Are you ready to tackle the New Year? This is a time to take a deep breath, look around and see what your options are.
Yes, I know that unemployment is still hovering around the nine percent mark, and the media is telling us that it will be stuck like this for a while. Next day we may hear that it came down a little, next time it went back up. Stop listening to this. It is effecting the way you think.
Tell yourself that you are going to become employed again. Employment is a mindset. If you think you are going to stay unemployed, you will be. You may not immediately get another top-paying job but then again, you may have to adapt for a while. Be willing to give a little in order to gain.
Some who have been unemployed for a while have gotten themselves into a rut. They sleep in late, they may listen to the news that keeps telling them how bad the employment situation is. They think, “Why bother?” Don’t let this be you! Turn off the news when they start talking about how bad it is.
Instead put together a Strategic Plan of Positive Actions to take.
1. If you are still angry about being downsized, you need to let that go. It seethes inside you and stops you from being productive.
2. Review your résumé. If you can, get your résumé critiqued by a professional. This is often done for free. Make sure it contains proper keywords (these are your skills and expertise). List your accomplishments and things you are proud of. Do not include any personal information or organizations that reflect your political or religious leanings.
3. Look at your job-hunting wardrobe. Make sure it is clean and wrinkle free. No rips, tears or dangling hems. Include a look at your personal appearance. Are your hair and nails trimmed?
4. Have you signed up for additional training to help you get a better job or stay in your field? There are grants available that you should take advantage of that will help improve your chances of landing a good job.
5. If you need experience, volunteer your services to organizations that will help you acquire that experience.
6. Attend job fairs and trade shows whenever possible.
7. Make contact with people in your field and ask what’s happening out there. Be positive. Do not take a negative note. People do not like to keep hearing the negative side.
8. Look in the newspaper and keep an ear out for companies that are hiring or are new in the area. Check in with Economic Development in your area and find out what companies may be coming to your location. Is there a possibility that you will be able to fit in?
9. Do some research and see what challenges companies are facing. If you have solutions to those challenges, prepare a job proposal to submit along with your résumé.
10. Be willing to take a cut in pay. Unfortunately with so many excellent people out of work, employers are more selective –– It is a Buyer’s market.
11. What unique feature do you possess that makes you more appealing to the hiring authority. Market that feature in your résumé, when you talk with others, and during your interview. Be sure and tie it in with the company’s needs.
12. Every morning start out like you are going to work, because you are. You are engaged in your Plan and you are going to be very assertive in implementing it.
These are 12 suggestions that if you implement will get you off to a good start for 2011. Never give up. You never know what opportunity will come knocking. You simply have to be prepared. It may not always be the job you thought you were going to get but it could be the job that takes you down another career path –– one you never expected.
On a personal note, and to get you going, this year I have decided to include keywords which may be pertinent to your field at the bottom of each article. Start keeping a list now.
May this New Year be a Great One for You.
Celia Dorr
Ceoresume.com
For a free résumé critique, send your résumé to ceoresume@aol.com.
Keywords: Accounts Payable – Accounts Receivable – Analytical and Quantitative Skills – Asset Management – Asset Protection – Audits (Internal/External)
January 31st, 2011 in
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It may feel like you are paddling against the current. So what do you do now? You have many choices as to how you paddle that canoe.
1. Simply sit there and let the current take you wherever it may, even if it is not where you want to eventually end up.
2. Work harder and keep paddling against that current as fast as you can.
3. Be proactive and plot the course that will help you to achieve your goals.
Right now, you are probably thinking this is just how I feel – like I am going against the current. You think to yourself . . .
1. Wait and see what happens; something will come up soon.
2. Bombard every job that comes up with my résumé. Who cares if it doesn’t fit the position? I will apply anyway.
3. Make a plan then gather the proper tools. Have a goal in mind but be ready to make changes as necessary, quickly adapting to any given situation.
You are in charge of your future. Sometimes it may not seem so because everything appears to be going against you. However, if you take charge, you will achieve your goals. Which position do you want to take, 1, 2, or 3?
When you make a plan, things start to happen. If you don’t have a plan, things may happen but not necessarily with the results you are expecting. Look at your options and have a plan for pursuing those options. What does this mean?
First, look at what skills and experience you bring to a job. There may be several positions for which you are well suited. Make folders for the specific type of positions you are interested and qualified for.
It means having the proper résumé for the position you seek. If the positions are very diverse, you may have to adjust your résumé accordingly for each position.
Have a good email address and a telephone number that has a business-like response. At the same time, make sure that if anyone stumbles upon your Facebook or MySpace, that they will not be shocked by what they see there.
Practice interviewing with professional people. Attending a job fair or registering with a staffing firm will give you an opportunity to practice.
When going on an interview or trade show, be sure to always look professional.
Network with others in your profession so that you can be alerted of opportunities that become available. Register on professional networks like Linkedin.
