The typical selection process allows plenty of time for you to learn everything you need to know about the company's dental plan, its tuition-reimbursement policy, and the size of your cubicle. Don't ask about any of these items on a first interview, when you should be focusing the conversation on the role and the organization.
4. Groveling.
Employers want to hire people who can do the jobs and who are enthusiastic about the work. What's not so appealing is the candidate whose every word and gesture conveys the message, "Hire me, I beg you!" Joblessness is no fun, but you don't help your chances of getting the nod by presenting yourself as a candidate whose most notable attribute is desperation.
5. Answering a question before you understand it.
The absolute worst answer to any interview question is the response that shows you weren't really listening. When an interviewer asks a question that requires thought, like, "Tell me about a time when you had to convince a team of people to change gears," you don't want to blurt out, "Oh, I've done that a million times!" Any "tell me about a time when" question is a question that the interviewer has chosen to elicit a specific problem/solution story from you. Take the time to think through the question and compose a thoughtful answer. A few minutes of silence in the room won't kill anybody.
6. Spacing out.
Any interviewer worth her salt will be able tell when you've zoned out. If you're wondering whether the 5:40 train will get you home in time to watch the playoff game, the interviewer will spot it in your eyes. If you're really out of it, he may throw you a curve ball like, "So, who would you say was the most effective member of Teddy Roosevelt's cabinet, and why?" Stay in the room, with your eyes either meeting the interviewer's or looking thoughtfully at the ceiling. Or your shoes.
7. Slouching.
We'll throw in tipping the chair back off its front legs, resting your head on your hand, and lacing your fingers together behind your head.
8. Cursing.
Interviewers love to put job candidates at ease. When you reach the state of ease that lets an "f-bomb" escape your lips, you've gone too far.
9. "Opening the kimono."
It's tempting to share with a sympathetic interviewer the news that this job search has been really hard, that you're not getting callbacks, and that you've already sent out 150 resumes. Don't do it. Smart job candidates put out a vibe that says, "I'm glad to be here with you and this job might be fun, but I'm a capable person who's aware of his value on the job market."
10. Doing anything disgusting.
The long list of personal gross factors includes picking one's teeth or nose, spitting, and other unmentionables that are best left to the imagination. Any of these is a sure-fire interview-killer (and can we really blame the employer for that?). One candidate asked me for a cup of water, took a sip, swished it around in his mouth, and spat into a potted plant. Niiiiiice!
Liz Ryan is a 25-year HR veteran, former Fortune 500 VP and an internationally recognized expert on careers and the new millennium workplace. Contact Liz at liz@asklizryan.com or join the Ask Liz Ryan online community at www.asklizryan/group.
The opinions expressed in this column are solely the author's.
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
How flexible should you really be?
10 questions never to ask in job interviews
How to create a vision for your career
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Monday, January 11, 2010
6 Soft Skills That Could Land You the Job
Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs, Yahoo! HotJobs
WANTED: Payroll Manager with BA in accounting, five years of management experience, extensive knowledge of payroll principles, and a sense of humor.
Wait. Humor? Now you have to reconcile W2s, process checks, and crack up coworkers? Has the job market become that competitive?
Not exactly. Employers seem to demand the moon these days, but they're really looking for candidates who may be easier to work with (assuming they already have the core skills to do the job). That means "soft," or intangible qualities, such as leadership, sense of humor, or "playing well with others," can be a strong competitive advantage for the job seeker. When a search comes down to two systems analysts with similar backgrounds and core competencies, the one who also may be a better "team player," or can "wear many hats," is more likely to get the nod.
Qualities You'll Need
"Today, employers want to see a candidate's ability to show value in the workplace beyond the job description," Stefanie Cross-Wilson, co-president of recruitment and talent management at Hudson, tells Yahoo! HotJobs. "It's the tangible skills or core competencies that get you in the door. It's the soft skills that often get you the job."
Any of these six qualities could give you a competitive edge:
Leadership/Team Building. Leadership skills are not only critical for supervisory positions, but also for candidates who may want rise to positions where they'll give directions to others, experts say.
Team Player. Employers like people who play well with others. Even if the job you seek isn't officially part of a team, an employer may want examples of how you collaborated with people who don't report to you.
Goal-Oriented Self-Starter. This doesn't necessarily require motivating others. While employers don't necessarily want loose canons or mavericks, they do appreciate people who don't need to be told what to do and can set their own tasks and follow through.
Excellent Communicator. No matter what the core job duties are, the ability to write a coherent memo or email, give clear verbal instructions, and help meetings run smoothly -- or, at least, not sabotage meetings -- will probably be needed.
Flexibility/Multi-Tasking Ability. Sometimes employers will call this the "ability to wear many hats." Most professionals have multiple job duties even in the best of times. In an environment rife with layoffs, managers are especially comforted knowing a candidate can take on even unanticipated tasks.
Sense of Humor. Unless you're applying to Comedy Central, you don't have to make them double up laughing, according to John McKee, president and founder of BusinessSuccessCoach.net and author of "Career Wisdom."
"While I don't hear recruiters asking for candidates who can tell a joke well, I do believe that evidence of light-heartedness and/or the ability to lighten up a tough situation is valued, and self deprecation seems to be well-received," McKee says.
