Just as in dating, with job search success often comes a few rejections. Hearing the dreaded words, “We decided to go with another candidate” can be enough to knock the wind out of anyone’s sail. Candidates that strive to learn from rejection are those that will land the right job quicker.

Some lash out in anger regardless of why they received the rejection and even go so far as to bad mouth the company or write negative comments about the company on Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace.  Burning bridges in any economy is not a good idea. On occasion candidates are called back and offered the position if the first choice doesn’t work out.  It may be detrimental to your chances with future companies too, remember that companies often research candidates when they are interested and they will be able to read your comments.

Keeping a positive outlook and professional demeanor will help you to look at things from both sides and see the big picture that will hopefully help you to keep moving forward even with rejections. Whether or not you learn from your experiences is up to you and it is determined by how you respond to the rejections.

Two ways to learn from the rejections are to look at yourself externally and internally. External learning refers to finding out what others think of your resume documents, networking techniques, interview skills and your overall professional impression. If you are not sure of what others think of you professionally – ask! Only good can come from it, either you are doing a great job and you will receive a well deserved compliment or you receive guarded criticism and learn from what others are offering as suggestions for improvement.

If you are contacted after an interview with the dreaded rejection email or phone call, ask a few questions to find out what exactly were the points that worked against you. Maybe you were not as prepared as you should have been or maybe you appeared over/under confident and it worked against you. What ever the reason, it is important you find out so you can make corrections in your appearance, behavior, interaction or presentation to make you more competitive for the positions you target.

Looking internally can also provide pertinent information about your job search and interviewing techniques. Think back to your most recent interview or networking event and focus on your verbal skills. How did you present yourself? Were you able to ask and answer questions easily about your job search and more specifically about you the skills and value you present to a company? What cues did you send with your non-verbal language? Had you prepared enough before the meeting so that you were fluent on the company’s history, mission, goals and culture? Spend time going through the meeting and look for clues as to where you are having issues and then find ways to correct them.

Rejection can be humiliating and hurt but they are part of the job search process and a vital source of information for improvement. What you project and what you think you project are sometimes two different pictures. Take time to learn from others and yourself to improve your presentation and interviewing skills. Simple modifications may be all it takes to eliminate rejection and take your interview skills from bland to brillian.

I spoke with a senior manager in HR earlier this week and listened to another account of a candidate that talked himself out of a job. Why would a candidate talk themselves out of job? Well, I’m sure they didn’t do it on purpose and they may not have even been aware of their own self-inflicted sabotage. Many job seekers ruin their opportunities for landing terrific jobs simply by talking too much during the interview.

People that talk too much during an interview usually fall into 1 of 3 categories; naturally talkative, nervous talkers and those that think more is always better.

For those that are naturally talkative, they probably know they talk a lot. They were the kids that got notes sent home for talking in class (yep, that was me) and can be found in line at the grocery store talking with perfect strangers. You know who you are and know you can talk easily with most people, sometimes too easily.

The nervous talkers just start talking and get out of control providing way too much information and hoping they’ll eventually say something of value. Nervous talkers tend to talk just to hear something and so as not to hear the silence that is normal in an interview. Both you and the interviewer need time to digest what has been said and use it to formulate a new question or response. Silence is fine, but for those that get nervous, silent can be your worst enemy. Being aware is half the battle.

Finally there are those that just think more is always better. Their answers are 10 minutes long with most of the information given being irrelevant or even damaging. They think if they tell everything, good and bad, then they’ll have a better chance of hitting the mark and being remembered. Wrong! You’ll be remembered, but not for what you had hoped.

There are many reasons why excessive talking can be so damaging. Regardless of why you talk, if you are rambling on without getting to the point it can say a lot about you. The interviewer will have to work hard to follow your tale and hopefully understand why it took so long to get to the point. They may wonder if this is an indication as to what your job performance will be like. Or if your talking reflects your communication skills and how you might interact with team members or staff in a supervisory role.

