You Sent the Resume/Had an Interview--NOW WHAT?

You sent the resume/had an interview—now what?

I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who is an HR Director at a large company. I like to keep in touch with her to get the other side of the story about how candidates are coming across in their job searches and some of the latest tactics that work for her, and those that don’t.

She was telling me about an out of work friend who, after submitting her resume, was calling the hiring manager daily to inquire about the status. “After about three days of seeing the same number come up on caller ID I’m sure that hiring manager won’t be calling her back, regardless of how qualified she is. Who wants to hire a stalker?” my friend commented. And sadly, it’s true. Just like that guy or gal who calls you incessantly after having a great date, or a salesperson you briefly talked to in a store. You might have been interested in them, or working with them at the time, but too much, is still, too much.

So what should you do? Send your resume, and if you have the contact info (and the ad does not specifically say “Do not call.”), you can place a brief, friendly follow-up call the following week to touch base and let them know you’re a real person who didn’t just hit the Submit key on Monster.com. You can even say one or two unique aspects about your experience that specifically relate to the position leave your name and contact info, and then that’s it. If you’re a fit—they’ll call you back. If you’re not—then they won’t.

However, if you have made it to the interview stage, you have earned a little more leeway. First, you should NEVER, EVER leave an interview without asking—“What are the next steps?” or “What is your timeline for filling this position?” You can even ask “I’d love to follow-up with you, what works better for you, a call or an email, say, next week? I don’t want to turn into a stalker. “ (insert casual laugh here) There you have it—you just got their timing, showed you were interested, and saved yourself a stress-ridden week of worrying about the position.

After you’ve made that initial post-interview follow-up call, don’t revert to your former stalker ways and leave a voicemail every day, but it is OK to check in with them, either by phone or email every week and a half to two weeks. You can simply remind them of your interest in the position, or better yet, include a link to a relevant article about something happening in the industry is completely appropriate.

Uhhh, I have to ask job interviewers questions? What should I ask?

Many people get so excited and stressed out about preparing what they're going to TELL an employer that they don't realize the value of ASKING an employer some great questions.

When I was a hiring manager, I remember the candidates who asked genuinely interesting questions about my company. It gave me insight to their way of thinking and was proof that they had enough presence of mind and confidence to develop some good questions.

The more interesting candidates are the ones I asked back for a 2nd interview, and then hired.

First, let me say that you should NEVER, and I mean NEVER ask about benefits or salary on the first interview (or phone screen). That's the equivalent of going on a first date and asking about the size of the engagement ring. You're just not at that point in the relationship where that's relevant. I have IMMEDIATELY disqualified candidates who asked me that question too early. It demonstrates to me that the candidate is just in it for what they can get from me. Not attractive.

So in coming up with your questions to ask, here's a few that I wish candidates would have asked me more often:

"I see from your website that you do (produce, make, etc.) X, I did a little more digging and found another company Y who seems to do something similar? Are they a major competitor?"

'I have experience in this market with this specific problem (fill it in here), it looks like your industry (market), could be facing the same challenge, but you would know much better than I. What do you think?"

"How does your company differentiate themselves in this market?"

"What challenges has this department faced in the past year?"

"What do you think would be the most challenging thing for me to learn in this role?"

"What qualities in a new hire would NOT work in this position?"

"What is your time line for hiring for this position?"

"What is your biggest concern about my background or experience?"

"What did you see on my resume that looked like the best match for this position?"

"Who are the "customers" that I would be working with? What other departments does this one interface with (work with)?"

"How would you describe your managerial style?"

These questions also serve the dual role of giving you information to decide if you even want the position. You may be desperate for a job now, but getting into the wrong position and then getting let go from it, can be more drama than you're really looking to take on.

Also: No matter HOW many people you interview with at a company--ALWAYS ask questions. I was amazed by the job seekers who threw away the opportunity to get different perspectives on the more opinion-related questions by saying "no, no questions, I already asked everyone else." Ask everyone questions. Will the interviewers compare notes after you've gone, Yes. But asking for a different perspective on a question you've already asked someone else gives you even more insight into the workings of the company, and who couldn't use more insight?

Yeah, it stinks but you ALWAYS need to look for a job.

You searched and searched and searched, and finally feel pretty sure that a company is going to make you an offer. The interviews have gone well, maybe they’re even checking references. You run out to get a nice bottle of bubbly and wait for the good news.
Only, it doesn’t come.
Within the past 2 weeks alone, I’ve had this happen to my clients and even met someone who was offered a job, but had the offer rescinded before they started. The unfortunate thing is that all of these people put off making additional contacts because they were waiting for the big call. Completely understandable, it’s a tough job market and looking for a job totally stinks, but the time to stop job searching and networking is, unfortunately--never.
Here’s why you need to always be on the hunt:
1. Having multiple job offers is never a bad thing. If you’re working with one company, but they’re moving with the speed of molasses flowing uphill, you can nudge them along by letting them know you’ve received an offer from another firm, and while you’re very interested in working with them, in this economy, you’ve got to pay the bills. Everyone knows the state of the economy, and if this gets them to tell you the real story (maybe funding for the position is iffier than they were conveying), then it’s best you know that now before waiting for an offer that won’t come.
2. Lost opportunities rarely come back. If someone has brokered a networking introduction for you with a good job lead and you don’t follow up on it immediately, you make your friend look like an idiot, and, should you call the hiring manager few weeks later about that job, it definitely sends a message that they are your second choice. You lose either way. The trust of a friend, and a job opportunity, which puts you’re back to square one. Follow up on every lead. Always. Even if you’ve accepted another job. In talking to the hiring manager, you may know someone else who would be perfect, and voila, you’ve just turned your good fortune into someone else’s.
3. Building your network of contacts is always time well spent. Once you land in a new job, you’re in an even better position to help someone else. I firmly believe that those who will weather this downturn the best, are those that reach out to help others, and those who ask for help. There is no longer a stigma to being out of work—everyone has learned that their job fate can turn on a dime. By keeping your toes in the networking pool and helping people to make connections, it will come back to help you in ways you can’t anticipate. However, if once you get your job you shut down your job search, reaching-out mindset, you’re essentially turning your back on those people whom you could help. You’ve been there. You know what is helpful and what is not. Give to those who are in transition something that will help them.
Maybe you’re sitting there saying, ah, that’s not me. Once I get my next job the company will be completely downturn-proof, I’ll totally LOVE my new boss, I’ll be challenged to my utmost every day, receive regular promotions and nice raises, there is NO way I will even have the time to keep up with networking—I’ll be too DARN HAPPY!

I’m going to totally go on a limb and say that this was probably what you were thinking when you accepted your last position.

What's Your Networking Strategy For Your Job?

Lately I’ve been asking my clients about their networking strategy. I’ve even decided to add coaching people on networking strategies to my roster of services—it’s becoming THAT important in this job economy. Sitting at home, in your fuzzy slippers and applying for jobs online just ain’t cuttin’ it. Here’s the two-step process to improving your network.

1. Figure out what how to talk about yourself. Check out 15secondpitch.com to figure out how you should talk about your experience. The Wizard takes you through questions like Who you are, what you specialize in, what you do, and why you’re the best at what you do. (gee..exactly what you should have on your resume and be talking about in an interview…imagine that. :) ) The key is to introduce yourself in a way that’s memorable so that people remember who you are and what you do; and Second of all: want to help you. You want them to become your sales force on the streets looking for jobs for you.