Putting the Skills in Play
Other common soft skills demanded on job listings include "time management" (you can get everything done on time), "strong work ethic" (you're not inclined to take three-hour lunches), and "problem solver."
Though you might be able to hint at any of these qualities on your resume, it's really in an interview where you let the skills shine. "At interview time, most hiring managers are digging deeper into core skills, but also evaluating soft skills, which depend on what is necessary for the position," says Lindsay Olson, partner and recruiter at Paradigm Staffing.
You don't have all of these soft skills? Don't worry. Even in today's job market, it's not necessary to be super-human. Cross-Wilson says: "Employers don't expect you to be brilliant at everything. In the interview you can be honest if there is a weakness you have. If you are able to be relaxed and be yourself, they'll see you as authentic."
Build Mini-Stories
Olson suggested that job seekers build "mini-stories" around the soft skills they think would be valuable for the job and share them at the interview. "You should prepare specific examples of how you dealt with a specific task or issue that will help others understand you have skills to solve their problems too."
What if you don't think you have the necessary soft skills to land the job? It's not like you can take a class to boost your sense of humor, but you can ask a mentor or a friend for help in improving, for example, your email etiquette. Many soft skills can be built or improved on the job, experts say. Consider volunteering for more responsibility, or jump at the chance to be on a team, so that you'll have anecdotes to tell on your next interview.
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
How flexible should you be?
Appearance matters: Use your looks for career success
10 ways to ruin a job interview
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs, Yahoo! HotJobs
WANTED: Payroll Manager with BA in accounting, five years of management experience, extensive knowledge of payroll principles, and a sense of humor.
Wait. Humor? Now you have to reconcile W2s, process checks, and crack up coworkers? Has the job market become that competitive?
Not exactly. Employers seem to demand the moon these days, but they're really looking for candidates who may be easier to work with (assuming they already have the core skills to do the job). That means "soft," or intangible qualities, such as leadership, sense of humor, or "playing well with others," can be a strong competitive advantage for the job seeker. When a search comes down to two systems analysts with similar backgrounds and core competencies, the one who also may be a better "team player," or can "wear many hats," is more likely to get the nod.
Qualities You'll Need
"Today, employers want to see a candidate's ability to show value in the workplace beyond the job description," Stefanie Cross-Wilson, co-president of recruitment and talent management at Hudson, tells Yahoo! HotJobs. "It's the tangible skills or core competencies that get you in the door. It's the soft skills that often get you the job."
Any of these six qualities could give you a competitive edge:
Leadership/Team Building. Leadership skills are not only critical for supervisory positions, but also for candidates who may want rise to positions where they'll give directions to others, experts say.
Team Player. Employers like people who play well with others. Even if the job you seek isn't officially part of a team, an employer may want examples of how you collaborated with people who don't report to you.
Goal-Oriented Self-Starter. This doesn't necessarily require motivating others. While employers don't necessarily want loose canons or mavericks, they do appreciate people who don't need to be told what to do and can set their own tasks and follow through.
Excellent Communicator. No matter what the core job duties are, the ability to write a coherent memo or email, give clear verbal instructions, and help meetings run smoothly -- or, at least, not sabotage meetings -- will probably be needed.
Flexibility/Multi-Tasking Ability. Sometimes employers will call this the "ability to wear many hats." Most professionals have multiple job duties even in the best of times. In an environment rife with layoffs, managers are especially comforted knowing a candidate can take on even unanticipated tasks.
Sense of Humor. Unless you're applying to Comedy Central, you don't have to make them double up laughing, according to John McKee, president and founder of BusinessSuccessCoach.net and author of "Career Wisdom."
"While I don't hear recruiters asking for candidates who can tell a joke well, I do believe that evidence of light-heartedness and/or the ability to lighten up a tough situation is valued, and self deprecation seems to be well-received," McKee says.
Putting the Skills in Play
Other common soft skills demanded on job listings include "time management" (you can get everything done on time), "strong work ethic" (you're not inclined to take three-hour lunches), and "problem solver."
Though you might be able to hint at any of these qualities on your resume, it's really in an interview where you let the skills shine. "At interview time, most hiring managers are digging deeper into core skills, but also evaluating soft skills, which depend on what is necessary for the position," says Lindsay Olson, partner and recruiter at Paradigm Staffing.
You don't have all of these soft skills? Don't worry. Even in today's job market, it's not necessary to be super-human. Cross-Wilson says: "Employers don't expect you to be brilliant at everything. In the interview you can be honest if there is a weakness you have. If you are able to be relaxed and be yourself, they'll see you as authentic."
Build Mini-Stories
Olson suggested that job seekers build "mini-stories" around the soft skills they think would be valuable for the job and share them at the interview. "You should prepare specific examples of how you dealt with a specific task or issue that will help others understand you have skills to solve their problems too."
What if you don't think you have the necessary soft skills to land the job? It's not like you can take a class to boost your sense of humor, but you can ask a mentor or a friend for help in improving, for example, your email etiquette. Many soft skills can be built or improved on the job, experts say. Consider volunteering for more responsibility, or jump at the chance to be on a team, so that you'll have anecdotes to tell on your next interview.
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
How flexible should you be?
