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Which of Your Skills Pay the Bills?

2010-07-26T13:37:24Z

Some professionals own a considerable amount of skill sets, while others spend nearly a lifetime defining their strengths. Asked in an interview years ago, “Which skills pay the bills?” . It was the toughest question I was ever asked.

Why would an employer hire you? Many job experts write articles emphasize branding and its importance in discovering what a personal brand represents. I believe that a job seeker must dig deeper.

Many settle for being the default hire.

The more skills a person owns does not result in job offers every time; however it provides more options.

Hidden strengths?

Every job seeker has strengths, but many do not know how show them. Some consider bragging a shortcoming and a character flaw, and therefore, do not like talking about themselves. The truth is that interviews are the place to display and unveil the map of the job seekers’ performance. What was the process used to arrive at this level skill? What training transpired? What plans to receive more training?

Several candidates may have the same skill, but can they do it with accuracy and at times quicker than everyone else.

Oh yes, the tough questions…

Last week I talked about how to respond to tough questions. Defining and verbalizing which skills contain the most value may differ from interview to interview, and job to job. Dialing into your value, resume, cover letter, interview, and networking strategies will differ.

How to answer tough questions will come from research and conversations conducted. Without it, you will fail. Employers expect you to know about the company. The tough question, “Which of your skills pay the bills?” can be answered by clarifying to yourself how you keep the skill, and how you get the results.

Does this apply to any skill?

After spending some time studying Multiple Intelligence for my M.Ed. program, I realize that everyone is smart, and have several “smarts” such as being “word smart”, “reasoning smart”, “people smart”, and several others. Defining which that applies to the person may take the help of each individual’s personal community.

This knowledge helps the career changer. By identifying whether a job seeker’s “smarts” are “kinetic” or “picture”, the focus on related transferable skills will sell and market the individual.

If your skill is project management, but your ability to organize, coordinate, and market cultivates your abilities (which takes word and reasoning smarts). Even if someone is enabled to make something from nothing, finding out what makes that work will need the help of the individual’s personal community.

The Epilogue

Everyone has strengths but not everyone is able to show them. Yes, being skillful with a scapula is a plus, but what drives you. Many job seekers can't explain what they do and find difficulty discerning the innate abilities that drive the talents given to them. There is motivation for everything, even if its help people. How deep it is in the person, will exploit how well the job gets done. That is what answers the tough questions.

Displaying clearly why people hire you will impact your interviews. Dig deeper, if this is your challenge.

respond to tough questions with tact and respect during Job Interviews

2010-07-19T02:01:23Z

Job seekers are asked rude and intrusive questions by the employer to see if the worse will appear. Inappropriate questions are rare but not as often as a question that could rattle the person. Any loss of composure could disqualify the interviewed; however, a response steadfast in temperance and cool wins.

Handling pressure in a customer intensive career shows strength of character, and priceless professionalism.

Words that come out of the mouth…well… counts.

A job seeker may say the right words, but the way it’s said counts more than years of experience or skill.

Insulted? Use tact to respond.

Grow thick skin, as time and place for sensitivity. An interviewer insulted a friend recently in an interview asked about his ethnic background because the person interviewing couldn’t tell. My friend did not answer the question directly, but gave an anecdote as an answer. He responded that I fit in with all ethnic groups, and all classes of people. The person interviewing stated that she asked that question because her staff and clients are multi-cultured, and his answered ensured her that he could handle the diverse environment.

I purposely did not mention the culture of either person, but some put faces and races on them. The point here is that tact and respect is view positively, and as a proverb says, “A gentle word breaks a bone.”

I don’t like the way he said that, but I’ll play nice!

Insinuations only mean as much as a job seeker wants them to mean. Unless, it is inappropriate in some religious, racial, or sexual way, there is not much one can do but control self. I urge a person who hears (or thinks they have heard) something that doesn’t sound right, is to have the person repeat the question before responding in a softer and direct tone. This usually helps the interviewer to rephrase the question, or clarify it.

There are times when the wicked witch or warlock of the east finds mirth in torture will ask a question that borderline a butt whooping. Still, focus on what the question asked for if it does not break a law. Questions are misinterpreted sometimes, and what is asked is not always what sounds like.