Case in point: I have many clients, each one with their own unique talents and skills that I enjoy crafting into a great resume or helping them highlight in a job interview. Since I know my clients really well, I’ve always got my radar on for ways to help them. This morning I got a follow-up call from someone whose resume I’d done several months ago; Tom. He landed, and then was recently let go through no fault of his own. This afternoon I went to lunch with a current client, Rick and told him about Tom’s background and what he was looking for. Rick gave me a fabulous lead that could help Tom. Because I thoroughly understood Tom’s background, I was willing to stick my neck out for him and advocate his abilities.

This is what you need as a jobseeker. You need advocates. You need to turn people you meet into a sales force who will stick up for you and go the extra mile to help you. Think about recommendations you’ve made to other people about restaurants, dry cleaners, doctor’s, etc. What qualities did those people or services have that caused you to speak out about them? What made them stand out in your mind? Since you’re now looking to BE recommended, you’ve got to exhibit those qualities when meeting people to get recommended. You need to turn them into advocates for your cause and funnel job leads and ideas back to you. Will you get some leads that you don’t want? Yup. Does it matter in this economy? Nope. Just pass it along to someone else you know who might benefit.

2. Look for places where you can now hone this fabulous sales-pitch of yours. First, look for jobseeker groups that meet in your area. There’s about 4 here in Southwestern CT, and I’d imagine that they’re popping up around the country at this point. You can also go to Meetup.com and look for other jobseeker groups. If there isn’t one—start one. Contact a local career coach in your area and ask them if they’d be interested in hosting it. As long as they’re providing good content and advice, they’ll be a huge help to the group. While you’re on meetup.com, check out other special interest groups—like movie going groups, board games, wine aficionados. All of those activities gives you a chance to meet new people and broaden your social network.
Another good option is to take a class, either through your school District’s Continuing Education program or a local college. My friend Gilda Bonanno teaches great classes in CT on Presentation Skills, (beefing up your skills in this area looks awesome on a resume, BTW). You can also take a business class that interests you at a local community college. Want to explore your options in project management? Then sign up for a workshop on that topic.
Attend association events. It’s not enough to be a member of the American Marketing Association and checking their job board, you need to show up at a meeting and charm them with your personality. Looking for a job with a local company? Check out your town’s Chamber of Commerce meetings. You can peruse their list of members to get a feel for the types of people who attend. Chances are that you won’t be in competition with many other (if any) jobseekers. Make conversation with the businessperson by asking about how they’re faring in this economy, get their thoughts on what’s happening in the local market. Then introduce yourself as someone in transition, and say that you’re looking to network with people in x industry or y company. NEVER ask for a job. You’re just trying to get an introduction to someone who has the potential to help you, either with advice about your skills or someone who has an idea of other avenues for your job search. People at Chamber meetings are master networkers. Always keep in mind that people will speak up for others whom they know and like.
Why does networking work well? The problem now is that hiring managers and recruiters are being flooded with resumes for their open postings. It’s much easier for them to listen to a recommendation from a friend or co-worker about someone who is a great candidate, check out your resume and discuss the position with you. Don’t you go to restaurants and buy cars that other people recommend before you strike out on your own? It’s the same decision-process for hiring managers.
The trick is that they don’t know you unless you make yourself known. Time spent networking is more productive than sitting on your couch worrying about your jobsearch.

Interview for Your Next Job Like a Presidential Candidate

YES--you can repost this article. Please include the last paragraph EXACTLY as I have written it. THANK YOU!
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Hi, this is Melanie Szlucha, and my company Red Inc. works with jobseekers to prepare resumes and provide job interview coaching. I help you to stand out from the crowd of jobseekers, but in a good way. You can find out more about me from my website: Redinc.biz

The presidential campaign, and any political campaign for that matter, turns all voters essentially into hiring managers for the elected position.

The presidential campaign debate on October 15, 2008 was the last in a series of job interviews with the candidates. Can you imagine having to interview for a job against another candidate in front of cameras tuned into your every move and in front of an audience of hundreds of thousands of people, each of whom holds the fate of your career in your hands? Given that, I don’t EVER want to hear that someone is nervous about what could happen on a job interview—hey at least it won’t be THAT!

So putting political ideology aside for a moment—let’s talk about how each of the candidates performed, good and bad, from a job interview perspective. Each of them had very different styles and approaches to handling the debate.

First, let’s take a minute to discuss to what criteria is typically used to evaluate candidates during a job interview. A qualified candidate will be able to show that they can do the job they’re applying for, that they instill confidence in the hiring manager that they will act responsibly, exercise sound judgment, and actually show up. Don’t think we have to worry about either of these candidates showing up, but we’re definitely assessing them on how well they instill confidence in their abilities to run the country. They wouldn’t have gotten to this stage in the “interview” process if they didn’t have the qualifications on paper to do the job. But how well are they conveying that to you in person?

The other criteria that makes a job interview successful or not is the likeability factor. If you were stuck on a plane for 6 hours with this person, would it be enjoyable, or would you want to throw your laptop at them to make them stop talking? Little turning points like that make the difference. Now, once either candidate becomes president, the odds are unlikely of you sitting out a layover with them, but likeability still goes a long way toward giving you confidence that you’re making the right decision. Consciously or unconsciously.

So let’s take a look at the candidates. Earlier this evening, I tossed a coin to determine which candidate I would talk about first. Heads McCain/ Tails Obama. Mc Cain came up first:

Let’s talk about what I liked about Senator Mc Cain and his delivery: Now remember, these candidates are being evaluated on their interview performance. I’m looking for things they did well or didn’t, and letting you know WHY they worked well, or didn’t, so you can use them to evaluate your own performance.

First: I liked that Senator McCain immediately used a real person—Joe the plumber—to illustrate his point about Senator Obama’s tax plan. The story about how Joe wanted to buy his company he had been working at 12-15 hour days for many years—the American dream—made the issues seem more real. You knew that he loved the business if he had invested THAT much time and effort into it, and STILL wanted to buy it. You connected with his dream of small business ownership.

For you: in an interview, use real-life examples to illustrate your points. Don’t simply say that you’re a team player or a good communicator, be prepared to back up each of your points with a juicy illustration. Something with details that really paints a picture in the employer’s mind. The point of Joe was the struggling plumber trying to realize a dream. Your example should include details that make it interesting to prove your point. If the point of your example is that you’re a good communicator, talk about a time when your excellent communication skills solved an actual problem between two co-workers. Make the hiring manager feel the drama and the challenge you faced, and then how you resolved the problem.

Second: I liked that Senator Mc Cain had an agenda going into the debate, some definite points he wanted to hone in on, and made sure to get those across. Now of course he would have an agenda, but when you go into a job interview, do you have an agenda of what topics you’d like to discuss? You absolutely should. You should NEVER walk into a job interview and NOT know why you’re a great candidate for this position. You should ALWAYS walk into an interview with concrete examples of your best work…examples that you want them to remember.