If it is necessary to take a job outside your line of work because you have bills to pay, do it. It looks much better if you have been employed at some job then not at all.
In today’s world, you may send out hundreds of résumés. However, the one which counts is the one that is chosen from all the others that were submitted. You may go on several interviews, but it’s the one where you made the greatest impression that counts.
You are now proactively in charge of making things happen. Remain adaptable. Get additional training if you can. There are many opportunities out there for grants.
It’s easy to get down on yourself. However, if you are engaged in making things happen, you do not have time to wallow in misery. Stay away from negativity. Put a smile on your face. Have a mirror nearby so you can check yourself every once in a while. A happy person looks much more confident.
Remember, only you can determine how you paddle that canoe.
Celia Dorr
CEO Résumé
ceoresume@aol.com
On this Memorial Day Holiday, we especially think about our military and the services they provide. Let us return the favor by letting them be aware that there is help out there.
Military veterans are a valuable resource, yet their unemployment numbers are the highest. As our military returns home, they are entering an economy that is down. They will need extra help as they transition into civilian life. The government spent a lot of money training our veterans – We are losing money if we do not see that this experience and knowledge carries over into the private sector.
Our veterans bring specialized training, structure, dependability, leadership, and many other valuable traits and experience. We cannot afford to lose this source of valuable human power.
In order to assist our military members, I have compiled a few sites for our veterans to visit to help them to make this move.
TAP and the MCCS Transition Office
This source offers a wide variety of workshops dealing with effective job search techniques. Assistance is provided on identifying areas of expertise and offer one-on-one assistance with employment-related needs, such as reviewing resumes and conducting mock interviews. Advice is helpful in transitioning from the military jargon to private industry language. Contact your nearest personnel center for this information.
Military Network
Great networking site on Linkedin.com, headed by Michael Perry USAF Ret. This site addresses employment issues and other issues. Recruiters, human resource personnel, and hiring managers post job openings and provide comments on how our military members can better compete in today’s job market. Military members can post their availability for employment. See their humorous subgroup “G.I.Tales” for a smile. On-line career fairs are posted on this site.
VetsMeetVets
A LinkedIn networking site, addresses US Military & Veteran Suicide, Substance Abuse & Despondency Prevention issues through a National Veteran’s Out-Reach & Coaching Program, an Organized Community Events Program and a Transitional Employment Training Program.
Military to Medicine
Healthcare is the fastest growing field right now and unfortunately there is a shortage of qualified workers. Many of our military already have training and experience in this field. This a great opportunity for them and their spouses to apply their expertise.
In addition to patient-related services, training is also available for the following areas:
| IT |
Logistics |
| Finance |
Customer Service |
| Accounting |
Facilities |
For more information check out the following website:
http://www.militarytomedicine.org
Translating your Military Résumé
Visit this site for modules that are extremely informative. This information builds on what you have gained from other sites. Offers tips on how to translate resumes and work with recruiters. http://www.mymilitarytransition.com
Tips for our Veterans
Assess your skills. Look at what you have done in detail and think about how you fit in the civilian marketplace. Many of your skills are highly transferable. It pains me when I look at so many transitioning veterans that are directed to short-change their skills. Highlight your knowledge and expertise. You worked hard to earn it.
Be sure you have a Profile of Qualifications that lists your expertise in civilian terms. Review job descriptions in your area of expertise and use this jargon in place of the military jargon. For example, if you were in a leadership position, state how many people you directed –do not simply state “led a company of . . .” If you improved functions, use words like “process improvements.”
Do not forget your accomplishments. Use figures; i.e., “Handled $5 million in inventory parts.” “Directed operations over three continents.”
Be sure and include your military background. Many employers want to hire veterans.
You have built a strong network of people you worked with. Do not forget to use them as references. This network can also provide you with job leads and tips. This is your largest support system.
Good luck to you in your job search. We thank you all for a job well done and hope this information has been helpful to you.
The one area where I can give back is by reviewing your résumé for free. Please send it to ceoresume@aol.com and I will get back to you with tips to assist you In your job search.
Celia Dorr
Ceoresume.com
With so many people working hard to manage their time effectively, the phone interview has become a great tool for recruiters. You may have already had a telephone interview or you are dreading one because you do not know what to expect.
As always, it pays to be prepared. If you are prepared you will radiate confidence over the telephone just as you would in person. Let’s walk step-by-step through the process so that we can welcome the telephone interview.
Throughout the interview make sure you smile and radiate enthusiasm. You can place a mirror in front of you so that you check your body language from time to time. That helps you to maintain your professionalism.
Be sure to confirm the time of the interview and double check the telephone number they will use to call you or the number that you will be calling.
Research the company, its customers and its competition ahead of time. Be aware of any factors that may effect your position.
