My Job Loss

Preparing for a Job Interview, Part One

So you've landed a job interview - congratulations!  What do you do next?  Following are some tips to help you to get ready to ace your interview.

1)  Research the company thoroughly.  Your interviewer will appreciate the fact that you have spent considerable time preparing for the interview.  In addition, your research will help you to determine appropriate questions to ask during the interview. Click here for one of my earlier posts about researching potential employers. 

2)  Find out the name or names of your interviewers.  Ask what their titles are, and get their contact information in advance so that you can send a thank you note immediately following your interview.  Do some research on these individuals by reading their bios on the company website and by googling them.  Check with your online network to see if you have friends and colleagues in common. The information that you obtain may help you to create a connection with your interviewer, and will demonstrate once again that you have done your homework. 

3)  Consider how you will answer your interviewer's questions.  Ultimately, your answers should demonstrate why you are the best person for the job.  Following are some links to articles about answering questions in interviews.  These may help you to anticipate some questions that you will likely encounter, but please be sure to make the answers your own.

How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions  

Answering 6 Common Interview Questions 

Answers to the Seven Toughest Interview Questions   

Staying Organized in Your Job Search

I promised that this post would be about preparing for a face-to-face interview, but frankly, I'm still working on some content for that one, and don't want to release it before I think that it is ready.  So I thought that I would write instead about how to stay organized in your job search. 

1)  There is always the old-fashioned way, and by that I mean a paper calendar and a paper address book.  I am a visual person, and I also like to put pen to paper, so this is a method that draws me in.  And it works for people who are good at taking good notes.  For others, not so much.

If you stick with pen and paper, be prepared to document by hand when your appointments are, when you plan to make calls, send letters, etc.  Also document what your goals are, and what you have done each day.  When you meet people, make a habit of getting their contact info into your book, along with notes about how you met that person and some distinguishing facts.

2)  For those who need some additional help, there are tools that can help you to manage your contacts and better track your job search.  Perfect Job Software is an internet based job search management tool that can help you to save a job listing, track when you sent your résumé, and schedule appropriate follow-ups.  You have heard me mention Jason Alba's blog before, but his contact management tool is worth mentioning also.  You can check it out at JibberJobber. 

The bottom line is that you need to have a system, whether it is my pen and paper approach, or software, or a web-based solution.  As one article points out, keeping track of your job search can help you to figure out what may be going wrong in your search.  It can also help you to set goals.  What is helping you to stay organized in your search?  

How to Ace a Phone Interview

Employers often use phone interviews to determine which applicants should move forward in the application process.  Here are some tips to help you to succeed:

1)  Prepare for the phone interview as you would if you were going to a face-to-face interview.  Determine what position you will be interviewing for and try to obtain a job description.  Research the company itself.  You should be able to demonstrate that you have a good understanding of the company and of the position that you are seeking. 

2)  Create a quiet space for the interview that is free from distractions.  Let family members or room mates know not to disturb you.  Turn the TV and radio off and put the dog outside.   Keep a copy of your résumé in front of you, along with a pad of paper and a pen.  Keep your calendar handy should you be asked to schedule an in-person interview.

3)  If at all possible, use a land line for the call, and disable your call waiting.

4)  Be prepared to discuss what makes you special, and why you are the best candidate for the job.  Frame your responses in terms of contributions that you've made.  For instance, "In 2008, I increased revenue by 15% by implementing..."  Or, "In my former position, I reduced operating costs by ......."

5)  When on the call, avoid eating, drinking or smoking.  Avoid talking over or interrupting your interviewer.  This can be tricky, since you can't see the person to be sure that they have finished speaking.  To avoid this, pause briefly before speaking to be sure that your interviewer has finished her question or thought.

6)  Do not ask questions about salary or benefits during a phone interview.

7)  Be positive and energetic.  One trick is to smile while talking - this will change the tone of your conversation. 

8)  Obtain the correct spelling of your interviewer's full name, along with his contact information.  You will use this after the call to send an email to thank your interviewer and reiterate your interest, and to send a handwritten thank you note.

9)  At the end of the conversation, ask what the next step is, and thank the interviewer for her time. 

If you are granted a face-to-face interview, congratulations!  We'll discuss how to prepare for that in our next post. 

Internet Resources for the Online Job Seeker

I read the other day that "job search"has become one of the most popular, if not the most popular online search.  New online resources are popping up everywhere, but I thought that I would highlight a few that have caught my eye recently.

CareerOneStop is a gateway to state, local and online resource for job seekers.  You can use this to find out what free resources are available in your community.

TheJobLab provides access to articles, videos, online forums and other tools for job seekers.  The cost is free, but there is an upgrade for access to live workshops.  I've not checked out the upgrade and would like to hear from any of you who have - was it worth your while?

JobRadio.fm  is too cool for words: online radio, available 24/7 to keep you informed about the latest in job search news.  You can listen at any time, or download a podcast to your computer or MP3 player to listen to at your convenience.  Ok, so I am a job search geek.  But I do think that people learn in different ways, and that this provides a great alternative for people who prefer listening over reading. 

