Unemployed? 5 Tips to Get You Back on the Job Market

May 10, 2013 By Mike Leave a Comment

Unemployment can be disheartening and scary. Instead of fearing for the future, take action and make strides toward rejoining the job market. In today’s uncertain economy, it is best to be savvy about ways to make yourself appealing to employers. Follow the five simple steps that follow to gain confidence about landing a new job.

1. Use Your Time Wisely

When you are unemployed, it can be hard to know how to begin to find a new job. Maybe you were in your job for a long time and were very comfortable there. Regardless of your previous job circumstances, the key is to keep moving forward and not lose momentum. Procrastination can lead to feelings of depression and create an awful cycle where you feel badly and aren’t helping your chances of securing a new job. Instead, make daily to do lists and try tackling at least one important task toward job seeking right away when you wake up each morning. Doing so will give you purpose and energy to carry you through the rest of the day and all of the days ahead.

2. Stay Positive

People who are upbeat naturally draw other people to them. These people could be friends, family members, or even potential employers. Positive outlooks can improve your social relationships and your health. Choose to see the good and the possibilities in every situation, and be aware that the slant you use for each circumstance can directly effect the attached outcome.

3. Use Your Friends And Contacts Wisely

Think about the friends, family members, and other casual contacts that you have. Use these relationships wisely. Let people know that you are seeking work. Many people land in jobs due to networking with people who are aware of not only their situation, but also their talents.

4. Register With Online employment sites

While networking is a great tool, it is not the only job seeking tool to use. It only takes a small amount of time to register with online employment sites such as SalesVacancies.com. It is free to upload your resume, and potential employers can conveniently view your information at any time. These sites often also offer very pertinent articles about information such as what to wear to interviews, and give sample interview questions to practice with.

5. Always Be Prepared

Sample interview questions are great to have and to reflect on your answers to. It is always best to be prepared for an interview on any given day. Interviews take place via phone or in person, so be sure to have a handy list of notes and your resume with you or placed by your home phone. Always have an interview appropriate suit and shoes clean, pressed, and ready to wear, and keep yourself well groomed.

Filed Under: Business, Career Advice, Interviewing, Job Search, Job Search Tagged With: business, Interviewing, job search

Dress The Part: How To Know What To Wear For Different Job Interviews

May 9, 2013 By Mike Leave a Comment

In today’s economy, finding a job is hard, but it’s not impossible. If you’re lucky enough to get chosen for an all-important job interview, it’s important to dress appropriately to increase your chances of going from interviewee to employee.

Business

If your interview is going to be in the business field, it’s often helpful to find out what the company’s dress code policy is before your interview. For example, if the men typically wear dress pants and shirts with ties, then it’s a good idea to go a step above and beyond what is expected by wearing a suit. The same applies for ladies. If the standard code of dress is a nice skirt or slacks and blouse, it’s desirable to show up in a business suit (skirt, blazer, and professional blouse) or dress, complete with stockings and immaculate pumps or heels. Also, makeup and perfume should be kept to a minimum. Hair should be neatly styled and combed into place, with just enough hairspray to hold your style. Always make sure that any accessories are in good taste. This means a professional-looking watch, and for the ladies, no over-sized, gaudy earrings. Carry a briefcase, or some type of leather ipad case. “Conservative is usually the best route to take in interview situations” according to http://www.rusticoleather.com/leather-ipad-accessories.html. For gentlemen, a professional briefcase is a plus. For the ladies, no over-sized or flashy purses, please. A small, discreet, and basic black clutch or handbag is perfect.

All Other Industries

Depending upon the type of job you’re trying to land, anything from a suit to business casual will work. Business casual would be appropriate for anyone who is interviewing for a job in a restaurant, hotel, or retail outlet. Business casual refers to nice slacks and a nice dress shirt (tie optional) for men, and nice slacks, a nice blouse, an appropriate, professional pantsuit, or a dress or nice skirt for the ladies. Showing up for a job interview in a nice pair of jeans (no fading, rips or tears, and definitely no baggy or sagging jeans) is appropriate, as well as a nice button-down or polo-style shirt. Refrain from T-shirts, sandals, and flip flops, and instead choose a nice pair of athletic shoes, dress shoes, or other appropriate casual shoes. The same applies for the ladies.

Filed Under: Interviewing Tagged With: business, career development, how to dress, Interviewing, job

The Top 5 Most Common Mistakes Most Amateur Interviewees Make

May 4, 2013 By Mike Leave a Comment

There are several mistakes new interviewees make on a regular basis. Here are the five most common mistakes you want to avoid in your next job interview.

