Interviewing: What NOT to Say
September 29, 2009
There is a lot of information online about potential interview questions, but not as much about “no no” topics and comments. Given that, we thought it would be helpful to have a “What NOT to talk about in an interview” list.
Below are some examples of topics to refrain from discussing. To some, they may be common sense, to some a surprise. To all, take note.
- You were fired from your last job for violating the NDA, but who cares, NDAs don’t matter
- How much you enjoy drinking on the job
- You are planning on moving out of the country in the near future
- You’ll sue anyone if they make you angry
- You really need a job, any job
- You beg for the job
- You ask if you can wear pajamas to work
- You got in a fistfight with a co-worker who disagreed with you
- You discuss your previous boss’s personal problems
- You discuss your religion and ask the interviewer to come to your church
- You don’t have references because you never got along with anyone at any job
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Research
September 25, 2009
Here is a scenario.
Julie wants a job. She sends in her resume and somehow gest an interview with a company. Julie shows up for the interview and the first question asked is “What do you know about our company?”.
The problem is, Julie didn’t research the company beyond a quick glance through their website for the job posting and contact information. She knows the general industry, but none of the details contained on the website or available in a quick google search.
Her answer is “Your company is a leader in the paper cup industry.”
1 point for the right industry, 0 points for any other information.
To the interviewer, if you are really interested in the position, you know something more. Facts like these show you have done some degree of research, you have put in some effort and actually are interested in them, not just any job:
- How long the company has existed
- Company size
- Annual revenue
- Market share
- Bonus: Challenges they face
- Bonus: Ideas you have to help with challenges they face
Your perceived value increases when you obvious interest in and understanding of the company increases.
So, before the next interview, research the company!
Texting your Job Application
July 8, 2009
Do you think you could sum up your skills, successes and qualifications in 160 characters or less?
A company in Wales is asking applicants for just that.
Check it out here if it piques your interest: U want a job? Txt us, sez mobile phone co
I actually find the idea fascinating- a super short elevator pitch. What I love about the idea is that the applicants can’t use filler words or marketing jargon. You have to be succinct and stand out immediately.
In my life as a recruiter, too often cover letters are full of rambling sentences and overused terms that make my eyes glaze over. I always look for the key words or phrases that tell me why I should keep reading. With a submission this short, I can see the “why” in a fraction of the time.
I love the idea and am thinking of suggestion submissions via Twitter now. Let’s take it down to 140 characters!
Could you do it?
Excellent Attention to etail
June 30, 2009
“Excellent Attention to etail”
What?
That is what I thought when I read this line in the “Top Skills” section of a resume. Then I laughed at the irony of the only typo on the document.
Do I believe this candidate has excellent attention to detail? No. Will I contact this candidate? Probably not (only if other skills seriously outweigh the oversight).
There are 2 reasons for this. One, the simple fact the word was a typo tells me this person does NOT have excellent attention to detail, and I have the proof in black and white. There could not have been a worse place in the resume the candidate could have neglected. Second, the resume was sent as a Word doc. “etail” came up as a typo when I opened it, and had the sender spent a few seconds doing spell-check (or paying attention to the red underlines), it would have been corrected.
Going back to whether or not I would contact this candidate based on the typo, my concern would be that other highlighted skills are as real as the attention to detail claim.
If you are sending out your resume to prospective employers, always, always, always run spell-check. If you are making claims of excellent, be sure that the content in your resume supports those claims.
Resume & Cover Letter- Important?
April 29, 2009
While networking and referrals are the best way to get a job, resumes and cover letters are still an important part of the process. Too often, applicants put little effort into creating anything of value. So, candidates, here is a quick overview of what you need to know.
Think about it this way- we all have heard how important first impressions are when meeting someone. Your resume is the first impression a hiring manager or HR person has of you. What does it say about you? What on your resume draws the reader in, making him/her want to read further- or better yet, contact you?
Think about this next time you revise your resume.
Here are some helpful tips:
- Gear the resume towards the job description and company. Highlight experiences and successes that directly relate. Yes, it takes more time, but if you want the job, put in the effort!
- If you only have 1-2 jobs, add in relevant hobbies, memberships, anything that enhances your value.
- Spell check.
- You don’t have to include every single job, but make sure to include relevant ones.
And when you’re done with that…there’s a bit more.
There is another part to the resume submission process that is vital and that is your cover letter. It could be a separate Word document, or it could be an email. Whichever way you go, just make sure to include it.
A cover letter gives you another chance to WOW your reader- to show why he/she should call you immediately! Instead of listing your successes, tie them into the position. If you achieved high sales numbers at another company, explain how your process/skills will help you reach the same success at the new company. If your super skills in marketing lead to a 1000% increase in sales leads, let the reader know how what you did once, you can do again- for them. Personalize it to the company.
Some passion is better than no passion. Find something about the position that excites you and use it in your cover letter. If you have a passion for the product, let it shine through. If you absolutely love project management (and it relates to the position) tell the reader why.
So, put some thought and real effort into your resume and cover letter, throw in a liberal helping of passion, and see where it can take you!
Tips for Keeping Your Job
January 12, 2009
A few days ago, there was a link on the front page of cnn.com titled Keep your job: A 10-point survival guide. It was on the front page of the top headlines- highlighting the importance of the issue (and fear). Fear about job security is everywhere, in all types and sizes of companies, throughout all levels of employees.