Dress for the interview. Even though they cannot see you, you will feel more professional if you are dressed for the interview instead of sitting there in your pajamas.
Ensure that there will be no interruptions from family members or friends. If you can be in a separate room, that is where you should be. If you are speaking on a cell phone, double check that the reception is adequate.
If you happen to be on the road, pull over to a safe location away from road or any other distracting noise. Take a few minutes to prepare yourself ahead of time. Again, make sure that reception is adequate. I have found that the speaker phone on the car will project a lot of noise to the listener on the other side even though my reception is great. You might want to connect your Bluetooth earpiece instead.
No television, radio, IPod, etc. to distract you or the interviewer. You will be conducting yourself the same way as if this is an in-person interview. Smile and relax.
Have your resume in hand and any notes you may need. Have them organized so you do not spend time rifling through them.
Be prepared with questions such as “tell me about yourself,” “How did you learn about this position?” The first question should be answered with a general professional overview of your career and where you see yourself.
In addition, be prepared with questions that you will have for the company. Some of these may be answered during the interview so make sure you have six to eight questions ready. You do not have to ask them all. During the interview, feel free to take brief notes.
When the interview is completed, be sure to thank the interviewer for their time and ask when you can expect to hear back from them. You may also ask how you did during the interview and if they wished further clarification on any aspect of the interview.
These tips are very basic rules which will make you feel confident during your telephone interview.
www.ceoresume.com
Free résumé critiques.
ceoresume@aol.com
Many of you have been unemployed or seeking new employment at least a year. It is time to review what you have done to make you gainfully employed again.
With the economy in such a chaotic situation, you ask what can I do? First of all, Americans are very resilient. But you must have a strategic plan.
Make a list of all the actions you took last year to help you find employment. What worked and what did not?
Review your Résumé
Did your résumé get you an interview? If not, why not?
Was it targeted? Look carefully to see what jobs you applied for. Did your résumé fill their needs? Or, was it simply thrown out there, hoping someone would notice it. Companies are complaining that they receive so many resumes that don’t even vaguely match the position they are advertising for.
Do not résumé spam. It’s called spamming when you apply for many or all the positions available whether you are qualified or not. Companies will block your résumé and, if you are guilty of this, you need to stop.
Interview Process
Were you prepared for the interview? This means, you researched the company and were dressed for the interview. You had your résumé in hand and arrived on time. Were there times in the interview process where you felt that you had lost the interviewer’s interest? What caused this? Again, being prepared helps you to appear more confident so that you are not at a loss for words.
Was an offer extended? If not, why not? The interview process has several parts: The company wants to know what you know about the company and how you will fit in. They want to know that you are an excellent investment in the company.
After researching the company to see how you fit, you also need to research how the salary compares with what you are asking for. Are you being too rigid? Are you pricing yourself out of the marketplace? For every job, there are hundreds of applicants. Companies can afford to pick and choose the very best. It is a buyer’s market and you are the seller.
After the interview, did you follow up with a letter thanking them for the interview and making comments on particular themes of interest for both you and the prospective employer?
These are just some of the actions you want to review.
Social Network
Are you aware of the power of networking both in person and socially?
Are you on Linkedin.com? This is a professional networking site. You don’t want to post your résumé as your profile because your résumé will continue to change; however, you do want to highlight your skills and accomplishments. Do not harass anyone. These are important contacts and a great source for you. Participate in discussions that allow you to demonstrate your expertise.
It’s unbelievable the choice items you find on MySpace or Facebook. Items that people would not think of laundering in public appear on those pages. If you have a MySpace page or Facebook page, make sure it will stand up under an employer’s or prospective employer’s scrutiny. People have been terminated because of what is on their page. Make sure it is private and if friends put items up that you do not want to appear on your page, you might de-friend them from this site. Let them know it affects your job. If they are friends they will understand.
Employment Sources
Bounce ideas off mentors and friends as to employment sources. Friends and relatives are great sources of contacts.
Are you reading the business section and trade papers to find out what is going on in your community? This is another way to get information.
Look at state, federal and parish jobs.
Attend job fairs. Talk to other applicants also. You may pick up some valuable information. Let everyone you talk to know that you are seeking employment. They will know you are serious and try to help you.
Visit your Workforce office and talk to the people there. They can offer many wonderful suggestions. Did you know that if you go to the LAWorks.net web site, you can sign up for free training classes? You must register in order to see that menu that takes you to the training site.
After reviewing these suggestions, you must take action.
Look at your résumé. If it isn’t getting any results, send it to me and I will critique it for free.
Follow up any potential leads you may have.
Extend yourself on a volunteer basis to keep your skills active.
Network with others intensely but do not harass anyone. Remember, networking is also giving, not just receiving. The best way to network is to help someone. It will come back.
Expand your options. Are their other jobs you are qualified for that you can now consider.
Sign up for training. There are many grants available — ask about the PELL Grants. Your Workforce Center will also have information on this.
