Job Inteview 101

      Recently, a friend asked my advice about a job interview.  They were told that it was going to be a 'behavioral interview"  and did not know how to prepare for it.  I am going to share the answer to the question.

     Behavioral interviews and performance interviews are based on the job description and duties of the posted position.  They are designed to determine the best candidate for the position based on the psychological premise that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior.  Because they are asking about specific, verifiable events, there is also the believe that the respondent will accurately describe their abilities, duties and outcome.  Since they are based on actual job duties, the potential employer reduces the possibility of being accused of bias or not obtaining enough information. 

     All jobs duties have the elements of quantity and quality.  In other words, how often are you expected to do something and how well you do it.  By asking behavioral questions, you are expected to address both issues.  Ideally, you should use an experience from previous employment however you can use any experience that is relevant. Structure your responses using the STAR format.  STAR stands for situation, task, action and results.  

• SITUATION - Answers the questions where did this occur (ie ACME Factory), when (ie., last year, at the annual marketing summit), why (ie potential loss of revenue due to new competition) who (presentation to company president by me).  State the relevance of the project to your company's or department's mission.
• TASK - Describes your assignment and role in the creating the solution to the problem.
• ACTION - What steps did you take to resolve the problem.  Make sure you use action words ie., developed, created, designed, that clearly indicate how you behaved. Include the number of people you supervised, duration of the project, the project budget so that the interviewer has a precise image of your work behavior.
• RESULTS - What was the outcome of your actions (ie., revenues increased by 10%, reached new target market).  If your results were not positive, then demonstrate that you analyzed the outcome and learned from this experience by stating why the plan was not successful and what would you do differently.  Since you are describing a situation in which you were the key player, do not blame someone else for failure because this implies you lack leadership skills and are not a good team player.  This is a good time to mention any award or recognitions that you received for your role in resolving this situation. 

     How should you prepare for this type of interview?  Carefully review the job description and determine the critical elements, (knowledge, skills and abilities) that are needed for the position.   Identify two or three situations for each element.  Consider the corporate culture and personal attributes that you would like to present and select the best examples.  Using the STAR format develop describe each example.  Finally, do mock interviews in order to be able to present yourself in a relaxed, organized manner.

If you would like some assistance with job interviewing skills, please contact me at chartingyourcoursewithcoaching@gmail.com.   

I am my best instructor.

     Say it again - I am my best instructor.  This statement is only true if you can review your experiences objectively and learn from them. 
     By objectively I mean two things.  First you need to recognize and accept what is within your control and what is not. Children think magically and assume that they can magically change things.  Some people play the blame game.  Nothing is ever their fault.  If they don't have a job it is not because they lack job skills but because the economy is bad.   
     Recognizing how you have improved your performance during your job search is a critical skill.  After the interview, you should ask yourself questions like were you prepared for the interview, did you arrive on time, have a copy of your resume, have information on the people you are using for references.  Did you have questions for your interviewer and answer questions in a brief but complete manner?  Did you address the interviewer by name?  Did you get the business cards or names of other people that were present at the interview?  If you could do the day over what would you change?  What would you leave the same?    
       Armed with this information, how are you going to change?  Perhaps, you could do mock interviews?  Can you brainstorm with a friend?  Could you make a check list of things that you should bring? If you believe you didn't answer question satisfactorily perhaps you could reword your answer in your thank you letter?  Perhaps, you could review the interview questions and develop answers. 
       Each experience can make you better but only if you take responsibility for things that are within your control.  But how do you decide if something is within your control?  I  suggest that you make absolute statements.  Since the statement  "Absolutely, no one is being hired." is not true then you know there is something that you can do become hired.  You can also ask people that recently found employment for feedback. 
       So not only are you your best instructor but you are your best student.
    

Back to the future.

