Job seekers Archives - Page 17 of 19 - 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

12 Most Positive Ways to Help Your Teen Find a Job

Editors Note: This is my guest post originally published at 12Most.com, and republished with their permission.

My oldest is a high school graduate (by the time) with two years of work experience. Not just summer experience, he worked throughout his junior and senior years of high school while maintaining a 3.0 g.p.a, playing sports, and participating in clubs.

As a father, seeing him grow in character was just as important as his high school diploma. Our children become more resilient if we allow discipline to prepare them for life after high school including college.

Teens should work. They will find time for video games or hanging out with their friends. When teens turn 16, they are job seekers, as defined by their parents, and when possible the fathers.

These are my suggestions in creating teen job seekers:

1. Employ them early

Give your three and four year old a job, pay them, and watch them work. Notice and remember his or her enthusiasm and zeal. Think about how you can build on their willingness. Oh yeah, did I say pay them?

2. Teach them how to work

If you don’t work with them and teach them, he or she may never work. The younger the easier, the older the harder —then you’re on your own.

3. Don’t make them fill out 100 applications

Instead, dress them up and take them around to small businesses to talk to adults. If they do not like adults during the teen years, they will with pay.

4. Coach your children in their relationships with adults

Yes, they need coaching and monitoring by YOU the parent. Everything un-taught will appear ugly, so prepare them now. Networking 101 starts with conversations, shaking hands, eye contact, and the parent starring as the loving weirdo. Take a bow. You’re welcome.

5. Explain to them what you do

Show them how you do it and make sure they can explain your career to peers and teachers with clarity. Even if you’re unemployed, provide examples of your work and your career.

6. Be honest about your career struggles

You will connect with them in positively profound ways. I did this with my oldest son. At 18, he has more working experience than his under 30 cousins with two years at the same job.

7. Make it clear that at 16, they are job seekers

No matter what your economic status, your teen should work at a minimum during the summer. They can buy their own school clothes and treat the family to lunch or dinner. The pride he or she displays is priceless. I promise.

8. Show them your accomplishments

Awards, prizes, accommodations, or certificates send a subtle message what you expect of them. If they are not proud of you, your work has just begun.

9. Inspire them

Chastising, hazing, stalking, or harassing doesn’t work. Trust them to the seeds of knowledge and experience to grow over time.

10. Anticipate resistance

It is not a cakewalk for many teens as peers claim to lead the glamorous life on Facebook. Have them think about the job they want, and a target company. Is it that bad to work at The Gap because he or she loves clothes?

11. Allow working peers to influence them

There is nothing wrong with them wanting to work where peers already work, unless it is illegal or the friend is a bad influence.

12. Reveal to them that money is not the only incentive

Restrain your inner Warren Buffett and make experience attractive. Don’t be surprised that relationships sprout from working with people from different cultures, genders, and ages. She may be cute, sure he is charming, but work will cultivate character.

My son works out his budget, understands his financial obligations and responsibilities, and values time. Most of his friends still think money grows on trees and aggravate their parents to pay for everything. My son has imperfections and immaturity like many young adults, but he can experience making a few adult decisions as he treats for family dinner on payday.

Is it tough to get your teen to work? I think teens should work. Do you? Please share, I would love to hear.