Celia Dorr
www.ceoresume.com
ceoresume@aol.com for free résumé critiquing.
As the unemployment rates go up steadily, you may become angry as you join the statistics. It is okay to get angry for a while. Take a shower and verbalize your anger in the shower, or lock yourself in your parked vehicle and scream at the top of your lungs everything that you are feeling. Now you have vented. It is not harmful to you to vent in this way.
If it begins to take over your thinking, it is undermining your job search.
Several years ago I was working with a client when a very angry gentleman came into the office. His body language was very aggressive and I was apprehensive. Thankfully the client that I was working with quickly grasped the situation. He rose from his seat and offered the gentleman his place. He said, “I can tell you are in a hurry and I have all day. Why don’t you go ahead?”
When asked how I could help — he responded angrily, “I don’t know what you can do. I just lost my job. I had repeatedly asked my supervisor if my job was in danger and he never let me know it was.” He continued to talk about his anger and I listened intently.
My response to him was, “I know just how you feel. Several years earlier I was also involved in a corporate restructuring and my job was on the line. The stress built up as competent workers were terminated and/or laid off. I was one of those people who hung on for dear life until the stress got to me and I left.” I told him that I remembered my anger and the sorrow that I felt at leaving a company that I thought I would retire from. He told me he felt the same way but that his greatest anger was with his supervisor who had not told him the truth.
I then shared with him many of the stories I had heard from my clients and through articles that I had been reading. His supervisor probably had no choice as he was probably following management’s instructions to not divulge details of upcoming layoffs. If he had told anyone, his job would probably have been on the line also. During severe economic downturns, everyone goes into survival mode and he was simply surviving. I also shared with him the survivor’s stress that these people often go through. They have so much guilt because they were involved in the layoffs, while at the same time they wonder when the ax will fall on them. He mentioned that, in his anger he had never thought of that.
As we continued talking, I asked him if he had been on any interviews. He said that he had but that they seemed anxious to shorten the interview. I asked him to stand back and look at himself coming into my office. How did he see himself? Did he appear confident and ready for the interview or did he appear as an angry man with a chip on his shoulder? He stood quiet for a very long time. Then he said softly, “This is why they ended the interview so fast.”
It is okay to feel anger but if it continues, you should talk to someone about your feelings. See a professional if you are having trouble sleeping or functioning in a normal manner.
In these economic times, the bottom line is the company’s survival. Unfortunately, it affects you and many others. Turn it around and dig deeply into how you are going to promote yourself to the next company. Bad mouthing a former employer does not do it. The person interviewing you will think, “Hmm, I wonder what he will be saying about our company.” You do not want to be perceived as a future “problem.”
Instead, acknowledge in the interview that companies are facing tough economic times and so they do what they must — they reorganize. Sometimes entire departments are dissolved, stores closed, and plant operations curtailed with reductions in workforce. Then demonstrate to them what you bring to the company to help sustain it and make it grow in these tough times.
This is a wonderful opportunity to look at your experience and training. Can you go back to school and get additional training? Do you qualify for any government assistance to achieve that training? Can you take 1-2 classes in computer technology to bring you up to speed? Look at those skills that have to be brought up to date or sharpened. In the alternative, there are many self-help books that can walk you through the process of learning Word, Excel, Access and many other programs.
Do not let your membership in trade associations lapse. You want to keep in contact with those in your field. Make your presence known and find out what opportunities may be available. However, don’t make a nuisance of yourself or you will be avoided like the plague.
Are your skills transferable? Make sure that when you apply for a job outside your field, that you match as many skills as you can. Read the newspapers and news magazines to see what is happening. If you have not had experience in this field, see if you can do an internship. If you want to explore community service, think of volunteering. Skilled trades can volunteer to churches or organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
One of the benefits of volunteering is that it keeps you busy and keeps your mind off your anger. It can also be relaxing. Who knows who you might meet when you volunteer. Remember to give it your best. This is all experience you are gathering and sharing.
Some of you may even think of starting your own business. If you do, I wish you the best of luck in this endeavor. You will experience so much growth and knowledge.
Let the anger go. It only hurts you. Take a positive stance in your job search and demonstrate that you are actively employed in landing your next job. Bitterness only destroys you. Throw it out with the garbage. It may take time but you can do it.
www.ceoresume.com
Sometimes in our life we become complacent and, yes, maybe arrogant and smug because everything is going so well. We have it all—great income, the nice home, cars, good schools for the children, money in the bank, all of which looked like a secure future. Some of us may have turned away or ignored our faith as we gained material wealth.
We are stunned when we get knocked on our butts, and it is an eye opener. When this happens we get scared. We do not know where to turn and our heads fill with despair. We have a dark cloud hanging over our head and the storm is brewing. We try this and that, selecting various paths to reach our goals, however, nothing seems to work—Our future seems so bleak.