Soft-spoken voices do not automatically induct anyone into the non-offensive hall of fame. Conversely, neither does a loud voice incriminate anyone. Looking into the eyes of the person asking the questions, and in a normal voice directly answers the question scores with the interviewer.

The respect thing.

No matter how a jerk acts, respect them. They could be the stepping stone you were hoping for and the obstacle only Bob Beaman can jump past. If you are disrespectful because something did not sound right, kiss your opportunity good-bye.

Yes sir, and yes ma’am always work as a measure of respect. Not necessary, but always receives a positive response.

Simply, respect the person as if you work for them. Tact and respect are not just weapons and tools; they are the key to building productive working relationships.

People will remember you attitude more than your Harvard Master’s degree in Technology. Tact and respect can set you apart in more ways you can count.

5 points on a jobseekers resume that say…nothing

2010-07-12T05:19:00Z

Job seekers can spend so much time on their resumes with no success if he or she has no idea what to say and how to say it. It is an art, but more importantly, it has purpose. There are things that we have all learned over the last two years:

The résumé should not sound like a job description.
Resumes must be clear, crisp, to the point.

Job seekers often fall short because of a lack of preparation. Not knowing specific numbers about goals and benchmarks appears negligent and ignorant. Declaring that you pay attention to detail without having detail is anomaly. That’s why each line of a résumé counts and there’s no room for wasted words or space. Consider the following:

Objectives that say, “To work with a progressive company”.
Sentences that begin with “Responsible for…”
Experienced sales people who don’t include sales figures, goals, etc.
Using adjectives like “excellent” and “superior”, or phrases like “exceptional leadership”.
Five word bullet points

Honorable mention:

Greet the public courteously
Proficient with Microsoft Office
Highly professional

Notice how vague these skills and descriptions need imagination and conjecture. As a zealous and arduous job seeker, take the guess-work out of your resume. Give descriptions specific accomplishments so that you can compete with the thousands of other candidates for the one job you want.

The Hands of Idle Unemployed Jobseekers are The Devil's Workshop

2010-06-28T02:53:00Z

A job seeker's mission is to find a job, right?

However, a job seeker fails when it is the ONLY thing they are doing?

Employersview the time a job seeker is out of work as an opportunity to keepworking and improving their skills, andincreasing the value of their professional worth.

If a jobseeker is just looking for a job, and three months go by, then the jobseeker is no longer viewed as valuable as much as his or hercompetitors who are teaching skills at the public library, volunteeringtime using some of their professional skills to charity, or yes, anunpaid internship.

The Wall Street Journal hired unemployedjob seekers in 2008-2009 to write about their experiences job hunting,filing for unemployment, networking, good and bad conversations, andentrepreneurship. All of them obtained jobs and good opportunities, butall of them were not idle.

A job seeker asa potential valued employee, must take steps, and succeed finding production.

The job seekers valuedepreciate when idle. Idle job seekers are the enemy, moreover, the devil. script>

Mistakes, Failures, and Errors as Part of the Job Search

2010-06-21T03:14:31Z

Mistakes are leverage, errors are inevitable, and failure is an experience not a destination.

Focusing on all the bad breaks, lack of call backs from employers, and the amount of time wasted on online job boards, job seekers are easily discouraged. Length of unemployment and rejection destroys hope and faith, if a job seeker allows it.

Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama would say that failure is not an option, but without it, success means very little. A fair definition of failure would include a lack of success, or for this discussion, no attempt.

Mistakes, missteps, or errors made in a lack of judgment are correctable. Perfection is not required for any job, but recognizing and correcting mistakes are part of the unspoken contract with an employer. Job seekers, use faux pas as leverage, not as an excuse.

Job seekers have to get off of their duff and start meeting people, and getting feedback from others as a way to perfect the process. Many job seekers cringe at anticipated feedback, and want to control it. Let me warn everyone, feedback from employers is very unlikely. Ask someone who interviewed you, and watch them run the other direction. Not receiving feedback is a mistake, a job search fatal error.

