Many job seekers are asked to make a presentation as a part of their interview process.   -  If they deliver an effective presentation to the interview team, they’ll likely move on to the next step of the interview process.   -  If they deliver a great presentation they may find themselves being made an offer for the coveted position. Making a presentation is a fairly standard

Didn't get the job?  Came in second?  What can you do?  Follow-up       It has happened to all of us!  You found a position you really like.  It feels like a great fit, and you know you have what it takes to not only do the job . . .  but to do a great job.  So, you went after it, gave it all you've got, and earned the opportunity to

The holidays are here, but don't stop your job search.  Just change it! The holidays are in full swing and that puts a different twist on your job search.  It is true that the holidays are a hectic time of year.  And that puts extra challenges on your job search.  It seems that . . . .     - no one will take your calls     -  you don't hear back from

"Networking:  Do I have to?" asks the reluctant job seeker.       Yes you do if you want to find a better job quicker! If you dread the idea of going up to strangers whose paths you cross and striking up a conversation, you are far from alone.  Many, if not most folks - if the truth were told - dread the idea.  They’d rather have a root canal. However, the truth

Tell me about yourself! And so the interview begins.  The interviewer asks this "ice breaker" question as much to start a conversation as to actually learn about the candidate sitting in front of him or her. The question: "So why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?” is generally considered the most frequently asked interview question.  Not a particularly good question by a long

"What's your greatest strength?" asks the interviewer.      "Well, mmmm. . . , I would say I'm . . .  un . . . ." stumbles the interviewee. A missed opportunity to succinctly and reasonably tell your interviewer a couple of your key attributes that make you stand out from the crowd and why hiring you would be a good thing! "What's your greatest strength?" This frequently

"What's your biggest weakness?" asks the interviewer.      "Well, um, I guess it would be . . . ." stumbles the interviewee. And, the rest, as they say, is history.  A history of missed opportunities due to lack of a credible and reasonable response to one of the most frequently asked interview questions:  What's your biggest weakness? "What's your biggest weakness?" A

Networking is a 2-Way Street! Question:  What is one of the most common mistakes job seekers who are new to networking make? Answer:     Not recognizing that networking is a give-and-take practice, i.e.., a 2-way street! Setting up 1-to-1 networking meetings to talk with people about your job search a smart thing to do!  Talking with people in your network in order to seek

Take a walk through the business careers section of any bookstore or library, and you will see lots of books on the subject of job search.  And entire books devoted to interview questions  –  1000's of interview questions with 1000's of answers.  What's a job seeker to do?  Memorize 1000s of answers to 1000s of questions.  Or  --  and it’s a much better

Hundreds and probably 1000's of rules, guidelines, and guides have been written about how to interview.  these 9 Rules of Interviewing listed below can ruin your chance of getting the job! 9 Rules to Stay in the Game! Some are helpful; some are less helpful, some are not.  However, ignoring Rule # 1    Never answer a question you don’t understand. Rule # 2   

"I can't believe they didn't hire me!  I was perfect for the job!  " It happens all the time . . . .       You apply for a position for which you meet every requirement.             You even get an interview, maybe several, and then . . .                

Interviewing is an  ART! Successful interviewing is an art - not a science.  No one can give you a formula virtually guaranteed to provide a certain outcome.  No one can predict exactly how an interview will go.    No one can give you a fool-proof method for acing every interview.   Why?  There are too many factors outside of your control, not to

A 1st impression . . . is a lasting impression . . . if not a last impression. It’s an old familiar saying, and an important concept for job seekers to really grasp. Why? Because . . . First impressions count.  First impressions can make or break your prospects for getting hired. Pay attention to the "cover" you project! Don’t judge a book by its cover . . . we are told, 

If you're talking, you're interviewing . . . when it comes to finding a job!  So act accordingly. Treat every conversation, and the information you reveal, as if it could lead to an interview. It's an important concept to grasp if you want to be successful quicker in your search for a new position or new role. Keep the following 3 key precepts in mind as you talk with folks about your job search: Be

Follow-up any networking meeting you have had with a heartfelt Thank You.  Whether you are following up a phone call, an in-person meeting, or a really informative e-mail exchange, take the time to thank your contact. You may be following up with a member of your own network.  Or, you may be following up a conversation you had with a person to whom you were referred, who, incidentally,

Follow-up is key to a successful job search.  So follow-up a rejection with a fact-finding phone call --  yes, . . . even when you did not get the job!If you recently interviewed for and lost a job you really wanted, follow-up the rejection with a phone call. Choose a person to call with whom you felt a rapport.  This could be a representative in Human Resources, the hiring manager,