This is what is happening now. The real estate market is upside down, unemployment is at an all time high and people are losing their homes. Suddenly we panic as the clouds gather. What did we do wrong?
When everything was going so well, did we take the opportunity to thank God for His many blessings? Did we take the time to thank our wife or husband for making our hectic lives easier? Did we remember to compliment the children when they did something that showed character? Were we nice to people? Did we take the time to say “Please” and “Thank You?” How many times did we extend a hand to a stranger?
Now with our world falling apart, we get upset easily. We are angry at everyone at times. This is when we need to stop and take a deep breath and say, “I am sorry I became so complacent. I’m sorry I was not always nice. I’m sorry I took everyone and everything I had for granted.” Most of all, I am sorry that I turned away from my faith. Material things are great, but they are not everything. Everything that we do influences what we become.
As the clouds continue to brew overhead, we look to the One who has the solution and can make things right again. God is still here. Hopefully our friends and family are still here. We have not been totally abandoned. We ask God to walk by our side as we embark on this difficult path and battle the storm before us. We listen to His message as we wonder what He has in store for us. He may have a new direction for us to follow.
If we look back, we will find that when we have faced the greatest challenges, we have not been alone. After going through all the pain and feeling of hopelessness, there has always been an end to the turmoil. When that occurs, our life has taken a new path.
We are now faced with obstacles but you will overcome them as you became stronger. Our lives are about to change and we must prepare to embrace that change. Let’s open ourselves to new opportunities that will come our way.
Unemployment may be rearing its ugly head but we will come out of this. We are hopeful again. Despair has gone out the door. We have taken the first step by acknowledging that we have a partner in climbing out of this. That partner is God. There is a better tomorrow—we will triumph.
It may be raining outside but remember the sun always comes out. God does not allow us to wallow in self-pity. That is our choice. We must ask for His guidance, and it will come. Then our life will begin to change—maybe not quickly, the changes will seem to just simply trickle in at first. But as we look over what we have done in the past and the type of person we were or had become, we know that we can change that. With change come rewards. As we become better people, we are happier. There is always room for improvement and we can make it happen.
Our families are happier as we spend quality time with them. We look deeply into how we spent our money on frivolous things instead of things that really mattered. Reaching out and helping others makes us better people. We teach our children by example. We strengthen our faith knowing that our Creator is with us and will not let us falter.
We will learn lessons along the way, and we must not forget them. It’s too easy to forget when the going is good. We will feel peaceful and with peace will come joy. Joy in our life and our families. Joy in the direction that we have taken. God will smile and say, “They get it!” The day is becoming brighter. The gloom is starting to dissipate. As the days go by, our path will become more apparent. Do not ignore the signs along the path that point to your new future.
I know it is not over yet, so let’s get started on path that He has shown to us. Remember, things will look up. It rained today, but then the sun came out. Smile and say “Thank you, God—I cannot fail with You by my side.”
Celia Dorr
www.ceoresume.com
ceoresume@aol.com
October 16th, 2009 in
Age Discrimination,
Interview Skills,
Job Searches Over 40,
Resumes,
Resumes for Over 40,
employment | tags:
despair,
employment,
faith,
future,
job search,
new paths,
resume writer. job search skills,
Unemployment |
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Your résumé has been selected and it’s time for the interview. How well are you prepared so you do not sabotage this important step? To assist you in achieving your goal, I have put together some tips for you. Some of the tips I have listed I have observed on my own; others were passed on to me. Although many of these tips seem like basic advice, you would be surprised at how many people show up unprepared for interviews—often not paying attention to the most basic details. It is in this way that you can sabotage your interview which results in no offer being extended to you.
Prior to the Interview
The day the interview is scheduled, be sure to enter it in your calendar. Verify the name of the person you will be meeting, date, time, and location with the person scheduling the interview. Don’t forget to write down the telephone number also.
Research the company and the industry thoroughly. Study the culture (how is work performed—teamwork or individually? Dress code? Company jargon, etc.?), products, competition and type of industry. How will you fit in? Is it the type of environment you enjoy and what is its management style?
You may be asked behavioral questions. Think carefully before replying. A question may be, “Are you ever late to an appointment?” If you have been late, be prepared to share the situation that occurred, what action did you take, and what was the result.
Look your résumé over. Is this the same résumé you sent to the company that is interviewing you? If it has been updated, be sure to let them know you have an updated copy.
Day of the Interview
Personal hygiene is extremely important. Shower, use deodorant, brush your teeth and make sure your fingernails are clean with no chipped polish. Make sure your hair is cut and trimmed with no exorbitant hairstyles or colors. Many employers frown at the spiked hair and red and purple streaks in your hair.
Aftershave and perfume should be used lightly. Many people have allergies and you do not want the interview to end abruptly.