A great job interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. You’re not a sitting duck just waiting for interview questions to be lobbed at you from across the table. Just as with any conversation, you can politely introduce a topic that builds that case that you’re the perfect candidate. An interviewer may not ask a question that would give you a perfect opening, but that doesn’t mean you can’t say: “When I saw this position, I was so excited to apply because I knew my experience with X would make me a perfect candidate—and then launch into talking about X” to tell your story.

Third: I liked his closing statement. He was definitely trying to come across as sincere. His body language and facial expression changed to almost a pleading/imploring look. He used phrases that began with the word “we” 3 times, which is known as a parallel sentence structure, and then finished with the phrase. “I’d be honored and humbled.” All elements that conveyed sincerity, physically and verbally.

What does this mean for you? How do you want to be perceived when you leave a job interview? What is the closing statement you want to make—your best argument as to why you should get the job? What do you want a hiring manager to remember about you? Although you won’t have the opportunity to make as formal a closing remark, you know that the interview is about to conclude when the hiring manager asks “do you have any questions for us” your response can be: “I do, and I’ll get to it in a minute, but I’d just like to say that I’m really interested in this position because…” and then hit ‘em with your best shot.

Now, onto the things I didn’t think that Senator McCain did as well from a job interview perspective.

First: His facial reactions were a bit much at times. I’m sure he wanted to convey energy and enthusiasm throughout the debate to counteract people’s concerns about his age, but I found his eyebrow raising, shocked looks a bit much to take at times, and a little juvenile.

What this means for you: First, don’t argue with the hiring manager to try to prove that you’re right. I know that in your mind—you WILL be thinking, “He’ll be impressed with my knowledge. So impressed that he’ll hire me on the spot.” That is not what the hiring manager will be thinking. He’ll think you’re a jerk, no matter how right you are, and that he doesn’t want to hire jerks. End of interview. So keep your facial expressions reigned in.

Second: There were instances during the debate when I felt he wasn’t giving me enough depth. You may disagree at this point, but this is what happens during a job interview—especially when you’re interviewing with different people, they’ll get different impressions. For example: He’s proposing a $5,000 healthcare tax credit that people can use however they’d like, but he did not outline for me, in that detail that I’d like—how it would actually work. Is it a debit card? Is it a place that I send my invoices for crediting? It seems like a big hassle to me and something that would take quite a while to implement. I just can’t picture it working. Again on the healthcare topic he started to answer the question on healthcare reform by providing a shopping list of things to change. I was overwhelmed and couldn’t see how they’d be implemented.

In a job interview: Don’t just start spouting things that are not relevant or tangible when you’re answering a question. Take a minute if necessary, and gather your thoughts and provide a structured answer to the question. Give one or two solutions and talk about how you’d implement them, or how you have implemented them in the past.

Third: He used a word that I didn’t know—Repudiate. I got the gist of it from the context, it actually means to reject the validity of. Not sure how well that word went over with reaching the English as a second language constituents or those voters without a college education.

Your take away from this: know your audience when selecting your vocabulary. If you’re with people who will understand the big SAT words, then use them. However, using those words when not appropriate can backfire on you and paint you as a jerk. Definitely not the impression you want to give a hiring manager.

Now—I turn my critical eye to Senator Barack Obama’s performance this evening. First the Plusses:

His answers were very structured and detailed. He frequently started answers with “verbal paragraphing” as I call them such as: First, second and third when he was describing his economic plan. These are mental touchpoints that speakers use to keep their audience focused. As I’m sure many of you could relate to when watching the debates--and I watched them twice to put together this analysis—you mind tends to wander. An interviewer’s mind wanders. Keeping them focused by using a numbering system, or ending an illustration by saying “the last thing” helps them keep track of where you are and if you’ll be wrapping it up soon, or if they should hunker down to listen to you for a few more minutes.

Second: He never lost his cool. Senator John McCain was making some pretty bold accusations, and when he would not drop the issue regarding Acorn and Bill Ayers, I think if I was Senator Barack Obama I might have been pushed a teensy bit closer to the edge than he was.

So for you: Interviewers will do stupid things to you as a candidate. They’ll ask stupid questions, won’t listen to your answers, or ask you the same question in different ways. Patiently giving them the same answer will score you more points than getting visibly upset at anything that they do. Keep your poise at all costs.

Third: He demonstrated that he understood what the underlying concern was behind Senator John McCain’s questions about Bill Ayers and ACORN. When he was talking about how he knew Bill Ayers, he told the whole story (even though he’s reiterated it probably a hundred times by how), from what Bill did when he was 8, to working with him 10 years ago on a board of directors. He provided convincing details that didn’t lead me to question the truth of the story. After providing similar details regarding Acorn—he went onto say that he would not be advised by these people. He then went on to list the people who would be his advisors.

He understood that it’s not who he knows that is the issue, it’s who he would be soliciting advice from as President of the United States that’s the issue. Without being prompted, he simply went onto answer the underlying concern.

Are there situations in your career that you are always asked about, where you provide the explanation, but still feel like it’s not enough? Those are times when you can take that extra step and figure out what the hiring manager’s underlying concern is, and address the issue upfront. Remember, you’re not a sitting duck waiting to get shot at in an interview. You can control the situation and address their concerns.

Now onto what I didn’t like about Senator Barack Obama’s debate/job interview style.

First: At times I was uncomfortable with how friendly he was acting toward the moderator Bob Schieffer. When Senator Mc Cain was answering a question, and Senator Obama was requesting a rebuttal, he seemed to be too comfortable and confident—almost a sense of camaraderie with Bob Schieffer. Now it’s true that I could only see Senator Obama and not how the moderator was reacting, but I didn’t see Senator McCain having a similar relationship, so it gave me the sense that it was one-sided, like Senator Obama and Bob Schieffer were sharing a private joke.

For you: It’s always a fine line between confident and friendly vs. overconfident and understated arrogance. Always keep your place in mind. You’re a job candidate—you don’t have the position. You are a guest of the company who has been invited to their offices for an interview. There’s a line of familiarity that you don’t cross with people you’ve just met who have invited you into their home. Keep that in mind, and always respect whomever you meet in the interview.

Second: Is Senator Obama too perfect? He never seemed to get flustered, or even misspeak as the evening wore on. His soundbites of answers were detailed, yes, which made them interesting, but he lacked spontaneity. I don’t know if I have a sense of who he is as a person. He keeps the candidate persona on all the time. I’m not sure that I’d feel welcome sitting down and having a cup of coffee with him. It’s that likeability factor that I’m a little squeamish on. I have heard examples as to why he’d do a good job, but I’d like to see more of the real him.

Although the debate didn’t necessarily allow it---you can always interject parts of your human side into a job interview. When you’re walking from the reception desk to the conference room for the interview, talk about what you watched on TV the night before, comment on the color of the walls or artwork in the office, the fact that you’ve started taking dance lessons, anything that gives people a glimpse of what you’d be like to work with. Keep it clean—but let them see your personality and who you are to make you more interesting.

Third: As with any debate, there are questions that are left unanswered in the minds of voters. Senator Obama has frequently referred to providing uninsured people with access to the Government healthplan, but did not provide a range of what that cost would be to the average household. True, it’s hard to know how many people would actually enroll, etc. but still, I’d like to hear a ballpark figure of what it might cost me. He also never addressed or defined the issue of what a negative campaign was. Senator Mc Cain confronted him about specific ads he saw during a football game, but Senator Obama never directly discussed the messaging of those ads.