The worst part of talking too much during an interview is the extra information (potential ammunition) you give to employers. It is important to be honest and answer questions you are asked but your answers should remain focused at all times. For example, if they ask you a question on office politics don’t give an answer by indulging in past office gossip or talking poorly of coworkers or your boss. Answer the question and stay on topic.

The best way to keep control over what you might say in an interview is by preparing before the interview ever takes place. Write out answers to 20 or 30 of the most common types of interview questions. Use specific, concise examples in answering the questions but don’t let the answers be more than a couple of minutes long. If you have a few touchy spots in your past, make sure you work on how you’ll honestly, but positively, answer those questions. Practice your answers so that you’ll easily remember the answer when asked in an interview and therefore you won’t need to think out loud or let your nerves get the best of you.

I know I’ve written often about the importance of preparation but it really is critical to all parts of your job search, most importantly your interview success. Learn about the company, prepare answers to many types of interview questions and make sure to really listen to the questions asked. Then take a minute to collect your thoughts so you can give a focused and detailed answer that shows your expertise and preparedness. Being prepared helps you to stay in control, and talk yourself into a job by providing confident, concise answers for sure success during an interview!

Today is the start of a new school year for my kids and probably most kids around the country. It is a time of excitement and can also be a little frightening too . This is a big year in particular for my youngest since she is starting High School. This means she’ll be in a new building with new teachers, new students, new lockers, new curriculum and new pressures.

To help her prepare for a successful first day and high school experience, we attended an open house last week which gave students a chance to find and practice opening their lockers. It also gave them time to walk around and get a better feel for the layout of the school.  During our visit like most of the kids, we completed a walk through, going from my daughter’s 1^st hour classroom to her 2^nd hour, and 3^rd hour and so on. This dry run helped her learn her route and offered a chance to meet her teachers and check out the classrooms.

The open house didn’t eliminate fears but it did put them into perspective and is one way to prepare for the big event and new changes to follow. Job seekers can benefit from preparing for upcoming interviews in the same manner.

If you have an interview coming up in an unfamiliar part of town or in a different city, take a drive to the company before the interview to confirm the directions and estimated time it will take to get to the location. While there notice the type of employees, their dress and mannerisms as they enter and exit. Do they seem to look forward to their day or do they have a look of dread as they come and go?

Prepare also by checking out the website and researching the company on the internet. What image are they trying to convey? How did the company do last year or the year before? How are they handling the current economy? What are others writing about them? Are there particular projects, issues or problems currently hindering the success of the company? It is worth your while to find out what you are getting into and make sure this is  someplace you’d like to work.

Search out present or past employees on the social and professional networking sites to see what their own employees are saying about the company. If possible introduce yourself and find out what their thoughts are and what the attitude or atmosphere is within the company. Does it fit with your personality and goals?

Planning and preparing before you go to the interview so you understand the scope, environment, and management style of the company is your best chance for a successful interview. Just like my daughter and other high school kids getting ready for their first day, your new world will consume you for the next several years, so make sure you are heading where you want to end up.

Shine On Job Seekers!

Recently I had a conversation with a job seeker which I have had similarly with many others in the past. The conversation begins with a recap of what actions they have taken in their job search and what their expectations are for working together. I often here something like, “I can handle the job search – I just need a resume to get me in the door, and I know I can talk my way into the job – I can talk my way into anything”. Have you ever said or heard or said this before?

As articulate and compelling as You might think your communication skills are, if you have nothing to say that interests the interviewer, you will not gain a job offer.

The key is to know what to say in the interview and once again, it comes down to knowing who you are interviewing with. For every interview or influential contact you schedule a meeting with, you should spend several hours researching and educating yourself on the company in question. Areas to become familiar with include the industry, current needs or issues of the company, biggest competition, new projects underway, future plans and problems the company is currently facing. Think ahead of 3 – 5 ways you can use  your skills, expertise, contacts, or experience to help in achieve current corporate goals or resolve existing problems.

