Career Tactics Articles

Interviewing Tips and Techniques

careertactics — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:02:43 +0000

Jobs seldom go to the best qualified candidate. They are often filled by the best communicators, marketers and salespeople. You cannot predict what an employer will ask you in the interview, however, you can prepare yourself.

Six Strategies for Successful Interviewing

Solid preparation. Be as prepared or better prepared than the interviewer! List out the questions you expect from the interview and the questions you want to ask. Then, practice your responses prior to the interview. You do not want to appear to be rote but you do want to be ready.
Today’s interviewers use behavior-type questions to gather information on your approach and thought process when dealing with issues. Be prepared to respond to behavior-based questions such as: Tell me about a time when you helped solve a problem. Prior to the interview make a list of 10 work accomplishments and relate these to the interviewer’s behavior-based questions.
The goal of interview is to gather information about the company and to get your core message across. Ask questions such as: What duties will I be performing? Whose responsibility is it to see I get up to speed? How often would I be evaluated? By whom? And how? What has made you successful in this particular company? The goal of the interview is also to get your core message across as to what value you can bring to this company. Have a ‘personal branding’ statement that sets you apart from others and demonstrates your value. In addition, provide specific examples from past work history that will demonstrate your experience and past successes.
After your interview, be sure to make notes on what you learned about the organization and the position you are seeking. Also, analyze your own performance during the interview and determine how to improve.
Know your wants and needs, and their priority. Make sure to research salaries and ranges for this specific position. Salary.com is a great website for this kind of information. If you are unable to get the salary you wish, perhaps there are other perks such as working at home one day a week that the company might agree to.
Negotiating during the interview is important. The best way to encourage offers in addition to stories about your prior success is to say: ‘I would really like this position.’ Remember that everything is negotiable once an offer is made. Always take a ‘win-win’ stance as it will display your flexibility to work with others.

Here are some simple interviewing rules: • 50 – 50 rule: listen 50% of time; talk 50% of time.

Speak only 20 seconds to 2 minutes.
Be seen as a resource person.
Be seen as problem solver not part of the problem.
Realize that employer thinks that the way you are handling the interview is the way you will handle your job.
Do not bad mouth your present employer.

How to Run a Successful Job Search Campaign

careertactics — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:56:17 +0000

With all that is going on in the economy today many companies are forced to make cutbacks to their workforce. Unemployment is at the highest it has been in years in Florida. A rule of thumb for finding a position: for every $10,000 in salary per month, figure one month of job search time. So if you are looking for a $50,000 job, that means 5 months of dedicated effort.
The major difference between successful and unsuccessful job hunters is not necessarily a tight job market, but rather the way they go about their job search. Here are some key factors to consider:
1-Plan out your search: put together a clear strategy, target the companies you would like to work for, do the appropriate research on each company, decide how much time each day you will dedicate to your search, organize your search tracking your postings/contacts on an Excell spreadsheet, etc.
2-Use all possible avenues to find out what positions are available: networking, Internet postings, job fairs, classified ads, recruiters, email campaigns, etc. Networking has the highest return with about 35% or more jobs found in this way. Remember it is not just what you know that is important in finding a position. It is what you know, who you know and who knows you!! However, no one way is the right way. Use them all to speed up your job search!
3-Make sure your career documents are in order: your resume and cover letter make a statement about your professionalism, attention to detail and overall performance. A hiring manager looks at a resume for 10 to 25 seconds…make sure your career documents stand out from all the others.
4-Practice your interviewing skills: very often the best candidate with the best qualifications does not get the job. The job often goes to the job seeker who is the best communicator and marketer at the time of the interview.
5-Stay positive: keep a positive state of mind; exercise, eat right and participate where you can in activities that keep you moving forward with enthusiasm. Remember on average it takes 3 to 6 months to find a position, so be patient and focused.

