The interview processes can be challenging for anyone.  In general everyone questions their performance in an interview, especially when it is for a job that you really want.  Have you ever questioned yourself about how you did in the interview? To help you better prepare for your interview process I am going to provide you with some information on what to say through each state of the interview process:

1.   Introductions – Regardless of who you interview with, remember to always shake hands, smile and introduce yourself, “Hello, my name is Sandra Smith and I am very pleased to meet you”.  Remember each of the interviewers name by repeating it, writing it down, or asking for a business card.

2.   Small Talk - Casual conversation at the beginning of an interview puts everyone at ease and it allows for a good transition to the next stage of the interview in a more natural and pleasant manner.  A quick comment on the beautiful weather, the ease of the commute to the interview or a positive observation that you noticed as you entered the office, about the office building, are all good icebreakers.

3.   Exchanging Information – Once you have introduced yourself and exchanged pleasantries, you will move into the questions about your experiences and background.  This is when you would share your success stories in order to convey a strong sense of who you are and what you are capable of accomplishing.  Most importantly, remember to ask questions about the company and the position.

4.   Summarizing – There is a natural point in every interview where there are no more questions to ask.  Summarize what you have heard about the responsibilities of the position.  Clarify any information that was unclear.

5.   Closing the Interview – Leave on a positive note: Make a final statement about your interest in the job and the company.  Find out the next steps and how you will know if a decision has been made.  Before leaving, make sure your interviewer has a copy of your resume and references, and ask for his or her business card.  Thank your interview for taking the time to meet with you, smile and shake his or her hand.

Does The Mass Distribution of Your Resume Really Work?

By: Patrice Green, Career Marketing Strategist

 

Many people think that if they just mass distribute their resume/application everywhere they will get a job. While I would agree that yes, the law of averages says that you will get a job, however, is it the job that you should be doing? When looking for a new position, one has to consider several things to ensure that they are making the right decision, because this decision affects current and future job opportunities. Let's be clear, we are not talking about resume distribution services, where you pay a service to distribute your resume to a targeted group of employers/recruiters.  What we are talking about is general mass distribution of your resume to any job regardless of pay, position, etc. When you make a decision about employments, the process is similar to a hiring manager making a decision on whom to hire.

As a job applicant, you should be making decisions surrounding your employment that make it (the job) a good fit for you, much like the hiring manger who decides who is a good fit for their organization. While mass distribution may result in a job, is it a job that meets your minimal needs? Is the starting salary, one that works for your household? Will you have to get a second job to make up the shortage? Better yet, do you want a second job for that matter? It has been my experience that when jobs are found through mass distribution, the individual fails to find very little if any type of fulfillment, thus in most cases they jump at the next opportunity, wasting not only their time and the company's resources in training, etc., or the job does not meet their salary expectations, thus they eventually quit.

Let's look at the reverse, a targeted job search.  A targeted job search is when you the job seeker are in control of your job transitional needs. You decide what companies you want to work for, you are the key driver in you job search, you have a plan of action to meet your financial needs and wants, but most importantly you do not settle. A targeted job search includes:

- Identifying companies that are hiring for the position you desire
- Knowing the starting salary of the companies you apply to, and ensuring that the starting salary meets my minimum requirements
- You find a position that you enjoying doing, thus you stay with the company longer and you may even be promoted internally (upward mobility, increase in salary, etc.)
- Can create a balance between your work/home lives
- A targeted job search forces the job seeker to recognize and address their short comings that could create barriers to employment
- Most importantly, your job search is well thought out and has a plan of execution

In general the resumes of individuals that mass apply for positions, are full of short term employment, gaps in their work history, and sing the general message of a “lack of commitment”. In comparison to those individuals who choose to do a targeted job search, their resumes sing commitment, primarily because they stay on their positions longer, their work history does not reflect a jack of trades and a master of none (meaning that they have a variety of positions in varying ranges, but none that link together to show job progression). The accomplishments and contributions of a targeted job seeker stand out and are easily visible in their resumes/applications. Targeted job seekers make sure that the expectations defined in the position they are applying for, stand out to the hiring manager.

Typically, job searches done through mass distribution take longer (6 months or more), while job searches for targeted and focused job seekers are accomplished in a shorter time period (3 – 6 months); they don't get discouraged, they stick to their plan making adjustments along the way. Focused job seekers also do not jump at the first job offer they receive, they weigh their options and they make sure that it is an offer that meets THEIR needs, whereas, those who mass distribute their resumes, jump at the first offer they get, regardless of position or pay.

It takes the same amount of time to submit resumes/applications through mass distributions, as it does to submit resumes/applications through a targeted job search. There is some prep work involved in a targeted job search, while there is no prep work in the mass distribution of your resume/application. Targeted job seekers plan their day, on the afternoon or evening of the previous day. They know where they are going to apply and they know the application process. There is very little planning in the mass distribution of your resume/application, in general one just gets up and goes, and they use the dreaded “generic resume”.

In a nutshell, the mass distribution of your resume/application produces short term results, while a focused job search produces long term results. To answer the question, does the mass distribution of your resume work? I would say the answer is no. A better question is “is it fruitful to mass distribute your resume? Again the answer is NO. In fact the mass distribution of your resume could do more harm than good, especially in tightly knit communities where everyone talks.

In closing, your resume is your blueprint for current and future job opportunities. You will get out of it what you put into it. Many people do not take the job search process seriously and they are looking for that quick fix. Remember the quick fix is not always the right fix!

ARE YOU NETWORKING CORRECTLY?