So You Wanna Be a Rock Star....

Do you know someone who has done something amazingly different in their job search?  Is there an unsung hero in your life who has displayed great courage in the face of unemployment? How about you: do you have a unique job search story to share?  If so, please email me at myjobloss@gmail.com to nominate your favorite "Job Search Rock Star."  I'll be featuring a different job seeker each month and would love to hear from you.  My hope is to share some inspiring stories about the creative things that people are doing to get themselves hired.  Here are the ground rules: 

1)  You can nominate yourself to be a Job Search Rock Star, or nominate someone you know, but the person you nominate has to be willing to have their story shared on the internet. 

2)  I will protect the Job Search Rock Star's identity, at their request, by using first names only.  For less shy Rock Stars,  I will gladly link to the Rock Star's website, blog or Linked In profile, and post a picture, if requested.

Pretty simply, huh?  So let me hear from you:  who is the Job Search Rock Star in your life?

The Secret to Surviving a Job Loss

The following is a guest post that I wrote for Joanna over at The Online Beat, a great internet resource for jobseekers.  I hope that you'll check it out.  In the meantime, I owe a huge shoutout to Joanna for the chance to guest post. Here it is:

THE SECRET TO SURVIVING A JOB LOSS

How's that for a teaser?  So what is the secret to surviving a job loss?  A killer résumé?  The hours that you spend looking at online job listings?  The number of face-to-face contacts that you make networking?

This is not a post about any of those things, although I do think that networking is an important component of any job search. Instead, this post is about something more meaningful. What I am talking about is community.

My husband lost his job in the spring of 2007. He had been with the company most of his adult life, and through a series of cell phone calls, his entire department was eliminated in one fell swoop. It really hurt. More than we could have imagined.

After six months of pounding the pavement, my husband found his next job. I’m so proud of him and how he threw himself into his job search, but we both recognize that we could not have gotten through this difficult time without our community.

By community, I’m talking about the family, friends and co-workers who rallied around us. While we were caught off guard by my husband’s job loss, we never could have imagined how generously people offered their support.

I mean it truly was amazing. There was our friend Pete, who called almost daily to check in, and who gave us endless help with résumés and cover letters.  There was our friend Gary, who made sure that my husband got out of the house for some R&R at least once a week.  There were friends and co-workers who beat the bushes for job leads.  And there were friends and family members who surprised us daily with touching acts of kindness. 

We count ourselves as truly blessed to be members of such a rich community. And I believe that anyone who is suffering through a job loss needs the support of a community to get by. But what do you do if you are not feeling the same sense of community that we did?

First, you have to let people know what is going on. It is so natural to be uncomfortable about telling people that you’ve lost your job, but no one can offer you support if they don’t know that you need it. You’ve got to open up.

Second, don’t lose sight of the fact that you have much to offer. Even at your most vulnerable, you have many gifts. What can you do to create value for others?

Third, don’t forget to take a break from your job search to socialize. Invite someone to grab a cup of coffee. Meet some friends to play basketball. Organize a potluck dinner.

Finally, work at creating new communities. Start a networking group. Organize fellow job seekers to share job search tips, critique each others’ résumés and rehearse for job interviews.

You can get through this, with the help of others. In the words of Cicero, "We were born to unite with our fellow men, and to join in community with the human race."

Elevator Speeches for Job Seekers

Everyone should have a thirty second marketing message to describe who they are, what they do and what sets them apart.  This is very useful for introducing yourself in networking situations.  Here is an example: "My name is ------------.  I am an attorney with ------------.  I am known for zealously representing my clients in employment matters while protecting their bottom lines.  A good contact for me is-------.

What does your elevator pitch sound like when you are out of work and looking?  I suggest that it need not be very different than the above example.  Let's break it down:

1)  Your first sentence will always be a statement of your name.  Deliver this with good eye contact and a winning smile. 

2)  The next sentence is usually about where someone works, so how do you tweak this when you are unemployed?  Here are some ideas: 

    -My background is in---------.

    -I have 11 years of progressive experience in ---------.

    -In my former life I ----------.  A downsizing has prompted me to look for other opportunities.

3)  This next sentence or sentences should contain your value statement.  What are the areas in which you excel?  What do you bring to the table?  For instance: 

    -I've developed a reputation for--------.  

    -As a --------------, I consistently------------. 

    -I'm known for ------------. 

    -I am passionate about -----------------. 

    -My boss and clients agree that --------------.

4)  This last sentence should clearly state what you are looking for: 

    -I am looking for a position that will help me to leverage my passion for ------------ with my expertise in -----------------.

    -I'm seeking to combine my -------- skills with my successes in the ------------ industry.

You can see that elevator speeches are not so different when you are out of work.  My recommendation is that you break this down into the above four steps and do some brainstorming.  Once you have some ideas on paper, bounce them off a trusted friend or family member.  Then write your marketing message.  Practice at sounding both confident and conversational.  Finally, role play with someone you trust so that you can work at weaving it into conversation in a natural way. 

Accomplished Executive Looking For....

