TEN JOB INTERVIEW TIPS

Here are ten tips to increase your chances of landing the job!

1. Go after small organizations with twenty or fewer employees, since they create two-thirds of all new jobs.

Small is better for increasing your odds of actually getting the job. Small employers usually don’t have a dedicated recruiter, so you will most likely be interviewed by the person or people you will be working with on the job. You can check them out while they check out you.

If benefits are very important to you, keep in mind that bigger is better. Generally, the bigger the company, the greater variety and better the benefits that are available.

2. Hunt for interviews using the aid of friends and acquaintances, because your job-hunt requires eighty pairs of eyes and ears.

You will get a job faster through networking. Employers really want to hire someone they know. If they don’t know you, you may not get the interview. If they know someone and that person recommends you or does the introduction, it increases your chances by 80%.

3. Do thorough homework on an organization before going there, using Informational Interviews, the library, the internet and industry magazines.

All the resources have some piece of information about the organization. You cannot be over-prepared. Knowledge is power. Sometimes just the fact you took the time to research the company, will get you the job.

4. At any organization, identify who has the power to hire you there, for the position you want, and use your friends and acquaintances' contacts, to get in to see that person.

This goes back to networking and getting to know the right person. People are risk averse. That means that they want to be certain they hire the right person. They want to know the person they hire. Getting known can only help you.

5. Ask for just twenty minutes of their time when asking for the appointment; and keep to your word.

This will get you the informational interview. Get known. Meet them. Demonstrate your passion, knowledge, abilities and previous experience. They will welcome it. Instead of having to find you, you go to them!

6. Go to the interview with your own agenda, your own questions and curiosities about whether or not this job fits you.

Interviewing is a two-way street. You may not want the job after you find out more about it. Or you may not feel you’ll get along with the person in the day-to-day business of the job.

7. Talk about yourself only if what you say offers some benefit to that organization, and their “challenges.”

At this point in the relationship, they only care about you can do for them. WIFM – What’s In it For Me to hire you? That is the whole point of the interview. So only talk about what you can do for them. If you know what their challenges are up front (see #3- research the company), come to the interview with a solution or two. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be workable.

8. When answering a question of theirs, talk only between twenty seconds and two minutes, at any one time.

Think of some questions you’ve been asked during previous interviews and come up with some ready responses. Then sit and time your responses. Twenty seconds can be a long time. Be succinct and only answer what they ask you. Stay focused on what they asked, and only answer that question.

9. Approach the interview as if you are a resource person, able to produce better work for that organization than anyone else.

Position your skills, knowledge, abilities and previous experience as a resource for them to use to solve their challenges. Don’t be a know-it-all, but demonstrate how you can help them. “This challenge is very similar to a problem I had at … and we/I solved it this way…”

10. Always write a thank-you note the same evening of the interview, and mail it at the latest by the next morning.

I’m going to go old school on you and suggest actual pen to paper and putting it in snail mail to each panel member. Bring these materials with you and write them in your car after the interview. Then pop them in the mail on your way home.

The alternative is to send individual email messages that afternoon to the interview panel thanking them for the pleasure of their company and taking the time to interview you. Tailor each message to each panel member. They may compare notes/emails and you don’t want to appear cookie-cutter or lazy.

Bonus tip: Be prepared! Yes, the Boy Scout motto works well in the job hunt. Come to the interview with extra résumés and cover letters. Carry business cards with your name and contact information ready to exchange with the interview panel. Dress your best for the interview. Be ten minutes early. Relax; you know you’re a good fit. Just show them the real you in all your competent and experienced glory.

This Week’s Coaching

Review these tips and see were your vulnerabilities lie. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel and the better impression you’ll give. All good.

Are you spelunking or mountain climbing yourself? I am referring to last week’s post about uncovering and identifying your values. Keep refining your list so that you know exactly what your “must haves” and your “deal-breakers” are in this lifetime. This works in job interviews too. If a job or the company’s process or the interviewer, crosses one of your deal breakers, you can be clear on why you are turning down a job. Conversely, if they echo your values you will know immediately that this is right for you. Let me know how it is going for you by sending me an email or making a comment below.

A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just a dream.