Appearance matters: Use your looks for career success
10 ways to ruin a job interview
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
10 Ways to Make the Most of an Informational Interview
Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs, Yahoo! HotJobs
Don't have any prospects for a job interview? Try setting up some informational interviews. A great way to grow your network and gain knowledge, informational interviews can be a gateway to your next professional opportunity. Use these tips to maximize their potential and drive your career forward.
1. Don't push. Jason Seiden, the author of "How to Self-Destruct: Making the Least of What's Left of Your Career," advises professionals to make sure the prospect is open to the notion of an informational interview. "My advice is not to pursue people who aren't interested -- it's like the same rule from referrals or college recommendations: If you have to ask twice, abort!" he recommends.
2. Go in with goals. Linda Carlson, a Seattle-based author and marketing consultant, says, "The job-seeker has specific goals, which may be to get a realistic assessment of the market and/or the job-seeker's qualifications for the currently available positions, or names of hiring managers, or tips on which professional associations to contact regarding meetings or job banks." Whatever the case, stick to your agenda.
3. Connect quickly. "The key to a successful informational interview is establishing a human connection and mutual interest quickly. The more the job seeker does her homework by researching the company and the interviewer, shows gratitude, and expresses genuine interest, the better," says Nancy Ancowitz, a business communication coach in New York.
4. Be genuine. Career changer Charlene McNary, who blogs about her job search at buyoutblessing.com and has been on several successful informational interviews, shares, "I will stress that the most important thing is to be sure that you're not asking for jobs but information. If you focus on just looking for jobs, the person you're interviewing will feel used and you'll get nowhere."
5. Mind your manners. Speaking from a few negative experiences as someone who has granted informational interviews, Carlson states, "The job seeker must be professional, courteous, and appreciative of any help provided and pick up the check for coffee, lunch, or breakfast, etc." Don't ask your interviewer to pay for -- or even split -- a check.
6. Reap references. "When job seekers go on informational interviews, they should request referrals from the interviewer for additional people who may be willing to meet with them. Then, they should meet with those people and request additional referrals. It is not a waste of time. Even if they do not receive a job tip, the job seeker's network will expand outwards like a web," reveals Sharon Reed Abboud, a career strategist and author of "All Moms Work: Short-Term Career Strategies for Long-Range Success."
7. Keep time on your mind. Job search mentor Roberta Chinsky Matuson urges interviewees, "Be mindful of the time. If you ask for 15 minutes, then that is all you should expect. If it appears you are running over, inform the person that it looks like your time is just about up. If need be, ask for permission to ask one more question -- and wait until permission is granted before doing so."
8. Location, location, location. While some folks may request an out-of-office chat, Duncan Mathison, speaker and co-author of the soon-to-be-published "The Truth About the Hidden Job Market," believes: "In-office settings are usually better for informational meetings because lunch or coffee is expensive for tight budgets and the setting is often noisy and distracting. In addition, the person with whom you are interviewing will be closer to their important information in their office -- company information, contacts, their computer to send introductory emails and so forth."
9. Offer up a helping hand. Career expert Barbara Safani, author of "Happy About My Resume: 50 Tips for Building a Better Document to Secure a Brighter," counsels, "Job seekers should ask if there is anything they can help the other person with. This deepens the relationship and makes the conversation less about them. When there is reciprocity and a genuine effort to help each other, the job seeker is less likely to come across as desperate."
10. Show your gratitude. "Soon after the interview, be gracious and send a thank-you note to the interviewer and, if applicable, the person who connected the two of you. Also, remind yourself that it's important to have many irons in the fire when looking for a job, and this is just one of them," adds Ancowitz.
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
Recruiter Rountable: Tips for following up
Soft skills that could land you the job
6 myths about job-hunting in a recession
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs, Yahoo! HotJobs
Don't have any prospects for a job interview? Try setting up some informational interviews. A great way to grow your network and gain knowledge, informational interviews can be a gateway to your next professional opportunity. Use these tips to maximize their potential and drive your career forward.
1. Don't push. Jason Seiden, the author of "How to Self-Destruct: Making the Least of What's Left of Your Career," advises professionals to make sure the prospect is open to the notion of an informational interview. "My advice is not to pursue people who aren't interested -- it's like the same rule from referrals or college recommendations: If you have to ask twice, abort!" he recommends.
2. Go in with goals. Linda Carlson, a Seattle-based author and marketing consultant, says, "The job-seeker has specific goals, which may be to get a realistic assessment of the market and/or the job-seeker's qualifications for the currently available positions, or names of hiring managers, or tips on which professional associations to contact regarding meetings or job banks." Whatever the case, stick to your agenda.
3. Connect quickly. "The key to a successful informational interview is establishing a human connection and mutual interest quickly. The more the job seeker does her homework by researching the company and the interviewer, shows gratitude, and expresses genuine interest, the better," says Nancy Ancowitz, a business communication coach in New York.
4. Be genuine. Career changer Charlene McNary, who blogs about her job search at buyoutblessing.com and has been on several successful informational interviews, shares, "I will stress that the most important thing is to be sure that you're not asking for jobs but information. If you focus on just looking for jobs, the person you're interviewing will feel used and you'll get nowhere."
5. Mind your manners. Speaking from a few negative experiences as someone who has granted informational interviews, Carlson states, "The job seeker must be professional, courteous, and appreciative of any help provided and pick up the check for coffee, lunch, or breakfast, etc." Don't ask your interviewer to pay for -- or even split -- a check.