1. Not Preparing in Advance

Interviews are far more easily handled when they have been prepared for in advance. An interviewee should think about questions that the interviewer is likely to ask and practice answering them out loud. If possible, an interviewee should have a friend stand in as an interviewer to ask them questions pertaining to the position because a friend may be able to think about questions that the interviewee may not. Preparing for an interview is extremely important because it helps the interviewee speak more clearly and with more confidence.

2. Being Too Early

Many amateur interviewees will show up to an interview thirty minutes early or even more. While they may do this to make sure that they are not late it is actually very disrespectful to the interviewer to show up this early. Fifteen minutes is the maximum amount of time that an interviewee should arrive early. Any earlier than this and the interviewee is actually causing an inconvenience.

3. Being Rude to Staff

When interviewing for a position it is extremely important to make a good impression on everyone, and this includes the reception staff. Many amateur interviewees might be short with the reception desk or may even be rude, either because they believe it does not matter or because they are nervous. Many supervisors will ask their entire staff what they think about an applicant and this means that this can destroy an entire interview.

4. Dressing Improperly

While most offices have become more casual today the standard interview outfit has not changed. Men should wear properly fitting suits and formal shoes and women should wear either a suit or business outfit without a suit jacket and closed toed shoes. Anything too flashy should be avoided and most women will want to wear subdued and professional makeup. Dressing improperly can give a terrible first impression and color the atmosphere of the rest of the interview. Wearing t shirts with a kick or not dressing professionally in an interview can give the interviewer a poor impression of you, even if you are a good fit for the job.

5. Not Answering Honestly

Most amateur interviewees will try to make it sound as though they know anything but this is really not necessary. Many interviewers will ask questions about things that they know it is unlikely that the interviewee knows about but would just be a bonus. Interviewers can tell when an interviewee is lying or trying to pretend that they know more than they do so it should always be avoided. An interviewee should be honest about their skills and emphasize the fact that they are willing to learn anything they need to for the position.

Filed Under: Blog, Interviewing

The Interview: 5 Ways to Make Yourself Look More Professional

April 19, 2013 By Mike Leave a Comment

Job and internship interviews are very important to job seekers everywhere; these interviews can be the reason you get that job you’ve always wanted, or they can prevent you from achieving your dream. In order to do well at an interview and get the job you want, you need to look professional. This means dressing the part. Here are five sure ways you can dress the part and make yourself look more professional at you next job interview.

1. Don’t Dress Casually

When you are going to an interview, it is vital that you refrain from wearing clothes that are too casual. This can cause the interviewer to believe that you are not serious about getting the job or that you are not industrious and capable.

Make sure to dress professionally. Take your time picking out a great outfit for the interview. Wearing a jacket to top off your ensemble adds a touch of professionalism, too. While going into the interview with a polished, chic look won’t guarantee you the job, it will make a great first impression on the interviewer.

2. Don’t Bow Down to the Seasons

When it’s summertime and the temperatures are soaring, you need to resist the urge to wear flip flops, tank tops, or other very casual summer clothing. These will not make a good impression on the interviewer, and it can lessen your chances of getting the job. Instead, stick to professional clothing. It doesn’t have to be layers upon layers of stifling, hot fabric. You can have a great summer ensemble that is professional and that won’t make you too hot.

3. Avoid Loud Colors and Patterns

When dressing for an interview, choose your colors wisely. Solids and quiet patterns are a safe way to look professional yet stylish. Avoid wearing bright, loud colors or distracting, ridiculous patterns on your clothes. Wearing these kinds of things can cause your interviewer to think you don’t take things seriously or that you are not capable of being or dressing professionally.

4. Bring Something to Take Notes with

Bringing a beautiful leather notebook to an interview to take notes will impress the interviewer. Leather exudes professionalism, and the fact that you take notes in it will reveal your seriousness. A leather notebook can increase your chance of getting the job. Get a trendy leather notebook at this link before your next interview.

5. Wear Properly-Fitting Clothes

Clothes that are too long, too baggy, or that are generally ill-fitting should not be worn. They make you appear sloppy and unprofessional. Wear clothes that fit you perfectly, and get a tailor to make alterations if you need to. Also avoid extremely tight clothes. Dressing immodestly can be an immediate turn-off for any interview.