When searching for a job, should you celebrate your age or try to hide it?  I would love to hear what you think about that.  Are there any recruiters out there who would like to weigh in?  Any job seekers for whom this has been an issue?

I came across a great article from The Columbus Dispatch on this very issue.  While it is aimed at retired workers who wish to re-enter the job force, it contains a great list of online resources for older job seekers, and would be relevant to any mature job seeker.  You can check it out here.  

I am a proponent of celebrating your years of experience.  Why try to be something that you are not?  Be proud of the dues that you've paid.  On your résumé, be sure to provide concrete examples of what value you provided to your former employers, and what you have done to keep your skill set current. In your cover letter, highlight your professional skills and proven track record, and be sure to explain how your level of experience would benefit your prospective company. 

Interviewing can be a little tricky.  You will probably encounter interviewers who are significantly younger than you, and who may know a whole lot less than you do about the job that you are seeking.  As frustrating as that is, you will be better off if you are well prepared.  Try role playing with a younger family member or neighbor if that would make you more comfortable.  Once you get to the interview, be yourself, work at establishing a connection with your interviewer, and avoid telling that little twit that you should be the one interviewing him!  You would never do that, would you...

Blogging Your Way to a New Job

A blog can be a useful job search marketing tool.  It can help to show the world that you are an expert in your field and to increase your visibility on the internet.  So how do you get started?  If you are pretty "low-tech" like me, this can be pretty daunting.  Help is on the way:  Typepad is featuring a tutorial about how to create a professional looking blog to super-charge your job search, along with a tutorial about how to create and link your blog to a great looking online résumé.  

I use Typepad for this blog and like it for a number of reasons.  First, it is very easy and intuitive to use.  Great for first time bloggers like me.  Second, it is very flexible and offers a number of different options.  This is perfect, because who knows where your blog will take you?

I hope that you'll decide to try this out.  Be sure to include an email address on your online résumé and your about page, but avoid listing a home address since that information would be on the internet for all the world to see.  Check out the cool widgets that you can add to direct your readers to your LinkedIn profile and other online media. And be sure to add your blog and résumé URL to your cards, email signature block, paper résumé and cover letters.  Happy blogging!

How to Reach a Decision Maker in Your Job Search, Part 2

In our last post, we talked about ways to find out the name of the decision maker at a company you are targeting in your job search.  Today, we'll discuss the steps that you should take to make contact with that decision maker.

If you have found someone in your network who knows the person you are trying to reach, ask your contact for permission to say, "My friend ------------ suggested that I contact you." A soft introduction has a greater chance of success than a cold call.  Send your contact copies of any correspondence that you generate, and be sure to send your contact a thank you note for helping in your job search.

Even if you don't have the benefit of a soft introduction, the procedure for reaching your decision maker can be the same (if not a little more challenging).  I suggest that you follow these steps:

1)  Send a cover letter with your résumé to your decision maker.  Identify the job that you are seeking in the opening paragraph of your cover letter.  Without rehashing your résumé, state why you are interested in the company and why you believe that you are best for the position.  Try to convey a tone of enthusiasm.  Be sure to include complete contact information on both the cover letter and your résumé. 

2)  Within a week to ten days of sending your letter, follow up with a phone call.  Be prepared to have a 30 to 60 second pitch to give stating how you learned of the job, why you are interested and why you believe that you would be a good fit for the company.  As you can see, this pitch needs to be different for each company you are contacting.  If you have a mutual contact, mention that person's name.  Don't forget to ask for the sale:  at the end of your pitch, ask if you could schedule an interview, or meet with the decision maker, or if there is a position available.  Practice your pitch until you feel comfortable, and be sure to keep your tone conversational.  Role playing with a trusted friend can be a huge help.

3) Be prepared to deal with the gatekeeper!  If you have a contact in common, here is where your task will be easier, as a receptionist or administrative assistant is more likely to put you through if you are able to say, "So and so suggested that I call..."  But if you can't do that, here are some ideas to "get you through the gate."

    -Use the decision maker's first name only:  "This is Jennifer Harrison.  Is Mark in?"
 If the decision maker is not in, do not leave message, but ask when is a better time to call.  Do this for several days, and try calling at different times.  Someone else may answer the phone and put your call through.  Or try calling after hours.

    -If asked what this is regarding, you may say something like, "I have a question about --------" or "I am seeking Mark's opinion about----------".  Stating that you are calling about a job or a personal matter is unlikely to get you through.

    -Whatever you do, be nice to the gatekeeper!  You have nothing to be gained by bullying, and personally, I would never hire someone who was rude to my support staff.

4)  If you do get through to your decision maker, and he or she states that there are no openings, or that you are not qualified, don't give up!  Take a moment to ask some follow up questions, such as what qualifications are they looking for, is he or she aware of other positions in the industry that might be a good fit for you, etc.

5)  Have a thick skin!  This is really hard stuff!  You will get frustrated when you cannot get through to your intended contact, and it is natural to feel hurt when you are rejected.  Anticipate these feelings of rejection in advance and plan to do something nice for yourself once you've made your calls.