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.
    

Is age a factor in your job search?

     Recently, I have heard several people complain that their age is a factor in their ability to obtain employment, climb the cooperate ladder or relate to their co-workers.  The usual retort is "you are only as old as you feel' or "age is just a number" however, these statements don't make you feel better.  An article in the The Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ dated 12-22-10) listed 21 obsolete items which included VCRs, Dial up Internet, CDs, landlines phones, and fax machines.  As a baby boomer, we remember when these items were the state of the art.  However, there are things that are now obsolete that will impact your job search. 
      Consider, your job search.  In the old days, everyone checked the classified ads in the Sunday paper.  Today, you go to craigslist, or the company's online job board.  You don't mail or fax your resume  but complete one online or email it to potential employers.  Researching potential employers required the use of the telephone book, encyclopedias, directories, and catalogs.  Today, a Google search can provide a wealth of information.  You could also do a blog search and  consult Face book.
       The intangible qualities (ie being organized, responsible) that everyone promoted and office skills (ie typing and the ability to use office equipment such as the  fax or copier) were standard questions.  These skills are obsolete.  Time management is automated because your smart phone has a calendar function that can integrate both your personal and business activities and provide you with reminders.  No reason to request directions to the office for the interview because you can rely on the negation function on your phone.  Your knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point and Excel) are the skills of today.  So how do you disclose your age on your resume or in your cover letter?

1. Did you type or hand write it?  These are both No Nos! Please take a course at the local community college or State employment office to learn how to use a computer.
2. Did you mention any of the afore mentioned obsolete items ie fax machine?  
3. Check your spelling and vocabulary?  Terms, phrases, spelling have changed.  Are you using terminology that is obsolete or unique to your previous employer?  If you need help, ask a young person to proofread your letter and resume.  If they don't understand a term or phrase, most likely your interviewer will not either.
4.  Addresses:  Companies like people move.  Are you using an address, phone number or email address that is dated and no longer valid?  Take the time to confirm this information.  If the site you worked at is now closed ask them how should it be listed. 
5. Phone numbers and email address:  Your employer may not have physically moved but they might have relocated in cyber space.  Include the area code and check the number.  You may want to include the extension rather than have someone have to travel the menu tree.  Get the email address of previous employers.  
6. Position titles:  positions could be consolidated or renamed.  Should someone contact a previous employer, the new HR person might not be familiar with the title you held.  Ask them would is the current title and use it or explain the position in your cover letter. 

Thank you letters are not obsolete however, please email their thank you notes.  Don't waste time writing a letter.  Post your response immediately.  Remember to ask for the interviewer's business card so that you can have the correct address. 

Do you just disclose or do you titilate?

     No, we are not going to plan a hot night out!  We are discussing your cover letter.  Surprised?    Shocked?  Confused?  A cover letter is a personalized statement to a recruiter about your abilities that is designed to get an interview.   In a way, it is like flirting.  Your stationary and resume could be compared to your attire but your cover letter is like making eye contact.
     You make eye contact and smile before approaching someone.  Your cover letter needs to convey this.  It needs to indicate that you are desirable and  approachable. So, what should you put in your cover letter?  Start with the posting.  Read it several times and check for the name of the person to contact, buzz words and job requirements.  You may want to dissect the posting in order to answer the questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how.

• Who 
• who posted the job
• who are their clients
• who are they hiring (ie., job title)
• What
• what are the job duties
• what are the hours 
• what the characteristics of the person they want
• what are educational requirements
• what type of work experience are they seeking
• When
• when do they want the person to start working
• when are they going to interview
• when will they stop accepting applications
• Where
• where is the job
• where do you submit your application 
• Why
• why do they need to fill this position (ie.,relocating, expansion) 
• How
• are you to respond to the posting (ie., physically bring it, mail it or fax it)
• are you going to perform the job (ie., computer skills, language skills)  

     The answers to these questions are in the advertisement.  If you are not certain, then investigate the company.  Note, if the ad does not provide the name of the company, you may want reconsider the validity of this posting.  Companies have been know to advertise positions to find out who is looking for another job and/or to establish an applicant pool.  Use their buzz words and clearly indicate that you have the desired skills.  Your closing should be either a call to action or let them know that you will be contacting them.  Remember to thank them for their time and consideration.  Keep the cover letter to one page.

Take a Break!

     Take a break before you proofread it.  Compare what you wrote and with the advertisement.   Check your spelling, grammar and the reading level.  Now, do print preview.  Remember, how I compared the letter to making the initial eye contact and smile.  You would never want a piece of broccoli stuck in your teeth so you check yourself.  The same principle applies here. How does the letter line up on the paper?  Do you need to adjust the margins?  Is it in block format?  Did you use abbreviations?  Now print.  The envelop should be printed also. 

Take a Break!

     Take one last look.  Perhaps, you should have someone else read it.  Does the letter give the impression that you are the right person for the job?  Does the employer know how to reach you? 

     Keep a copy of your records.  Be certain to make the follow-up call, if you stated that you would be calling.

     Still not certain how to write a cover letter or would like someone to review your letters, please call me for a free consultation.  My number is 402.965.1496.

How did they know that?

You have been on job interviews and they seem really interested in you but you don't get the offer. Ask yourself why?  There could be a number reasons that you don't get an offer.  Perhaps, they found a better candidate or they cancelled the position or did they find something in your background? 

You need to be very proactive when addressing information that potential employers could obtain.  First, what are your references, former employers and co-workers saying about you.  Secondly what is on the Internet about you.  Third, what does your credit rating say.  Finally, address the negativity.

Always contact your references so that they know who will be calling and inform them about the position being sought.  Determine if there is number and/or time that would be more suitable for them to be contacted.  Remember, if your reference does not seem professional the value of their endorsement will be reduced.  Remind them of situations that they can use to emphasize your character.  Confirm the contact number for previous employers and verify the type of information that they will provide.  Most HR departments will only confirm dates and positions held at a company.  This will not support your claims of being an outstanding employee so be able to document any statements you make to your potential employer about yourself.  Offer to provide this documentation when you do your thank you letter.  Be prepared to demonstrate your work history with awards, newspaper announcements, performance appraisals even tax statements (ie documenting bonuses)  but have documentation. There is an old saying "put your money where your mouth is"   If your credit rating is poor, your may not qualify for certain positions.  Address this issue by telling the potential employers the truth, your credit rating is at an all time low, due to your prolonged unemployment or illness and that you are working with your creditors to correct this situation.  You want the employer to know that you are a financially responsible individual.  "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.' - if you had co-worker(s) that do not fall in the 'friend' category, you may want to know where they are currently working because they could be a source of negative information about you. Don't assume the supervisor or HR asked them for a reference because some haters just love to sling mud and will volunteer their opinion without solicitation.  Do everything possible to resolve your issues prior to the interview.  If this isn't possible then perhaps you might consider not working at that company. If you are a social butterfly, clean up your site(s), voice mail, and ask your friends to help you.  If there is something truly horrible about you on the Internet and you believe that it will be uncovered then you need to acknowledge it, confirm the validity of it, and notify potential employers of any legal action that you might be taking to correct the situation ie you were the victim of identity theft.  In the worst case scenario, blame it on the stupidity of being young but never blame your "friends" alcohol or drugs for poor judgement because this will say more about you than any picture.  Make sure that the interviewer knows that you have matured and you will enhance the company's image.

If you are positive that none these issues were factors, then request a post interview.  This should be done by your career coach or counselor from employment services not you.  The goal of this interview is to learn how to present yourself better for your next job interview.

If you would like help with your job seeking skills or need someone to make a post interview call for your, please call me for a free consultation.