Filed Under: Blog, Interviewing Tagged With: attire, business, business attire, business dress, business interview, interview, professional clothing, professional dress

The Effects of Dressing Like A Pro

April 16, 2013 By Mike Leave a Comment

There’s a saying, “Don’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want,” and that little philosophical nugget is worth a whole stack of self help books about “how to succeed in business.” Why? It’s all because quite frankly, no matter how much times may have changed, the truth is that making a first impression by dressing well still matters, so if you want a great job, you need to look like someone who’s ready to “claim their power.”

Okay, okay, some of us grew up in an era that undervalues and even scorns the idea of dressing well. In this stridently casual, Internet driven era, some of the most successful entrepreneurs on the planet (okay, Mark Zuckerberg) get by, apparently, with a closet full of sweat pants and hoodies–yet look at their net worth! They don’t dress up, so why should you?

Leave the Hoodie Behind

Sure, maybe the Zuckerbergs of the world can get away with it, but if you’re someone who’s looking to rise up in status, the best policy is to look like someone who’s already arrived. If you’re interviewing for a job or presenting a big idea pitch, the folks you’re talking to are doing more than just listening—they’re looking, too.

The way you dress says a lot about who you are, including your taste, your intelligence, and your status level. Putting together a polished look, with a killer suit from a great designer like Calvin Klein or Ralph Lauren (I love this brand of menswear), plus several button down shirts and silk ties, and Italian leather shoes, will get you taken seriously—and that’s not a small thing.

Going Killer Casual

The good suit ensemble is what you want to wear for serious presentations.

You should also put together a casual look that says “class.” Choose casual wear that has a sense of understated elegance, even if it’s a combo of jeans, T-shirts and a sweater. Seek out bargains online or in department store sales—the deals are out there, and remember, this is a serious career investment. If you need to spend a little extra, you’ll make it back by landing that job you’ve always wanted.

If this sounds like a lot of work, ask yourself, is your career worth the effort of looking good? The answer is yes, so start shopping!

Filed Under: Business, Interviewing, Job Search, Office Tagged With: Bueiness, Interviews, Office, office attire, Suits

5 Sure Ways to Nail Your Next Sales and Marketing Interview

March 4, 2013 By Mike Leave a Comment

If you are looking for a job in sales or marketing, you will want to showcase your most relevant skills during the interview. Meeting with a prospective employer provides the opportunity to “sell” your sales and marketing skills through the way you present yourself. Here are 5 important ways to give a persuasive job interview.

1. Look your professional best

Visit the company’s website in advance and look for employee photos to determine the dress code: business professional, business casual, or casual. Follow the dress code when preparing for the interview. Remember to check hair, face, and hands beforehand, as these are three important features of the overall image. Keep jewelry and accessories minimal, and for female applicants, don’t overdo cosmetics and perfume.

2. Bring killer credentials

Although you probably submitted a resume and application before the interview, bring a portfolio of references or work samples. Sales materials may include scripts and product descriptions, while marketing could involve advertising and promotional campaigns from a previous position, such as a Utah marketing firm. Make sure your materials are organized and accessible if asked to share them, or provide the interviewer with a link to your personal website where your vita is posted. Try using a QR code on your business card and resume that links to your website to get yourself noticed.

3. Line up your references

If you have not already confirmed reference availability for this job position, check with them to be sure they are still able and willing to be contacted by phone or email for a reference check. Have their names, addresses, job titles, and contact information arranged on a form you can leave with the company, unless you’ve already included it as part of your resume.

4. Practice for the interview

Prepare answers for commonly-asked interview questions like these: What is your greatest marketing strength and weakness? What do you like best about sales or marketing, and why did you choose this career field? What are some high points from your job experience so far? What is one of the hardest aspects of sales or marketing work? Where do you see yourself in five years? What could you bring to our company if hired for this job?

5. Watch your body language

A firm handshake is always welcome. Sit up straight; don’t slouch or lean to the side. Make eye contact with the interviewer, but don’t overdo it. Smile occasionally.

Interviewing for sales or marketing jobs gives you the opportunity to convincingly demonstrate your value as a prospective employee. Use this sales opportunity wisely.

Filed Under: Blog, Interviewing Tagged With: Interviewing, interviewing tips, Marketing, marketing interviews, sales

Talk about Accomplishments, not Responsibilities

January 28, 2013 By Tom McBroom Leave a Comment

This past week, another hiring manager at my organization asked me to be on the interview panel for one of his openings. This particular one was for a Senior Business Analyst.

The applications submitted had been screened and the best five candidates were selected for us to interview. Bear in mind that this is a high level professional position with a starting salary in excess of $90,000. I expected strong interview performances, especially considering these were the five best candidates (at least on paper) out of dozens submitted.

Was I ever disappointed!

