Blog entries June 2005
06/25/2005Interview Blunders... And You Should Have Gotten That Offer!
As a Job Search Coach I constantly remind my clients of the two reasons that interviews don't turn into offers... either the client committed some kind of a blunder or he performed well but was outperformed to the preference of another by the target employer.
Interviewing has become quite a complicated event and most folks, since they job search so seldom, have no clue regarding the new rules of the road. We have been taught to count on our qualifications to impress and believe that if we are qualified we are entitled. If you've ever said, "I deserved that job," then you are living in the past. The best team doesn't always win… the team that plays best in the big game gets the trophy. It's far easier to simply avoid interview blunders than it is to deliver compelling interviews. Since the candidate must do both, we'll first investigate some common interview blunders. Here are just a few... more next month...
Lack of Direction - One of hiring's oldest tricks occurs when the interviewer asks a client is why he has selected this particular company to spend the majority of his waking time for what hopefully will be many years. And amazingly enough, other than the fact that the employer has a vacancy and the candidate needs a paycheck, the candidate really doesn't have a good reason for wanting to join the company. Too often the candidate offers responses that include "opportunity for advancement," and "I like to work with people." Offered innocently enough, these are empty answers that have been used so often they put interviewers to sleep. It's impossible for a company to see a candidate taking their company in the right direction when he has no clue where he personally wants to go.
Past Life Baggage - We have all been treated unfairly at one time or another by bosses, colleagues, customers or even family and friends. At the same time job search can be especially disheartening because both the tight market and the slow grind of multiple interviews, drug tests and reference checks. It's difficult not to feel rejected, wondering if everyone is seeing some sort of a flaw in you. And it's equally challenging to put on your "interview face and attitude" despite the negatives that may be inside of you. Anything less than a positive and encouraging personality will result in elimination. Don't be bitter toward your old employer and don't discuss how tough job search has been. Don't ever appear desperate. You may have to give an academy award performance but be sure to operate from a position of strength.
Unwillingness to "Brag" - If doesn't appear to be worth the money you wouldn't buy it would you? Neither will the employer. Remember you are a product for purchase and if your value isn't on the table for all to see you'll lose the attention of the hiring authority. What do you know? What have you done? What are you strengths that will aid in accomplishing the employer's mission? And, oh yes, do you even know his mission? Delivered as an offering of assistance to assist in achieving a company's purpose takes the brag out of selling yourself as opposed to pounding on your chest... Try it!
Susan
06/14/2005Common Career Blunders - And Second Chances!
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 well-rehearsed 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 hear so often that I would like to pass them on.
I Wish I Wouldn't Have Stopped Looking - You can't blame a candidate for slowing down a bit when he is told, "You're background is exactly what we look for!" Well I can and I do. A formal job offer has three elements, a position, a specific compensation package and a starting date. Anything less is at best a polite teaser. At times companies will encourage a candidate, leading him to believe that a job offer is in the works to keep him around in case they can't do better or to protect themselves from liability. Candidates go home and gleefully tell their significant others, "they loved me!" Then they wait. By the time they realize that they probably will never again hear from that company they are depressed and disappointed, have lost their momentum and have to begin again.
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. Others fear the unknown aspects of going to work for a new company at a job they may have never performed so avoidance, a very normal human characteristic, takes over. 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. No one has time to waste. 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.
Susan