Shoes should be shined and heels repaired. No snags in stockings or holes in shoes. Interestingly enough, one candidate for the Presidency will forever be remembered for the hole at the bottom of his shoe—Adlai Stevenson.
If you wear nose rings, eyebrow rings, or have several ear piercings, leave them at home. Cover up tatoos. There are people that are offended by them.
Dress for the job. Clothes should be pressed and neat. When applying for a sales, administrative, or professional job, dress professionally. When applying for a construction job or something where you are not required to dress up, you may wear a clean pair of pants and shirt. Check the company’s website. Many times the sites have photos of employees performing their job. Observe how they are dressed.
Have multiple copies of your résumé with you, preferably in a folder or large envelope. You may be interviewed by several people, and you want to make sure that each one has a copy of your résumé. Even if you are not hired for this position, someone else in the company may have an opening and one of those people you gave the résumé to may remember you and forward it to them.
Look your car over inside and out; make sure it is clean and neat. You never know who you may meet in the parking lot. You do not want trash falling out the door when you open it. All food, drinks, and chewing gum should be left at home so you won’t be tempted to bring them into the interview.
Before you leave for the interview, make sure you have your identification information that is required for the I-9 form and any other documentation you may need. No copies please. I cannot believe how many people show up without this information. Many employers are now using E-Verify which allows them to instantly verify the information you provide for the I-9 form.
Children, girlfriends/boyfriends, wives/husbands, and friends should all be left at home with no exceptions. The employer will wonder if they will be coming to work with you. It also demonstrates a complete lack of consideration and confidence.
Arrival at the Parking Lot
As you come into the parking lot, do not play loud music or drive in a reckless manner. Allow enough time to arrive at your appointment on time. Be courteous at all times.
Turn off your telephone or turn off the ringer. Do not use your telephone until you leave the interview unless it is a true emergency. This means that you do not answer the telephone if another prospective employer, your friend, or boyfriend/girlfriend/wife calls you. You can always return the call later. Absolutely no text messaging.
Leave the iPOD at home or in the car. It has no place in the interview.
Reception Area
Be pleasant to the receptionist and anyone else in the area. Sometimes managers or customers can be sitting in the lobby who may observe you prior to the interview. If you are hired, you do not want to upset a potential customer. The receptionist should be treated in the same manner as you are going to treat the person interviewing you.
Again, do not use your telephone or play your iPOD in the reception area. These should have been turned off or left in the car. It is disturbing to others to listen to your conversations.
If you are bored and need to read something, look over your résumé and make sure you know it by heart. You may also look through industry magazines that are available in the lobby.
If you engage in chitchat with anyone, make it very general. Do not complain about anything or make any negative remarks—you could be looked upon as a troublemaker. This tip applies to people who have been flown in and are driven to the airport. No negative comments about the interview, the company, or anything else until you have arrived at home.
The Actual Interview
When you meet the interviewer, have a firm handshake and look the person in the eye. If you have trouble looking at people in the eye, then look at their eyebrows. Many times people will think you lack confidence or are not telling the truth if you keep looking away.
Wait to be asked to take a seat. Do not just automatically plop yourself down.
Respect the interviewer’s space. This means you do not place any items on their desk. Keep your belongings on your lap or on the floor next to you.
Do not lie during the interview just as you should not have lied in your résumé. It eventually shows up and is very embarrassing and a waste of time for all. Today, employers are aware that 40-70 percent of candidates will lie on their résumé or during the interview. This is a great motivator to check references and perform background checks. Make sure you have obtained permission ahead of time from your references to use their name.
Sometimes the conversation will start with, “Tell me a little about yourself.” This is where you have a chance to give a quick synopsis of where you have been and what your goals may be. Keep it simple but match it to what the company is looking for (you should know this from your research). You do not want to talk about your recent divorce or the neighbor who is causing problems. Keep your focus on the interview process and not your personal life. You also do not want to appear needy or desperate.
“I have been in the manufacturing industry for several years starting with …. As the industry evolved, I found myself …. The new technology excites me because I find that it increases productivity and …. Your company has been a forerunner in this process, and I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the team.”
Negative responses can be turned into positive responses. “I sometimes have a tendency to get absorbed in my work, however, that means I do not get distracted easily while working on projects.”
Be prepared to ask questions, i.e., “Where did the person go who previously had the position?” “Are there any particular challenges that this position presents?” “Where do you see the company in five years?”
Salary negotiations are a large part of the interview. Be aware of what the industry is paying. Will you accept a lower salary? Ask what the budget is for this position? In today’s economy, everyone must be flexible; however, you do not want to undersell yourself.
For some positions, you may be asked to take a test during the interview. It may be a skills, personality, or a behavioral test. Relax, take a deep breath and do your best.
Conclusion of the Interview
Thank everyone for the interview and be sure to pick up all your belongings.
Again, as you head out to the parking lot, be pleasant to everyone.
