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Written by Kevin Donlin
Author of Guerrilla Resumes
While in California last
week to deliver a job-search seminar, I met two people with stories
that could help you get hired faster by doing a few things differently.
Their two stories are below.
What can you learn from each?
- Turn online job postings into in-person interviews
Matthew Ringue, a Career Services Advisor for Heald College in
Concord, Calif., got hired by his current employer after doing
something unexpected.
"I saw an ad online for a position as an admissions advisor. I
submitted my resume but I normally didn't get a response from doing
that, so I decided to walk my resume in. I found the college, went up
to the receptionist, and
said: 'I applied for a position online and I was hoping there was
someone I could talk to about it.'"
The receptionist's reaction?
"She said, 'Oh. Let me see if someone is available,'" says Ringue.
It turned out that nobody was available.
But the receptionist suggested Ringue come back the following
Tuesday. Upon his return, he was again unable to meet anyone. So he
politely asked for and received an appointment. On his third visit,
Ringue got the meeting he wanted with a decision maker.
How did it go?
"Very well. The hiring manager said, 'I really appreciate your
being persistent. I think it's great that you came in a couple of times
and pushed for an interview,'" recalls Ringue.
He was eventually hired, but not for the job he first applied
for. It turns out that the college no longer had an opening for an
Admissions Advisor. But executives were impressed enough by Ringue to
hire him for another position, the one he now holds, Career Services
Advisor.
Your takeaway lesson: Always try to apply in person at an employer, even if they don't expect you.
You can take the direct approach by walking up to a receptionist
and asking for a meeting, or you can get referred by an employee first.
In either case, persist until you get a meeting.
However you do it, know that every time you meet with an
employer, you'll have no competition from ordinary job seekers, who are
content to sit behind a computer keyboard and fire off resumes
electronically.
Also, know this -- asking to meet an employer is not pushy or aggressive, unless you are.
Remember why an employer buys online job postings in the first
place: To hire the right people. And before anyone can hire you, they
have to meet you. So, by meeting with employers -- whether they expect
you or not -- you demonstrate initiative, persistence, and a bias for
action. Who wouldn't want those traits in a new hire?
Put another way, it's perfectly reasonable to take the ordinary
approach and not apply in person for a job posted online. But how has
"ordinary" been working for you?
- Look for ideal employers and make yourself "recruitable"
Michael Florido now does videography and digital photography for his own Boj Productions, in Pittsburg, Calif.
But some of his most-valuable film-making experience stems from
a job he got two years ago at The Discovery Channel, as a production
assistant.
While the work of a production assistant may not seem
glamorous, Florido relished the role. "It allowed me to learn a lot
about cameras, photography, and even how to be in front of a camera,"
he says.
Florido's attitude and work ethic led to later gigs on other
projects. "I met a lot of important people in the business who got me a
lot of work after that," he says.
Your takeaway lesson: Actually, there are two.
First, Florido took a less-than-ideal job with an ideal
employer. The position of production assistant was not one he wanted
long-term. But working at The Discovery Channel put him in contact with
industry leaders who helped him find more-desirable jobs later.
Second, Florido made himself "recruitable" by doing his job
with a winning attitude. As a result, when a manager left to work on a
feature film, Boj was recruited away and eventually found himself in
the videography job he now holds. Mission accomplished.
The three lessons you can
learn from these two job-seekers -- strive to meet hiring managers in
person, consider taking less-than-ideal jobs at ideal employers, and
make yourself "recruitable" -- have led to employment success in good
times and in bad.
Why not give one of them a try today?
- Kevin Donlin
Kevin Donlin is co-author of
Guerrilla Resumes. Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more
than 20,000 people. Kevin has been interviewed by The New York Times,
USA Today, Fox News, ABC TV, CBS Radio and others. Learn more about Guerrilla Resumes
copyright (c) 2009 by Kevin Donlin
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No matter
how you’ve become unemployed over the past year or more – whether
through choice or force – if you’re looking to regain employment, this
is a tough time to make your dream a reality. With millions of jobs
lost in the past few months, acquiring a new gig is not a simple task.
In fact, the process can be
downright discouraging, which is why it’s good to have a few ways that
you can keep your spirits up during your job search. Let’s look at what
they are.
Maintain Your Sense of Control
One reason that job searches
can be so discouraging is because they seemingly force you to
relinquish your control. Once you type up your resumes and cover
letters and hand them out, you’re left to bite your nails as you wait
for interviews to flood in. But even if you secure one interview,
you’re still left with the task of biting your nails some more as you
wait to see if you’ve actually landed the position you want.