As the jobseeker—you need to make sure that any lingering questions the interviewer has are answered before you leave their office. You can ask them during the interview if what you were saying was clear and concise, or if they’d like you to go over any of it again. They may be reluctant to drill you with questions, thinking that it’s rude on their part to make you uncomfortable, so open the door to continue the conversation with them if they have any issues.

So the next time you go into a job interview, be glad it’s not in front of a live studio audience.

Melanie Szlucha is a professional Job Interview Coach, and Resume Writer. She's been successfully helping clients for over 4 years become better prepared for the job search process. Her website, which includes a link to additional FREE job search tips articles, is http://www.redinc.biz.

Using LinkedIn and Improving Your Networking Skills

Over the past few weeks I’ve given more thought to the idea of effective networking. I remember when I was just starting my career about 15 years ago, attending Chamber of Commerce events in Rochester, NY on behalf of the city’s orchestra. It felt very cliquish, and although I was young and representing a well known institution, I never really felt like I fit in. So I get that feeling that many people have when they walk into a room of people they don’t know. There are times today when I still get that feeling—that “nobody likes me, nobody cares what I have to say” squeamishness. Even me, who goes to like a gazillion of these things every month.
But when I think about it, that’s how I am reacting to those around me. They have no reason NOT to like me. And as with any relationship, you’re only half of the equation. The person you’re trying to have a conversation with has their own issues, dramas, and fears who may be too nervous or shy to reach out to you. So it’s not always you—sometimes it’s them. Get over it.
As a jobseeker, you need to reach out to others for help. If you have a friend who is a hiring manager, encourage them to tell others about the jobs they’re looking to fill. The only way that networking will work is if people work together. The days are gone when we can sit in a little silo and mindlessly hit “send” on job applications on Monster.com.
A way to start from your desk is to check out LinkedIn.com and really explore all of the options. First and foremost, people are on the site to be found and to help others. That’s the purpose. It’s not for passing movie recommendations, or sharing family vacation photos, it’s to keep up with your network of people you’ve worked with, and whom they have worked with, so it’s not an intrusion for you to search for people you know. You start by essentially putting your resume online as your profile. Then you want to connect to people you’ve worked with, friends, neighbors, classmates by sending them an invitation to connect. Chances are they’ll accept your invitation. If they don’t, then they’re not really “getting” the networking scene. Get over it, it’s them. However, once you’re connected with them, send them a personal note and let them know you’re in the job hunt. If they live in the same area, ask if you can get together for coffee to catch up about what’s going on in the industry. DO NOT make them feel like they should get you a job. You’re asking for advice. A good topic for discussion is to just get their feedback on how you’re searching for a job. You’re probably making assumptions about why you’re not getting jobs, so connecting with someone who is active in the industry will give you honest, genuine feedback. I’m pretty sure you could use that. Searching for a job can be a lonely process, and the only way to keep your sanity is by reaching out to people who know you. Maybe you can end up helping them with a problem like finding a good contractor or even the best place for Mexican food. The goal is to just get yourself on their radar and remind them about how awesome you are, if they can give you some good advice, that’s a very welcome benefit.
Second great way to use LinkedIn—search for groups of people you can join. If you look at my profile, you’ll see that I’m a member of 15 groups. Many of which are from my college, there’s some jobseeker-specific groups, and the rest are either affiliations from my speaking opportunities, or my networking groups. So searching my network also allows me to search the members of these groups—and their connections.
What else can you do with these connections other than search for people who work at the company you’re applying to get into? How about asking your network if they know any good recruiters they can recommend you use? I did that as a way to grow my business, and got some amazing results. People I hadn’t heard from in years reached out to me to recommend people I should contact. A personal recommendation is the best you can ask for.
LinkedIn also has job postings, many of which are not posted anywhere else on the web. So you’ll definitely want to keep a finger on those.
Looking to get into a particular company, or found a job on a board that matches your qualifications? Search the network you’ve created to see if someone in your network already works there, and either ask them directly if they can provide some help, or ask the person who is connected to them for an introduction. The best case scenario is if they would be willing to stick up for you and walk your resume into the hiring manager’s office. I’ve heard of cases where two long-lost friends from college reconnected on LinkedIn, and one was able to give such a glowing recommendation of the other, that it earned her a job interview at the target company. Like anything else, it doesn’t work this well 100% of the time, but anything you can do to tip the scales in your favor is worth it.
They’ve also beefed up their question and answer forums. You can post a question about an industry—even asking for advice about what qualifications are necessary if you want to change industries, and you’ll receive expert advice from people around the country. In some cases, you may be able to answer someone else’s query and get yourself branded as an expert. I’m pretty sure that hiring managers want to hire experts.
You can also ask people in your network for recommendations. How cool is it if you put the URL of your LinkedIn profile on your resume, the employer checks it out, and finds an abundance of great recommendations about your work. That’s pretty powerful stuff, and shows that you are a professional who knows the importance of making a great impression.
A recent study by SHRM (the Society for Human Resources Management) says that hiring managers are turning to social networking sites to identify passive candidates. Whether it be on LinkedIn, or an industry trade site, if your profile is complete and highlights your experience, you have some recommendations, or better yet, they were impressed by your response to a question on a blog, they feel a deeper connection with you than with a piece of paper or an email they received with your resume attached.
Hiring someone without knowing anything about them is a risky proposition, especially when companies have so much on the line. The more good stuff they can find out about you from the beginning, the more likely they’ll feel comfortable calling you in for an interview to see if your in-person persona matches what they read.

Time to Meet New People (who could help get you a job)

These days I’m becoming 100% convinced that it’s not what you’ve accomplished in your position that will get you your next job, but who you know. It could be the subconscious influence of the networking book Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi (HIGHLY recommend it for all my loyal readers), or just what I’ve witnessed this past week.

For the past several months I’ve subscribed to an email list produced by a public relations guy—Peter Shankman. The list started on Facebook as a way for him to connect his reporter friends who were looking for people to quote in stories, with his friends in PR who were looking to place their clients in the media. Simple enough right? Well over the course of the past year, he’s grown the list to over 22K people and is putting a serious dent in what had been a paid subscription service for the industry. If you Google him, you’ll see that he’s been on CNN several times, wrote a book, sold one of his PR firms and started another one—the guy gets around.

I’d been noticing his list growing (he provides pretty frequent updates to his subscribers) and decided to buy an ad in an upcoming issue. I also realized that since he’s in NYC, I could actually take him out to lunch! I was embarrassed at how long it took me to formulate that idea. There was never a reason not to ask—other than my “aw shucks, what would little ‘ole me have to talk to him about?” attitude. So just like that, I asked and he accepted. Lunch went well, he’s an interesting, down-to-earth guy who actually spent the first 10 minutes stressing that the lunchtime email he sent his 22K subscribers went out without a screwup on his part, and showed me a nice note he was got on his Blackberry from a subscriber. In some ways, he operates in a completely different world than mine, and it felt really good to mix it up a bit.