Feedback team

Job seekers need feedback about their job search from people who will be blunt, honest, and forthright. People like this are tools and essential to your search. Allowing them to scrutinize a job seekers way dressing to the talking in a clear concise way will only benefit you for the long-term. If you are not honest with them, they will disappoint you.

Eye contact, handshakes, and speaking too softly

The worst boss in the world would not hire a job seekers roaming eye. No eye contact can not only disqualify an interviewee’s chances, but assassinate their character as well. Eyes tell a story, and if a person is carrying around baggage from his or her last job, the eyes will show the last rotten thing a person did to them. A wimpy handshake also sends a message as well, and so does the speaking too softly or loudly. Are you still successful?

What is failure?

Failure is a lack of not doing anything. Failure sets roadblocks in the mind and heart so that the person will not err in this way again. Many job seekers have ignored the signs that read, “Detour”, and make the same mistakes repeatedly. Present yourself as successful, no matter how many times you are late. Just be early next time.

Next week, we can continue discussing why mistakes, failures, and errors are a necessity.

Movies that have made errors, and still made a fortune are a great example of this post. Please enjoy, Oh, and please look for the Fugitive clip. You’ll see how easy or hard errors can be overlooked.

Job Searching Without Goals and Objectives Result in Failure

2010-06-14T03:32:35Z

Do you drive long distances to a new destination without a roadmap?

… lose 89 pounds without a plan?

…walk down the street blindly?

Will you lower cholesterol without knowing what not to eat?

If the answer was no for all the above questions, then don’t look for a job without knowing the direction, place, and method. Job seekers put on his or her résumé, “well organized,” yet are not.

Trying to impress an employer? Employers ask the job seekers the methods used to find jobs. This is an opportunity to show organization skills.

Organization, achievement, results, methods, preparation and professionalism are not just words on a résumé, and spoken in an interview. An employer will be looking for these characteristics embedded in your character throughout the entire interview process.

The job seeker must have a job search tool belt, with many methods and means to use to find a job. Here are some ways to break down what you need.

1. Determine the amount of time of use of any tool by the success it generates. Job seekers who are successful are out talking to people and making new contacts spend minimal time on-line. All job search studies show networking is the best method for obtaining jobs, so make meaningful contacts.

2. Know which methods receive results and allot time according to success. Example: Spending time on job boards-0 hits, social networking –two contacts that pan out? If so, spend more time on social networks.

3. Speaking of social networking, leverage every tool. Ignoring social media tools like Twitter and Facebook could slow down the search?

4. How about job boards? If you are spending most of your time on big job boards without results, keep your account, but cut the time spent. Job boards score low on success, but don’t ignore them either.

5. How about temporary work? It is not just a way to make money, but it is a great networking tool. Temp assignments are a great way to connect with employers and other temporary workers.

6. Have you tried Google alerts? It is very easy to use. Go to Google.com/alerts, put in the job you want notification of (i.e. customer service rep jobs), and have it sent to your Gmail account. Google alerts will let you know when the keywords pop up.

7. Learn to recall names and keep track of his and her roles in the company. People of all walks of life respond to personable interactions.

Congrats on the new Job! Now Start Updating Your Resume!

2010-06-07T04:54:43Z

Got a new job? How does it feel, and congratulations on the successful career so far! All of the hard work put in has paid off, and now a step closer to securing the future.

The following months are crucial to learn new material, build new relationships, and look for opportunities to prosper.

However, it is not the time to settle in and become comfortable. All of us have learned not to settle in to any work situation. Over the next several months in the new place, you must stay ready for the next job move. Whether by promotion or layoff, either way, stay sharp:

1. Update the résumé as you receive a new set of job skills.

2. Build lasting relationship that will be great contacts. It’s never known when someone could be an advocate.

3. Take advantage of all the free training offered. Look way beyond the scope of your job (although the current gig is priority) but think of the benefits this skill will bring at the next level. Find ways to merge training immediate to solidify the current position.

4. Document accomplishments now including met benchmarks, goals, and achievements.

You may think this is MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. This is just the beginning. Think of performing well, with your résumé in mind.