Drive courteously out of the parking lot. Do not speed or cut anyone off.
Back Home
Review the interview and think about everything that was said by both you and the interviewer(s). Think about areas you would improve and how you could turn any mistakes around.
Put together a thank you note to everyone who interviewed you. At this time you can emphasize something positive about the interview and ask any questions you may have since the interview.
If you were told to follow up in a few days, do not forget to call. However, do not harass them with constant calls or link into them on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or anywhere else you have not been invited.
It is very irritating for the interviewer to have the interview followed up with more résumés and applications for positions for which you are not qualified. This may result in all résumés being tossed or ignored.
Preparation for the interview cannot be ignored. It will make the difference between being extended an offer or being rejected. Be the candidate that gets the job offer.
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Upcoming Job Fair:
2009 St. Tammany (“Work Pays”) Job Fair
Knights of Columbus Hall
1578 West Hall Avenue, Slidell
OCTOBER 1st, 2009 – 9 a.m. until 12 noon
Bring your Résumé for a free critique. Don’t forget to dress for the interview.
Celia Dorr at ceoresume@aol.com
September 16th, 2009 in
Interview Skills | tags:
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Unemployment |
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You are in your 50s and have recently been downsized in management’s effort to restructure corporate America. You start to wonder if this is just happening to you or to everyone who has more than 40 candles on their birthday cake?
You submit numerous résumés and when and if you finally hear from someone, you are told you are overqualified, make too much too much money, you will be bored, and the list goes on and on. You are frightened and wonder if anyone cares anymore.
Whether anyone admits it or not, age discrimination does exist, whether by intent or by accident. The younger executive who suddenly finds himself in charge wants to surround himself by people who think like him, who can socialize with him, understand his jargon, and are impressed by his credentials or ideas.
How can you as a mature, talented individual handle this when you apply for a job? It starts with the research you perform when you first select a company to which you will be applying. Has the chosen company grown stale with no growth and no apparent creativity? Does it seem to have run out of steam? This is a great prospect for a young person with new ideas. But does that mean that the older generation can no longer think? I think not!
The mature individual needs to reach back and examine the gifts and talents that brought success in the past. Utilize those tools in your job search. It may take time but the effort will provide meaningful results. Just simply recalibrate and redesign your tools.
Even the movies reflect that often it is the senior individual who can show the younger generation a thing or two. Remember Space Cowboys or how about Secondhand Lions? Those films proved folks were still full of adventure and a wealth of ingenuity even in their golden years. They taught the younger ones that they were still alive and kicking. At the same time, have respect and do not show distain towards those younger than you are and in control. You were once in that position and your feelings will reflect negatively on you.
Life experience has taught the mature individual many things that the younger person has yet to experience. If the individual has learned from his/her mistakes and willing to explore new innovations, embracing what works and discarding what does not work, then that individual is not stale. The mature individual must embrace growth and change. He or she can approach companies that need his or her particular experience and target those potential employers where his or her contributions will bring about necessary and productive changes.
When the mature candidate submits his résumé, it needs to be up-to-date in its format. What worked 10 or 20 years ago no longer works because of technology and new jargon. The individual must demonstrate familiarity with new technology, new occupations, and new methodology.
Résumés now have banner statements where you advertise who you are followed by short concise statements that list your skills and qualifications. A résumé is not a list of job descriptions. It is a place where you showcase your skills and demonstrate what duties you have performed in your previous positions. Your résumé must pique the reader’s interest within the first 10-12 seconds so that they will want to read further. That is why these core competencies or qualifications are placed in the first 1/3 of your résumé. The search engines can also pick up these skills for recruiters, allowing your résumé to be selected.
Do not go back too far—normally 10 years is sufficient; however, if you have been a top manager or executive with stellar accomplishments and benchmark performance, you could perhaps go back 20 years. For IT professionals, anything over 10 years is probably obsolete, so think carefully whether you want to go back further than that. This applies to anyone whose experience and skills would be obsolete if more than 10 years has lapsed.
Be sure to join network groups like linkedin.com where you can network with other professionals in your geographic area. This is a great way to get noticed as you join in discussions that demonstrate your talent. If you have a presence on MySpace or Facebook, be very selective on what you put on those pages. You don’t want to be embarrassed. Be familiar with what is happening in the job marketplace. How is Twitter used? Are you familiar with email, Outlook. These are current basic tools. If you don’t know what they are, you are definitely dating yourself. If you don’t have a cell phone, you are definitely a dinosaur. You should be well versed in the use of the internet.
Examine your attire – your clothes and appearance should reflect that you still care about your appearance and have not gotten sloppy or gone to extremes to look younger. That will either make the person interviewing you wonder about your work habits or what you are hiding. Spend a little extra to have your hair professionally cut, not just chopped up. Your clothing should fit well and not look like it needs to be pressed or laundered. Shoes should be maintained and polished at all times. Look at your hands ladies and gentlemen. Do they need a manicure? If your appearance is professional, you will feel more confident.