These aspects of the process
make you feel that you’re leaving your destiny completely in someone
else’s hands. In a sense, you are. But in a greater sense, you’re not.
If you think about it, you’re leaving your destiny with that company in
someone else’s hands, but there are plenty of other opportunities out
that that you can grab. So as you hand out your resumes and cover
letters, it’s good to maintain a sense of control by creating new
connections and educating yourself further in your industry. This way,
you can feel confident that one battle lost will by no means cost you
the war.
Learn to Appreciate the Journey
Probably one of the most
challenging aspects of a difficult job search is appreciating the steps
taken along the way. It’s pretty easy to slip into an attitude of
dismay as you watch yourself being turned down for more positions than
you could have imagined possible. However, believe it or not, it’s just
as easy in this circumstance to see the glass half full as it is to see
it half empty. In other words, you can just as easily see the positives
of being in this predicament.
What are they, you ask?
Well, for one, you have more freedom now than you’ve probably had in a
long time; freedom that you probably begged for when you were leading
your busy life as a professional. Now you have it, so it’s good not to
waste it. During this time, you can look at other opportunities that
you may have considered engaging but were too busy to do so when
working. Also, you can make time for your family and leisurely
activities. Don’t let this time get you down. Instead, let it help you
grow even more profoundly into the person you want to be.
Probably one of the most
important ways to keep your spirits up is to be proud of your ability
to persevere in tough times. You are stronger than you could have ever
imagined. Embrace this incredible aspect of your personality. This,
along with your gifts of appreciation and emotional stability will help
you make the most of your journey toward your next great opportunity.
- Heather Eagar
Heather Eagar is a former
professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working
professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and
information. Compare the top resume writers in the industry at www.ResumeLines.com.
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© Written By Jimmy Sweeney
President of CareerJimmy and Author of the brand new,
Job Interview "Secret"
Put your best foot forward.
Make a good first impression.
Look your interviewer in the eye.
Pretty standard fare, you
might be thinking. You've heard these tips numerous times. But have you
considered what they mean and how important they really are? If not, here are some reasons to do so for each one.
Not-So-Secret Secret #1: Put Your Best Foot Forward
The wording here is a bit
odd. It implies that we have three or more feet. It would make more
sense and be grammatically correct to say: "Put your better foot
forward." But knowing what it means is what really matters: To start on a journey or task with purpose and gusto.
In other words walk into your interview with a determined step, a smile
on your face, a friendly handshake, and expectancy in your mind and
heart. Be your best self and trust that your authenticity will compel the interviewer to take a good look at YOU, in person and on paper.
Not-So-Secret Secret #2: Make a Good First Impression
It has been said again and again that the first impression is thelast impression. How can that be true? People judge one another by what they see and hear first. It stays with them, regardless of what happens next. So it's worth your time to express your true self rather than to try to impress
with affectation and showmanship. Hiring managers are looking for
authentic individuals who are honest, open-faced, quick to smile and
shake hands firmly, ask intelligent questions, and speak openly about
their qualifications for the job in question. Be positive and
optimistic. Show your appreciation for the opportunity, get to the
point of how you can benefit the company with your skill set, and avoid
throwing verbal stones at previous employers or co-workers.
Not-So-Secret Secret #3: Look Your Interviewer in the Eye
You've probably heard the
saying, "The eyes are the windows to the soul." And you know it's true
when you encounter other people. Our eyes sometimes say more than our
words. So when you're in an interview, look the hiring manager in the
eye. Listen and focus on what he or she is saying. And when it's your
turn to respond, hold your gaze and avoid distracting gestures such as
playing with coins in your pocket or flicking your fingernails. One way
to lose points fast is to look over the interviewer's shoulder or
glance around the room or stare at the floor when you and he or she are
engaged in conversation.
The next time you're
preparing for a job interview, review these three not-so-secret
secrets, put them into practice, and the wait for those three magic
words, "WOW…You're Hired!"
Jimmy Sweeney is the
president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new "Secret Career
Document" job landing system. Jimmy is also the author of several
career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search
Secrets."
Visit our friends at Job Interview "Secret" and discover Jimmy
Sweeney's breakthrough strategy that will have you standing out from
the competition like a Harvard graduate at a local job fair… DURING
your next job interview.
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Asking good questions while being interviewed can make your interview more effective.