All things are possible,

Elisabeth

Elisabeth Adler-Lund

Executive and Life Coaching

Telephone: 916 • 803•1494

E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com

HOW WILL YOU DO THE INTERVIEW?

Prospects in the job search are starting to look up. In a tight budget world, people (people = hiring companies / the job seeker) are no longer spending money for trips to interview. That means if you are relocating or interviewed by headquarters, you may be interviewing remotely. Whether your relocation is because you are a recent graduate (or about to be) or finding little job resources locally, this is your opportunity.

One of the ways companies are doing more with less is to interview you first by telephone or do a video interview. This lower budget approach does all the screening for the company at much less cost. That interview cost is significant for the company and for the job seeker.

Get Your Game On

How do you get your game on? If you were interviewing in person, in their office, you’d probably shower, dress, put your application materials in your portfolio and go. You’d review your materials before you got out of the car, have a few examples of your accomplishments at the ready and smile! Do all that for your telephone interview too. Put a mirror in front of where you’ll be sitting for the call. Use it to remind yourself to smile into the phone. The smile will carry across the phone lines. Be enthusiastic; convey your passion for the job in your tone of voice. They can only evaluate what you put in your voice.

Getting Ready for Your Close-up

If you’re video interviewing, you’ll follow the same guidelines. Because they can see you! Even if you know they will only see you from the waist up or table up, dress all of you. People have different mannerisms when they are “dressed up” from their everyday attire. You want to signal you are taking this seriously.

Where do you do this video interview? That depends. You can use a place that advertises video conferencing ability, such as my local Kinko’s Copy shop, or your local library. Or, ask your local college or university if you can use theirs. The last choice I would make is home.

Run a short practice session with a friend. How does it look? Things to consider are quality (picture & sound) and background. The background should be plain and non-distracting. That might be a great picture on the wall, but does it look like it is sprouting out of your head? Is the lighting too harsh or not enough? Warn family and friends/roommates that you’ll be interviewing, so they don’t disturb you. Hang a sign. Many of these variables are removed by using a video conferencing facility.

Another tip is do not sit too close to the camera. It can be distorting and it is the equivalent of leaning in too close to the interviewer. Even if you are alone in the room, they can see you. Stay in character. Stay professional.

Remember, they are trying to weed out weak candidates. The hiring manager might ask you to solve a problem or ask what you’d do in certain situations. These may be real or hypothetical. They may not be solvable. They are looking for your thought process as you go through the problem, and how you handle yourself. You may be asked to do a presentation to other candidates or a panel. The point may be how you treat people in addition to what you present. Give everyone individual and professional attention. Call people by name. Relax into it and be your normal, pleasant self.

If you need help getting ready for the interview, don’t hesitate to contact me. We can work together to practice and get you polished for your interview.

All things are possible,

Elisabeth

Elisabeth Adler-Lund

Executive and Life Coaching

Telephone: 916 • 803•1494

E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com

WHAT DOES YOUR BODY LANGUAGE SAY?

How you move, sit and stand all conveys something about you. Do you know what your body is saying to others? Here are some pointers for you.

POSTURE

Put your shoulders back, suck your stomach in. Bad posture gives off an air of timidity or sloth. A person sitting in a chair, slouching, does not project confidence and determination. It’s like your body saying, “Whatever.” Find a more upright way of sitting that still feels somewhat comfortable.

Whether sitting or standing, your body should be relaxed and open. Do not cross your arms or legs. While you may think it conveys a sense of ease, studies have shown that a people read a closed body differently: they subconsciously think you have something to hide. This is a golden opportunity to send a positive signal. In keeping your body open and your arms spread a little more widely than your torso, you offer openness and appear friendly.

YOUR HANDS

Clenching your fists can create two problems. First, the closed body issue: closed hands are just like closed bodies. Second, you could make some people think that you’re short-tempered and ready for a fight. I think we can agree this is the wrong signal. While hand-clenching for many is just a nervous habit, it’s one well worth training yourself to avoid. Force your hands open to send positive signals and convey a sense of being at ease with yourself and the conversation.

It’s natural to try to communicate with your hands and arms when speaking. Just don’t get carried away. Only use your body language for emphasis when you really want to accentuate a point. However, don’t point. No one likes being pointed at or having a finger wagged in their face.