Coming to the meeting prepared will allow you to fully engage in the conversation, where you can communicate your expertise and the value that you will bring to the company. Otherwise your conversation ends up sounding like a “me, me, me” story instead of a “here is how can I help you” conversation.

To be memorable you must have something worth saying and fitting for the position. If you go in blind with no preparation or understanding of what they are looking for you are selling you skills and yourself short. You might have exactly what they need but it is up to you to let them see how well suited you are for their job, their company and solving their problems.

There seems to still be an on going battle over the cover letter relevance. The majority of resume writers I have talked with still believe the cover letter can hold a few unique nuggets  of value that you can use to persuade hiring managers and decision makers to take a second or first look at your resume. Most recruiters I have talked with feel the cover letter is not important to the decision making process – however recruiters only place 2-3% of new employees so fo r the ir select clients this may be the case.

The truth is that 60% of hiring professionals read cover letters.

Often the gatekeepers, HR, recruiters do not read cover letters but when it comes time to narrow the selection to start the interviewing process, the decision makers can use the cover letters to identify which candidates have more than the required skills, achievements, and experience. They can also see if you also have a passion, a resolution for a current corporate issue or a new idea that can be a determining factor in offering you an interview.

You really never know who is reading your cover letter and how it will be used. I tell my clients – for those that do read it, it’s a vital part of the interview decision process so we need to create a targeted and focused letter that will open doors and get your resume read. The cover letter allows candidates the opportunity to promote their unique value and another chance for reader to identify your strengths and fit for the company.

A few examples of value and fit would be to include that you have got a true passion for working with numbers or your father worked for IBM 30 years ago and you have always wanted to work there too. You can also walk them through a dynamite combination of say, international experience and accounting strengths if you were going to work for an international company and you would be doing accounting work for subsidiaries in other countries. Sometimes they don’t recognize the value so if you find some reason for a great fit, make sure to share it with the reader.

Don’t assume they’ll make the connection…

you know what happens if you assume something?

If you are sending the letter to a recruiter, find out what their priorities are and incorporate examples of the priorities in the letter. If it is for a decision maker really work to bring out your unique value and why you would be perfect for the job, their team and their company. If it is for a general online application and you don’t know the company, keep it short but focus the cover letter on the requirements given in the job description. Whoever it is that you are righting it for, meet their needs and show you can make a difference in their company.

It isn’t enough just to go after getting an interview. If you want a job offer you have to prepare for and research each company you are offered an interview with. You have obviously done some work while having your resume developed or writing it yourself. The research and preparation is a great start for your interview but it won’t put you ahead of the masses. Below are 5 secrets you need to know if you want to really catch the decision maker’s attention at your next interview.

Know the company you intend to interview with – Take time to thoroughly learn about the company or companies you will be interviewing with. The research should include reading their company website, searching (Googling) the company on the internet, finding potential contacts from their company on LinkedIn, and reading what the media and their competition has to say as well. You will impress the interviewers if you are comfortable and confident talking with them about the company.

Know how you can help them – If you want to capture the attention of the interviewer, try finding out what the biggest problems the company or department are currently facing and find ways you can help.

Strategies to help the company may include a developing a business or project plan, locating contacts for needed resources or having the skills or experience needed to resolve a specific problem. Figure out your plan before the interview and then WoW them with your preparation. Even if they don’t use your plan, your determination and critical thinking is sure to impress them.

Know the culture of the company – While you are busy researching each company you are considering interviewing with, don’t forget to study their individual corporate culture. It is important, sometimes more than your related skill or experience, that you fit in with the culture, philosophy and values of the company. Your resume will let them know your skills, but the interview will secure your fit. Save you and the company time and resources by getting a feel for the company before you participate in an interview.