Dear Joan:
I am a teacher and I share
with my students many of the ideas you bring up in your columns. My son
is graduating from college this Spring with a Math Major and Accounting
Degree. We have read that companies like it when you come to them
prepared with questions to ask them. We would like to know what kind of
questions would you ask to companies that are interviewing you? What
specifics or long range things would you want to know besides salary,
benefits and job opportunities? Could you please direct us to areas to
find questions or give us some ideas of the kinds of questions a
22-year old college graduate would or should be asking?
Answer:
It always astonishes me that
job hunters don’t prepare more thoroughly for interviews. While I can
understand that new grads are inexperienced and don’t really know what
to ask, I can’t understand why experienced candidates will go to all
the trouble to get every word on the resume nailed but won’t take the
time when it really matters—the interview. It’s their one shot at
selling themselves, and it’s the only time they can ask questions about
where they may end up spending years of their lives. Go figure.
It sounds as if your son will have a leg up on his competition. Here are some questions that are suited for young and old alike:
Prepare questions in several
categories and ask them early-- and throughout-- the interview. That
way, you will find out valuable information as you go. You will be able
to tailor your responses and illustrate examples that fit the job.
- Questions about the job
- Questions about the company
- Questions about the manager and coworkers
- Questions about the customer (internal and/or external)
The Job
- How would you
define success in this position after six months? (You may hit a hot
button that will give you more free information that you can use to
sell yourself.)
- What are the most important skills and abilities that a
person would need in this job to be successful? (If you possess any of
these skills, be ready with examples to prove it.)
- What is the toughest challenge in this position, in your
opinion? (Listen closely for the downsides. If you have strengths that
will overcome these obstacles, be ready to illustrate how you’ve used
them to your advantage in the past.)
- What happened to the person who had this job before? (If the person was promoted, or fired, ask why.)
The Company
Check out the company online and prepare some specific questions:
- I see that you have recently merged with ACME. How will this affect your department?
- I noticed that the company sells widgets in South
America. I speak Spanish. Would that be something that I could use in
this job? (Ask questions that position you to sell yourself.)
- How would you describe your corporate culture?
The Manager and Coworkers
- How would you describe your management style?
- What are your pet peeves?
- How would you describe the coworkers this person would
work with? Did anyone on the team apply for the job? Are there any
problems on the team?
Internal/External Customers
- Which departments will this person have the most interaction with?
- Are there any issues between departments that you would like this person to work on?
- (If you are a final candidate) Will I have an opportunity
to talk with someone who does this job/or someone with whom this person
interacts?
-Joan Lloyd
Joan Lloyd has a solid track
record of excellent results. Her firm, Joan Lloyd & Associates,
specializes in leadership development, organizational change and
teambuilding. This includes executive coaching, 360-degree feedback
processes, customized leadership training, conflict resolution between
teams or individuals, internal consulting skills training for HR
professionals and retreat facilitation. Clients report results such as:
behavior change in leaders, improved team performance and a more
committed workforce.
Joan Lloyd has earned her
C.S.P. (certified speaking professional) designation from the National
Speakers Association and speaks to corporate audiences, as well as
trade & professional associations across the country. Reach her at
(800) 348-1944, mailto:info@joanlloyd.com, or www.JoanLloyd.com
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THIRTY WAYS TO BLOW AN INTERVIEW
Jobs
are WON and LOST in the interview! You
can turn each negative into a positive and make them work for you.
REVIEW THIS PRIOR TO EACH
INTERVIEW.
1.
Poor personal appearance.
2.
Lack of interest and enthusiasm.
(Passive and indifferent).
3.
Over emphasis on money.
(Interested only in best dollar offer).
4.
Condemnation of past employers.
5.
Failure to look at interviewer when conversing.
6.
Limp, fishy handshake.
7.
Late for interview.
8.
Failure to express appreciation for interviewer’s time.
9.
Failure to answer the question “Yes” or “No” before responding with
detail.
10.
Ask no questions about position.
11.
Vague responses to questions.
12.
Over aggressive, conceited “know it all” complex.
13.
Inability to express self clearly.
(Poor voice, diction, grammar).
14.
Lack of planning for career. (No
purpose or goals).
15.
Unwilling to start at the bottom; expect too much ... too soon.
16.
Make excuses; evasive; hedge on unfavorable factors in record.
17.
Lack of tact.
18.
Lack of courtesy, ill mannered.
19.
Lack of maturity.
20.
Lack of vitality.
21.
Indecision.
22.
Sloppy application blank.
23.
Merely shopping around.
24.
Want job only for short time.
25.
No interest in company or industry.
26.
Cynical.
27.
Low moral standards.
28.
Intolerant. (Strong prejudices).