A few of the points stand out prominently. They echo the advice we give our clients and are worth expanding on.
Keep your network active.
Your network includes people you have worked with in the past, met at conferences or meetings, friends, etc. You never know who may know of an open position that is prefect for you. At the same time, you will find that you can help those in similar situations. Stay in contact!
Make sure your work serves the larger goals of the organization.
Be relevant. This is advice we often give to clients. Take on tasks that not only directly relate to the company’s immediate goals, but go one step further and do the things that have to be done that no one wants to do. Sure, it may not be fun, but it will serve to highlight your value to the company. Another idea is to find solutions to problems the company has currently. Or, go one step further and find the solution to a problem the company doesn’t know it has, especially money saving solutions.
Update your skills.
This doesn’t mean that you need to spend money on classes. Stay current on industry trends and changes. Read articles, blogs, websites. Join industry related groups, and go to meetings, or participate online. Even comment on blogs (this could help expand your network!).
The main point here is – do something. Don’t let the fear freeze you. Be proactive, find ways to learn more, add value and at the same time, make yourself more valuable.
Watching Friends Get Laid Off
December 19, 2008
An article over at Advertising Age talks about watching your friends and colleagues get laid off, and it reminded me of why we’re doing this. From the article:
“ “You’re in a funny position,” Mr. Nawrocki said. “When you watch people have to leave, and you know they were good, you wonder why they had to go and you stayed. You’re scared because you’re thinking ‘Boy, that could have been me.’ ” ”
Watching those around you get laid off, whether within your company or just within your circle of friends, is a constant reminder of how fragile the idea of “job security” truly is. In the roller-coaster that is this economy, more and more people are afraid for their jobs every day.
In the people that we talk to, the overwhelming fear of job loss is becoming a constant theme. And it was what got Melina and I thinking about the idea of the Career Bailout. It’s a program for those who haven’t yet been faced with a genuine Career Crisis, but are facing the uncertainty of potential layoffs, firings or closures.
There’s a lot of that going on right now. We created the Career Bailout program to help you through it with as little stress as possible.
Yes, you have a personal brand.
December 18, 2008
I would have liked my first new post on this blog to be full of wisdom and good advice. But, for today, my good friend Jason Alba stole my thunder. His post for today was entitled If you don’t have a personal brand, and you need to read it.
As Jason points out, we all have a personal brand:
“Everyone has some kind of branding, and I bet people will be able to sum you up in a few words… like “John is a really nice guy,” or “John is the best _____,” or something like that.”
The difference is, most people just allow the world to decide on their brand, without spending any time or effort making their brand count.
So, as the end of this year comes up, it’s time for you to decide what your brand is going to be. And if you don’t, well, then I’ll steal a quote from Rush (the band, not Limbaugh): “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”
“More Women Oriented” (Or: Ignorance creates a talentless environment)
December 28, 2007
Sometimes, I’m moved to blog because I am reminded of how unfair the world is. I suppose it’s something that most people are already aware of, but I usually forget that most of the world isn’t as enlightened as most of the people who I’m lucky to associate with on a daily basis.
This morning, my friend Jason twittered about Brazen Careerist Penelope Trunk getting fired from Yahoo. Now, that in itself isn’t that big a deal. People lose jobs all the time. It was when I read the entry that I found this wonderful quote:
Here’s what my boss’s boss’s boss said: “You should write for Lifestyles. That is more women oriented.â€
This is a senior manager at a major public company. And I know that this happens. A friend of mine was once fired from a similarly major corporation because she reported sexual harassment.
But this is 2007, and it’s ridiculous that we still have to put up with this ignorance and stupidity in the world. The thing about it is, it’s Yahoo’s loss. Penelope is brilliant, funny and a wonderful thinker when it comes to careers. And she’s going to land on her feet, because she’s so talented.
But if companies like Yahoo continue to treat their talent like this, soon enough, they won’t have any talent. Their short-term ignorance will cost them the talent.
This is why these companies are having such trouble attracting the young “GenNext” employees. More and more, the people who are under-30s today are looking for places that respect the talent around them. This often appears to be a “sense of entitlement” to the old fogeys (yes, I just called everybody older than 35 a fogey). But it isn’t… it’s about respect for skill and talent.
And the understanding that disrespecting someone’s talent because of what they look like, how they dress, or their gender is stupid and shouldn’t be rewarded.
Second Order Networking
July 25, 2007
Jason had a great post today about what I would call “second order networking” – the concept of using someone you are networked to to network to someone that they don’t know. This is the equivalent of making a “3rd” connection on LinkedIn, because the request goes from you to someone you know, ultimately to a person that they don’t know (through another contact).
From Jason’s post:
“In each case I was asking for my network contacts to hook me up. Here’s the interesting thing: in every case they did not know the person that I needed to talk to.
This presents an interesting decision….
But here is what I would do. I would take the opportunity to grow my own network and try and make the connection. Why? It’s easier to go to someone that you don’t know with a purpose…
It’s a great point – not only does this type of networking allow you to expand your own network, but helps your network expand theirs.
I loved the concept so much that I think I’m going to send a few emails… I could use an introduction or two.