Better ways to use your hands? The Karate Chop: Hand flattened with one or two gentle downward movements. The Bill Clinton: Former President Bill Clinton is a master of communication. Clinton often emphasized his points with his hands. He made a fist then moved his thumb over his index finger. He was still pointing, but with just the nub of his thumb extended, it was not aggressive like a full index finger is.

THE HANDSHAKE

The handshake is an opportunity to make a great impression. To begin with, you should endeavor to be the first to offer the handshake. When someone new comes in and says, your name (usually as a question) extend your hand and reply.

When the handshake begins, make sure you extend your arm without fear. If there is any hesitation on your part, you’ll end up shaking fingers. You want web-to-web contact. The “web” is the bridge of skin between thumb and point-finger. Aim for two pumps. Many more than that and your handshake partner will see you as exceedingly nervous (or that you’re trying to rip of their arm). Keep your hands dry. No clammy palms.

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

Furrowing your brow, shifty eyes and aggressive nodding will tend to convey the opposite of your intention. Furrowing the brows is also the facial expression for scorn or bewilderment. To avoid this tic, try opening your eyes a little wider when someone says something interesting or asks a question that makes you think. A positive action in response to a habit reduces the tic’s occurrence more than just trying not to do anything does.

To keep your eyes from shifting: make eye contact and rarely break it. This doesn’t mean you can’t blink (that would be even worse) and you can glance down from time to time. But looking the questioner directly in the eyes says, “I have nothing to hide.”

When you agree with someone, a natural reaction is to nod. When you’re nervous, people tend to exaggerate that. When you answer “yes” to a simple question, a fast, repetitive nod says that you’re nervous. A slow, short nod utilizes body language to emphasize something important, the point of agreement.

DISTRACTIONS

Maintaining focus in the interview or meeting can be difficult. Potential distractions should be seen as an opportunity to convey your professionalism and focus. If someone accidentally comes into the meeting room? Continue pleasantly looking at your target and stop speaking until the person excuses himself then resume speaking as if nothing happened. Don’t even mention it. You are so focused on what’s important, nothing can distract you.

SOLUTIONS

How do you move, sit and stand? What is your body saying to others? One way to know is to have a friend video a practice interview. Set it up with a table and practice questions. Have the camera pointed at you. Ask yourself: How does your smile look? Are you moving enough or too much? Do you look confident or tentative? Are your nerves showing through with fidgeting or overly aggressive gestures? A dress rehearsal can be invaluable for fixing some nervous habits. Then you too, can appear relaxed, confident and ready to do the job.

A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just a dream.

All things are possible,

Elisabeth

Elisabeth Adler-Lund

Executive and Life Coaching

Telephone: 916 • 803•1494

E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com

Can You Do the Job?

Last week we talked about being ready for the interview. The employer is looking for two things, can you do the job and will you fit in with the team. Last week we talked about “fitting in” and what that looks like. This week we move on to some sample questions. The following is adapted from a CareerBuilder article.

1. Tell us about yourself.

Bad answer: “I graduated four years ago from the University of Michigan, with a Bachelor’s in Biology – but I decided that wasn’t the right path for me. So I switched gears and got my first job, working in sales for a startup. Then I went on to work in marketing for a law firm. After that, I took a few months off to travel. Finally, I came back and worked in marketing again. And now, here I am, looking for a more challenging marketing role.”

Instead of giving a chronological work history (which is in your résumé), focus on your strengths and how they pertain to the role. Illustrate with examples whenever possible.

Good answer: “I’m really energetic, and a great communicator. Working in sales for two years helped me build confidence, and taught me the importance of customer loyalty. I’ve also got a track record of success. In my last role, I launched a company newsletter, which helped us build on our existing relationships and create new ones. Because of this, we ended up seeing a revenue increase of 10% over two years. I’m also really interested in how companies can use web tools to better market themselves, and would be committed to building on your existing platform.”

2. What do you think of your previous boss?

Bad answer: “He was completely incompetent, and a nightmare to work with, which is why I’ve moved on”

Remember: if you get the job, the person interviewing you will some day be your previous boss. The last thing they want is to hire someone who they know is going to badmouth them some day. Instead of trashing your former employer, stay positive, and focus on what you learned from him (no matter how awful he really was).