Treat every conversation like it's an interview! Question:  When does interviewing begin?   Answer:  Any time you open your mouth and begin talking  --   if you are looking for a job! Many job seekers believe they are only interviewing when they are sitting across from a hiring manager or HR recruiters.  Not true. When you are looking for a job, any time

Your network is wider than you think.   You know more than 9 people! When I sit down to begin work with a new client, one of the things we always discuss right up front is networking.  This critical skill is at the core of finding new positions, since the majority of jobs come through networking.  I ask clients to create a networking plan, which begins with them identifying

“What if I run out of network?  What do I do then?” Well, if you’re doing it right, you never do! There are a lot of things to worry about when you are looking for a job or a new or expanded role.  But . . . happily . . . this is not one of them! Upon deciding to look for a new job, most job seekers begin to reach out to the people they know  -  their colleagues, friends,

Referrals are golden . . .when it comes to your job search.  So, treat then like the gold they are! A referral really can be golden.  Referrals can open doors to company decision makers and organization influences that would not be opened any other way.  So when a network contact hands you a referral, handle it with care! Being referred to a well connected and influential person can

"Do you know of any job openings?"          If the answer is “NO,” it’ll be a short conversation. “Do you know of any job openings?” is an ill-advised way to open a networking conversation.  In fact, it’s a “conversation killer!” Parts 1, 2, and 3 of this 4-part Networking-HOW TO-series discussed the importance of communication skills and

"Do you know of any job openings?"          If the answer is “NO,” it’ll be a short conversation.  “Do you know of any job openings?” is an ill-advised way to open a networking conversation.  In fact, it’s a “conversation killer!” Parts 1 and 2 of this 4-part Networking-HOW TO-series discussed how to have a productive conversation by

Do you know of any job openings?           If the answer is “NO,” it’ll be a short conversation. “Do you know of any job openings?” is an ill-advised way to open a networking conversation.  In fact, it’s a “conversation killer!” Part 1 of this 4-part Networking-HOW TO-series explained why!  It also explained the make-up of a good 1-to-1

Do you know of any job openings?           If the answer is “NO,” it’ll be a short conversation. “Do you know of any job openings?” is an ill-advised way to open a networking conversation.  In fact, it’s a “conversation killer!” Why can’t you ask this “conversation-killer” question? . . . Because if the answer is “No I don’t”,

Do I have to? . . . .  Yes you do if you want to find a better position in a shorter amount of time! If you dread the idea of going up to strangers whose paths you cross and striking up a conversation, you are far from alone.  Many, if not most folks - if the truth were told - deplore the idea.  They’d prefer a root canal! The"Hidden Market" However, the truth also to be told

Tips on How to Seize the Opportunities of a Job Fair "Do they have any jobs?" asks a job seeker upon hearing that there is going to be a Job Fair.       "No, they don't have any openings at this time." "Then what is the point of going to the Job Fair?" ask a job seeker. What is the point indeed?  There is a big point in attending a job fair and talking with companies

The #1 Interview Question:  Tell me about yourself! The interview is beginning.  The interviewer looks across her desk and asks the interview "ice breaker" question to start the conversation. . .     "Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?”   The interviewee stammers a little, hems and haws, clears his throat, and begins a monologue that goes on way,

What is the Number 1 Question to Avoid when beginning a networking conversation?          "Do you know of any job openings?" Why?        If the answer is “NO,” it’ll be a short conversation. Instead of asking this conversation-killer, plan ahead.  Plan to ask questions that draw your networking contact out.  Ask

Networking can lead to interviews.  Getting comfortable with networking can generate the kind of meetings and conversations in which you uncover leads to your next position or to enhance the one you already have! Why networking?  Through networking, you can often identify needs before they turn into openings, and openings before they are announced on the Open Market. With networking, you

Talking with people in your network in order to share information about you, as well as seek information and advice, is a time-tested technique for finding a new position or enhancing the one you’ve got!        But why? It's a Smart Strategy! Because . . . as folks in your network of contacts learn about you, and the needs you can fill in an organization,

When groups gather, they present the opportunity to network.  Savvy job seekers seek out such Networking uncovers opportunities! gatherings of professionals at meetings, networking meetings, and events and . . .network.  There just might be a job in it for them! Large networking meetings Large networking meetings, or events, present job seekers opportunities to network.  These meetings

"I’m looking for a job.”     “Good luck with that!  It’s tough out there.” “Well, you found a job.”     “Yeah, but it took a while.” “Well, I’m just beginning to look.   I’m sending out my resume and answering a lot of ads.”     “Well, you’ll have to do more than that.  You’ll have to do some networking.”