6. Reap references. "When job seekers go on informational interviews, they should request referrals from the interviewer for additional people who may be willing to meet with them. Then, they should meet with those people and request additional referrals. It is not a waste of time. Even if they do not receive a job tip, the job seeker's network will expand outwards like a web," reveals Sharon Reed Abboud, a career strategist and author of "All Moms Work: Short-Term Career Strategies for Long-Range Success."
7. Keep time on your mind. Job search mentor Roberta Chinsky Matuson urges interviewees, "Be mindful of the time. If you ask for 15 minutes, then that is all you should expect. If it appears you are running over, inform the person that it looks like your time is just about up. If need be, ask for permission to ask one more question -- and wait until permission is granted before doing so."
8. Location, location, location. While some folks may request an out-of-office chat, Duncan Mathison, speaker and co-author of the soon-to-be-published "The Truth About the Hidden Job Market," believes: "In-office settings are usually better for informational meetings because lunch or coffee is expensive for tight budgets and the setting is often noisy and distracting. In addition, the person with whom you are interviewing will be closer to their important information in their office -- company information, contacts, their computer to send introductory emails and so forth."
9. Offer up a helping hand. Career expert Barbara Safani, author of "Happy About My Resume: 50 Tips for Building a Better Document to Secure a Brighter," counsels, "Job seekers should ask if there is anything they can help the other person with. This deepens the relationship and makes the conversation less about them. When there is reciprocity and a genuine effort to help each other, the job seeker is less likely to come across as desperate."
10. Show your gratitude. "Soon after the interview, be gracious and send a thank-you note to the interviewer and, if applicable, the person who connected the two of you. Also, remind yourself that it's important to have many irons in the fire when looking for a job, and this is just one of them," adds Ancowitz.
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
Recruiter Rountable: Tips for following up
Soft skills that could land you the job
6 myths about job-hunting in a recession
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
The Savvy Networker
Liz Ryan, Yahoo! HotJobs
Job-seekers know from harsh experience that the toughest hurdle in a job search is getting the interview. Once you get the interview, you've got some control over the process -- at that stage, you just have to do your research, and be on your game.
The resume has a harder job than you do. It's got to get you in the door. That's why it's essential for job-seekers to avoid these five resume-killing phrases. Take a look -- are any of these toxic claims poisoning your resume now?
1. "I am the best candidate for the job."
At the resume stage, this is an irresponsible and presumptuous thing to say. Obviously, you don't know who else is applying for the job or how your qualifications stack up. Say instead, "I am very interested and believe I'm qualified for the job." Then, use the next sentence of your resume or cover letter to say how.
2. "I have a proven track record of success."
Apart from its 10-out-of-10 rating on the Legendary Cliché scale, this sentence makes no sense. What other kind of track record is there? There's no such thing as an unproven track record. The "success" bit on the end only lowers the perceived IQ of the writer. Replace this boilerplate phrase with a story about something specific you did to help your last employer.
3. "I left this job because of disagreements with management."
I would never advise you to lie on a resume, but the problems-with-management message stands out like a neon sign on a resume and spells trouble. Instead say, "A shift in organizational priorities made this role less of a fit for me over time" or, "I'd learned a ton at that job, but it was time to go."
4. "I am an out-of-the-box thinker."
The thing about true out-of-the-box thinkers is they'd never use this cliché. Don't tell us that you're creative. Give us an example of your creativity, like "I revamped the Accounts Payable process and saved our company $1M."
5. "My qualifications are evident."
Don't assume that your qualifications shine though -- spell them out for us. Employers want to know that you're qualified for this job, and that means you've got to customize your resume (as well as your cover letter) for every single opening you apply for. The extra time investment is worth it -- there's a good job available for someone, and it might as well be you!
Liz Ryan is a 25-year HR veteran, former Fortune 500 VP and an internationally recognized expert on careers and the new millennium workplace. Contact Liz at liz@asklizryan.com or join the Ask Liz Ryan online community at www.asklizryan/group.
The opinions expressed in this column are solely the author's.
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
What type of interviewee will you be?
The online essentials for your job search
12 tips to get your resume noticed
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Liz Ryan, Yahoo! HotJobs
Job-seekers know from harsh experience that the toughest hurdle in a job search is getting the interview. Once you get the interview, you've got some control over the process -- at that stage, you just have to do your research, and be on your game.
The resume has a harder job than you do. It's got to get you in the door. That's why it's essential for job-seekers to avoid these five resume-killing phrases. Take a look -- are any of these toxic claims poisoning your resume now?
1. "I am the best candidate for the job."
At the resume stage, this is an irresponsible and presumptuous thing to say. Obviously, you don't know who else is applying for the job or how your qualifications stack up. Say instead, "I am very interested and believe I'm qualified for the job." Then, use the next sentence of your resume or cover letter to say how.
2. "I have a proven track record of success."
Apart from its 10-out-of-10 rating on the Legendary Cliché scale, this sentence makes no sense. What other kind of track record is there? There's no such thing as an unproven track record. The "success" bit on the end only lowers the perceived IQ of the writer. Replace this boilerplate phrase with a story about something specific you did to help your last employer.
3. "I left this job because of disagreements with management."