Good answer: “My last boss taught me the importance of time management – he didn’t pull any punches, and was extremely deadline-driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and to meet deadlines I never even thought were possible.”

3. Why are you leaving your current role?

Bad answer: “I can’t stand my boss, or the work I’m doing.”

Again, stay away from negativity of your job or employer. Focus on the positive.

Good answer: “I’ve learned a lot from my current role, but now I’m looking for a new challenge, to broaden my horizons and to gain a new skill-set – all of which, I see the potential for in this job.”

4. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Bad answer: “Relaxing on a beach in Maui,” or “Doing your job.”

There’s really no right answer to this question, but the interviewer wants to know that you’re ambitious, career-oriented, and committed to a future with the company. So instead of sharing your dream for early retirement, or trying to be funny, give them an answer that illustrates your drive and commitment.

Good answer: “In five years I’d like to have an even better understanding of this industry. Also, I really love working with people. Ultimately, I’d like to be in some type of managerial role at this company, where I can use my people skills and industry knowledge to benefit the people working for me, and the company as a whole."

5. What’s your greatest weakness?

Bad answer: “I work too hard,” or for the comedian, “Blondes.”

This question is a great opportunity to put a positive spin on something negative, but you don’t want your answer to be cliché – joking or not. Instead, try to use a real example of a weakness you have learned to overcome.

Good answer: “I’ve never been very comfortable with public speaking – which as you know, can be a hindrance in the workplace. Realizing this was a problem, I asked my previous employer if I could enroll in a speech workshop. He said “yes.” I took the class, and was able to overcome my lifelong fear. Since then, I’ve given lots of presentations to audiences of over a 100 high level executives – I still don’t love it, but no one else can tell!”

6. What salary are you looking for?

Bad answer: “In my last job I earned $35,000 – so, now I’m looking for $40,000”

Try not to give an exact number. The first person to name a price in a salary negotiation loses. Instead, re-iterate your commitment to the job itself. If you have to, give a broad range based on research you’ve conducted on that particular role, in your particular city.

Good answer: “I’m more interested in the role itself than the pay. That said, I’d expect to be paid within the appropriate range for this role, based on my five years of experience. I also think a fair salary would bear in mind the cost of living here in Sacramento.”

7. Why should I hire you?

Bad answer: “I’m the best candidate for the role.”

A good answer will reiterate your qualifications, and will highlight what makes you unique. In what way are you the best candidate?

Good answer: “I’ve been an Executive Assistant for the past ten years – my boss has said time and time again that without me, the organization would fall apart. I’ve also taken the time to educate myself on some of the software I regularly use (but didn’t really understand the ins and outs of). I’m an Excel wiz now, which means I can work faster, and take over some of what my boss would traditionally have had to do himself. What’s good enough for most people is never really good enough for me.”

8. What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?

Bad answer: I never finished law school – and everything that’s happened since has taught me that giving up, just because the going gets tough, is a huge mistake.”

You don’t want to actually highlight a major regret – especially one that exposes an overall dissatisfaction with your life. Instead, focus on a smaller, but significant, mishap, and how it has made you a better professional.

Good answer: “When I was in college, I took an art class to supplement my curriculum. I didn’t take it very seriously, and assumed that, compared to my Engineering classes; it would be a walk in the park. My failing grades at midterm showed me otherwise. I’d even jeopardized my scholarship status. I knew I had to get my act together. I spent the rest of the semester making up for it, ended up getting a decent grade in the class. I learned that no matter what I’m doing, I should strive to do it to the best of my ability. Otherwise, it’s not worth doing at all.”

9. How do you explain your gap in employment?

Bad answer: "I was so tired of working, and I needed a break,” or “I just can’t find a job.”

Employment gaps are always tough to explain. You don’t want to come across as lazy or unhireable. Find a way to make your extended unemployment seem like a choice you made, based on the right reasons.

Good answer: “My work is important to me, so I won’t be satisfied with any old job. Instead of rushing to accept the first thing that comes my way, I’m taking my time and being selective to make sure my next role is the right one."

10. When were you most satisfied in your job?

Bad answer: "I was most satisfied when I did well, and got praised for my work.”

