Interview Archives - Page 17 of 22 - The Voice of Job Seekers

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?

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Avoid Initiating the Age Issue at Job Interviews

A couple of weeks ago I received this question from a reader who is transitioning to a new career as a ‘mature’ jobseeker about job interviews.

“…my question for you is how do I answer the subtle and no so subtle questions of age from prospective employers? I’ve already got one the remark’ aren’t you a little mature for the position.”

Before I share my answer, I recommend that if you are a mature job seeker, that you never ever initiate the age talk during job interviews. It will come across as your issue or hang up, not theirs. Secondly, don’t assume that age is their issue with you. Even a clever way to bring age into the conversation may not diffuse uneasiness if the employer has an issue. Or uneasiness that you bought it up.

Here is my response to the reader. Again, this is an edited version of my response:

In regards to age, if you have opened the door on the age discussion during job interviews, then it would be a problem. If any part of your CV or resume indicates more than 15 years, the question will come up. Job seekers often feel that everything he or she has ever done has to go on the resume. The last 10 years with the most relevance should go on your resume.

The other place that could show your age is education. If you have the year you graduated from high school on your resume, I recommend removing it, in fact, since you have a college degree, your high school diploma is no longer relevant.

Now, regarding the age inquiry, employers look for ways to exclude candidates in subtle ways. My take on it comes from a client a couple of years ago who had gray hair, over fifty, yet had a robust personality. Her energy was so infectious interviewers dared not ask about age. My point is to consider how you come across. You should have a passion for your new degree, and you need to let that show at every opportunity.

Also, consider changing your energy level when you speak to employers over the phone, during interviews, and especially networking events and similar opportunities. It makes you appear younger without blackening the gray from your hair. Sound energetic, but not on steroids!

Let me ask you, do you get comments from your spouse, family, friends, or mentors that you come across “old?”

I too am mature, and at home, my wife comments that I still listen to “old music.” Yet when people meet me at professional events, workshops, meetings and the like, I talk about my profession with infectious zeal and fervor.

Many of my readers are young people and are the most interactive in-person. Energy makes all of the difference in the world, and your presence should exude what employers want in an employee.

Is there advice that you would like to add? Please share below.