Tag: job search

Are You a Resume Procrastinator?

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Are you a resume procrastinator?

Why do we procrastinate around keeping our resumes up to date?  Six reasons that will resonate with you are:

  1. It is a struggle.   Drafts and rewrites of updated experience and skills take too much time, and you have more pressing work to get done. 
  2. Resume style standards keep changing.  How do you know what is the latest and greatest?  Are objectives at the top of a resume, old school?  Are resumes submitted on-line in a different format from a printed version?
  3. Skill sets are a moving target.  What is hot today may not be tomorrow.  So, I might as well wait till I need a resume to emphasize my latest expertise.
  4. You are in a good place.  You feel good about your job and see a future with the company.   
  5. It is pricey.   It can be costly to hire a professional writer.
  6. Out of sight, out of mind. It is easy to stash your resume away in your bottom drawer and forget about it. 

Discover Your Ideal Career

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Discover Your Ideal Career

When dissatisfaction with your career begins to gnaw away at you every day, it’s a red flag telling you that you are not in your ideal job or career.  Staying passive and just keeping your head down at work will only frustrate you more. Be proactive and dive into the discovery process.  It requires an investigative mindset to conduct much-needed self-reflection, research on careers and jobs, dialogue with others, and persistence.  It won’t happen overnight with a major AHA moment.  You want to conduct your due diligence to ensure that you are making the right move into a new job or career.  Here are 10 tips to help you with the process of discovering your ideal career:

  1. Shed the inner voice that says you aren’t good enough, who do you think you are, or you’re too old. All negative fear-based thinking.  Talk back to the voice to squash it!  Remember, you are unique and have wonderful gifts to give to the world.
  2. Take time to reflect on what you love to do.  Reach back to your childhood and early years – is there something that you have submerged that can be reignited?
  3. Ask yourself – what do people compliment you on?  Often our talents are so innate that we take them for granted.  Others, however, appreciate your skills.  A great way to identify your skills is to use a quick assessment like Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath.  It will give you your Top 5 strengths.  That’s important to know so you will look for jobs that require those strengths.
  4. Ask your friends and family – if money was not in the picture, what would they see you doing next in your career?
  5. Review your past jobs.  What did you love about them and what did you dislike?   What are the common themes?  In your next job you want to do what you like most and shed the dislikes.
  6. Carve out time to network. Get to know what other people do. You may find a career path you never thought of before. Volunteering is a great way to network.
  7. Use O*Net Online to research careers and the requirements for them.
  8. Once you have narrowed your career choices down to 3-4, interview people in those professions to determine how they got into the field, what they enjoy about the job, and any advice they may give you.  If you don’t know anyone in that profession, use LinkedIn to see if any of your friends know someone in that industry to talk to.  Most people will be happy to do an informational interview with you – remember this is not asking them for a job.
  9. If you have found a career that requires more education, talk with the chairperson of the department at a local college.  They are a wealth of knowledge on careers and the requirements for entering a degree or certificate program.
  10. Create a support team (family, mentor, coach) who you can share your innermost feelings, brainstorm and hold you accountable.

Honest introspection, following the actions above, and accountability will help you discover your ideal career.  Finding it is never a straight line, it zigs and zags.  Every person you talk with helps you to connect the dots.  So, take the time and stay focused.  Manage it just like any other project with deadlines and the outcome will bring you a new career or job that offers you challenge and fulfillment.

To Your Career Success,

Katie Weiser

© KATIE WEISER, 2018. UNAUTHORIZED USE AND/OR DUPLICATION OF THIS MATERIAL WITHOUT EXPRESS AND WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THIS BLOG’S AUTHOR/OWNER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. EXCERPTS AND LINKS MAY BE USED, PROVIDED THAT FULL AND CLEAR CREDIT IS GIVEN TO KATIE WEISER WITH APPROPRIATE AND SPECIFIC DIRECTION TO THE ORIGINAL CONTENT.

Dreading the Panel Interview?