Time for the interview. Listen to the interviewer. Do not try to control the conversation by saying, “Well, we used to do it this way.” Instead try asking, “How are you handling this problem? Have you tried this?” That way you show you are not stuck in your ways but are offering suggestions instead. Do not badmouth your previous employer and mention that they got rid of the “old guys”, even if it’s true. This may wave a red flag in front of their eyes. Instead, you may say the company is being restructured because of the economy and they have had to downsize the staff. A big turnoff is a sob story – it’s not going to get you anywhere. Unfortunately there are people who come on strong with a sob story about how they need a job because they are losing their home, can not make payments, then when they come on the job, they do not exhibit the same passion on the job as they did when telling their story.
After the interview, be sure to thank everyone you interviewed with. Mention items that impressed you during the interview and ask questions that have come to mind.
If you have researched the company previously, you should be prepared with a Job Proposal which will list the company’s products, their competition, challenges, and where you could fit in. This will show that you are aware of what the company does and are already looking to solve their problems.
Many times employers are afraid of hiring older, more experienced workers because they think that once the economy picks up, they will leave. Here is where you want to point out your stable work history and loyalty to a company. You might try temp jobs or contract work just to keep in touch with what is going on in your occupation while you wait. Another great source for you is to do volunteer work. You have many skills to offer and you may realize important contacts and also the feeling that you are still a major contributor.
Try not to let bitterness overwhelm you. Not everyone will judge you by your age. There are many fine young executives who value the experience an older, more mature candidate brings to the table. They know they can learn from this individual and are not threatened. You must demonstrate that you are willing to be part of a team, accept changes, and can make transitions.
Unfortunately, you may sometimes have to take a cut in pay because of the way the economy seems to be going but don’t take a substantial cut or you may be perceived as overpricing your services in the first place.
Another thing that you can do is to transition your services into another field. Remember, an auditor is an auditor. A salesman is a salesman. It simply means you research the industry and the product.
Older, mature, competent workers are still making a difference. They are running cities, companies and are participating in the running of our country. They make decisions based not only on knowledge but experience. They have learned to listen to their guts, read people and are not afraid of change. Change is good although at first glance it may sometimes appear challenging. Embrace it and go with the flow. Above all, keep a good sense of humor. Remember, in 20 years, they will be you! I saw it in the 80s and I’m seeing it now. Let us show them that the old goats are not ready to be put out to pasture.
Celia Dorr
www.ceoresume.com
985-516-9322
July 9th, 2009 in
Age Discrimination,
Job Searches Over 40,
Resumes for Over 40,
Uncategorized | tags:
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Unemployment |
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When preparing your cover letter, a question that always seems to come to mind is “to whom do I address my cover letter?”
Have you ever called a company and asked to speak to the person in charge of hiring (for example, the marketing department or warehouse management) only to be referred to Human Resources?
Human Resources people are great, but often times they are given a set of guidelines and tend to follow them to the letter. The person who is actually doing the hiring in the department you seek knows the correct jargon and what skills he or she specifically requires in his department. That individual knows that not every résumé is black and white. He will have the experience to know when a person has the expertise and experience that he is seeking.
How do you get to that person? Here are a few suggestions that will definitely work:
Call the company and ask for the name of the head of the department for which you are applying for. At that time, you may say that you are putting together some information for him or her and want to make sure it is addressed properly. This is in fact what you are doing.
Network with business associates, friends, neighbors, co-workers and inquire if anyone knows who is the correct contact person.
Are you reading trade publications and newspapers? Go back a few months and note the names of people in the industry that appear in these publications. You may find the contact person in these pages.
Are you keeping current with the professional associations and networking groups in your field? If not, you certainly should be.
Look up the company’s website. Oftentimes it lists the managers and executives of the company and their locations.
You can also go on linkedin.com, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. If you do your research well, the name will appear.
Another way that you can actually meet the person is to find out if they are involved in any volunteer work. You might also join that organization as a volunteer. Not only will you be making a contribution of your time but you can network with other people who can help you make a contact. This of course will take time as you don’t want to just go in and start seeking out the person. Make sure you contributions are worthwhile and you will get noticed.
There is no excuse for not having a name when you send your cover letter and your résumé. This extra step makes you stand out. At the same time you are doing this research, you may find even more information which will be valuable to you, such as some of the projects the person is interested in, what challenges the company faces and where their successes have been. You can also discover if they are opening new locations or shutting down old ones.
Make sure you note all of this information as it will come in handy when you prepare your cover letter and when you appear for the interview. Remember, there is no excuse for not having a name to whom you direct your résumé or inquiries.
Celia Dorr
CEO Résumé
www.ceoresume
985-516-9322