Attack of the Killer Job Search Methods That Don't Work (But Every Now and Then a Job Seeker Claims Success that it has)

2010-05-24T02:31:22Z

Balance is the key to everything, and everything needs balance.

The exceptions to every rule, and so-called “experts” over the past year brag that their methods bring immediate results. Each job seeker should be trying to weigh the good and the bad advice he or she receives.

This is not Mom's job search, going from door to door and explaining that she a hard worker. This job search animal is not found in the zoo.

I will not say this technique sucks or not Every survey I have read lately on successful job search methods suggests and confirms that person to person networking is the best. Here are methods that rarely bring results in 2010:

Filling out 25, 50, or 75 job applications weekly to any job that he or she may qualify for. Applicants today are scrutinized and examined in a way that even a good applicant are excluded. The numbers game is ineffective in 2010.
No resume. People are looking for jobs without a resume, and feel comfortable doing so because they never needed one.
Spend most of their time on job boards. This is not a bad method, it is just not a time effective one.
Trying to remember contact information. People underestimate contacts made months ago. Consider that his or her value may have increased since meeting you.
No plan. No success. No research. No insight. No job interview.
Attending job fairs without researching if they are hiring.
Asking friends for help, without understanding how they can help. Arbitrarily asking friends to know if there is a position open, without knowing what your friends do for a living rarely works. Ever.
Inundate online friends with “Are you hiring questions?”

People rely on past successes without understanding how the job market has changed, and the level of the competition for jobs. Discern for yourself if tactics that seem laborious would work.

jobseekers must ask questions during job interviews

2010-05-17T02:35:54Z

Now that interviews are more competitive than ever, job seekers must learn two major things:

· Ask relevant and direct questions to the interviewer.

· Answer questions directly without baring one’s soul.

Interviews are harder to get person to person. One job posted on a company website or a major job board elicits hundreds of responses. Interview preparation is a major part of any job seekers strategy. Asking questions is as crucial as answering questions.

Here are some common errors that you want to avoid:

1. Not asking questions at all. Research every company to find out what is available about the job posting: the work, the responsibilities, the goals, and the culture of the workplace.

2. Asking questions about perks, discounts, and further opportunities. This is information that should come at the right time. Performance related questions are all that matters 90% of the time.

3. Asking about salary in the first interview. A job seekers research on a company will offer a ball park figure, and for the experienced worker, salary is the last issue as a series of interviews concludes.

4. Airing your dirty laundry questions. Asking “Are employees allowed to wear fragrances?” leaves an impression that the job seeker is dragging unsettled issues from one job to another. Similar questions will result in being uninvited to another interview.

5. Asking the interviewer personal questions is inappropriate and irrelevant to the job performance. A job seeker will be lucky if the interview does not end the interview immediately. Compliments about how nice someone smells or how nice they look from the interviewees’ perspective are inappropriate. Stay focused on demonstrating how you can fit in the organization.

6. Forgetting the names of the people involved in the interview makes a bad impression on everyone involved. Taking notes is a great way to prove the seriousness of the candidate about the job.

Avoiding these errors are the difference in getting the first and second interview. YOU have to concentrate on performance and your qualifications. Finding common ground with the interviewer has its place, but if you start asking personal and intrusive questions, this may show more of your inability to stay focus.

Common Cover Letter Errors

2010-05-10T04:13:09Z

If a job posting requests a cover letter and a résumé, and a job seeker sends just his or her résumé, that job seeker is no longer competing for a position. Responding to a job posting is the first chance to display the ability to follow direction.

Employers scrutinize every move that is made. My oldest son who is in 10^th grade stated that in his readings for History the teacher told a story about an executive who took out interviewees for dinner and notes how they eat. For example, he truly believed that if a person added salt to his food without tasting meant something.

So the job seeker who sent a résumé without a cover letter is looking for an immediate response, the employer will interpret what he wants by not responding.

Here are some pitfalls to be avoided when sending out a cover letter. Send one even if it is without the prompting of a job ad or ask for one. Cover letters are the best introduction a resume is not designed to give:

1. Summarizing the résumé. A cover letter is a chance to say and highlight eye-catching accomplishments of a career that does not appear on a résumé.