How To Be Recession Proof

careertactics — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:52:31 +0000

We’ve had 12 recessions since 1939 and we’re in the 12th one now. (Recessions are officially announced by the National Bureau of Economic Research). Economic trends project continued job losses of over 1 million more jobs by mid 2009. Whether you have a job or not, very few feel totally safe in today’s environment.
What actions are you taking to make sure your job stability and career stay on a positive course? Here are some suggestions to steady yourself during this economic downturn:
1 – Make sure that your career documents are in order. Review your present resume and update it where necessary. Your resume should reflect the value you can bring to a company. Make the resume compelling and use dollar amounts and percentages where you can to show significant changes that are a result of your efforts.
2- The Internet is a great resource tool. Even if employed, look at the job boards from time to time to see what is out there. Be bold and send out your resume. Test the waters. If your resume does not get a response, think about revising it to heighten your message. After all, your resume is your marketing brochure!
3-Now is the time to make sure you have a very strong network. Most jobs (around 35 to 75%) are found through networking. Stay in touch with friends and colleagues. Join a volunteer group and expand your network.
4-If you are not presently working, plan to spend at least 40 hours each week on your job search. Finding a job is a job!! Sending out resumes is only one part of the job search process. Put a plan together on how to spend each day – eg. doing research on the Internet, networking with friends/colleagues, even working in a part time position (you never know…the company that hires you for part time work might someday hire you for full time employment).
5-This might be the perfect time to re-tool … take some courses that will increase your skill level, or explore other types of careers.
Remember: most recessions last about a year. There have only been 2 recessions in the last 80 years that have lasted 16 to 18 months. The economy will bounce back. Will you be ready!!

Finding A Job Is A Job!

careertactics — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:49:40 +0000

There are many steps involved in finding a job. Making sure that all of these steps are addressed is critical in landing a position, especially in today’s very competitive marketplace. If any of the steps are ignored or mismanaged, then the possibility of finding a suitable position for your skills and salary range may, in fact, be at risk.

Here are elements of the job search that need to be part of your action plan for finding the right job:

Career Portfolio: At minimum include your résumé and cover letter. Senior manager levels, might add a bio, project list, addendum, and executive summary to their portfolio of career documents.

Make sure that your résumé is targeted to the type of position for which you are applying. Include the right key words, update all information and check for spelling accuracy. Let someone who knows you well proofread your résumé and provide you with feedback on the flow, grammar, typos, etc.

As for cover letters, gear each cover letter to the job for which you are seeking and the company to which you are sending it. In another words, be specific in how you can best provide value for the company to which you are applying.

Online and Face-to Face Networking: Include networking as part of your strategy. Make sure that you have a profile and presence on LinkedIn which is a site used by many hiring managers and recruiters to post positions and to obtain information on candidates.

For face-to-face networking, get out of the house…meet others for coffee, lunch or just to meet. Call those you know and send emails to keep in touch. It is not only about what you know and who you know, but also about who knows you. Stay in touch with everyone. You never know who can pass your name along.

References: Be sure to have your references lined up ahead of time. Talk to these people. They are part of your support team and can be a good sounding board as well as a good reference. Never ask them for a job, but you can ask for advice, especially if they are still part of the current workforce.

Get A Mentor: Transitioning to a new job can become overwhelming, frustrating and stressful. Find a mentor or coach (if you have the funds) to provide guidance and support during the job search process, someone who will listen to you vent and keep you moving in a positive direction.

Follow Up: After an interview send a ‘thank you’ note. It is courteous to do so, and it provides another way to stay in contact with the hiring manager.

Put Together A Strategy and Action Plan: This is the most overlooked step of all. Outline what companies you wish to target, put together daily activities to complete, research the Internet not only for careers, but also for general information about the industry and positions you are interested in, and current business trends. Hone your interviewing skills and have down pat your elevator speech. You know the one where the interviewer says: Tell me about yourself. Maybe part of your action plan could be to work for a temp agency, work part time or volunteer. Anything to get your name out there! Most of all stay flexible…about the job, title, salary and geographic location.

There is no one way to find a job, but there are many steps you can take that will keep you positive and going forward in a very competitive environment.