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Dreading the Panel Interview

You have made it through the initial telephone screen with the recruiter and the next step is to be interviewed by a panel.  That can be nerve-wracking and it seems like a lot of judging by 2-5 people at one time. For companies, it makes a lot of sense because it takes the least amount of time for them, and for you, it gets you in and out quickly.   But, how do you remain calm and answer the questions in a way that keeps you in the running as a top candidate?   My top 12 pointers are:

  1. Investigate interviewers.  Learn as much as possible about each interviewer. Often, the panel consists of a human resources professional, your direct supervisor, others from the department or cross-functional team leaders/members you may work with.  Ask the person who is setting up the interview the names of the panel members and their functions.  It is helpful to know if you are being evaluated by only the team whom you will be working with on a daily basis or whether it is a mix of department heads/members.  For example, if you are being hired for a mergers and acquisitions project management role, you would have several stakeholders, e.g. finance, human resources, and legal.  Then, use LinkedIn to read up on each person’s background … or if you have an inside track into the organization, try to uncover facts about their reputation and work style.
  2. Think of the questions that may be asked by the panel.  Thoughtfully write out your answers and rehearse with a buddy or a coach.
  3. Memorize names. Addressing each person by their name is professional and indicates your respect for them.  Be sure to list their names on your writing pad before you enter the room, just in case you have a memory lapse.
  4. Reduce nerves. Adrenalin and nerves come with the territory.  Take 10 minutes before the interview to take deep breaths and visualize success.  If you are by yourself in a holding area, you can pace back and forth or walk as it reduces anxiety and increases memory.  Take a bottle of water into the room just in case they don’t have beverages.
  5. Take notes. Bring your writing pad to jot down key points you want to follow-up on.  Just be sure to ask permission to take notes.  Everyone always says yes and it indicates you want to be thorough.
  6. Tell us about yourself. Be prepared to go into the short synopsis of your work history and the skills that you bring to the organization.  Not more than two minutes as they have your resume in front of them.  This is the icebreaker before they start asking questions.
  7. Include equal eye contact. Often interviewees look at only the person who has asked them a question.  This is a mistake.  Each question needs to take into account each stakeholder’s frame of reference and how it relates to the working relationship you will have with their group.  This makes it more conversational instead of rapid question-response to one interviewer at a time.  Make eye contact with the person who asked the question first, then shift eye contact and your body towards the panel member when you talk about their specific area of expertise.  This makes it feel like you are interested in building a relationship with each panel member versus deferring to one person at a time.
  8. Make connections. For each question, think how it can be answered by representing the different constituents on the panel.   Reference previous questions that help make your point or allow you to follow-up with a question.
  9. Watch body language. If you see arms crossed or no eye contact, this is a person you need to win over.  Focus some of your questions to them or talk about their point of view.  All the panel members will appreciate your influencing skills when they see this person shed their resistance.
  10. Ask questions. It is the kiss of death to have no questions for the panel.  Clarifying questions relative to “what does success look like to them after you’ve been on board 90 days?”  “What do they view as immediate challenges to address?” Any questions relative to the culture you want to uncover are appropriate. One of my favorites to uncover culture is “why do you think people stay with the company?”  The obvious last question is “What is the timeline for selection?”
  11. Express interest in the position. So many times, I have interviewed candidates and wondered whether the person was actually interested in the job.  A short and simple statement works best:  “based on what I have heard from each of you,  I am very interested in the position and would be thrilled to be working with you.”  Be sure to make this your final comment to the group before you leave.  Then, as you head for the door, address each by name, thank them, and shake hands firmly.
  12. Follow-up. Thank you notes to all the panel members is a must.  Be sure to get their business card or contact information from the person coordinating the panel interview.

Remember, panel members, are looking for candidates who stand up under pressure,  are articulate, display an interest in other’s agendas, and will make a difference in their organization. At the end of the day, they will question:  are you a good fit for them?  Do you have the hard and soft skills needed to solve their problems?  Will you mesh with the culture?  Will you build a lasting relationship with your stakeholders?  Use the panel to your advantage to win multiple votes to get the job.  Finally, ask yourself … is this organization the right fit for you?

To Your Career Success,

Katie Weiser

© KATIE WEISER, 2017. UNAUTHORIZED USE AND/OR DUPLICATION OF THIS MATERIAL WITHOUT EXPRESS AND WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THIS BLOG’S AUTHOR/OWNER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. EXCERPTS AND LINKS MAY BE USED, PROVIDED THAT FULL AND CLEAR CREDIT IS GIVEN TO KATIE WEISER WITH APPROPRIATE AND SPECIFIC DIRECTION TO THE ORIGINAL CONTENT.