2. Grammar and typos. Like the résumé, cover letters need to be perfect.

3. Long paragraphs. Write paragraphs that are no longer than two or three sentences.

4. To Whom It May Concern. Excuses in not finding out the name of at least the contact HR person or hiring manager will only put you in a crowded pile. Use the internet and networking contacts to find key people.

5. Saying that a candidate is great without proving it. Using adjectives are dangerous, as well as unsubstantiated claims that can’t be proven. Cover letters are an opportunity to include quantifiable accomplishments and results. Take advantage of it.

Don’t forget to include bullet points to highlight accomplishments. An easy to read cover letter will make it easy for YOUR best qualities to be noticed. Remember, a cover letter is not an essay, nor a short story about yourself.

Common Resume Errors

2010-05-03T12:54:00Z

The “What Not to Do” in writing a résumé is as important as “How to Do” a resume. Job seekers must plan every step of their strategy, including writing their résumé. My hope is that this will help each job seeker avoid these common snags and snares, and stay competitive in this unpredictable job market:

1. Alignment Issues. Resume templates suck, and this is why I don’t use them. To realign and reformat is a waste of time. Try sticking to a simple format that is easy to read, and easy on the eyes. No one wants to look at an ugly formatted resume.

2. Lack of Keyword Usage. The first 30% of the résumé must display keywords that are industry related, and show relevancy to the job posting. The best place for the first keyword is within that 30% replacing the word “Objective”. Highlighted keywords will stand out, making the job seeker more visible.

3. Spacing. In reviewing and writing resumes recently, it drives me nuts to see double and triple spaces between words. Many employers consider it an error, and become permanently filed.

4. Compensating for a lack of substantive experience. When a job seeker finds it necessary to change times and dates that are not true, it is time to re-evaluate goals and strategies. Changing facts will show up down the line, and the results will be catastrophic.

5. Typos and Grammar. A perfect résumé is the goal. Failure to do so will only result in being overlooked. Proofreading is so crucial, having several people with good grammar skills read your résumé will only help.

A Video That Can Bring Tears to the Employed and Unemployed

2010-04-26T02:54:00Z

I saw this on VH1 recently and thought this was a very inspiring video about gaining your identity back even you are unemployed. Remember that being unemployed doesn't define you. Being unemployed is temporary, and you doing you is the only true full-time gig that matters. The video uses real job seekers, and of course the words, could bring tears to your eyes.

...

The Job Seekers, Job Search Pledge

2010-04-19T03:49:20Z

I must have integrity, patience, and confidence in demonstrating that I am the best candidate available. I am willing to create opportunities through being genuine and proactive.

I will tweak my résumé, and receive help if I need to display my abilities with quantifiable results, achievements, and contributions. Illustrating competence than unveiling my value impresses hiring managers, and inheriting other interviews to further my cause.

I will seek advice and counsel, no matter how much I know. Through networking, people who will guide me to decision makers. This allows me to write directly to people who matter and heaven forbid write random cover letters beginning with, “To Whom It May Concern.”

I will be grateful and thankful up and beyond the “thank you” letter. Any bit of information, help, and encouragement I receive will sustain me. Reciprocity is an opportunity, sharing is necessity, but sacrifice opens the floodgates of infinity. May others benefit more from being unemployment more than I.

I promise to remember and cherish the important relationships of life.

I commit to grow and mature, setting an example for my children, lover, and parents. I will not falter by looking down, away, and back, but lift my head because that is my soul up there.

I commit to make the best use of my time to look for opportunities that fit me and my talents. I will not exasperate my family, friends, and former coworkers by procrastinating or inundating them with desperate requests.

I will seek patience.

I will keep up focus and douse thoughts of entitlement.

The people I love the most will benefit whether I find a job today or not. Unemployment is the fire, or the baptism by fire. Either way, I will offer the flame of sacrifice, and a zeal for my house, protecting the hearts, and not the entities that fill it.