4 Steps to Take If You Think You Are Being Laid Off

careertactics — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:46:12 +0000

If you are one of those who has not prepared for this economic slump and massive job layoff, realize that it is never too late to take action. Perhaps, your company is planning to downsize, or has already taken steps and you are one of the casualties. What should you do now? How do you maintain balance and momentum?
Here are a few things to think about:
1-Know your objectives and what you are willing to change.
Are you willing to move to another area for a job? Today (March 2009), there is one area in the country that is recession proof – Laredo , Texas . Are you willing to or even wanting to change your industry? Recession-proof and growth industries include: oil and gas, pet supplies/stores, logistics/technical/environmental consulting, movie/video production, urban transit and support for transportation services, some government functions, etc. Most importantly, know what you want!
2-Develop a plan and follow it.
List out those companies you might wish to work for, look on the Internet or in the classifieds, and do the research. There are companies and industries that are hiring today, especially those in the health and education fields. Talk with recruiters, employment/temp agencies and your network of contacts to gather information. Stay focused and plan ahead for the upcoming day.
3-Get your career documents in order.
Make sure your resume is up-to-date and well-written. There are oodles of competitors in the job market. Your career documents have to be easy to read and clear with the right key words. Make sure you include a ‘branding statement’ that makes you stand out from the crowd of job seekers. Develop a strong cover letter. It gives you another way to ‘sell your skills and value’ to a prospective employer.
4-Keep moving and maintain a peak-performing state of mind.
By this I mean, get out of the house, if you are unemployed. Volunteer and give back. Join organizations to stay active and meet others. Make sure to have a routine that includes exercise.
Today’s job search is more competitive than it’s ever been. The smart candidate knows that it takes energy, thought and focus to move ahead. What are you waiting for?

So You Landed the Job. Now What?

careertactics — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:41:29 +0000

You did well in your job interviews and now the time has come to prove yourself. What can you do during the first 2 or 3 months in your new job to insure success? How do you handle a new work environment, a new team, new company policies, new computer systems … new, new, new!

Whenever you get a job offer, it is a very encouraging and positive time. You know you have what it takes, and now someone else in the business world recognizes your talents. But, that feeling of elation may change the first day at work when you are expected to dive in and perform in a job environment that is unfamiliar, one that is made up of people you do not know.

Here are some things to think about:
Learn the culture. Listen a lot and watch what goes on, so that you will begin to know how things are done. Get to know your co-workers, and ask questions about how things work. Become aware of business practices and guidelines. If the dress code is suits and ties, do not wear jeans and sneakers. Get to know your colleagues, find a trusted co-worker.

Know your boss and adjust your style slightly so that it is not at odds with his/hers. Determine what is important to your boss and what can wait? Ask for scheduled one-on-one meetings with your boss, so that you can find out what your boss thinks you are doing well and what you need to improve. On-going communications are key to good working relationships with your boss and others.
Determine what is expected of you. Set goals with your boss. Put together a development plan with time frames to make self-improvements. Take the initiative when you can and when it makes sense to do so. Manage expectations and be careful not to over-promise. It is better to under-promise and over-deliver. This will pleasantly surprise your boss.

These are just a few of the things that will help you adjust to a new work environment, and become successful in your new job!

Is now the time to reassess your career and goals?

careertactics — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:38:09 +0000

I talk to so many who tell me how much they dislike their job, or want a different career. And then there are those who are out of work. If either of these scenarios fits, then it may be time to reassess the direction your career has taken, and where you want your career to go.
Here are some questions for those who are struggling in a job that is not satisfying or for those who are looking for the next career move:
Are you as excited on a Sunday evening knowing that you will be off to work the next day as you are late on a Friday afternoon knowing that the weekend and fun is ahead? Do you feel that the work you are doing is your true purpose in life? If you are not working presently, do you want to get back into the same line of work?
Whether working today or not, this may be a time to rethink your career. There are a few simple questions that may help move you forward: What is it that I have always enjoyed doing? What has come naturally for me? What would I do if I knew I could not fail?
Richard Leider, a well-known, career and life coach and writer, talks about the formula for a good life – ‘living in a place you belong with the people you love doing the right work on purpose!’ It is the last part of his statement that is often overlooked. Often, people think that work is work and a paycheck. But, the real key is to figure out what your purpose is in life and what your true calling is. If you can do that then the answer to the question, ‘Are you as excited on a Sunday evening as you are on a late Friday afternoon,’ is a y-e-s and you are truly fortunate.
With the economy where it is today and the scarcity of jobs, this may be a perfect time to reassess your calling, refocus on where you want your career to go, take the courses you need to reinvent yourself and put a plan together to make change. Now, may be the best time to take action!