Don’t give vague answers. Instead, think about something you did well – and enjoyed –that will be relevant at this new job. This is an opportunity for you to share your interests, prove that you’re a great fit for the job and showcase your enthusiasm.

Good answer: “I’m a people person. I was always happiest – and most satisfied – when I was interacting with customers, making sure I was able to meet their needs and giving them the best possible customer experience. It was my favorite part of the job, and it showed – I was rated as “Good or Excellent” 95% of the time. Part of the reason I’m interested in this job is that I know I’d have even more interaction with customers, on an even more critical level."

Bonus: What motivates you?

Bad answer: "Doing a good job and being rewarded for it.”

It’s not that this answer is wrong – it’s just that it wastes an opportunity. This question is practically begging you to highlight your positive attributes. So don’t give a vague, generic response – it tells them very little about you. Instead, try and use this question as an opportunity to give the interviewer some insight into your character, and use examples where possible.

Good answer: “I’ve always been motivated by the challenge of meeting a tough deadline – in my last role, I was responsible for a 100% success rate in terms of delivering our products on time and within budget. I know that this job is very fast-paced, and deadline-driven – I’m more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.”

Describing your abilities

This is how you demonstrate your ability to do the job. You simply describe how you will do the job and how you have successfully done the job in the past. Rehearsing your answers with friends and family will help you relax and remember all the good stuff you have done in prior jobs.

If you are changing careers, draw parallels between what did in the past and what you will do for this industry or employer. In career transition, the question, “why should I hire you?” is frequently asked. A good answer will draw the picture. “In my last job as a programmer, documenting bugs, best practices and work-arounds in writing code was a big part of my job. This helped not only me, but the entire department provide better and more reliable code. In many ways, that is just cross-training another person to avoid pitfalls in their duties. In this job, cross-training other staff members is a major function. I already have that mind-set and will be able to bring those skills to the role of business director for your non-profit.”

Remember, it really isn’t personal. The employer just wants to know, “Will this candidate be able to do the job?” Paint word pictures of how you will do the job for them and how you have done it in the past. Describe how you are the right candidate for the job.

Confucius said, “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Have you found the job you love? Let me know what your dream job is and how you demonstrated you could do it to the employer. I’d love to know what your particular challenges are and your strategy for dealing with them.

A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just a dream.

Warmly,

Elisabeth

Elisabeth Adler-Lund

Executive and Life Coaching

Telephone: 916 • 803•1494

E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com

ARE YOU READY TO INTERVIEW?

