Traditionally, it has been suggested that a job candidate should spend the last few minutes of an interview asking questions. This is a practice I highly encourage. It is important for a job seeker to fully understand what they need to know in order to make an educated assessment of the employer and if that…
Are you a music fan? Do you listen to podcasts? When you listen to prerecorded content, do you listen actively or passively? Does what you’re listening to have your complete attention, or are you trying to do a variety of other things while listening? Most of our listening in the course of our day is…
While waiting for a friend in a hotel lounge recently, I had the chance to speak with the in-house staffing manager prior to his meeting and interview with a prospective employee. The manager, Randall, had been actively recruiting for a new sales manager to bring in more convention business and to oversee catering and meeting…
Recently, while in the company of a handful of young adults, of course the topic of job search came up. Four of the five were gainfully employed, while one was “exploring his options.” Believing it would ok to inquire, I asked, “How long has it been since you last worked?” Apparently not interested in discussing…
Frequently in this space you have been encouraged to be brief in your responses to interview questions, on resumes, etc. The encouragement continues! It is important to be clear and concise in your written and verbal communication with potential employers. You want to retain their interest, not whack them over the head with too much…
No matter how you feel about working with people from different cultural backgrounds, it’s important to remember although their customs and communication styles might be different from your own, they have the right to work and be respected, the same as you. Workers who seek employment in the U.S. from other countries should be allowed…
Among the concerns I hear about most frequently from job seekers is how to manage their stress and nervousness before and during interviewing. While not quite a universal problem, it certainly isn’t uncommon. If you are interviewing for a new position with someone you have just met and know little to nothing about your inquisitor,…
Last time out, we went over the core technical aspects of preparing for an online video interview. Hopefully since then, you’ve gotten more familiar with your chosen video sharing software. Now, let’s take a look at the human, physical side of the equation. It’s important to understand how you are seen on screen during this…
As discussed in the last post, where your interview takes place presents considerations beyond your ability to succinctly answer questions. This is also true for interviews that take place over video chat or the phone. Though in-person interviewing will eventually return in greater numbers, this past year has clearly demonstrated the need for job…
Here’s a topic most job seekers give very little thought to: Where you interview. Would your interview be the same in a private office, as opposed to a conference room, a lunch room or restaurant, or how about a hotel or via telephone or video chat? While the questions you could be asked might be…
It is no surprise to employers that many applicants have experienced some legal issues in their lives. Formal job applications still ask if you have ever been convicted of a crime, and you typically authorize the employer to perform a background check when you sign that form. But just because you satisfied the courts’ requirements,…
It’s hard to believe that the year 2013 is over. It went by quickly and hopefully productively for you. If not, like many, you are still looking for that right employment situation that matches all your needs. Well, hopefully with this list, you’ll remind yourself of a few things not to do, and move forward…
What does it take to get your career pursuits back on track after your plans get derailed due to a major health crisis? How do you come back after years of recuperation? Battling a major illness and recovering from a severe injury are among life’s most difficult challenges. But after all the physical healing is…
In the last installment Watch Your Q’s and A’s, we talked about the differences between skills, qualifications and accomplishments. Now it’s time to take inventory of those skills. Taking stock of what you know how to do and where each skill can best be applied enables you to tell employers you have what they need…
This week, I wanted to talk a bit about the analysis of your interaction with prospective employers, and their response to you and your efforts to gain employment. There is no hard-and-fast science at work here, though there are some very workable theories for the analysis and understanding of employer responses to your submissions. However,…
Patience is a virtue, and a necessity! The hardest part of any job search is the waiting. After dutifully contacting numerous employers with openings well suited to your skills and experience, you hear … nothing. Nada. Zip. Bupkis! No calls, no emails, no smoke signals. You have followed every instruction, sent every required document, without…
There are lots of good resources for job seekers, but there are few as useful as industry specific directories. For almost any professional endeavor these publications reveal vast amounts of useful information for job seekers and others already working in those fields. Most industry specific directories are published at least annually, and some are updated…
When you are out of work, control isn’t something you generally feel. But when you’re looking for work, you have more control than you may think! There are many aspects to the job search where you, the job seeker, are in control. And while you may need to exercise caution and respect exerting that control,…
There are all sorts of interviewers. Some are much better inquisitors than others. There are those who ask pertinent and relevant questions that delve into your knowledge and experience, and who understand the nuances their questions imply; and there others who ask traditional questions. And there are those who ask the “off-the-wall” questions just to…
These days, it’s more important than ever to talk with the people in your network and ask them about openings where they work. In doing so, your next job may be closer than you think because increasingly employers are sourcing appropriate candidates through the networks of their current employees. And more and more employers are…
