Articles - Page 228 of 257 - The Voice of Job Seekers

Job Advice That Will Take You Higher and HIRED

“Many attempts to communicate are nullified by saying too much.”

Robert Greenleaf

Wrote essay, “Essentials of Servant Leadership”

I can’t tell you how much political bantering that I watched 6 months ago. I read so many articles that are politically related that I stopped reading. It was skewing my view of what is important: Clearing the pathway to understand the employment game. I even wrote two posts where I carefully tread the waters of why I wouldn’t take job advice from politicians.

Job Advice

You can talk yourself out of a good job advice and employment simultaneously. Whether seeking employment or thriving at your career, politics exists and not everyone who is good at politics practices good judgment. Talking too much seems to lead him or her down a road that is hard to recon, or return from. Too many words ultimately drive listeners away and turn your potential audience off.

What will NOT get you HIRED?

When job seekers and particularly serious job candidates talk too much and lack the self-control to think before speaking run into credibility problems. Every part of the hiring process should be approached with strategy and some personality (you want to be liked too). Job advice from people who can lead you to the right person, but the right elements will take you higher and HIRED.

Show that you have good judgment. Give specific instances of when you performed under pressure and under scrutiny. Although there are extremes that would impress an employer, I remember one client that I had two years ago explained to the interview panel how she handled her unit when it was time to evacuate the building on 9/11. The panel didn’t take long to hire her.
Choose your words carefully. If people told you that you were harsh, overly critical, or incessantly use inappropriate language, you should listen. You can’t take back offensive words most of the time. If you realize that you do, apologize. But many times, game over.
What you don’t say, ask, or glean is scrutinized too. Interviewers have different styles and sometimes will purposely test your knowledge, attention span, or response. Some will even spend 75% of the time describing the culture, environment. and job duties to test your memory, reaction, or patience. Others will give you verbal tests to see how well you comprehend. Most interviewers will include conversation to see how well you communicate. As a candidate, you must approach each phase eagerly if you wish serious consideration.
Gratitude gives you lots of latitude. Thank you notes that are hand written, personally delivered with a smile I’ve talked about before, but this standard rule is throughout the conversations with employers. Please and thank you season your presentations with salt making you memorable, cordial, and kind.
Listen for what is not said, not always what is said.Job seekers need to speak up, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable. I heard of a story that the candidate was asked to give his password to his Facebook page. The candidate asked, “What is it that you want to know from my Facebook page that I can’t answer in person?” The interviewer was too stunned to answer the question. The candidate didn’t want the job because of the response. Who would want to work where the employer couldn’t answer a direct question.

How do you feel people talk too much, or talk themselves into trouble? Do you tend to say too much? Let’s talk. Please share in the comments section.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

There’s No Shame in Asking for Job Interview Advice

I overheard one nurse giving the other nurse advice. I knew the nurse asking for job interview advice. She is quite a confident woman who knew what she wanted from her career. But no matter the confidence level, all of us need a second opinion.

The two were talking and my friend said, “I have an interview, but I’m so nervous!” The other nurse immediately started offering help and gave her a series of well thought out responses:

1) “You have great ideas as a result of a variety of experiences. You don’t have to mention that you have X amount of years of experience.”

2) “You are great at your profession because you anticipate what your team needs, and not just fulfilling a role. People will say that they are a team player only to get a job, and not to become what the team needs. Fairness is not going to be 50-50. Fairness sometimes is 80-20 with your role being 80. You were more than willing to give 80 percent during those times because you saw the need.”

3) “You anticipate problems with readied solutions. Very few nurses can say it with conviction. You can say it with meaning without faking it. You listen, understand, research, or through experience understand the next actions and solutions.”

Job seekers need to have conversations with co-workers and supervisors like the one above. Too many job seekers think it’s silly to ask for job interview advice.

Another take-a-way was that we need people to shed light on our best qualities. We are not objective about ourselves, even when we have positive attributes that stand out to others.

Finally, the issue of fairness. Nurses and doctors take an oath, and both understand that life saving is not one to be measured. The rewards are rarely “thank-you!”

By the way, the nurse that asked advice…got the job. Apply this advice to your career. Would this advice work for you? Why? Why not?

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Answering the Tough Interview Questions

Editor’’s note: Ivy Exec’s Sr. Career Coach Sarah Stamboulie gives tips on how to answer the tough interview questions and become more confident in your interviewing skills. This article is reprinted with Ivy Exec’s permission as part of an ongoing partnership as a contributor on The Voice of Jobseekers.

1. “How long have you been looking?”
Always say that you’ve just started looking in earnest and had been doing something else (such as traveling, or helping a friend start their business) until 1-2 months ago. This is why it is key to stay involved during unemployment, whether you’re consulting for free or active in industry organizations/the community, keep your skills and experience fresh.

Mention how great your job search is going, that the economy is really picking up in your industry, and you’ve been meeting with a lot of companies.

2. “Why did you leave Company X?”
For involuntary departures, always begin by complimenting your former company, boss, and team. Then explain and “agree” with the company’s business reason to eliminate your position.

Always keep it positive – you could mention that you still see your old boss and colleagues regularly. And again, reinforce that you’re in a fortunate position regarding your job search.

3. “Tell me about yourself.”
If you are asked this, try to postpone any lengthy answers until you have gotten them to talk about their priorities. Once you hear those, discuss your prior performance and successes that match the 3 key needs the company has for the open position.

4. “Take me through your resume.”
If you’re speaking with a hiring manager, they don’t want to hear every single bullet or line from your resume. You should give a very abbreviated version that is entirely relevant to the position. If you’re talking to a recruiter, you can be a little more complete in your response. Unless they are asking you for more detail, skip over irrelevant jobs.

Keep in mind, they are looking for red flags, so make all your transitions sound logical and very positive.

About Sarah Stamboulie:

Sarah has been advising individuals and businesses on career and job strategy issues for over 15 years. She helps executives to accelerate their careers and build company and industry visibility. As a Career Coach, Sarah helps clients conduct a more efficient and effective job search in a wide range of industries and functional areas.

Her prior roles include heading human resources at Morgan Stanley, Cantor Fitzgerald, and Nortel Networks and leading Alumni Career Services at Columbia Business School. She has a BA, Vassar College and an MBA, Columbia Business School.