You Lose if You Forget to Send a Thank You Note After Each Job Interview

2010-04-12T00:49:32Z

A client recently called me she interviewed for a position and it had been three weeks since she interviewed. I asked if she sent a thank you note, and she simply said “no”. Told her to send a note immediately, and within a week she was hired. This motivated me to repost this post from last year. Study from last year showed less than 20% of interviewees sent a thank you note.

1. Thank them for the opportunity. A good résumé and cover letter that resulted in a call back. In the note be genuine, authentic, and grateful.

2. Thank everyone involved. These days, interviewing in front of a panel is normal. It makes a strong impression when a note is sent to each participant personally. Even send it to the non-management staff person who participated.

3. Send a card or a letter, but not just an e-mail. Send both so the person will receive both. Show you have gone out of your way to thank the parties involved. For them to take a card and put it on their desk continues to leave an impression that person, and sometimes a smile.

4. In the content, thank them for what you learned in the interview. Be sure that you customize each thank you to each person who interviewed you, and what you learned from that person.

5. Same rules apply to your thank you note as well as your résumé: Perfect spelling and grammar, and names spelled perfectly. Even if you need to call the office to obtain the correct spelling, take this very seriously. Start extending the coworker courtesy before you are a coworker.

6. Restate your contact information. Make it very easy for others to contact you. It makes a better impression that they don’t have to search for your application to get your phone number.

7. Double check the mailing address. Double check the website, and the business card you obtained. You want your thank you card or note received in a timely fashion, especially if you want it to have affect your chances.

The Way You Don’t Answer a Job Interview Question, Sir!

2010-04-05T04:56:02Z

This is the most intense movie from 2009. I like this scene because of the job related analogy all in 49 seconds.

When asked a direct question by an officer but the soldier did not give a direct answer. Learn to give direct answers the first time.
The was a “Wildman” he just said, “Yes Sir”. Don’t know if it was a compliment, but it seems so in the spirit. An interview from a person who says what they feel can throw you off but like the soldier, continue to answer the question.
The officer asked again, “How many bombs did you disarm?”, the soldier responded 873. An Interviewer shouldn’t take twice to ask a direct question twice. Be viewed as sharp job prospect, not dull one. Impressed by the number, the interviewer will think "Will I have to ask what you accomplished on the job twice? " Don’t leave that kind of impression when you interview for an employer who has seen 20 people for the position.
The answer the soldier answered when the officer asked, “How did you dismantled that many bombs?” was, “The way you don’t die, sir?”. If you continue to give indirect answers, you’ll lose respect and make the interviewer feel that he/she wasted their time.

Nice crisp and prompt answers when you interview. Most of the time, you only have one shot to make a lasting impression. Be proud of your accomplishments, and the only way you will get the second interview is if you brag a little.

5 Reasons why The New Job Search Strategy is About Relationships

2010-03-29T14:50:43Z

The job search fails at hello for too many.

Fostering relationships seems to be something a resume writer tells his clients to do. People don’t connect with others for help.

Is it a sign of weakness? All except for one client recently, people are not building relationships other than friends.

We set goals, implement accountability, and make follow-up calls but to no avail.

Time to come from spending the day under the laptop, time to start talking to people. Check e-mail through the phone. Finish reading this post as there are five (5) reasons job search strategies should focus on relationship building and not application building.

1. One new networking relationship brings a number of possibilities. One click of an online application brings you 1/100th of a chance to be seen.

2. People drive the search, not the machine. Job boards find few opportunities, but don’t ensure visibility. Job search time should be spent on connecting, conversation, and choreographing relationships. By the way, don’t be greedy and help connect fellow job seekers too.

3. Be seen and be heard. Conversations outside of formal meetings are priceless. Surprisingly, many interviewers that turn down prospects do not mind staying in contact.

4. Conversations seasoned with solutions is a WIN! Research on prospective companies translates into very productive interviews. Persuading with your findings about the companies service speaks volumes even if you hold the same Master’s degree as the other candidates.

5. Remember the importance of being grateful and gracious. Know how to say thank you when the job opportunity is gone, but the relationship with the interviewer can continue.