I would never advise you to lie on a resume, but the problems-with-management message stands out like a neon sign on a resume and spells trouble. Instead say, "A shift in organizational priorities made this role less of a fit for me over time" or, "I'd learned a ton at that job, but it was time to go."
4. "I am an out-of-the-box thinker."
The thing about true out-of-the-box thinkers is they'd never use this cliché. Don't tell us that you're creative. Give us an example of your creativity, like "I revamped the Accounts Payable process and saved our company $1M."
5. "My qualifications are evident."
Don't assume that your qualifications shine though -- spell them out for us. Employers want to know that you're qualified for this job, and that means you've got to customize your resume (as well as your cover letter) for every single opening you apply for. The extra time investment is worth it -- there's a good job available for someone, and it might as well be you!
Liz Ryan is a 25-year HR veteran, former Fortune 500 VP and an internationally recognized expert on careers and the new millennium workplace. Contact Liz at liz@asklizryan.com or join the Ask Liz Ryan online community at www.asklizryan/group.
The opinions expressed in this column are solely the author's.
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
What type of interviewee will you be?
The online essentials for your job search
12 tips to get your resume noticed
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Interview Insights: 10 Ways to Make the Most of the First 10 Minutes
Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs, Yahoo! HotJobs
You only have one chance to make a good first impression, and you only have a few minutes to do just that in a job interview.
According to a Robert Half International (RHI) survey of 150 senior executives at the nation's 1,000 largest companies, hiring managers form either a positive or negative opinion of job candidates within just 10 minutes.
Brandi Britton, senior regional vice president with RHI, says, "Your behavior may be under scrutiny from the moment you arrive for the interview." Use these tips from Britton and other career and job-search gurus to make sure you wow them from the minute you walk in the room.
1. "A firm, non-sweaty handshake, eye contact, and a nice smile make you seem likeable. Likeable people are hired most often."
-- David Lewis, an executive with Express Employment Professionals and an expert on career development
2. "Prepare to engage in small talk, which helps to break the ice and puts both parties at ease and also demonstrates your ability to make conversation with potential clients, coworkers, and executives."
-- Brandi Britton, Robert Half International
3. "Be prepared with everything you can possibly know about the company and the person who is doing the interview."
-- Executive coach Beth Ross
4. "Don't take the head of a table or sit down until you are invited to do so to demonstrate how you'll behave in professional situations."
-- Patty DeDominic, cofounder of DeDominic & Associates, a professional coaching and business services firm
5. "Open with penetrating questions that prove beyond a doubt that you've done your homework on the company, the position, the department, the industry, and/or the competition."
-- Ford Myers, author of "Get the Job You Want Even When No One's Hiring"
6. "Practice your answers to commonly asked interview questions so that you come across as a well-prepared candidate."
-- Certified executive career coach Cheryl Palmer, Calltocareer.com
7. "If asked to talk about yourself, always answer from a professional sense. Telling people about your family and what you do on the weekends is definitely the wrong approach. You want to solely focus on the areas of your work in which you are most effective and productive."
-- Careers and resume expert Lauren Milligan, Resumayday.com.
8. "Become an object of interest by the questions you ask! Leave them wanting more with the quality of content you add to the conversation (versus noise)."
-- David Nour, consultant and author of "Relationship Economics"
9. "Mirror the body language of the interviewer. If they are leaning forward, you should be doing the same. This builds rapport on a sub-conscious level, giving the feeling of a deeper connection."
-- Job market expert Jabez LaBret, ThawingtheJobMarket.com
10. "Your interview strategy must include proof that you have successfully completed job-relevant tasks. A good strategy is to marry a strength and a specific example to prove that you are accomplished at what you do. Quantify accomplishments using numbers, percentages, and dollars whenever possible."
-- Barbara Safani, president, CareerSolvers.com
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
5 steps for updating your resume
A good impression is in the details
4 steps to a better job interview
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs, Yahoo! HotJobs
You only have one chance to make a good first impression, and you only have a few minutes to do just that in a job interview.
According to a Robert Half International (RHI) survey of 150 senior executives at the nation's 1,000 largest companies, hiring managers form either a positive or negative opinion of job candidates within just 10 minutes.
Brandi Britton, senior regional vice president with RHI, says, "Your behavior may be under scrutiny from the moment you arrive for the interview." Use these tips from Britton and other career and job-search gurus to make sure you wow them from the minute you walk in the room.
1. "A firm, non-sweaty handshake, eye contact, and a nice smile make you seem likeable. Likeable people are hired most often."
-- David Lewis, an executive with Express Employment Professionals and an expert on career development
2. "Prepare to engage in small talk, which helps to break the ice and puts both parties at ease and also demonstrates your ability to make conversation with potential clients, coworkers, and executives."
-- Brandi Britton, Robert Half International
3. "Be prepared with everything you can possibly know about the company and the person who is doing the interview."
-- Executive coach Beth Ross
4. "Don't take the head of a table or sit down until you are invited to do so to demonstrate how you'll behave in professional situations."
-- Patty DeDominic, cofounder of DeDominic & Associates, a professional coaching and business services firm
5. "Open with penetrating questions that prove beyond a doubt that you've done your homework on the company, the position, the department, the industry, and/or the competition."
-- Ford Myers, author of "Get the Job You Want Even When No One's Hiring"
6. "Practice your answers to commonly asked interview questions so that you come across as a well-prepared candidate."