Here it comes – the dreaded job interview. No matter your résumé and talents, if you mess up the interview you won’t get that job. In today’s tough economy you need every possible edge. It can be a simple equation: You want to be liked — not hated. Think of it as … not personal. I can hear you now. “What do you mean, ‘not personal’?” An interview feels intensely personal. They ask difficult questions, silly questions, stupid questions and easy questions; all to find out if you can do the job and will fit in with the existing team and corporate culture. That’s it – just two objectives. I have a list of frequent interview questions with good and bad answers for my next posting, so let’s start with the chemistry. The Chemistry Part of the fitting in is “do they like me?” This is the chemistry of relationships. Just like dating, there will be a lot that happens below the surface. Unlike dating, you can do some research on the company and corporate culture to find out what it is. Watch people as they go in to work in the morning and go home at night. How are they dressed? What is their body language saying – eager and energetic or tired and anxious? Do they greet each other? Talk to someone who works there. Find out what the corporate culture says formally on the company website and does that match the office? What are the unwritten rules that everyone knows? For more on this, and to see if this is a place you want to work, check out this previous post, Are You a Match? Armed with this information, you can tailor your demeanor and answers to the company culture. If you’ve gotten this far, you probably have done some of this already with your résumé and other application materials. For more details on what I mean, see my previous posting How to Get Hired. Let’s say that during your research you find that although the company website talks about work/life balance, there is an expectation of consistent overtime. If you are willing to do consistent overtime, say so during the interview. How you act, your word choices, your use of humor, or not, all will go towards the question of “fit.” How can you maximize your ability to appear to be the right fit? Here is a top ten list to help you be the fit. 1. Relax. Yes, relax during the interview. Stay alert and focused, but be physically relaxed. This will immediately stop the excessive smiling that often happens due to nervousness. Or it’s opposite, no smiling at all. As a person who has been on many interviews, both are scary. Too much smiling will appear phony and not enough smiling will appear anti social. Just be your normal pleasant self. 2. Dress appropriately. Dressing appropriately means two things: professional and comfortable. The business suit still works for the interview. Wear it as you plan to for the interview for friends. Yes, with the tie for men and silky blouse for women. As you sit there, notice if you get uncomfortable. Sweat will be seen as a sign of weakness and nervousness. Be comfortable in your clothes. 3. Silence can be golden. You want to be knowledgeable about the company and the job. After the exchange of pleasantries, you don’t need to fill the void with celebrity gossip or information about your favorite blog (mine, right?). Sometimes, the panel needs to breathe and finish their notes. If it seems to drag on, ask one of your questions about the company or the job. This will demonstrate your ability to go with the flow of the interview and that you remain focused on the topic at hand. Pockets of silence are better than padding an interview with random babble. 4. Be eager and enthusiastic. Interviewers are seeking candidates eager to take on challenging projects and jobs. Hesitance and negative attitude will be as visible as gravy on your collar. Practice saying “yes” to questions about your interest in tasks and work that might normally give you pause. 5. Focus on the job. The interview is not the place to ask about the location of the lunchroom or routine elements or functions of a company: where stuff is, the size of your cube, and company policy on coffee breaks. This is also not the place to talk about salary. Save the salary discussion for after they offer you the job. 6. Be honest. Employers read the studies that show employees lie frequently in the workplace. Lying won’t get you a job. Even a slight exaggeration is lying. Just don’t. Never stretch your résumé or embellish accomplishments. There’s a difference between speaking with a measured confidence and engaging in BS. One lie can ruin your entire interview, and the skilled interviewer will spot the lie and show you out the door. 7. Use humor judiciously. Humor tends to be subjective. You’ve got to be careful about your material. You probably will know nothing about the sensibilities of your interviewer, let alone what makes them laugh. On the other hand, nothing disarms the tension of a job interview like a little laughter. Take your cues from the interviewer and use only G-rated humor. Make it situational, rather than an actual joke. So you can probably score at least a courtesy chuckle mentioning that it’s “perfect weather for a job interview!” 8. Be flexible. If you start talking about the ideal office temperature, the perfect chair for your tricky back, and if the cafeteria serves mochas, chances are you’ll be shown a polite smile and the door, regardless of your qualifications. Nobody hiring today is going to be looking for someone who’s going to be finicky about their workspace. This includes if you think you’ll get a cubicle. Don’t ask about the office noise policy for cube-mates. 9. Do have good questions ready. During every job interview, the candidate is given the chance to ask questions. Make yours intelligent, to the point and watch the person across the desk for visual cues whether you’ve asked enough. If one of your questions got answered during the interview, don’t ask it. Show you were paying attention. Don’t ask questions to just ask questions. You’ll be seen as a time-waster. If it wasn’t completely answered, restate what you know and ask about the missing piece. 10. Be positive. Bad things have happened to everyone on the job at one time. That is just part of life. So don’t trash talk a former employer or criticize an employee or take credit for someone else’s work. If you put someone down, the interviewer will wonder how you will characterize them later. Or, they might be tempted to call that employer to find out the “real” scoop. If your boss was a challenge, just say you had different values and leave it at that. Back to Chemistry This is how you demonstrate your chemistry for the job. There will be a lot that happens below the surface. You may understand that you “clicked” during the interview, or not. Just relax and be true to who you are. How you act, your word choices, how you used humor, all will go towards the question of “fit.” It really isn’t personal. The employer just wants to know, "Will this candidate fit in?" If you are a round peg, you will not fit in a company’s square hole. It really is much better to find that out now, rather than a month into the job. Find the round job opening that will fit you best. That is the best way to job search and to find meaningful employment. Confucius said, “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Thank you for reading and I hope you found this helpful. Stay tuned for next week, when I tackle some common interview questions. I’ll present some common bad answers along with the preferable good answers. Let me know how your job search is going. I’d love to know what your particular challenges are and your strategy for dealing with them. A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just a dream. Warmly, Elisabeth Elisabeth Adler-Lund Executive and Life Coaching Telephone: 916 • 803•1494 E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com

What Does Your Résumé Say About You?