Know your answers to questions most likely asked – Make sure to spend time preparing for those typical and not so typical behavioral/situation questions that will be asked at the interview, because they will be asked. Keep the answers focused on the good of the company, tying your values in with theirs, while still being truthful.

It often helps to write out your answers on paper so you can be sure to include all the right information for each question. Then, practice saying your answers several times until they feel natural to say.

Know your resume! – Don’t forget to know your resume. Right now it sometimes takes a few months before you are offered an interview.  Most of the time the hiring manager will use your resume as an outline to follow for the interview. Whether you have written it yourself or had someone write it; reread your resume several times to refresh your memory. You do not want to be blind-sided by a quote from your resume that you don’t recall and can’t respond to. Know your resume!

Just as in any debate, meeting, presentation or interview, in order to be successful and sound polished you must prepare. The company you are interviewing with have spent a good deal of time identifying the skills, experience and type of person they want working with them. It is your responsibility to yourself and you next employer to do the same. The results will be a more effective and responsive interview and will help you stand out as one sharp candidate. So, give it a try, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

It sounds almost too simple to be true, but not knowing the content of your resume, and getting caught up by it during an interview are fairly common occurrences. Whether you have written your resume yourself or had it written by a professional resume writer, you must be well aware of what is on your resume. If you’ve made it past the initial gatekeepers and have received an invitation for an interview, take some time to review your resume and know it well.

Most often the responsibility of interviewing and offering positions to candidates falls on the manager of the department, area, or office, depending on the size of the organization. Just because they are the decision makers it doesn’t make them proficient or even comfortable during the interview process. It is your job as the candidate to help the hiring manager feel comfortable with you so the skills on your resume and your natural fit with the interviewer will illustrate your potential value to the company.

You must be able to identify areas of your resume if a sentence or two is read to you for you to elaborate on.

When conducting these interviews, your resume will often be the outline at which questions are asked about your skills and achievements.  If you stumble or look blinded by the question, it may send a red flag about your ability to do those skills.

Make sure to read every word – several times, so you are completely familiar with the words used. This is particularly important if you wrote or had your resume written a few months ago. Also refresh yourself on your LinkedIn profile and the content of your VisualCV web page. The more you know about yourself and how you describe your value, expertise and achievements the more you’ll be see as the right fit for the job.

With excitement and anticipation last night I watched Sunday Night Football. The pre-season game gave the new players a chance to show what they’ve got and their contribution potential, in short… their value.

It wasn’t an unforgettable game but it was just fun to watch. Usually at half time I switch loads of laundry, check emails, or click to other channels. I am glad I kept the game on and was able to catch the tribute to John Madden and his years as an energetic and passionate announcer.

After halftime, I was even more excited to see the newly retired and new addition to the announcing team, Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts. I am just thrilled he will join Al Michaels and John Madden’s replacement Cris Collinsworth, as part of the Sunday Night Football Announcing Staff. I look forward to hearing his wisdom and viewpoint every week.

Conversation flowed from his retirement to future plans and eventually landed on his relationship with Michael Vick. With the completion of his 2 year sentence at Leavenworth, Vick is working through the process of making a comeback into professional football. Dungy has agreed to mentor Michael Vick during his reemergence into the sport of football. I believe Dungy is there for emotional and spiritual support for Michael Vick the man as much as the football player.

Vick will have to prove his physical and mental strengths all over again to the coaches, players and football fans. To a new team he also has to prove he is a good fit.

The same holds true for the job seekers. Knowing you have the skills and experience is important but your “fit”, character, and reliability is even more critical to landing a new job. Watch other job seekers, watch Michael Vick, and see how vital your personality and character are to a decision maker trying to find the “right” person for the job.

Before you start applying to and interviewing with new companies know your strengths, what type of position is right for you, and what value you offer to potential companies. Research companies until you can honestly say, “This is the company for me” and then Go For It!