Relationships are contingent on your total package as a person, as a candidate. To stand out, a person has to be there in the end. I have interviewed hundreds as a manager, I never remembered the re-written job description on your resume. I remember if I had a conversation before, during, and after your interview.

Technorati Tags: Job Advice

12 Really bad bits of job advice that even mom has given you

2010-03-22T00:36:56Z

Job Advice is all over the web. Great employment advice is plentiful, and job seekers with no excuse to listen to advice that you know that sounds bogus. The exchange of bad advice is also available all over the web as well.

In this day, when the web is full of information about what hiring managers expect people to do. Some of these you have to laugh at:

Nobody sends a "Thank You" note anymore.
A polo will be fine. It's casual Friday, nobody dresses up.
Objective:A company that I will have a long future with.
Dates don't really matter on your resumé.
"Social media is a dead-end for job hunting. Don't waste your time on Twitter!"
"Man, it's really all about perception, so you're really not lying..."
"I had 3 people proofread my resumé, and I still had typos?"
"Monster and Career Builder are your best job search tools!"
"Go in and demand to see the manager or owner"
Call even if the job post cites, "Don't call"
Girl, you don't need to have a master's degree, they just post that to throw you off...
Keep your resumé as vague as possible…

Here’s bonus by a long time friend…

Jason Reese

a guy once told me "jus come up here, don't worry about a resume" of course when I meet the HR director, thats the first thing they ask for.

Now that’s really bad advice.

You’re Late, You’re late, for a very important date…your Job interview dummy!

2010-03-15T01:13:25Z

Don’t tell me it’s in your DNA. Don’t tell me you were born two weeks late. Don’t tell me you can’t help it.

I hate being late to anything. I really do. I hate when others are late. One of my best friends’ got married 6 months after I did. His bride was 2.75 hours late. That was 18 years ago.

Being late for a job interview, or for any job, especially habitually is cause for capital punishment of some type, like a long-lasting and sour memory of you wasting someone’s time. Will this be your legacy? I was standing up in that wedding. They are still great friends, but that’s all I remember of the wedding.

If you’re constantly and consistently late, could this just be a small little ditty to the epic hook of your song. This might be the reason you’re not taken seriously as a serious candidate.

Are you making statements by being late? Consider the following:

Is this your way of showing disapproval?
Are you thinking that you work is worth the wait?
Is this the first of half-efforts that you’ll make? What if it’s a project?

Another way for an employer to exclude you. How precious. After all, there are 10 other people who will be on time, but they only need one person for the position.

If you’re reading this, I know you’ve been told hundreds of times by now you’re slow as chocolate covered snails, and lack concern for what people think of you. People who love you have accepted this behavior as an expendable part of you, and their cries for you to be on time fall on deaf ears.

At least where there is money involved, don’t be late. Oh, and don’t be late reporting your status to unemployment.

8 ways to be excluded as a serious candidate (before the face to face job interview)

2010-03-08T04:38:33Z

At Radio Shack this weekend, while making a major purchase, the Senior Manager asked for my e-mail address, and noticed that I write resumes. She showed me a resume that was 7 pages faxed…lopsided. So it’s my duty to give tips on how to blow a job opportunity:

Do not follow job posting requests. If a posting requires a resume AND a cover letter, just send a resume. If the posting requires a salary history along with the résumé, just wait for the next opportunity to clarify your expectations.
Do not use keywords in the top half of your résumé. Since scanning for keywords is essential for most employers, it will prove that you care less about the job position and the requirements.
Don’t ask questions about the job, just ask about salary and benefits. Since phone interviews are part of the screening process, the first impression is critical. Blow it big by focusing on the “perks” and the hours you can’t work.
Lack enthusiasm about the opportunity.
Don’t exude professionalism. Don’t answer a direct question, and don’t give a direct answer.
Your résumé will be ignored by including every non-relevant position you ever had. Just think of the time that could be wasted by looking at all the detail you included.
Fax your résumé and cover letter so that half the text is blurred. This way no one can read it.
Finally, miss your phone interview time. There are only 100 people who applied for the position. It makes it so much easier for the employer just to rule you out.

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Enjoy my interview from last September about keeping a job. It’s just old school common sense. ENJOY!

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