Is It Time for a Career Change?

careertactics — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:34:51 +0000

Recently, I worked with a number of clients who were no longer inspired about their chosen career. They wanted a change. Some were clear on what they wished to do next, and many were not.

Where are you? Are you as excited about Sunday night and the upcoming week as you are about Friday night and the weekend? Are you challenged at work and do you receive the salary you deserve? Many of us get to a point in our careers when it is time for a change. Our work is no longer ego-boosting and the thrill of what was once a great challenge at work is gone. Here are some recommendations that will empower you to make a change:
1-Accept the fact that it is time to change, and that you need to take action. This simple admission is a ‘reality’ check that will empower you to move forward.
2-Accept responsibility for putting together a plan to help you with your career change. Whether you want to work in a different company or in another field of work, you need a plan. Most people spend more time planning a dinner party than they do planning out a career move. Read articles and attend workshops. Learn all you can about what you want to do next in your career.
3-Build a ‘master team’ of people who can support your efforts to make a change. These are people in your life who will give you guidance, and who you can talk to as you make decisions to change. They are honest and direct in their feedback to you, and have your best interests at heart.
4-Establish a strong network. Meet people in the profession or companies you would like to be a part of. Attend professional meetings. As the saying goes: ‘It is not only who you know and what you know, it is who you know, what you know and who knows you!”
5-Continuously re-visit your worth in the market place. Write down a list of those accomplishments you have had over the past 5 years. This list will build your self-confidence and validate your value. It is concrete evidence where your talents lie, and may help as you work through the process to make the right career-move decision.
These 5 steps will energize you, and inspire you to take action. Once you start on this path, doors will start to open

Having A Business Coach: Is It For You?

careertactics — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:28:36 +0000

Recently, I did some business coaching with a client who was having difficulties with job stability and getting along with her other team members. As we worked through her issues, she was able to gain a new perspective, and to make changes that have helped her become successful at work, perform well, gain credibility and improve relationships.

Executive and business coaching is not a new phenomenon in the workplace. There is increasing evidence that business coaching is one of the most powerful ways of developing people and adding to bottom line business performance. A study of Fortune 1000 companies using one-on-one coaching revealed that there was a 53% increase in productivity. The same survey reported that the individuals who received one-on-one coaching saw improvement in: working relationships with their direct reports, working relationships with their manager, reduction in conflict and overall improvement in attitude.

Business coaching has been around for well over 25 years. What is new with business coaching is the accessibility to professional business coaches. At one time executive/business coaching was typically offered in large corporations, and then, only to top level executives. Today, business coaches offer their expertise and services not only to large businesses, but to medium and smaller businesses as well. In addition, it is not uncommon for individuals on their own to seek out business coaches who can assist with specific challenges in the work environment.
Having a business coach may not be for everyone. But, if you want to move forward and improve your performance, one-on-one coaching is a successful way to deal with obstacles, and address challenges that bog you down.

Gifts of the Day!

careertactics — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:25:11 +0000

About a year ago, I developed a professional résumé for a client. In addition to the résumé, she decided that she needed some career and life coaching from me. It turns out that this Client was extremely negative… about herself, her family, her job, her boss and everything and anything else you can think of. Without a doubt, she was having a rough time with her career, aging parents and a demanding family. She had worked for two different companies in the span of 10 months and was again in job search mode.
How do you stay positive when everything seems negative and out of control? Here is the key: shift the focus away from the negative. Instead spend time identifying ‘gifts of the day’, eg. those things each day that are positive in your life. ‘Gifts of the day’ can be something as simple as taking time to exercise, talking with an old friend or spending time watching a local baseball game. Whatever it is, just thinking about these ‘gifts’ can help to move you forward, and in a positive direction.
Have you taken the time to account for your ‘gifts of the day’?