So what’s YOUR take-away from all this? First, his list grew from the strength of his network of contacts. He saw a need between 2 groups of people he knew, and decided to fill it. He then asks EVERYONE on his list to spread the word about the list. His motto is that everyone’s an expert in something, so why not get your name in the media about it? He’s built up a loyal fan base, and when he asks for help—he gets it. Are you doing this in your job search? Are you asking your friends and acquaintances for help? Are you asking them if there’s any way you can help them, whether it be if you know a good plumber or the best restaurant for Indian food in your area? Helping others is the best way to have that good Karma flow back to you.

And if you’re sitting there saying “but I just don’t know that many people” – then that’s a problem. First, take an actual inventory of people during a typical 3 month span whom you have conversations with. This includes activities like classes, work (of course), your kid’s soccer games and recitals, even people you may know in an online community. Unless you’re a complete hermit—you know people. Second, to get to know MORE people, check out networking sites like Meetup.com where you can find activities you like to do, and join groups of people who are interested in them as well. If you’re looking for a job, join a jobseekers group—but also join a Kayaking group if that’s your interest.

Lastly, no one is unapproachable. Just because this Shankman guy was sending out emails and has like a zillion Google hits didn’t mean that he wouldn’t be a nice lunch companion or accept my invitation. Don’t be intimidated by someone’s stature or your assumption of what their life is like relative to yours. If you find someone on LinkedIn who is in your dream job or industry, approach them and ask if they could take ½ hour of their time to give you some advice from their point of view. Chances are they’ll be flattered and if there’s a way you can help them down the road, they’ll appreciate that too.

Broadening your circle of acquaintances gets you into those different worlds and can really open your eyes to new possibilities in many different areas of your life.

Salary issues at your current job

I'm on approximately 200 websites as a career coach and field all sorts of questions during the week. One popped in today that's relevant to people looking as well as those trying to make the best of their current situation. Salary reviews and negotiations.

In this economy everyone's walking on eggshells with their employer, but there are still opportunities to lobby for a well-deserved raise.

First, be realistic. Take a reasonable look at what your company does and how sales have been over the past year, as well as their prospects for the future. A company's finances are like your home finances--if there isn't a reasonable expectation that you're bringing in more money over the course of the year, you won't put more money into upkeep on your home, and will try to make do with what you've got.

Companies need to do the same thing. If they're worried about the potential for additional revenue over the next year, they won't feel comfortable putting substantially more money in your pocket. No matter how awesome you are. They'll try to make you as happy as they can with what they've got. Some employers are tricker than others at this, but basically, that's all they're trying to do.

So what can you do?

1. Check out some salary comparison websites like Salary.com. My HR sources tell me that these can be off by 8-10%,and salaries do vary by market, but it can give you a feel for if you're way underpriced, or if you should just keep your mouth shut.

2. Develop a list of your contributions over the past year, and if you can demonstrate it, how they contributed to the bottom line of the company. What did you accomplish that hadn't been done before? You should have this anyway for your updated resume (ahem), but you'll need it when proving your case for a raise.

3. DO NOT tell them that you need more money so you can get a new car, house, etc. It's NOT about YOU! It's about what value you bring the company.

4. Also not a great idea to base your argument on other people's job descriptions and salaries. A friend of mine went through this recently where her staff member was making an argument that he had more work than another department. The problem is that the other department was favored by my friend's boss, so that argument didn't hold too much weight. Always be mindful of the office politics in play.

5. The moolah ain't gonna flow your way? Come up with other perks that will at least make you happier as you spend $200 on a tank of gas and eat Raman Noodles for lunch. Ask if they'll sponsor a corporate Toastmasters group (to improve public speaking skills), group yoga/weight loss classes, telecommuting, additional vacation days, flexible hours, a golf outing.

Present them with options to show that you're a team player and understand their budget issues. They'll be more likely to look favorably on you when the economy recovers.

Steering Clear of a Micromanager

With the job market as tight as it is, it's easy to be a lot less discriminating when evaluating bosses during your interview. But, keep in mind that you spend WAY more time at a job than with your loved ones—so you really need to love the job to make it work (in a manner of speaking).

Studies have shown that the number one reason why people start to look for a job is because their boss is driving them crazy. But how can you tell if the person you're supposed to be establishing this great rapport with in the interview is a potential disaster? Here's what I've learned in my career and from coaching others.

My biggest issue is avoiding the Micromanager! I hate micromanagers. I could not be paid enough to work for one, and I'm very honest with myself, and future employers, about it. Truth be told, I have survived 2 of them in my career, and was able to successfully extract them from my backside while keeping my job.

With that being said, if I was to interview for a job today, I would make sure that I brought up the topic of managerial style with the hiring manager. This can be a sticky subject, but I’d broach it during the interview (probably the 2^nd interview) by asking them to describe their managerial style is, and no matter what they said, I'd tell them that I do not do my best work when I'm working for a micromanager. If they didn’t describe themselves as a micromanager, then they’ll be happy that you’re on the same page, if they did—well as you read in my example above—they can be reformed, but still need to appreciate your style. I’d then mention that I have more of an entrepreneurial mindset, and one of my former bosses (and a reference) described me as very resourceful. I would go on to say that I completely understand that while I learned the job, we'd be working together closely, but once I'd been there from 3-6 months, I would expect that I'd be up to speed on a number of things and could work independently. Additionally, I'd say something like—I like to run the ball down the field, but am conscious of needing to provide you with status reports, and will always come back to you for advice when I need it so you won’t be left in the dark. For the 2 bosses I had who were micromanagers, this would have worked well for them. Over the course of my working there, they learned to trust me and my instincts, and left me alone, knowing that I'd approach them for help when needed.

However, there's the more insipid micromanager who simply cannot be eluded—and that's the kind you're hoping to avoid by making the above declaration. By clearly articulating what helps you do your best work, you’re just being honest and fair with them. No manager wants to hire someone who won't do their best work for them, and whom they’ll end up firing or leaving, because you don’t get along. Being honest with yourself and them (politely) will help to ensure that the job is a good fit for you.

So what are your issues that you wish you could discuss in an interview? Pop onto my blog and leave me some ideas for future articles!

Turn the Tables--You can Interview THEM

I know, for many of you just the word “interview” can send you running from the room in shear panic. However, an informational interview is completely different than a job interview, in that it’s a chance for you to learn something about your target company or a possible career move, without the pressure of having to win the job. Here’s how they work best.

Let’s say that you’ve been out of the workforce for a while, or are in serious need of a career change, but have no idea if your skills are in demand or even how to position yourself. You start by identifying some areas/companies that you’re interested in, and then getting the word out there among your friends and family that you’d like to investigate your career options. An informational interview is NOT about expecting that someone will get you a job, but it’s really just to give you some insight and a reality check about the feasibility of your plans. Here’s how to go about inviting someone to coffee or lunch and what to ask them once you’re there.

First, in order to meet people who could help you, tell anyone and everyone you know that you’re looking to make a career change and want to explore your options in XYZ industry. Tell them that you’re in the information gathering stage, and are looking to take people out for coffee or lunch who could give you some advice about transferring your skills, and even how best to position yourself on a resume. You may not get any firm leads the first few times you try this, but keep your options open and come across as someone who genuinely wants to learn about an industry, and it will pay off.