The # 1 Mistake Job Interviewees Make

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The #1 Mistake Job Interviewees Make

The # 1 mistake job interviewees make is not spending enough time on developing answers to possible questions that may be asked.   Let me share a shocking statistic with you: the average person spends less than 60 minutes preparing for an interview. You might be surprised that this is not enough time. In my opinion, 60 minutes is just winging it and it will not get you the job.  So, why don’t job candidates devote the time to get ready for an interview?  I have heard many reasons over the years such as:

  • I don’t know. How could I possibly know every question that will be asked?  There is massive knowledge available on the internet on questions that will be asked and tons of books on the topic.
  • It’s too painful. Yes, work is a four-letter word.  Putting the effort in up front will actually boost your confidence and reduce your nervousness.
  • It’s better to be spontaneous than rehearsed.  Guess again, if you don’t have your success stories on the tip of your tongue, you will get tongue-tied.  Spontaneity is for the very experienced and for those who have lots of options.
  • My resume tells it all. Your resume does not reflect the way you carry yourself, the way you speak or reflect your confidence.  In addition, how could a resume possibly capture everything you have done that would match what the employer is looking for?
  • No time. I acknowledge that job seekers are pressed for time, particularly if you have a full-time job.  View your job search and getting ready for an interview as a project.  Schedule time on your calendar for these activities.  What gets planned, get’s done!
  • It’s in my head. Many don’t find it easy to write out their answers in advance.  However, there is research that proves the writing-brain connection.   The simple act of writing with pen and paper and then repeating it back to oneself helps with retention.

Do you recognize yourself in any of these objections?  I hope not.  Here are my tips on how to prepare your answers to interview questions and an estimate of how long it will take:

  • Research the questions. There is so much information on the Internet and books that will give you ideas on what questions may be asked.  I encourage you to write out your answers to them.  The simple act of writing out your own answers will help you remember what you want to say.  Knowledge of the prospective questions will give you a head start over the other candidates.
  • Know your strengths, brand, and role. Every interviewer asks “what are your strengths?”  A strength is defined as the combination of your knowledge, skills, and talent. Think about several jobs, tasks, projects that you have done in the past with great success. What are the strengths you used at the time? You probably have many more strengths, but keep it limited to what they are looking for.  What are you known for…your brand.  Your brand is a combination of your strengths, passion, attributes, and differentiators.  Know the role you are applying for. Matching your strengths to the competencies listed in the job description is critical.
  • Success stories. Interviewers ask:  “can you tell me about a recent accomplishment?”   Prepare your success stories (at least three) of your accomplishments by using the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method of storytelling.   By using success stories during your interview, the interviewer will remember your stories before facts, figures, or data. It also gives them an easy way to describe you to others in the organization. The STAR method is great for not only describing your accomplishments but also for questions like: describe a situation when you had to meet a challenging deadline; tell me about a time when you failed, how do you deal with pressure or stressful situations.
  • Rehearse.  I hear the groans every time I work with a client when I suggest rehearsing answers.  It’s the old story…how do you get to Carnegie Hall…practice, practice, practice.  Practice does make perfect, so please do it with a coach, a friend, or a family member and in private in front of a mirror.  It will settle some of the nervousness, too.

How much time does all this take?  My estimate is preparation can take 8-12 hours.  So, carve out the time on your calendar to write out answers to questions and to rehearse.  Do this over several days because doing it in one sitting can become overwhelming.  As you craft answers to questions, you will find yourself going back and making changes.  All good and confidence will be growing!

Putting in the time to write out your answers to possible questions will help you avoid the # 1 mistake interviewees make.  You will be 99% more prepared than other candidates and it will differentiate you from them.  Let others wing it, so you can shine.

I work with hundreds of clients each year to get them ready for their job interviews.  I have kept a record of the most often asked questions from client feedback, and have narrowed it down to the Top 20 contained in my new book Answers to the Top 20 Interview Questions with downloadable answer templates.  I get great satisfaction when clients come back to tell me that many of the Top 20 questions that we worked on together were asked and they felt prepared and ready to answer them.  Even better news is that they got the job!

To Your Career Success,

Katie Weiser

© KATIE WEISER, 2017. UNAUTHORIZED USE AND/OR DUPLICATION OF THIS MATERIAL WITHOUT EXPRESS AND WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THIS BLOG’S AUTHOR/OWNER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. EXCERPTS AND LINKS MAY BE USED, PROVIDED THAT FULL AND CLEAR CREDIT IS GIVEN TO KATIE WEISER WITH APPROPRIATE AND SPECIFIC DIRECTION TO THE ORIGINAL CONTENT.