-- Certified executive career coach Cheryl Palmer, Calltocareer.com
7. "If asked to talk about yourself, always answer from a professional sense. Telling people about your family and what you do on the weekends is definitely the wrong approach. You want to solely focus on the areas of your work in which you are most effective and productive."
-- Careers and resume expert Lauren Milligan, Resumayday.com.
8. "Become an object of interest by the questions you ask! Leave them wanting more with the quality of content you add to the conversation (versus noise)."
-- David Nour, consultant and author of "Relationship Economics"
9. "Mirror the body language of the interviewer. If they are leaning forward, you should be doing the same. This builds rapport on a sub-conscious level, giving the feeling of a deeper connection."
-- Job market expert Jabez LaBret, ThawingtheJobMarket.com
10. "Your interview strategy must include proof that you have successfully completed job-relevant tasks. A good strategy is to marry a strength and a specific example to prove that you are accomplished at what you do. Quantify accomplishments using numbers, percentages, and dollars whenever possible."
-- Barbara Safani, president, CareerSolvers.com
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
5 steps for updating your resume
A good impression is in the details
4 steps to a better job interview
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
The Savvy Networker
Liz Ryan, Yahoo! HotJobs
One of the most alarming bits of job-search advice going around says, "You don't have to explain everything in a cover letter and a resume. You can leave questions unanswered on those documents, because that'll give you and the employer something to talk about in the interview."
This may be true if you mention in your resume that you won an Olympic medal. A lot of people would want to meet you just to find out more about that. It's the same way if you won a Grammy or were an intern in the White House. You don't have to say much -- you can share all the details in the interview.
What job-seekers don't always understand is that certain, pressing questions can't be answered in an interview. You won't have the chance, because the presence of these alarm-raising issues on your resume will knock you out of the race altogether. Employers like a lot of things in a job candidate, but uncertainty isn't one of them. You need to nail down the big issues right there, on the resume or in the cover letter, or the interview will never take place.
Here are five top items to explain on paper, in your very first overture to a prospective employer:
Gaps in Employment History
Gaps are to resumes what open sores are to people you meet on a first date through a personals site. They're alarming. We can reduce the level of concern by explaining our gaps right in the resume. Months-long gaps can evaporate if you list the years, and not the months, of your assignments. (This won't help in the typical online application form, which asks for months and years both.) You've got to explain, either via resume or cover letter or both, that you took time off work to care for an ailing relative, or start a business, or go on a pilgrimage or what have you. An unexplained gap is an easy "knockout" item otherwise.
Dives
Gone are the days when the typical employee's career was represented by a straight shot up the corporate ladder. Most of us take twists and turns these days, but unexplained career dives -- moves from a responsible job to a significantly less responsible one -- give employers the willies. If you quit your consulting job to help your uncle in his landscaping business, say so. Use the last bullet point under each section of your resume to explain your next move: "Left IBM to answer the phones at Friendster, believing it to be the next big thing." Oops.
Short-Term Jobs
Employers don't expect (and don't necessarily want) their job candidates to have spent decades at one assignment, but a series of short-term jobs is a major source of concern. If you ran into a rough patch, use your resume and cover letter to tell the reader what was going on. Don't leave them guessing why you spent six months at one gig, nine months at the next, and four at another.
Self-Employment Stops and Starts
Entrepreneurism is a wonderful thing, and plenty of large and small employers appreciate a candidate with the moxie required to start his or her own shop. If your resume includes numerous entrepreneurial stints interspersed with W-2 assignments, employers will shun your resume unless you fill in the gaps. Otherwise, it looks like you went on your own when times were good and only came back to the fold for port-in-a-storm reasons, and that's not what employers want to see.
Geographical Moves
If you moved from New Jersey to Oregon for a job, that's awesome. If you moved back to New Jersey, then to Alabama and from there to Seattle, employers start to wonder what's up. You can use some of your resume's real estate to tell us what drove your wanderlust. A spouse or partner's relocation? Family issues? You don't have to lay your personal life bare on the page, but a bit of insight into your meanderings might make the difference between an interview and a "No Thanks" letter (or not even that).
Don't think, "The screener won't notice that one item." Resume-readers have eagle eyes where oddities are concerned, and you'll be glad you resolved these issues before they had a chance to do in your chance at the job.
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
Make the most of the first 10 minutes
8 tips for better email cover letters
5 phrases that can poison your resume
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Liz Ryan, Yahoo! HotJobs
One of the most alarming bits of job-search advice going around says, "You don't have to explain everything in a cover letter and a resume. You can leave questions unanswered on those documents, because that'll give you and the employer something to talk about in the interview."
This may be true if you mention in your resume that you won an Olympic medal. A lot of people would want to meet you just to find out more about that. It's the same way if you won a Grammy or were an intern in the White House. You don't have to say much -- you can share all the details in the interview.
What job-seekers don't always understand is that certain, pressing questions can't be answered in an interview. You won't have the chance, because the presence of these alarm-raising issues on your resume will knock you out of the race altogether. Employers like a lot of things in a job candidate, but uncertainty isn't one of them. You need to nail down the big issues right there, on the resume or in the cover letter, or the interview will never take place.