29.
Narrow interests.
30.
Inability to take criticism.
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THIRTY-THREE
WAYS TO SUCCEED
ON AN INTERVIEW
Jobs are WON and LOST in the interview! You can turn each negative into a positive
and make them work for you.
REVIEW THIS PRIOR TO EACH
INTERVIEW.
1 . Dress for
success ‑ reflect a professional image.
2. Be
early for interviews (12‑15 minutes).
3. Express
interest and enthusiasm (empathy).
4. De‑emphasize
money and fringe benefits (open on salary).
5. Compliment
past employers or minimize if unpleasant.
6. Maintain
good eye contact.
7. Extend
a firm, friendly handshake.
8. Express
appreciation for interviewer’s time.
9. Give
direct responses to questions.
10. Ask
questions about position and the company.
11. Be
receptive to the possibility of transfer to other locations.
12. Exhibit
confidence and poise (at ease, calm).
13. Be
assertive without being overly aggressive.
14. Exhibit
tact.
15. Express
yourself clearly (voice, diction, grammar).
16. Express
a career purpose and goal.
17. Express
willingness to “earn your stripes.”
18. Demonstrate
mature attitude.
19. Exercise
courteous, well‑mannered behavior.
20. Make short, direct responses to
questions on unfavorable factors in record.
21. Indicate
participation in company activities (team play).
22. Demonstrate
decisiveness.
23. Fill
out company application neatly and completely.
24. Show
interest in finding a good career opportunity.
25. Express
interest in long-term opportunities (goals).
26. Show
understanding, compassion.
27. Reflect
high moral standards.
28. Show
interest in the company or industry you are interviewing with.
29. Be
energetic‑ well rested.
30. Avoid
prejudicial comments.
31. Show
broad interests (work and play).
32. Take
criticism as a professional statement.
33. Focus
on getting “the” offer ‑ then make a decision on whether or not to accept it.
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Twenty-five
questions to be prepared for
in an interview
Prior
to the interview, ensure you can address each question.
1. Do you think you'd like to work for us? Why?
Reveals if you've been sharp enough to learn
anything about the company.
2. How do you spend your spare time?
Shows if your interests are wide and if you are a
balanced person.
3. What type of position are you most interested in?
May indicate if your main interest is making money.
Ensure you align your response to the position you are interviewing for.
4. If you were starting your career now, what would you do differently?
Sometimes brings out the disturbing discovery that
you are unhappy in your present occupation.
5. Are you eager to please?
Effective method of revealing a yes person.
6. What do people criticize you for?
This and the following question are good for
revealing personality traits.
7. What would you say are your best qualities?
May show how much humility you possess.
8. What was your best boss like?
Your worst boss?
Reveals your ability to get along well in a work environment.
9. Why do you think you'd be good at this job?
Gives you a chance to tell more about your skills
and personal characteristics. May reveal a braggart…be careful here.
10. What is the most difficult thing you've ever tackled? The most
satisfying?
Can show how high you will reach for achievement.
11. Do you wish to be a leader? If
so, why and in what way?
If you have any aggressive tendencies, these
questions will reveal them. Also, if this is an individual contributor role,
don’t convince them that you want a management role.
12. What suggestions did you make in any previous job to cut costs/improve
morale/increase output/whatever is appropriate?
Helps identify the idea person.
13. What subjects did you like best in college?
Sometimes indicates basic personality traits.
14. What college activities did you participate in?
May reveal your social meter, your ability to
multi-task and your potential energy level.
15. Why did you leave your last job?
Reveals unpleasant situations.
16. What professional progression within our company would seem appropriate?
Reveals your leadership potential and grasp of
reality.
17. What would you have preferred to do more of in your previous job?
Can reveal something about your job preferences and
attitudes.
18. What makes the difference between success and failure?
May show an idea person, a person with imagination
and creativity.
19. How does this job compare with others you're considering?
Could show how much shopping around you've done.
20. How did previous employers treat you?
May show your approach to people.
21. What would be your ideal job/career?
Is this job appropriate? If you are interested in
this position, be careful here not to emphasize areas outside what company or
position can provide.
22. What do you think are the characteristics of a good supervisor
(engineer, salesman, etc.)?
Indicates your preferences of how to be managed/led.
May reveal leadership abilities.
23. Since none of us are perfect, what are your areas for improvement ?
May reveal more about your openness to self-improvement than the actual areas for improvement.
Do not reveal anything that would preclude you from being hired.
24. What was a typical day like at your last job?
Clues on energy level and attitude.