Does your résumé show you off to best advantage? You need to have a variety of résumés available in your toolbox. (See last week’s article for the three types of résumés.) You have to submit the "perfect" résumé to get the job. But what is perfect? Perfection is like beauty, in the eye of the beholder. What is perfect for one hiring manager, is not another’s style. That is why you need to be ready with a variety. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to answer these questions confidently.

• What should you include?
• What shouldn’t you include?
• What must you always include?
• What type should it be?
• What color should you buy of kid-finish cotton fiber stationary (with a watermark)?

What is the point of a résumé? This is YOU in your absence. This is a representation of you and who you are and what you can do for the hiring manager. It is one of your best marketing tools. The point is to pique the hiring manager’s interest, to have them want to meet you. The function of a résumé is to get your foot in the door and get you an interview. Keep this point in mind as we answer the following questions. What should you include? You want to include all relevant information for the job you are applying for. Don’t tell your entire work history. You want to go back about ten years. Only list your best skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the job you are applying for, right now. You want to pique interest, not bore with too much information that is not pertinent to the job opening. Remember, human resources or the hiring manager will only have about 30 to 60 seconds with your résumé before they move on to the next one. You have to grab them quickly. So include the duties, responsibilities, skills and education that pertain to the job for which are you are applying. Remember to include awards you may have received. What shouldn’t you include? You leave out accomplishments and responsibilities that are important to you, but not to your next employer. It may hurt to not be able to include these things. It is ok to grieve the loss. But think of all the things you don’t use on the job anymore. Employers only really care about how you will benefit them. Can you do the job they want or need done and get along with existing staff? So draw them a picture of the many ways you are the answer they are looking for! What must you always include? You always include you name, address, e-mail address and telephone number. Don’t laugh. I’ve seen résumés that don’t have (some or all of) this information. Always put your name and telephone number on every page of your résumé. You always want to include your accomplishments in a PAR type format. State the Problem. State the Action you (or the team you belonged to) took to resolve the problem. State the Result in quantifiable terms. (Example: Instituted a Customer Log of customer service issues. Was able to see repeat problems and came up with "best practices" for most events and to quickly return mechanical problems to the manufacturer. This resulted in a 25% reduction in repair service time and $50,000 savings from the manufacturer.) If your job is not "quantifiable" then tell a passionate story. For example, a social worker can tell you how they helped turn someone’s life around. What was their issue, what tools did you teach or show them and how did this turn their life around? Go for the heart. You always want to include the words and phrases found on the company’s website and in the want ad. You may emphasize team-work to one company, and collaboration with another. If you don’t change your résumé with these word changes, you risk being overlooked by the scanner. Using their words also shows that you "get" them. What color should you buy of kid-finish cotton fiber stationary (with a watermark)? Yes, this is only a semi-serious question. You will probably be completing online applications and attaching your résumé and cover letter. No paper involved. However, when you go in for the interview, it is always good to have a couple copies of your résumé with you. Go for white, ivory, or gray in a 25 pound weight. These colors photocopy the best. They also look professional. The slightly heavier weight than copy paper, makes them feel substantial. The watermark is old school and necessary. It is from a time when paper was king. By ensuring your paper has one, you show you know the formal details. And that will speak volumes about you. The main point of course, is attention to detail. You also want to keep your résumé down to two pages. Brief is good. In the 30 – 60 seconds they have to look over your résumé, more than two pages won’t even get looked at. If you are close to two pages, try using Ariel Narrow font at 12 point. It is compact and still very easy to read. Never go smaller than 11 point. Start your computer, get set and start writing! If you aren’t getting any calls for an interview, it may be that your résumé is not selling you to the hiring manager. Need help? Call me and we can put together a relevant résumé for you that will get you into an interview. I can help you sort through your skills, experiences and your dreams to get the right job for you. I can assist you in creating a skills inventory, creating a polished Brand You Sound-bite, and getting you on the path to your dream job. Don’t wait, contact me now. A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just a dream. Warmly, Elisabeth Elisabeth Adler-Lund Executive And Life Coaching Telephone: 916 • 803•1494 E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com