Here are five top items to explain on paper, in your very first overture to a prospective employer:
Gaps in Employment History
Gaps are to resumes what open sores are to people you meet on a first date through a personals site. They're alarming. We can reduce the level of concern by explaining our gaps right in the resume. Months-long gaps can evaporate if you list the years, and not the months, of your assignments. (This won't help in the typical online application form, which asks for months and years both.) You've got to explain, either via resume or cover letter or both, that you took time off work to care for an ailing relative, or start a business, or go on a pilgrimage or what have you. An unexplained gap is an easy "knockout" item otherwise.
Dives
Gone are the days when the typical employee's career was represented by a straight shot up the corporate ladder. Most of us take twists and turns these days, but unexplained career dives -- moves from a responsible job to a significantly less responsible one -- give employers the willies. If you quit your consulting job to help your uncle in his landscaping business, say so. Use the last bullet point under each section of your resume to explain your next move: "Left IBM to answer the phones at Friendster, believing it to be the next big thing." Oops.
Short-Term Jobs
Employers don't expect (and don't necessarily want) their job candidates to have spent decades at one assignment, but a series of short-term jobs is a major source of concern. If you ran into a rough patch, use your resume and cover letter to tell the reader what was going on. Don't leave them guessing why you spent six months at one gig, nine months at the next, and four at another.
Self-Employment Stops and Starts
Entrepreneurism is a wonderful thing, and plenty of large and small employers appreciate a candidate with the moxie required to start his or her own shop. If your resume includes numerous entrepreneurial stints interspersed with W-2 assignments, employers will shun your resume unless you fill in the gaps. Otherwise, it looks like you went on your own when times were good and only came back to the fold for port-in-a-storm reasons, and that's not what employers want to see.
Geographical Moves
If you moved from New Jersey to Oregon for a job, that's awesome. If you moved back to New Jersey, then to Alabama and from there to Seattle, employers start to wonder what's up. You can use some of your resume's real estate to tell us what drove your wanderlust. A spouse or partner's relocation? Family issues? You don't have to lay your personal life bare on the page, but a bit of insight into your meanderings might make the difference between an interview and a "No Thanks" letter (or not even that).
Don't think, "The screener won't notice that one item." Resume-readers have eagle eyes where oddities are concerned, and you'll be glad you resolved these issues before they had a chance to do in your chance at the job.
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
Make the most of the first 10 minutes
8 tips for better email cover letters
5 phrases that can poison your resume
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
When Interviewers Attack!
Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs, Yahoo! HotJobs
The interview is undoubtedly the most important part of your job search. Your network and your resume may help you get your foot in the door, but you've got to ace the interview to get the job. What happens, though, if your interviewer is -- gulp! -- mean or abrasive?
Read on for advice from job-search experts and learn how to save the day -- and when you should walk away.
1. Remain calm. Job-search mentor Roberta Chinsky Matuson of Human Resource Solutions suggests, "Take a moment to compose yourself. Then simply answer the question using a calm tone. Eventually the person will stop being so hostile, particularly if you are responding in a way that is not giving them any fuel for their fire."
2. Watch what you say. "Do not let an interviewer's tone push you over a ledge to potentially say things that you may later regret. Remember that business networks of people are wide and expansive, and your negative response or behavior in an interview could have lasting repercussions in wider circles," says Justin C. Honaman, a strategic business process and technology professional.
3. Remain confident. Stephen R. Balzac, president of 7 Steps Ahead, an organizational development firm, says, "The more confident you are, the easier it is to operate on the assumption that you're not dealing with malice. That gives you the room to ask the interviewer if there's something wrong or if this isn't a good time. Frequently, what comes off as hostility is due to something else entirely: The interviewer may be distracted, upset about something else, have a tight deadline, etc. In one case, an interviewer's young son was extremely ill and when offered a chance to reschedule, he jumped at it."
4. Get to know your interviewer. "If a vein is popping out of your potential new employer's head, ask questions directly related to the interviewer, such as, 'How long have you been with the company? What role did you have when you started? Tell me the story of working your way up,'" says career consultant Angela Lussier of 365 Degrees Consulting. "If you get her talking about herself, you can quickly turn her lion's roar into a kitten's meow."
5. Address the issue. "The best thing someone can do when faced with a hostile interviewer is pause and ask if he/she has done/said something to upset or irritate the person conducting the interview. Usually, people don't realize that they are coming across in such an off-putting way, and they quickly adjust when the issue is raised, but gently," suggests Donna Flagg, workplace expert and founder of The Krysalis Group, a business and management consulting firm.
6. Remember that it may be a test. "They may just be testing you -- to see how you handle pressure or deal with certain circumstances. They want to know if you stay calm and collected, or if it gets to you and affects your decision-making and actions. Many times these situations arise in business, so, unbeknownst to you, they may be placing you in a bit of a role-play scenario," reveals Bruce Powell, a managing partner with executive recruitment firm IQ Partners Inc.
7. Turn things around. Interview expert and author of "Hiring and Firing" Marlene Caroselli suggests, "Employ the 'turnaround' technique. Buy time by turning the question back to the interviewer. For example, you're told, "We need an exceptional candidate for this position. From what I've heard so far, there's nothing exceptional about you.' Your turnaround response would be, 'Can you tell me what is so exceptional about the job that only the rarest of skills are needed?'"