25. Ideally, how much money do you need to be content?
Reveals degree of money motivation.
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CRITICAL QUESTIONS TO ASK in AN INTERVIEW
Take this with
you and ask as many of the following questions as appropriate…
·
Please define the scope of the position and the technical
skills preferred.
·
Please identify qualities of the successful people in the group.
·
Please give me your opinion of the group’s chemistry and working
relationship.
·
What is the opportunity for growth/career progression?
·
How would you describe a typical day in this position?
·
How much travel is normally expected?
·
How frequently do you relocate professional employees?
·
Why are you hiring for this position?
-Is the position newly created or did the previous
employee leave? Why?
·
How many people have had this position and where are they now?
·
What is the average length of stay in this position?
·
Outside my group, who else will I work/interface with?
·
How high a priority is this group within the organization?
·
How often are performance reviews given?
·
Does the company sponsor professional training programs?
·
How many people in the group go through training programs each year?
·
What is the average age of top management?
·
Will you describe position to me in your own words? (The personality of
the ranking officer often reveals a great deal about the company philosophy).
·
What do you feel will be my greatest challenge the first 6 months?
·
Who is XXX competition?
·
Where is XXX strategically positioned in their market-space?
·
What are the barriers (if any) to XXX’s success in their market-space?
·
What new product lines/services are planned or have been announced
recently? What are the barrier’s to entry into the market?
·
How long have you been with XXX?
·
What is your background and who have you worked for previously?
·
What do you like best about XXX?
·
What do you like least about XXX?
·
What has been your biggest challenge while at XXX?
·
What one thing would you change about your position or XXX?
·
How many people are you interviewing for this position?
·
If I am extended an offer of employment, how soon after would you like
me to start?
·
Do you have any questions or concerns about my ability to do the job?
·
When can I expect to hear back from you?
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INTERVIEW PLAN OF ATTACK
Jobs
are WON and LOST in the interview! You
can turn each negative into a positive and make this work for you.
TAKE THIS LIST WITH YOU AND
REVIEW IT PRIOR TO EACH INTERVIEW.
1.
Be
enthusiastic. Assume this is a good
opportunity.
2.
Take an active role in the interview
·
“Before I get in to my experience, could you
please tell me in your own words what is important to you in this position?”
…or “Where would you like me to begin”?
·
"What does someone need to bring to the
table for this position?"
·
"Proven tells me that XXX and XXX are
important to you and your company--what other things are important?"
3.
Reasons
for leaving current or past jobs
·
Do not respond negatively or defensively. Smile
and relax when discussing this sensitive subject.
·
"Originally I went into the company to
improve my skills in XXX. I have been
fortunate to have become proficient in this area. Now I would like to experience XXX and I am
excited because I believe your company can meet those needs."
4.
Concentrate
on the big picture
·
"What do you see as the career path of
someone who is a strong performer?"
·
Communicate questions that are career-oriented
and that emphasize the desire to do a good job.
5.
Strength/Weakness
Questions
·
Highlight your strengths in relation to what is
important in the position.
·
Provide your strengths and follow up with
benefits--what your strengths means to the position or team.
·
When asked, select a weakness that is not going
to have a negative impact on this position.
·
"I'd like to improve on XXX."
6.
Maturity
·
Appropriate clothes and appearance.
·
Eye contact--body language is essential.
·
Attitude, enthusiasm and a firm hand shake.
7.
Compensation
·
"Money is important, but I'm more
interested in the terrific opportunity that this position will provide."
·
I understand that the salary range for this
position is XXX to XXX. I'm sure that if
I am chosen that the offer will be competitive, but what I'm really interested
in are the objectives we discussed earlier.
·
If the employer really presses: "I'm currently making XXX. Taking into account my skills and character,
I see myself in the XXX to XXX range."
8.
Positive
Close
·
Ask the interviewer if they have any concerns
about your ability to fulfill the role.
·
Be sincere--let the interviewer know you are
interested.
·
Ask the interviewer when they expect to make a
decision.
·
Ask the interviewer if they have any additional questions.
Congratulations! You passed the interview with flying
colors.
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The Philosophy of Interviewing
What is an interview?
An interview is a two way process. The company is trying to decide if they would
like to hire you and you are trying to decide if this is a place where you
would like to work.
What is your goal?
To get an offer. If
you get an offer, you make the decision.
If you don’t, you have had the decision made for you.
How do you achieve this goal?
Focus on ensuring that they believe you have the
experience they are looking for and are interested in the position. Make your decision on whether or not you want
the job, after you have had time to reflect on the interview, not during the
interview.