Only one of these five candidates interviewed well enough to pass on and even that performance was weak. So what happened? The short answer is very simple: lack of preparation. Interview preparation is a topic I’ve repeatedly covered in prior posts and the lack thereof was very evident in these interviews.

While the lack of preparation on the part of these candidates was obvious in many areas, two of questions we asked were particularly fumbled badly.

The first area was the first question asked: “Tell us about your background.” This is the first question asked in almost any interview. The easy way to answer it is to simply recap the prior employers and positions you’ve had, which was essentially the approach taken by each of these candidates.

Unfortunately, this is NOT what hiring managers want to hear, as we’ve already read all of this in your resume. This question is your opportunity to highlight specific areas of your experience and expertise that are relevant to the organization and position for which you are interviewing. This is your chance to show you’ve done your homework and know something about that specific company. This is what interview panels want to hear and yet I estimate that only one or two percent of the hundreds of people I’ve interviewed over the years handles this question correctly.

The second area totally mishandled by these candidates was when we asked them for specific examples of a challenge they faced, the solution they developed, and the results of that solution. In other words, we wanted them to tell us about their accomplishments.

Strange as it seems, all five seemed thrown by this question. They could talk at length about what their job responsibilities were, but had difficulty giving concrete examples of the results they had achieved. This was a Business Analyst position and we were looking for specific examples of efficiency increases, expense reductions, revenue increases, etc. Four of the candidates were unable to cite any quantifiable numbers. The fifth one (who will probably get the job), once she realized we wanted accomplishments, not responsibilities – was finally able to quote several good examples.
These two areas – stating your experience in terms specific to the job for which you’re interviewing, and being able to give good examples of your accomplishments – are areas I’ve discussed at length in prior posts. And sure enough, they were the two exact areas that resulted in poor interview performances from these otherwise very qualified and experienced candidates.

Make sure these areas don’t cause you to lose a job offer at your next interview.

Filed Under: Interviewing

How to Handle a Video Conference Interview

January 21, 2013 By Tom McBroom Leave a Comment

I’ve talked at length in prior posts about how to handle phone interviews, so now I’d like to talk a bit about what is becoming increasingly common: the video conference interview.

With a video conference interview, you gain the advantage of being able to see your interviewers and them being able to see you. At the same time, you lose some advantages of the phone interview. You won’t be able to have written notes to refer to and you won’t be able to get up and walk around during the interview.

Due to the video aspect of the interview, the preparations and considerations are different than a phone interview and here are my top suggestions.

PREPARATION

The technology aspects of a video interview can be a bit twitchy, so be certain you’re comfortable with how to use the camera on your computer. The best way to do this is have a friend give you a video call using SKYPE, which is one of the more popular ways to video call. This way, you can be sure your camera is working and that the person on the other end can see and hear you clearly.

PLAN YOUR BACKGROUND

I was recently on an interview panel for another hiring manager and we were doing a video interview with an out of state applicant. It was obvious that this person’s computer was in the bedroom, as we could clearly see the bed and nightstand in the background. Worse yet, the bed was unmade! To top it all off, the alarm on the night stand went off during the interview and the applicant had to get up and turn it off. This made for a memorable interview but for the wrong reasons. If you can, turn your computer camera so that iy points toward a blank wall behind you, or at least a wall that isn’t too busy.

DRESS PROPERLY FOR THE CAMERA

As with all interviews, you should dress appropriately and conservatively (I’ve covered this in detail in prior posts). In addition, you should consider how the colors in your clothes come across to the camera. White tends to wash out, so avoid it if possible. The best colors are solid, dark conservative colors. Patterns and stripes should be avoided as they tend to be hard for the camera to resolve clearly.

AVOID DISTRACTIONS

Based on where it’s located, your computer microphone can be very sensitive to noises such as paper shuffling and pencil tapping. With in-person interviews, these noises fade into the background and tend to be ignored. With a microphone, they will come across loud and clear and be very distracting to the interviewers. Also, be sure to turn your cell phone and any other phones in the room off during your interview.

BE SENSITIVE TO THE CAMERA

What the interviewers are seeing is primarily your head and part of your upper body. This means they will be more concentrated on your face and facial expressions than with an in-person interview. Consequently, it’s more important to maintain a professional demeanor. That said, do remember to smile occasionally. Finally, remember to look at the camera, not your computer screen. When you look at the computer screen, it appears to the interviewers that you are looking away from them. When you look at the camera, you’re making proper eye contact.

So few applicants handle video interviews properly, so if you pay attention to these tips it will be one more thing that may put you a bit ahead of your competition.

