Thursday, April 13, 2006
Are You a Deer in the Headlights?
I felt badly for the engineering manager who got a call from NASA in Houston. Following a recommendation from an internal source they offered to fly her down within 48 hours for an interview. What an opportunity!
Frantic, she called and begged us to prepare her resume. She had a stellar background with 15 years' experience but we couldn't help her. Nor could any of our colleagues. She had waited too long. I don't know what became of her. My instincts tell me that she was forced to resort to the "Bill Gates" Windows resume template. An enviable career on a form-type resume. Not a good thing! Could this issue kill the deal? You bet!
Can you imagine an athlete beginning his first training session the night before the big game? Executives and professionals do it all the time! Job seekers who believe they are good communicators call me for "quick tips" the night before their interviews! Everyone wants quick tips so here goes!
Recently I ran into Pat Tiberi, my U.S. Congressman. Knowing elections are coming this November I asked him if he was running. "Janice," he said with sincere intensity, "I'm always running!"
Frantic, she called and begged us to prepare her resume. She had a stellar background with 15 years' experience but we couldn't help her. Nor could any of our colleagues. She had waited too long. I don't know what became of her. My instincts tell me that she was forced to resort to the "Bill Gates" Windows resume template. An enviable career on a form-type resume. Not a good thing! Could this issue kill the deal? You bet!
Can you imagine an athlete beginning his first training session the night before the big game? Executives and professionals do it all the time! Job seekers who believe they are good communicators call me for "quick tips" the night before their interviews! Everyone wants quick tips so here goes!
- As the job market improves so do unexpected opportunities. You never know when a recruiter will call.
- You have more competition than ever. Baby boomers, the largest single generation since the Depression raised and educated Generation X and now are competing with them! There's talent everywhere! How are your presentation skills?
- There is no such thing as a quick resume. If you're expecting to show your level of professionalism with a one-page list of where you work containing little bullet phrases with five words you will be defeated by someone more prepared. Count on it!
- Your communication skills will be nothing on an interview without strong, compelling content. Our clients begin interview training months before they go out into the jungle! You can't finesse, wing it or charm someone into hiring you. Leave your ego home!
Recently I ran into Pat Tiberi, my U.S. Congressman. Knowing elections are coming this November I asked him if he was running. "Janice," he said with sincere intensity, "I'm always running!"