The Structure of Interviews
Beginning
Ask open-ended questions about the company,
the group, and the position.
Examples:
·
Can you tell me a little bit about the company
strategically . . . like where have you been (as an organization) and where are
you going?
·
Can you tell me about the group? Where do you fit into the organization as a
whole? Where have you been (as a group)
and where are you going? What is the
technical environment?
·
What are the duties and responsibilities of this
position? What specifically are you
looking for?
·
The most
important questions you can ask as early as possible are.... What are you
really looking for? What will it take
for someone can be successful on your team?
Middle
Tell them about your background:
·
Highlight skills that are most relevant.
·
Draw comparisons to show similarities with what
you have done to what they are looking for.
·
If you don’t have a skill
·
Express interest in learning the skill.
·
Show confidence that you can come up to speed
quickly.
·
Share an example of another relevant skill or
experience.
End
Summarize what they said that was important to them from
the “Most Important Question” and how you match up to their needs.
Tell them that you are interested and tell them that you
can do the job!
How to Handle Questions About Salary
On an application, if asked “Salary Desired”, put
“Negotiable or Open”.
If asked about salary, just say, “I’m like anyone, I’d
like to make as much as possible, but salary is not the only
consideration. If you are interested in
what I bring to the team I will consider a competitive offer.”
Summary
Do Don’t
·
Show up on time or slightly early · Ask about salary or benefits
·
Firm handshake and maintain good eye contact · Be too cocky or too humble
·
Use good posture ·
Talk too much or too little in regard to your
·
Concentrate your efforts on impressing them applicable
experience
·
Remember, first impressions are usually lasting
impressions, so give it your best effort.
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Vice Presidents and personnel directors of the one hundred largest corporations were asked to describe their most unusual experience interviewing prospective employees.
A job applicant challenged the interviewer to an arm wrestle.
Interviewee wore a Walkman, explaining that she could listen to the interviewer and the music at the same time.
Candidate fell and broke arm during interview.
Candidate announced she hadn't had lunch and proceeded to eat a hamburger and french fries in the interviewers office.
Candidate explained that her long-term goals was to replace the interviewer.
Candidate said he never finished high school because he was kidnapped and kept in a closet in Mexico.
Balding Candidate excused himself and returned to the office a few minutes later wearing a headpiece.
Applicant said if he was hired he would demonstrate his loyalty by having the corporate logo tattooed on his forearm.
Applicant interrupted interview to phone her therapist for advice on how to answer specific interview questions.
Candidate brought large dog to interview.
Applicant refused to sit down and insisted on being interviewed standing up.
Candidate dozed off during interview.
The employers were also asked to list the "most unusual" questions that have been asked by job candidates.
"What is it that you people do at this company?"
"What is the company motto?"
"Why aren't you in a more interesting business?"
"What are the zodiac signs of all the board members?"
"Why do you want references?"
"Do I have to dress for the next interview?"
"I know this is off the subject, but will you marry me?"
"Will the company move my rock collection from California to Maryland?"
"Will the company pay to relocate my horse?"
"Does your health insurance cover pets?"
"Would it be a problem if I'm angry most of the time?"
"Does your company have a policy regarding concealed weapons?"
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10 Tips to Improve Your Chances There is more competition in the job market than there was a few years ago, so it pays to get out there. Attending a job fair beats sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring. If nothing else, it's a place to schmooze and find out what's happening. Your approach to the fair may make a huge difference in whether you achieve satisfactory results. Joe received his layoff notice on a Friday. After a week at home, he knew he had to get out and make some contacts. He found and landed his last job at a job fair, and soon discovered on the Internet there was a tech fair in his area the following week. Armed with several copies of his resume, Joe set out with an air of confidence. His confidence got a blow when he arrived at the site and saw the long line of people waiting to get in. This was going to be a very different experience than his last job search. As he walked down the line, he met friends and former coworkers. He tried to find out what was going on inside and how to deal with it. Some of his friends were veterans of the system and were glad to share some survival tips with him. Here are 10 of those tips: - Once inside, get a list of participating companies and choose which companies interest you. Spend your energies on them rather than wandering from booth to booth.
- Check out job openings for each company of interest, typically found on a listing sheet. Or use a computer, if provided, to look up individual
- Get a floor plan map -- usually at the entrance or information table. Plan a route to move around the floor quickly, visiting your companies of interest.
- Stay upbeat and energized. Try to make an impression through your enthusiasm about the work. Also try to engage the company representative in conversation about the company, and listen to what the rep has to say.