8. Grin and bear it. "If an interviewer is that rude, he's probably run off other good candidates. Your only goal is to get to the next step. Figure out what that is and if you can get there," advises workplace communications specialist Linda Swindling.
9. Leave. Rachel Ingegneri, human resources expert and author of "Ten Minutes to the Job Interview," says, "If an interviewer is hostile to the point of creating fear or possible physical harm, I suggest that the candidate politely remove himself from the room or area and speak with someone in higher authority (a receptionist or secretary may provide that information). If there is no one else to speak with, vacate the premises as soon as possible. If hostile tactics appear to be the norm, that does not seem like the type of place to be employed."
10. Close strong. "Give a strong close at the end of the interview," states Lauren Milligan, founder of ResuMAYDAY.com. "Say, 'I'm very interested in this position and I sincerely thank you for your time and insights today. If I am chosen to continue on in your recruiting process, will I have the opportunity to interview with other managers as well?' This shows you were able to deflect their bad attitude and are hungry for more. In these times, only the strong survive, so don't let someone's bad attitude throw you off your game!"
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
After the interview: Answers to 5 common questions
5 things you can't explain in a job interview
10 ways to make the most of an informational interview
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs, Yahoo! HotJobs
The interview is undoubtedly the most important part of your job search. Your network and your resume may help you get your foot in the door, but you've got to ace the interview to get the job. What happens, though, if your interviewer is -- gulp! -- mean or abrasive?
Read on for advice from job-search experts and learn how to save the day -- and when you should walk away.
1. Remain calm. Job-search mentor Roberta Chinsky Matuson of Human Resource Solutions suggests, "Take a moment to compose yourself. Then simply answer the question using a calm tone. Eventually the person will stop being so hostile, particularly if you are responding in a way that is not giving them any fuel for their fire."
2. Watch what you say. "Do not let an interviewer's tone push you over a ledge to potentially say things that you may later regret. Remember that business networks of people are wide and expansive, and your negative response or behavior in an interview could have lasting repercussions in wider circles," says Justin C. Honaman, a strategic business process and technology professional.
3. Remain confident. Stephen R. Balzac, president of 7 Steps Ahead, an organizational development firm, says, "The more confident you are, the easier it is to operate on the assumption that you're not dealing with malice. That gives you the room to ask the interviewer if there's something wrong or if this isn't a good time. Frequently, what comes off as hostility is due to something else entirely: The interviewer may be distracted, upset about something else, have a tight deadline, etc. In one case, an interviewer's young son was extremely ill and when offered a chance to reschedule, he jumped at it."
4. Get to know your interviewer. "If a vein is popping out of your potential new employer's head, ask questions directly related to the interviewer, such as, 'How long have you been with the company? What role did you have when you started? Tell me the story of working your way up,'" says career consultant Angela Lussier of 365 Degrees Consulting. "If you get her talking about herself, you can quickly turn her lion's roar into a kitten's meow."
5. Address the issue. "The best thing someone can do when faced with a hostile interviewer is pause and ask if he/she has done/said something to upset or irritate the person conducting the interview. Usually, people don't realize that they are coming across in such an off-putting way, and they quickly adjust when the issue is raised, but gently," suggests Donna Flagg, workplace expert and founder of The Krysalis Group, a business and management consulting firm.
6. Remember that it may be a test. "They may just be testing you -- to see how you handle pressure or deal with certain circumstances. They want to know if you stay calm and collected, or if it gets to you and affects your decision-making and actions. Many times these situations arise in business, so, unbeknownst to you, they may be placing you in a bit of a role-play scenario," reveals Bruce Powell, a managing partner with executive recruitment firm IQ Partners Inc.
7. Turn things around. Interview expert and author of "Hiring and Firing" Marlene Caroselli suggests, "Employ the 'turnaround' technique. Buy time by turning the question back to the interviewer. For example, you're told, "We need an exceptional candidate for this position. From what I've heard so far, there's nothing exceptional about you.' Your turnaround response would be, 'Can you tell me what is so exceptional about the job that only the rarest of skills are needed?'"
8. Grin and bear it. "If an interviewer is that rude, he's probably run off other good candidates. Your only goal is to get to the next step. Figure out what that is and if you can get there," advises workplace communications specialist Linda Swindling.
9. Leave. Rachel Ingegneri, human resources expert and author of "Ten Minutes to the Job Interview," says, "If an interviewer is hostile to the point of creating fear or possible physical harm, I suggest that the candidate politely remove himself from the room or area and speak with someone in higher authority (a receptionist or secretary may provide that information). If there is no one else to speak with, vacate the premises as soon as possible. If hostile tactics appear to be the norm, that does not seem like the type of place to be employed."
10. Close strong. "Give a strong close at the end of the interview," states Lauren Milligan, founder of ResuMAYDAY.com. "Say, 'I'm very interested in this position and I sincerely thank you for your time and insights today. If I am chosen to continue on in your recruiting process, will I have the opportunity to interview with other managers as well?' This shows you were able to deflect their bad attitude and are hungry for more. In these times, only the strong survive, so don't let someone's bad attitude throw you off your game!"
Also on Yahoo! HotJobs:
After the interview: Answers to 5 common questions
5 things you can't explain in a job interview
10 ways to make the most of an informational interview
Find a new job near you
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
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