Filed Under: Interviewing Tagged With: video conference interview

Do’s And Don’ts When Preparing for That Big Job Interview

December 31, 2012 By Mike Leave a Comment

The interview is one of the main things that stands between you and your dream job, and that is why you want to make sure that you take the time to properly prepare. Below are some of the things that you should and should not do when you are preparing for that big job interview:

Do’s:

Practice For The Interview

A job interview can be nerve-racking, but if you prepare for it, then you will find it much easier to stay calm. You should spend some time researching the questions that are frequently asked during the interview, and you should also consider having a mock interview with a friend or co-worker.

Dress Nicely

Your prospective employers will most likely not take you seriously if you show up wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and that is why you want to make sure that you dress for the part. If you are a little scruffy-faced, then you want to make sure that you get a proper shave, so a trip to the barber, or getting yourself a nice shaving sets before your interview is a worthwhile investment.

Arrive Early

You should try to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time, because when you arrive early, you should employers that you are very serious about the job. It also gives you a little less to worry about, the last thing you want to do is be crunched for time.

Give A Firm Handshake

First impressions really do mean everything. If you give your prospective employers a firm handshake, with well-kempt and manicured fingernails, they will most likely get the right first impression.

Don’ts:

Tell Jokes During Your Interview

An interview is not the time or place to tell jokes. Your prospective employers will most likely not take you serious if you tell jokes during an interview.

Lie

Many people lie about their achievements during interviews because they want to make themselves look more qualified. However, that is not something that you should do. Honesty really is the best policy.

Use Your Cellphone During Your Interview

Your cell phone should be turned off before you go into the room to be interviewed. Answering a call or responding to a text message is very unprofessional, and the interviewers will most likely ask you to leave if you use your cell phone during an interview.

Talk Badly About Your Previous Employer or Job

If you did not like your previous employer or job, then it is best to avoid mentioning that during an interview. Interviewers do not want to hear a prospective employee talk bad about a previous boss or job.

Filed Under: Interviewing Tagged With: business, career, education, find a job, finding a job, interview questions, job hunt, job hunting, job interview, job search, job search mistakes, new job

Additional Phone Interview Tips

December 31, 2012 By Tom McBroom Leave a Comment

In previous posts I’ve reviewed some tips about how to handle phone interviews. I’ve conducted many phone interviews over the years and frequently find that people don’t prepare for these as thoroughly as they do for in-person interviews. This is a large mistake because you won’t get that in-person interview unless you make it past the phone interview.

With so many applicants in today’s continuing tough job market, phone interviews are becoming more common, particularly for initial screening purposes, and consequently I’d like to reiterate my previous tips and cover a few more.

Pick Proper Surroundings

At home is best, where you can control the environment and eliminate interruptions. Unfortunately, you’re more likely to have to do it from work. If that’s the case, under no circumstances should you take that call from your desk. If it’s an unscheduled call, feel free to ask if you can call back at a better time and schedule it for your lunch hour. This will not make you look bad and if fact shows that you respect your current job and want to manage your time effectively.

Dress Well

If your phone interview is from home, be sure to dress as if you were already on the job. This will help you get into a proper business mood for the call and will definitely affect how you come across with your answers.

Stand Up and Move Around

Believe it or not, you’ll sound more dynamic and confident if you stand up than if you sit down. Also, walk around a bit as you talk and you’ll find it will help move the conversation along more smoothly. This is the main reason why the best public speakers walk around the stage as they talk.

Use a Land Line

If at all possible, use a land line rather than a cell phone for your phone interview. As handy as cell phones are, their sound quality and reliability are not as great as a conventional phone. It’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Have Reference Material Available

The advantage to a phone interview is you can have a variety of resources available that no one but you can see. I recommend you have a list of talking points to check off as the interview progresses, as well as detailed information about the company and a list of your accomplishments that are specifically tailored to the position for which you’re interviewing.

Smile

You wouldn’t think of looking down with a blank expression on your face in a personal interview, so don’t do it in a phone interview. Just as standing up can make you sound more confident, smiling when you speak will make you sound more pleasant and positive. Remember: the impression the interviewer will have of you will come primarily from your voice, so make sure it sounds as confident, positive and cheery as possible.

Have a Well Lit Room

This is another of those subjective areas that can affect how you come across in a phone interview. It’s much easier to be alert and active in a brightly lit room and this will add just a bit more positive tone to your voice.

In a future post I’ll review some does and don’ts for a growing trend: the video interview!

Filed Under: Interviewing Tagged With: phone interview tips

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