- Try to talk to the hiring manager or senior member of the team, if possible. Recruiters can be helpful regarding the company and what they are seeking, and human resources personnel can give you information on the hiring process and the company, but the hiring manager is the one with the clout.
- Let the person you talk to know what you have to bring to the company. Be prepared with a short statement about yourself and your background -- less than two minutes. Try to hook the interviewer's interest with something unique about you.
- Try to get a name or business card from anyone you talk to so you can use the name as a reference when you follow up.
- Follow up by sending a letter and another copy of your resume to human resources and the hiring manager. Mention that you talked with them, or a company representative, at the fair. Tell them how excited you are about the position. Let them know you are the solution to their problem -- you can make a difference and add value.
- Follow up in a week or so with a phone call, inquiring about the position and the hiring status.
- Use the job fair as one of many sources in planning your job search. Do further research on participating companies by visiting their Web sites and checking for additional openings and opportunities.
Try not to be overwhelmed by the size of the job fair or the number of job seekers in attendance. Keep focused on the companies you want to interview with. Don't be discouraged if you don't go home with a job offer or formal interview lined up. This should be just one step in your research and networking process. Consider any new contacts you meet or information gathered at the job fair as a positive addition to your resources. Be persistent in your endeavors -- job opportunities sometimes come from the least expected sources at the most unexpected times. - Carole Martin Carole Martin, The Interview Coach has put together a free resource for job hunters at www.jobinterviewcoachingcenter.com where you can find information for just about all issues concerning our job interview. Go there before your next interview!
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© Written By Jimmy Sweeney President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new, Amazing Cover Letter Creator Have I got a secret for you! Not just any secret, but a 'killer' secret––the kind that turns heads and grabs attention instantly. The kind of secret that hiring managers can't resist—even when they think they've seen it all. And the secret is… a smashing title or headline that grabs and holds the reader's attention—that compels him or her to keep on reading your cover letter to the last line. This amazing technique is the needle in the haystack that every job hunter is looking for but can't find. Everyone hopes to locate the one 'trick' that will put his or her cover letter above all the others. Well, now you know it and you didn't have to tear apart a haystack to find it. How can this killer secret distinguish your cover letter from others? Here's how. Place a powerful headline at the top of your cover letter. Just above the greeting in your cover letter (Dear Mrs. Smith), place your 'killer' headline in boldface print and center it on the page. (Two lines maximum.) Here are THREE examples of first-rate cover letter headlines—thesecret to landing more quality job interviews: Three reasons I feel confident I'm the candidate you're searching for regarding the [insert job opening title here]. I have visited the [company name] website and believe I am a great match for the position of [insert job opening title here]. I would love the opportunity to be interviewed in person for the position of [insert job opening title here]. By creating a stellar headline you are attracting attention to your cover letter and bringing it the attention it deserves. Starting your cover letter off with an attention-grabbing headline is a highly effective way for you to stand out from the crowd in a positive light. Use this strategy for yourself. It can result in many more job interview requests. So do your part today. Create that strong headline at the beginning of your next job-search cover letter. But keep this 'secret' to yourself. Why help your competition? Then get ready to fill your calendar with interviews for the job you've been searching for. - Jimmy Sweeney Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, "Amazing Cover Letter Creator." Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search Secrets." Visit our friends at Amazing Cover Letters for your "instant" cover letter today. "In just 3½ minutes you will have an amazing cover letter guaranteed to cut through YOUR competition like a hot knife through butter!"