For example, when I spoke at UCLA a few weekends ago, I met a student with an accounting/finance degree who is doing an internship in New York City. He graduates next Spring, but considering the dicey financial sector at the moment, is doing everything he can to learn about his prospects. I recently redid a resume for a client with a similar background, so I introduced them. I had my student write an email of introduction about himself that I could forward to my client—along with his resume. In my email to my client, I put in a good word about the student and vouched for his genuine interest and good character. They’ll be meeting in a few weeks. It’s as simple as that. LinkedIn.com is a great place to start to look for people with those kinds of connections.

You should NOT expect a job lead from these informational interviews. If you do get one, that’s just the ultimate bonus, but if your guest suspects your hidden agenda, they are likely to turn down your invitation. Be considerate of their schedule, and let them know that coffee would only take a half-hour, and lunch no more than an hour, so they don’t get nervous that they’re going to have to entertain you for a whole afternoon.

You should definitely bring a list of questions to the interview, but keep in mind that it will feel most comfortable as a conversation, not an interrogation. You can ask questions like: What’s a typical day like? What skillsets make people successful in this field? My background is X, and I feel that my strength is my ability to Y. Do you think that skill would be valued in your industry? How did you get started working at the company? Do any of your colleagues have a unique/unexpected background? Are there specific degrees or accreditations that are necessary just to be considered for a position?

There are plenty more, but you want to ask questions that will help you decide if this field is for you, and if it is, what it would take to get in.

ALWAYS stick to the time that you allotted for the interview. If you see that you could be running long, be considerate and point it out to the person you’re meeting with. Chances are they won’t cut the interview short unless they have another appointment, but will appreciate that you’re mindful of the value of their time.

In this job market, many of you will need to reinvent yourselves to find a job in your area. Informational interviews are key to learning about your options and how to position yourself .

Great Networking Opening Lines

A big HELLO to all of my faithful readers! I apologize for not getting these newsletters out on a weekly basis for the past few months. A lot of travel and the fact that EVERYONE seems to be getting their resume redone has caused my business to BOOM! I will try to get these out on a more timely basis.

I’m writing this in the Los Angeles airport where I ran a program for the American Management Association’s summer program at UCLA. When it came to the networking presentation, the student’s #1 concern? How do you start a conversation with someone you don’t know?

As a veteran of many networking events, I feel everyone’s pain on this one. I’m actually more of a “sit back and see what happens” kind of gal, and I really find it hard to talk to people I don’t know either. But in order to grow my business, I had to learn how to get out there, and in order for you to get a job, you’re going to need to master this skill too.

The best opening line? A compliment! Who doesn’t love receiving a compliment, and who doesn’t instantly love the person giving the compliment? It is a never fail conversation starter. Here’s how it typically goes. As a woman, I’ll usually compliment a guy on his tie (psst….I don’t always LIKE the tie, but I can say something like “I’ve never seen a tie quite like that one, there’s got to be a story behind it.” and it works just as well). I have absolutely no idea why, but about 70% of the time they have some sort of story behind their tie. Then because I just gave them a compliment, and listened to their tie story, are much more open to talking to me.

For a man trying to network with a woman without coming across as a cheesy pickup line? Compliment a woman on her cellphone/Blackberry if it looks pretty high tech (“Those ‘crackberry’s’ are too addicting aren’t they?”, “Are you going to upgrade to the new iPhone?”) or a distinctive/unique piece of jewelry (ring, watch or pin), she may be wearing. Those are pretty safe articles of clothing you can comment on without crossing any uncomfortable lines. A simple “I’ve never seen a pin/watch/scarf/ring quite like that, where did you get it?” will do the trick.

The goal is to get the other person in a favorable state of mind to talk to you, not spend the rest of the evening sharing fashion tips. Once you’ve broken the ice, you can move onto introducing yourself and what you do, and then finding out about them.

One other tip that always works, look for the other person at the event who isn’t talking to anyone else, but looks just as dazed/confused/lost as you probably do. They will welcome your compliment and conversation.

However, networking just takes practice. The more attempts you make to make friends at these events, the better you’ll get at it. Promise.

Now get off your couch and get goin’!

Networking Doesn't Have To Stink!

This week I had the pleasure of teaching a class on Networking Skills to students from Marywood University in Scranton PA. I very clearly remember my college days when a "networking event" was a bunch of us allowed into the Formal room on campus to try to make conversation with alumni who could potentially get us a job. We were like moths to a flame as we flitted awkwardly around the adults in the room and made some pathetic attempts at conversations that didn't sound like we were begging for a job. We were unsuccessful and definitely pathetic.

I try to teach people what I've learned from my years of having to "work a room." I'm naturally an introvert--yes, believe it or not, I am—so I can definitely empathize with people who are terrified out of their minds at having to make conversation with people they barely know, let alone eventually ask them for a job. I still have to gear myself up for an event and get a game plan in my head. I don't claim to be an expert, but there are definitely some never fail things I do that make the process easier.

1 I wear something you like and feel good in. It's impossible to confidently talk to new people if you think that a pair of pants makes you look fat, that your tie has the remnants of lunch on it, or if your shoes hurt. You need to wear an outfit that makes you feel like you're hosting the party. You score extra points if you wear what I call a converstation-starter piece of jewelery (ring, pin) or a distinctive tie or scarf. It gives people somehting to say to you when they walk up to you..which leads me to...

2 The best conversation-starter is a compliment. Hands down. Never fails. Who can't resist liking someone who just paid them a genuine compliment? It's not sucking up if it's genuine and sincere, so find something about that person that helps them to stand out from the crowd. They'll then feel like they owe you some conversation and will take the time to get to know you. It's all good.

3 Listen to the other person. DO NOT scan the room looking for your friend, the punch bowl, or the closest restroom (unless it's an emergency). People love eye contact and feeling like they're being listened to. Everyone is an interesting person, you just need to show them that you want to figure out what is interesting about them.

4 Have your exit strategy at the ready. A few years ago I would go to some events like book signings, or business networking/chamber of commerce shindigs. Inevitably I'd get stuck in the corner talking to some person—who was very nice—but was never in a million years going to refer business to me, and was just leaching onto me because they were too nervous to meet other people. Ahhh the curse of being TOO nice. So I'd get stuck, and then ticked off at myself for being such a dope who couldn't get out of a bad conversation. So now I have my exit lines ready, and I ain't afraid to use 'em. My favorite one is to say: "I don't want to monopolize your time, so I'll let you go and meet other people. I've enjoyed talking to you, we should keep in touch." and then ZOOM, I'm outta there, and we're both free to roam about the room. Deep down they know they should meet other people too—so they really can't argue. You can also leave a conversation to get another drink, more food or some fresh air. Don't feel bad, if you really did like that person, I'm sure they'd be happy to chat with you further when you don't have a networking agenda.

The cool thing that the students realized the other night is that you can network ANYWHERE! All of us come into strangers every day, we just need to be open to meeting them. The bookstore, mall, grocery store, train, any place where you make that quick eye contact with someone and start a connection. Perhaps you are in the grocery store picking some lettuce in the produce dept. and you and someone else suddenly get a cold shower when they wash down the vegetables. Laughing, making eye contact and sharing the moment with them can start a bond. You can share a few words and might even start a longer conversation. Sometimes it happens just that simply. You end up exchanging business cards and might even start a friendship.