Saturday Evening Reposted

Reposted with permission from VisualCV 

If you are one of the lucky few that have been offered an interview lately, you have already done a few things right. To continue moving in the right direction you will need to demonstrate during the interview, your value to their company. Below you’ll find tips on how to prepare for your next interview so it will be your last.

Do your homework and prepare if you want to stand out  at your next interview.

Research the company before the interview. Start by Googling the company, the industry and their competitors to learn the current trends, issues, and activities. Study their website, their culture, mission, financials of the company and anything else that will help you get to know the company better.

Find out what’s new. Are they working on a new project, expanding operations, or launching new products?  The old saying ‘knowledge is power’ definitely fits here and your knowledge of their company will help the employer see your value and how serious you are about working for them.

Another crucial step in preparation is to practice responding to typical and not so typical questions you will be asked. Even something as simple as, “When can you start?” can be a problem if you are currently working and haven’t thought through how long you will need to get out of your current position. Try writing down your responses and then practice saying them out loud. You’ll sound more comfortable and appear more confident if you do

Make sure your communication style is inviting and effective during the interview.

It is important to know how others see you and how effective your communication style is. Practicing a mock interview with an honest co-worker or friend will help to sort out any non-verbal glitches or twitches you may not be aware of. Change what needs to be changed to appear more engaging. Opinions are formed using 93% non-verbal language and only 7% actual verbal language, how you say it is much more important than what you say

Listen well to the hiring manager and understand what he is asking; if you are not sure…ask. Be enthusiastic and show your interest. Employers want to hire someone who wants the job, shows passion and interest for the industry and field, and truly wants to work for their company. Show them that person is yo

 Leave a lasting impression.

Make sure you say thank you to everyone in the room, smile, and shake hands at the end of the interview. Ask the hiring manager what the next step will be and when you can expect to hear from them. Hold them to it and  contact them after a week with a phone call or email to follow up and find out what the status is on the job and your interview. If you didn’t get the job, find out why, politely. It will help you in the future!

Finally, don’t forget to send a thank you note within the first 24 hours. Did you know 70% of hiring managers expect to receive them while only 35% do? It can be written or typed but be sure you send it soon after the interview to keep fresh in their hiring minds. Make your next interview your last by applying what you’ve learned here and preparing to wow your next interviewers!

Tuesday’s Tip

The phone interview is often a precursor to the traditional face-to-face interview. It is an important part of the weeding out process. With companies looking for ways to cut back, the phone interview works well to save companies money and time.

In order to really nail the phone interview you must prepare for it – just as you should for the traditional, in person interview. Preparation for the interview includes reviewing the job description and website. Use Google to research the company to find out what is going on in the company and in the industry. Also, look into what competitors are up to and where they are headed in comparison to your target company.

Once you’ve got enough information on the company to feel comfortable discussing some of the issue it is facing, you’ll need to prepare a place to conduct the interview. Make sure you are in a quiet place in your house for the interview. If you are in a public place it too is needs to be quiet, so you can hear each other without distraction. Turn off the TV, other phones, voice mail, call waiting and any other gadgets that might distract you during the interview.

Have your resume, notes on key points you want to make, examples or success stories you’d like to share and paper and pen to write with. Also, write down their name and keep it in plain sight while you are talking with them. No drinking or eating during the interview either!

During the interview you will need to sell yourself using only your voice. In a traditional, face-to-face interview you’ve got your whole body to convey messages and with a phone interview it is your voice. But, it is the articulation, inflection, sighs, laughing, pace, the pauses, and the words used that will grab their attention. Think before you speak and listen really well. Let the interviewer ask the full question before answering – you know what happens if you assume…

Further tips include smiling during the interview to sound more welcoming and confident, standing during the interview for better breath control and wearing a professional outfit such as a suite to put you in a more formal, professional frame of mind.

Take the phone interview as serious as you would a traditional interview. Prepare, practice, and really sell yourself for best results!! Shine On—