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Aren’t we all envious of those people who are not only able to figure what their dream career is, but have the guts to actually pursue it? If all people were able to do the same, the world would be a happier place. But it’s not always easy being a dreamer. Because while these people may be pursuing their passion, it’s often hard to do it without compromising a reasonable income. If you find yourself in this predicament, here are some tips to help you stay afloat financially while taking strides to pursue your dream … Find a Part-Time or Temp Gig One of the easiest ways to bring in some extra cash while pursuing your dream career is taking on part-time or temporary work. With a part-time job, you work fewer hours, which leaves you with more time to take on your own projects. And with a temp gig, while you may have to work full-time, you can accept or reject jobs at your leisure based on pay and the length of the project, which offers a different type of flexibility. Another job that some consider when needing flexible income is substitute teaching. Much like temping, you get to decide when you work. And the money isn’t bad. For most districts, you can make anywhere from $75 to $120 a day. The only catch is that you usually need the equivalent of two years of college under your belt to qualify. Try Working from Home In the age where the Internet rules supreme – and companies are trying to cut back on their overhead – it is easier than ever to find a legitimate work-from-home job. So for many who are trying to pursue an income-lacking passion, working from home in customer service, data entry, or even freelance writing gives them the opportunity to bring in income and allows for great flexibility. If this is a route you’re thinking of taking, it’s a good idea to make sure that the company you’re looking to work for is legitimate. Check online scam reports, ask tons of questions about the business’ reputation, and don’t be shy about asking for professional references. The more effort you make to find out the legitimacy of the company, the more likely you are to actually receive an income from home – and that’s kind of the point, right? Take On a Lesser Version of Your Dream Job There is nothing wrong with starting from the bottom to make your way to the top – the same goes for pursuing your dream. For instance, if your passion is wildlife photography, but you’re having a hard time selling your pictures to major magazines, you may want to take a more standard photography job that will give you practice, credibility, and a little income. You can still try to sell your photos on the side until you get your big break, but at least you won’t be starving while you wait. Pursuing your dream can bring with it many challenges. But by bringing in additional income, you can alleviate stress, which often helps to improve creativity. Anything you can do to help foster what truly makes you happy in life is a great reward within itself. - Heather Eagar Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Do you need a resume service? Compare the top ones in the industry atwww.resumelines.com.
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Job seekers spend more time fretting over their resumes than any other process during a job search. This is because most believe that the resume serves as a magic bullet. But no matter how great you sound on paper, the reality is that a resume can get you only so far in the job search, even if it is well written. The job search is made up of several key components including your outlook, job search activities, and interview performance. Each component builds on the next and if you lack strength in one area, your search will be handicapped. Below are telltale signs that your job search may be in jeopardy and the quick fixes you can incorporate to increase the chances your job search will be successful. Signs You Have an Unenthusiastic Outlook - You are quick to dismiss someone’s advice by making statements such as, “That doesn’t work. I tried it.”
Solution: Keep an open mind when someone is offering you guidance, even if you have heard the advice before. Sometimes it takes a few times for a message to penetrate. - After an interview you find yourself making comments such as, “The moment the interviewer saw me, I could tell he wanted someone younger.”
Solution: No jobseeker is the perfect candidate. Some are too old, others are too young; some don’t have much experience while others have too much. - You send out emails that read, “I sent a resume early last week and followed up, and you never returned my phone call. Are you ignoring me?”
Solution: When you feel overwhelmed, frustrated or just plain angry, take a walk and clear your head before you send an offensive email. - You aren’t taking personal responsibility for your own job search, instead blaming external factors for your lack of progress.
Solution: There are some aspects of your job you can’t control, but the ones that you can (e.g. the number of calls made per day, networking events attended), take seriously.
Signs You Are Taking the Passive Approach - You haven’t developed a job search plan and are flying by the seat of your pants.
Solution: Don’t wing it. Take the time to map out a strategy and write it down. Don’t rely on your memory. There is something about writing down thoughts that makes you more accountable. - You’re going it alone without the guidance of an interview coach and/or career coach.
Solution: Partner with someone who will provide objective and constructive feedback. In doing so, you will be able to identify areas of strength and those that need improvement. - You adopt the if-they-are-interested-they-will-call-me approach and never follow up.
Solution: Take the initiative to call employers to inquire about the status of your application.
Signs Your Interview Skills Could Use Some Work - You are always second best.
Solution: Call past interviewers and ask them why you didn’t receive an offer. When you make it that far in the process, interviewers are more likely to disclose the reason you weren’t selected. - You walk out of an interview saying, “Darn it! Why did I say that?” or “I wish I had mentioned my experience in ________.”
Solution: After each interview, jot down everything you said that didn’t work, and how you would rephrase it for the next interview. Then, when you get home or back to the office, write a thank-you note to the interviewer(s) that mentions the lacking information or carefully revisits what you wish you hadn’t said. - Every time you leave an interview you believe your performance was strong, but you never receive a job offer.
Solution: Work with a Certified Interview Coach or a professional who specializes in interview training who will be able to assist you in discovering and correcting the problem.
- Linda Matias Certified in all three areas of the job search—Certified Interview Coach ™ (CIC), Job & Career Transition Coach (JCTC), and Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW)—Linda Matias is qualified to assist you in your career transition, whether it be a complete career makeover, interview preparation, or resume assistance. She is also the author of the forthcoming book, How to Say It: Job Interviews (Prentice Hall Press, August 2007). You can contact Linda Matias at linda@careerstrides.com or visit her website www.careerstrides.comfor additional career advice and to view resume samples.
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