Bottom line, be open to the possibility. Having a genuine curiosity about your fellow man can lead to some interesting opportunities.

Everyone knows that they should apply for jobs that they’re qualified for. Engineers apply for engineering positions, marketers apply for marketing positions, and everyone stays within their industries.

However, the trouble arises when jobseekers start to apply for those jobs that they think they’re “perfect” for, but neglect to really read the ad and what they’re looking for. Here’s an example of what I mean.

The ad states that they’re looking for someone with 2-3 years of experience, and you have 10+ years of experience. In your mind you’re probably thinking one of two things
1. Hey, I’ve got even MORE than what they need, I’m a shoe in!
2. I’ll apply to this and they’ll see how fabulous I am, they’ll call me for another position in the company.

Here’s why the above 2 rationales don’t work:

Rationale #1: A hiring manager has listed 2-3 years of experience on there for a reason. First, they don’t have the salary line to pay what you would want with your 10 years of experience, and second, the tasks that this person will be doing are actually what you were doing 7 or 8 years ago—in other words—menial. There is NO WAY that they would look at your resume and think—yeah, I’m sure this person wants to take a STEP BACK in their career. I’m so exited that they want to go back to grunt-work. I’ll give them a call. Makes no sense. Your only hope of this working is if you directly discuss and acknowledge it in your cover letter—that you’re trying to make a career change and completely understand that the pay scale is totally different since you are starting out in a new career. It’s still a long shot, but sending in a resume without calling out the discrepancy is instant suicide.

Rationale #2: Yes, this could happen. I know that the HR Directors who read this will send me nastygrams saying that it is so rare that it’s the same as an impossibility, but I do know a case where it did come true. Basically with this strategy, you’re banking on whoever is reading the resumes to know who else in the company is hiring and to care enough to forward your resume to that person, or to hang onto yours because they’re so overwhelmingly impressed that they will pass it along when something opens up. This can happen, but if you do decide to take a shot and apply, at the very least, call out your intent in the cover letter so they know that you’re not dumb enough to assume that your 10 years of experience is going to get you an entry level job. THEN, in your mind where you’re keeping score of all the jobs you’re applying for—do NOT count this one as a possibility. It’s a Hail Mary application. Nothing more. Let it go. You’re better served networking your way into a company.

Next week…common job posting terms that tells you NOT to apply. (but you’ve been applying anyway).

What to say when you don't know

When I was a kid I took piano lessons which resulted in the yearly piano recital. Many, many times I wished that I didn’t have to rely on my finger-memory to get through a piece of music, but instead could rely on my vocal-memory to sing the music.

Then you become an adult and realize that your vocal-memory is just as unreliable.

So what do you do when you’re in a job interview and your head becomes as empty as a church on a Monday morning.

Relax. It happens to everyone. Even the interviewer. Many interviewers (with the exception of the really difficult ones) will understand if you stammer through a few questions. They know that you are nervous. Keep that in mind. It will help you relax.

Take a deep breath, and you can do one of the following things:

1. Ask the interviewer to repeat the question. Say that you were still thinking about your last answer and your mind wandered for a minute.
2. Rephrase the question. This is a classic way to stall for a little time, but if it helps you think of a better way to answer the question than blurting out the first thing that pops into your head—then it’s a successful strategy.
3. Ask if you can take a minute to think about it. When your only other immediate option is to open your mouth and say something stupid, the better option is to ask for some time to compose your answer.

You can’t use these techniques too often during the interview, but for most people just knowing that there are ways to handle these situations is like money in the bank.

Remember, the interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. It’s normal for your mind to go blank during a conversation, and you recover quickly enough because you don’t stress about the situation. The same thing will happen in your job interview. Stay calm, have these techniques in your mind, and you’ll stay in control of the interview.

How To Answer Why You're Looking for A New Job

Why are you looking for a new job?

This is one of those job interview questions that will be asked by the savviest of interviewers. Although it’s positively heart-stopping to be on the answering end of this question, if you were the employer, wouldn’t you want to know how this seemingly fabulous person ended up on the job market? It’s similar to meeting an interesting, attractive person of the opposite sex, or finding a used car that’s only got 1000 miles on it and is 3 years old. Just a little too good to be true, and you can’t believe that no one else has discovered this amazing find.

Basically they’re trying to figure out what is wrong with you, and suspect they will get a clue by looking at your relationship with your last job.

So your task is to not give them any ammunition to rule you out of the game.

1. Never, ever, ever speak ill of your current employer, or any former employers for that matter. Everyone knows that one reason for this is because your interviewer will envision you badmouthing them when you decide to leave, and nobody wants to think about bad rumors about themselves traveling through the industry. Another reason to avoid dissing your past employer is that in this very small world, they could be a friend, relative or even your potential client at this new job. No person works on an island and you must always be conscious of the seemingly invisible threads that connect so many people.
2. Another never is to speak ill of the tasks you were asked to perform at your past or current job. ANY tasks. You may think that this new job would provide a blissful escape from the tedium of your last one, and so gleefully explain to an interviewer all of the mind-numbing things you were asked to do. However, your interviewer is thinking about the similar (but different) mind-numbing tasks of this position, and decides that you would quit after the first month. There’s no reason to hire you if you’ve already given them a reason for you to quit.
3. Also, you don’t want to speak ill of your co-workers. Those were or are your teammates, and the same rule holds true as reason #1. This world is too small, and good jobs are too few to take the chance.

So what CAN you say?

1. You can say that you wanted a new opportunity. That you felt that you had taken your current or past position as far as you could within the company, you had achieved X, Y and Z, and now feel that it’s time for you to learn a different aspect of the business, or to work for a bigger (or smaller) company. The key here is to focus on the future. Focus on the opportunities you see in this new position, how it will help you grow and learn and not what was wrong with the last company you worked for.

2. If you are applying for a job that touts flexible hours, work from home or excellent benefits in the job posting, you can mention those qualities as a reason to look into this new position. Again you don’t want to speak ill of your current employer, but say that you understand why they need to run their business as they do, but if the working arrangements at this new company are better suited to your lifestyle at the moment then it might be a good fit. You are showing the employer that there is a natural fit between their needs and your needs.

In the cases where you were let go from a position, all of the above rules apply. If it’s the truth, you can say that you were laid off as a result of a company-wide restructuring or budgetary cuts. If it was due to a disciplinary action you can say that at the time you were having some time management issues (if you were fired for being consistently late), but you have learned your lesson, that you take an employer’s requirements a lot more seriously and have taken proactive measures (which you can briefly describe) to prevent yourself from getting in that situation again. Show that you have made your mistake with your past employer and have absolutely no intention of making the same mistake twice. Sincerity, an action plan and great references are necessary to counteract any remaining issues.

Don't give the hiring manager gifts!

It’s easy to start to panic about the job search process. You’re sending out resumes, not getting any callbacks, going on interviews, not getting any callbacks. It all seems like such a hopeless endeavor.

Then you read an article about standing out from the crowd. And you think—yeah, I need to do that--what can I do that will be different than everyone else?

Then you start to send “gifts.”

One of my good friends is a HR Director and she called me this week eager to tell me about a candidate’s latest attempt to stand out.

