Job Search Advice, Resume Writing Tips from a Career Consultant

Does your television display a clear picture? Have you ever had your computer modem disconnect or experienced static in your cell phone? I don't have to tell you how frustrated we become when we are unable to transmit or receive a message. In this day of high-speed everything and very little patience, if communication devices don't perform clearly we immediately tune out.

How well is your personal communication equipment performing? As human beings and not electronic devices, we tend not to look at ourselves as equipped with transmitters and receivers. The only time most of us believe our equipment to be in jeopardy is when we suffer from laryngitis. Not true!

I believe that much of the reason Joe gets hired over Mike could very well be the clarity of his message - in this case how he speaks being equally important to what he says! Lots of folks have qualifications, education and strong work histories. Lots of folks make their companies money and save their companies money. What lots of people can't do is effectively talk about it! And fewer still know how to listen.

There is no question that the delivery of a message determines "who gets it." While interviewing is an activity many fear, I encourage you to deliver a strong passion about who you are and project a mission about what you intend to do. Develop a "signature statement" that answers the question, "Tell me about yourself." Show-off you features and benefits, making sure to stay relevant with what the employer considers mission-critical to his company's success. Check out your vocal presentation. Does your voice stay at only one volume and tone? Do you sit up and lean forward when it's time to make a strong point? How do you make your point? Professional speakers know how persuasive if not downright contagious a message containing excitement can be. Ask any good evangelist or motivational speaker.

What to do? Practice, practice, practice... Grab your partner and test your transmitting and receiving skills. In personal communications as in electronics, the word "static" creates interference.

Recently in our jobseeker newsletter the participants indicated that the interview question that created the highest level of anxiety was, "What's Your Greatest Weakness?" But have you considered these?

Describe for me a time when you were disappointed in your own behavior.

What do you do to handle stressful situations?

Tell me about a time when you were unable to complete a project on time.

Describe a time when you had to adapt to a difficult situation. What did you do?

Tell me about a time when you surmounted a major obstacle.

Are you a risk taker? Provide an example.

How will we know 12 months from now that we made the right decision?

Why let these challenges prevent you from the job you deserve?

In my coaching practice I prepare my clients for interviews. They are taught exactly what they must accomplish in order to be granted a second interview. When they arrive at their assigned destinations they are told to look at themselves in their rear-view mirrors and say to themselves, "John you know exactly what you need to do... now do it!" Re-entering their cars following a well-planned presentation they, again, look at themselves in the rear-view mirror and say, "Well?" They know whether or not they delivered and they know not to be surprised if no second invitation arrives if they did not follow their plan.

"I wish I could go back and __________," is never an option in interviewing but it can provide a learning experience in the broad-scope of job search. We can learn from our mistakes, many of which are made out of the emotion of the moment rather than logic. Decision-making is never easy and while the outcomes are unpredictable it always helps to hear what the "next guy" would do differently. The following are common regrets:

I Wish I Wouldn't Have Said, "No." -Candidates jump to conclusions far too early. The job won't pay enough, the company isn't solid, they work you to death, too much travel, too far to drive and a litany of other negatives that scream avoidance. Believe it or not some of us really don't want to go back to work so quickly. I teach my clients to attend all interviews; no pre-judging allowed. We have to assume that after all the many resume submissions today, a company has a reason for specifically wanting to see each candidate. They saw something they liked. Besides everything is variable. Laymen would be amazed at what goodies companies are prepared to offer a candidate they want. But you have to show up!

I Wish I Wouldn't Have Resigned - While the stigma of unemployment has significantly been reduced due to layoffs becoming so common, the employed candidate continues to be most attractive. He is operating from a position of strength in negotiations and is spared the scrutiny of explaining his disaffiliation from his most recent employer. If he has a potential reference problem, the employed candidate receives a "buy" because no one will check a current employer as a reference. Candidates make better decisions without the pressures of the missing paycheck. I strongly advise my clients not to quit because we don't know how long the next hire will take to solidify. I teach them to become academy award-winning actors from 8AM to 5PM, encouraged by the fact that from 5PM to 8AM we will be working to change their situations.

Yesterday I took Morgan Worthington, my high school-aged grandson, to a competition of intellect. These competitions have been around for years, you know, two school teams with a moderator asking lightening-round questions on history, fine arts, mathematics, science and literature. True to stereotype, there were no football players, only skinny guys with pocket protectors, the types that grow up to be Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or Albert Einstein.

Our school, focused on religious-centered education, is a humble learning institution filled with everything its budget can afford without a football team or French classes. This was my first trip to the eliminations and the contenders caused me to wonder if we would be maneuvering on a level playing field. Complete with students from high-income suburban public schools, prep schools and private academies totally unaffordable to anyone but Tony Soprano, we forged ahead. However, prior to arriving at a venue much resembling a university, we traveled down longest driveway I'd ever encountered that wasn't a mental institution or a high-risk correctional facility.

Becoming a bit nervous for my cherished 16-year old Einstein I joked that perhaps one's income was really measured by the length of one's driveway. We arrived and three hours later our team had ultimately prevailed in two out of three competitions. So much for long driveways!

It was a glorious day for the Rockys, Cinderellamen and Seabiscuits of the world. It is not unusual to see the same victories in job search when clients refuse to be intimidated and refuse to feel inferior over some real or perceived inadequacy. Did my Einstein play on a better team or did my Einstein's team play better? I'm not sure. But I have one fact to offer. Driveways don't measure anything. What matters is that we never let ourselves be defeated because our performances are muted or discouraged by our perception of the next guy. Besides we are probably intimidating him!

Donald Trump -- famous for his wealth, infamous for his ego -- has a dim view of the world. To the real estate mogul and TV star, most people are either "enemies", "sleazebags" or "stone-cold losers." He isn't acting when a little glee creeps into his curt dismissal of contestants on 'The Apprentice': "You're fired." This according to AOL!

I don't embrace Trump's depressing view of the world. Somehow down my pathway, the good guys seem to consistently parade, and though challenging at times, normally we eventually establish a relationship of productivity. I manage to see the goodness in people and I'm not often disappointed. Perhaps because, much like the job-seeker, a coach lives to hear a hearty, "When Can You Start?" We're all on the same side!

I do have one issue with my clients when it comes to relationships…There appears to be a distinct misread of employers, and I know why. Candidates are so nervous when it comes to interviews that they are expecting a monster and are nothing short of delighted when the scrutinizer turns out to be a decent, "regular guy." What the candidate doesn't see is the "Beware of Wolf" sign next to the HR Manager's name.

Ok. Wait just a moment. Here's the message. Interviewers are not always what they seem to be and often applicants appear to be what they are not! So in the interest of fair play in job search here are the facts:

1. It's an interview not a golf outing! No matter how friendly and casual an interviewer becomes remember the mission and stay on task! Don't loosen your tie; don't smoke, and drink or eat (unless you have a lunch interview, then order scallops!) Keep the conversation focused on what you can do for the company. Keep all chatter about Browns, Bengals and Buckeyes to a minimum.

2. Don't seek approval or validation from your interviewer. You shouldn't need it and that's not his job! Your credentials, skills and experience are not devalued just because you are job hunting. Learn to be self-energizing. It's admirable.

Recruiters and HR folks can be very endearing as they mentally burn your resume. So don't be fooled. Interviewing isn't supposed to be fun. After all, it's nobody's hobby!