      Every where you go, people are talking about their reunions.  Elementary, high school, college even the military groups are having reunions this time of the year.  Are you going?  Is it going to be an online reunion or in person?  Being unemployed or underemployed does not justify being absent.  This might be the best networking opportunity that you may have all year.  
     People change.  One look at your yearbook photos, will let you know that you have changed.  Physical appearance is not the only thing that has been modified by time.  The class jerk might been a manager in a Fortune 500 company.  Loners may be involved in relationships with very influential people.  So how do you impress them without appearing desperate or needy?  
      Take a deep breath and relax.  Most likely, you will not be the only person in the room that is looking for work.  Your goal is not to get hired at the reunion but to reconnect with old friends, because being recommended for a job by an employee of the company is one of the best ways to cut through red tape and get an interview.  Ask your friends about their lives and don't forget to ask about people that are not present.  Absentees could have work obligations that prevented them from attending.  Talk about yourself but really focus on what other people are doing.  Not just their current position but how they made the transition from school or the military into that position.  Let them know that their story is very interesting and that you would like to talk with them some more.  Be sure to work the room and talk with everyone including teachers.
      Follow-up is critical.   You need to call people within a week of the event.  Now is not the time to tell them that you are unemployed and want their help.  You are developing relationships by conducting informational interviews.  During your conversations reveal your strengths by relating experiences that demonstrate your abilities but continue to focus on the other person.  Find out their career plans, information about their industry as well as their company.  Be really interested in them and focus on cultivating a relationship because asking too early in the game will alienate the person. They will feel used and/or manipulated.  Your objective is gain a mentor not create an enemy.  When you present your circumstances, let them know that you value this relationship and would like them to be your confidant and an advisor.   Again, you are not asking them to give you a job just advise.  They could proofread your resume or cover letters.  Ask them to be a reference for you on LinkedIn and/or if your could join their LinkedIn group or be friends on Facebook.  Naturally, if you realize that this is not someone that you would as a mentor, you have the option to ask them to recommend you to someone that could serve in that capacity or just let the relationship die.     
     A business card is a resume so be sure to circulate your card and collect others. It has your name, contact information and something about your professional qualifications.  Tactfully list your qualifications by including your degree (B.S.,  M.B.A, etc) or a generic job title under your name.  If you have a or Facebook page or website include it but only if it is strictly for business. Sites like http://www.vistaprint.com/ can make quality cards for very little money very quickly.  Jot notes on the back of business card for talking points when you do your follow-up calls.
     Is your reunion online, take this opportunity to demonstrate your computer skills.  Volunteer to establish a Facebook page, website or broadcast on Tweeter.  Post pictures and connect these sites to other places of interest to the group. 
    You can't undo the past but you act in the present and have faith in tomorrow.  The downside of any reunion is knowing that you were a jerk and/or voted most likely to go to jail, people will remember you.  Accept the fact, that you acted in a manner that was not socially acceptable when you were a student.  Apologize if it is appropropriate but keep moving.  Don't waste time and energy trying to get the sympathy vote by telling everyone how abused you were at home, even if you were abused.  You want people to know that you have changed for the better.  Focus on two or three strengths and stories that demonstrate these abilities.  If you clearly, offended or injured someone then arrange to meet with them in the future to apologize and make amends.  This will demonstrate that you have really changed for the better.  If people, retell stories about you from the past, update the endings by adding "lessons learned"  statement.  This will give your an opportunity to relate how that experience helped you to grow and who helped your development.  
    Regardless of your current circumstances or the issues that brought to this position take the time to connect with your past.  Who knows your future might be there.

So you want tell

      Last week, we discussed how employers could find out about you and briefly touched on how you disclose information about you without necessarily  knowing.  This is based on the concept of blind spots.  Imagine being a rectangular window that consists of four panes.  Each pane is different.  One is clear, two are blurry and provide a distorted image and the finally one is completely opaque.  This is because there are things that only you know about yourself, while most things both you and others know about you and there are somethings that no one knows. There is an old saying "If two people know something, then it is not a secret."  In the case of a job search, only the information that you alone know can you control being disclosed, everything else has to be managed.
     Confused?  Let's consider situations that fall in each category.  If you are unemployed, you and your previous employer will know the reasons for the discharge.  This is a clear pane.  Your co-workers may know or believe they know the reasons for your departure.  This is a blurry pane.   Suppose your employer needed to downsize and decided to discharge you.  You may never know all the reasons for their decision.  Again, this is a blurry pane.  If you decided to quit your job, only you know the reasons for that decision.  This is a clear pane.  Finally, you come to work and the doors are locked.  This is an opaque pane because you and others don't know the reasons for this action.  
       How do you get information about yourself?  Reviewing your personal journals are great sources of information and insight.  Tracking your activities over the course of a week or a month can provide you with some insights.  For example, if you log your activities at 30 minute intervals for a week, you will have a good idea on your activities and productivity.   Friends, family, and co-workers can provide some information.  Performance appraisals are sources of information from your supervisors.  Ask questions, on  how to improve your work performance and request information regarding your career ladder from your supervisor during your appraisal.   Perhaps you requested training or being assigned to a special project and your request was denied.  This presents an opportunity for you to ask for feedback from your supervisor.  Every so often, employees have the opportunity to participate in a '360' assessment.  This is a terrific way to gain some insights.  Things that are unknown to both you and other should be left alone while you pursue your goals.
     Comparing yourself with peers can let you know if you are on track or if there are gaps in your life.  This comparison can be tricky if your career path resulted in transversing a social class or if your are in an unique career.
      Disclosing information about yourself during the job interview requires skill.  The employer's questions are designed to get information about you, your skills and ability work in their environment.  Your goal is present yourself in a positive manner.  Disclosing negative information should not be done unless it is absolutely unavoidable.  This is usually when they ask a specific question ie have you ever been convicted of a felony.  You need to develop ways to minimize the impact of this information.  If you are friends with people that routinely do hiring then role play answering the question.  Your representative at Workforce should be able to provide suggestions.  There are job hunt clubs that specialize according to industry and clientele.  Find one that works with your issue and participate. 
     So if your believe you must tell,  take 5.  Make sure it is absolutely necessary to disclose.  Have your facts.  Make sure it is absolutely necessary to disclose.  Be absolutely certain that must disclose.  Present the information in a positive manner and move on.