During the interview, the candidate directly compared their workstyle to a superhero cartoon. It was a memorable analogy, I would have recommended that he talk about a specific work instance where he demonstrated that quality that he used the superhero to illustrate, but it’s impossible to land every answer. It would have been OK if the candidate just left it at that.

However, instead of letting it go, the candidate sent my friend a thank you note in the form of an e-card featuring an animated superhero. Ouch! E-cards are NEVER professional. They’re what you send your friends when you forgot to put a card in the mail. They’re a cute pick-me-up to send to someone who is going through a rough time. They are never, under any circumstances, appropriate to send to a manager. NEVER!!!

Then as the candidate was leaving, he gave her a small tin of candies. This seems like a nice gesture on the surface, but let’s backtrack for a sec and think about the purpose of the job interview.

The hiring manager is looking for someone who is qualified to do the job and will fit in well with the company’s culture. That’s it. If you don’t meet that criterion, you won’t get the job. They won’t call you back thinking “well, I am not sure that he could really do the job, but he did give me a cute tin of cookies, so I’ll give him another shot.” No, won’t happen. Either your personality and skills are what they’re looking for, or they’re not.

Think of it this way. We’ve all gone through the grocery store when they’re passing out free food samples. I’ve even made a small meal out of it, but that’s another story. Just because they offer you a free sample, do you feel obligated to purchase the product if you don’t like it? If it doesn’t wow you, you don’t buy it. You move on and buy something yummy. Same goes for leaving gifts for the hiring managers. If you don’t have the goods, you won’t get the job. No matter how cool the gifts you give them.

So focus on prepping yourself for the interview. Come up with examples of your great work experiences that you want them to remember, show them that you’re the perfect candidate to do the job they’re looking to fill. Give them a Christmas gift when you’re they’re co-worker.

The Economy and Your Job Search

No matter how secure you are in your current job, or how many job interviews you’re getting, everyone is concerned about how the current or pending recession will affect them. This week I attended an event where an economist from the Connecticut state government brought up some interesting points about how the changes in the economy could affect a job hunt.

First, consider the industry that you’re looking to work in. If there is a recession, think about things that people will spend less money on. So as an example, people will always need to eat, and the government—at least in the short term—will continue to spend on defense. However, people may delay purchasing new cars, homes, or make upgrades on their homes. So when you’re trying to identify your target companies, focus on those who are logically more likely to either maintain or grow based on the products they produce. Should you not apply to an iffy company? Absolutely not—it costs you nothing to send in your resume and cover letter. But in the interview you should definitely ask them how sales have been and their opinion of the economy. You may not get a completely honest answer, but definitely watch their body language to see how genuinely confident they are about the company’s prospects.

Second, look at where you live. Considering that different companies will have different prospects during a recession, it’s natural that the major employers in your area are going to have an effect on all other companies in an area. You may not want to hear it, but if you’re looking for a particular opportunity, you may need to move to another part of the country where that industry is booming because it’s surrounded by other profitable companies.

So what should you do?

1. Research the companies where you’re applying. You need to do due diligence about their financial situation. Keep in mind that budgets overall are tighter, so you may not have as much leverage when it comes to salary negotiation.
2. Research other companies in your area to find other companies you may not have heard about. I had no idea that Connecticut is the home of a world-class ball bearing manufacturer and a company that makes titanium turbines for airplanes. Spend some time with your local librarian and have them direct you to the many databases that they have access to that details the many products that are being produced in your area.
3. Revamp your skillset. If it’s becoming challenging to find positions in your current field then maybe it’s time to think outside the box to look for jobs where your talents are appreciated. You will succeed when you do what you love and what you do well.

So does the economy make it more difficult to find a job? For some people in some industries, yes, it will definitely be a challenge. But each of you is up to it. Think outside the box, put some thought into your next position and get out of the house to meet people who could help you get an inside scoop on a great opportunity.

You Can Walk Out Of A Job Interview!

Yes siree, you did read that right. You, as the candidate, have the right to walk out of a job interview.

Oh my gosh, (Some of you are thinking) that seems so RUDE, so WRONG!

I'm not saying that you abruptly stand up and walk out of the interviewer's office without any explanation. What I am saying is that if the position doesn't meet what you're looking for, and you know—beyond a shadow of a doubt—that you wouldn't take the job even IF it was offered to you, then you can politely tell the interviewer this: "It doesn't sound like I would be a good fit for what you're looking for in this position. I'm sure that you have other work that you'd like to get back to, so I'd be fine ending the interview now. Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate the opportunity to meet you and the team."

They will be stunned because a very, very small percentage of people do this. They may even try to convince you that you would be the right person (because you always want what you can't have). In their eyes you will look like a confident, polished professional, and everyone wants one of those working for them. However, you should stick to your guns and let them escort you to the door. Here's a few questions I know are running through your mind:

Why can't I use this tactic on jobs that I really want as a negotiation tactic?

Because it sets up a weird dynamic between you and the hiring manager. Let's lay it out: They got your resume and thought you'd be a fit, then did a phone screen and you passed that criteria. When you come in for an in-person interview and they describe the position to you and you meet a few of the people, you announce to them that you don't think you'd be a good fit for the job (but you really think you are). They are impressed by this tactic and their reflex action is to immediately go into selling you on the position. You reluctantly acquiesce and agree to continue the interview process. They decide to make you an offer, and you accept. The problem is that at some point the concept of buyer's remorse is going to come into play. Buyer's remorse is what you get after you make a purchase (typically of a high-ticket or impulse item, but it can happen on well-researched average purchases too). After they make you the offer, they'll think back to your reluctance to even continue the job interview. It was such an odd move that it will definitely stick out in their mind. When you start, they'll wonder what you know about your abilities that doesn't make you a fit, and why they didn't pick up on it. It stands a strong chance of putting you under more pressure to succeed than you normally would be if you didn't mock-walk out. I'm not saying that it's guaranteed to fail, but that it would be an incredibly risky move.

Why shouldn't I just stick it out?

You can, and hope that it will get better or that there is another open position at the company. There's nothing wrong with that. But if you ever find yourself in a completely dead-end interview—because you're not qualified for or interested in the job, or if your new boss is definitely someone you wouldn't be able to work for, why waste your time and theirs? As long as you are polite, you can take control of the situation and leave.

Why don't they just tell me to leave?

Because companies aren't used to doing that either. They are hoping that there's something in your background that will still make you viable—you hold all the secrets to your experiences. They don't know that you are definitely not qualified—only YOU know that. When I was a hiring manager I spent more time with some candidates than others. If I didn't think they'd be a good fit with me, either personally or experience-wise, I'd only talk to them for about ½ hour, and not introduce them to my boss or colleagues. I would try to dig as deeply as I could into who they are and what they had done, but if I didn't hear what I was looking for, then I politely walked them out. If they asked, I would have told them that I had some concerns about this not being a good fit for them—and then stress the fact that as much as I'm sure they'd like a new job, if it's a bad fit it'll end up being a nightmare for everyone in a few months.

So keep this in mind the next time you interview. You have power, you have control. You're not at the mercy of the hiring manager to find a reason why you're a good candidate for their job. If it won't work, and you know it won't work, then follow the script above and move onto the next opportunity.