Thursday, August 4, 2011

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 10:49 AM PDT

Executive Career Moves
10 Tips on Acing Your Next Telephone Interview
©Irene Becker, www.justcoachit.com
Focus on developing rapport and credibility, and understanding next step in the employer's interviewing/hiring process
1. Position yourself for success. Relax. Get ready. Remember to talk directly into the mouthpiece. Hold the receiver approximately three inches from the mouth, not below your chin or above your nose. Speak in a relaxed, conversational style as though the other person were in the same room.
2. Get empowered. Be confident, not cocky. Avoid sitting in a hunched position, grasping the phone in a vise-like grip. Before your interview you need to feel empowered, think about and feel your strengths, focus on why you are a terrific fit for the position.
3. Set your three intentions for the telephone interview: Developing rapport, developing credibility, asking about next steps. Remember rapport is critical at this stage. Listen for statements that will give you clues about what the interviewer is looking for, problems you can solve, functional areas that you will excel at, behavioral strengths that will help you help the organization achieve its goals and objectives.
4. Make sure that you have done due diligence and understand how you are a great fit with the job description. Remember the initial stages of the interview process are all about demonstrating that you fit within the box of the job description.
5. Pay attention to the interviewer's voice patterns; does he/she speak slowly or rapidly? Try to match the cadence so that the conversion flows smoothly and you develop rapport. Adjust your speaking rate, voice volume and phrasing to be more in rhythm with the interviewer.

6. Sound upbeat, attentive, engaged, interested. Genuine enthusiasm is contagious. Smile to show a sense of humor. Smiling oxygenates your brain, raises your mood. Stay focused an up, because you only have three goals: 1. Develop rapport 2. Develop Credibility 3. Find out about next steps.
7. Listen, listen well, listen carefully to get the big picture, and to avoid saying something that indicates any momentary mental distraction. Allow the interviewer to complete questions without you finishing his train of thought or blurting out answers prematurely.
8. Respond do not react. The interviewer may throw in several to test your alertness or mental keenness. Showing verbal adeptness is a sign of how quickly you can "think on your feet." Be cautious: the interviewer may say something that puzzles you or that you firmly disagree with. Voice your thoughts in a professional manner. Whenever someone raises an objection, the tension level rises. What you want to achieve in step one is to reduce the tension level.
A= Acknowledge the objection because you need to lower tension, while coming to the middle of the table by acknowledging what the interviewer thinks is important (his/her opinion). Example: "I understand your concern. You have brought up a point that is important, and I would like to address it."
R – Redirect the person's concern by focusing on how you can handle the situation.
T – Test to be sure you've removed the concern.
S – Use a story to make your point; a story the interviewer can relate to, and that will engage him/her.
©Irene Becker, www.justcoachit.com

10 Unprofessional Behaviors to Avoid

The Monster Blog

10 Unprofessional Behaviors to Avoid

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 02:27 PM PDT

In his new book "The Professional," Subroto Bagchi, the vice chairman and cofounder of MindTree Ltd. and a columnist for "Forbes India," lays out a clear-cut set of criteria that can guide the modern worker in truly and consistently professional behavior. By exploring a variety of professional dilemmas in a broad spectrum of industries, he answers some of the tough questions that workers face.
He also describes ten behaviors that are clearly unprofessional -- his "top ten markers of unprofessional conduct." If you're not sure how to respond to a situation at work, let this list be a guide for what not to do:
1. Missing a Deadline
You know how much you hate it when other people miss their deadlines to you. Bagchi says you should keep this feeling in mind when it comes to your own deadlines.

2. Failing to Be Forthright
Bagchi points out that missed deadlines -- whether due to poor estimation of how much time it will take to get a job done or due to unavoidable circumstances -- usually "announce their arrival in advance," but that people ignore warning signs (or hope the problem will solve itself.)
"If communicated proactively to the right person," Bagchi says, "most problems not only get addressed, but they can also be converted into an opportunity."
He also advises delivering bad news in person (or at least via telephone).
3. Withholding Information
Bagchi describes not disclosing conflicts of interest as one area where this is likely to happen.
4. Not Respecting Privacy of Information
"Consent should never be assumed," says Bagchi. "However close and long-standing the relationship may be, consent has to be formally sought and formally recorded each time there is a transaction."
5. Not Respecting "Need to Know"
Here, Bagchi uses the example of spouses who work and says, "It is important to avoid what is known as 'pillow talk' -- sharing official informaiton at home."
6. Plagiarizing
Bagchi outlines three steps for citing sources: "state why you have chosen to pull ... [the] information, acknowledge the source and, most important, state your own reasoned conclusion."
7. Passing the Blame
"Just as we say a poor workman blames his tools," Bagchi says, "a bad professional blames his associates."
8. Overstating Qualifications and Experience
"Unfortunately," says Bagchi, "job seekers sometimes trivialize the difference between exposure and expertise when it comes to writing resumes.... I have often received resumes of young engineers who have done just an internship of short duration in an organization, but who claimed to have designed an entire enterprise application while being there."
"While it may be easy to bluff one's way into a job or assignment, it becomes a complete loss of face at the time of execution and leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth," he adds.
9. Frequently Changing Jobs
Of course, not all job changes are voluntary, but Bagchi objects to "mindless job changes." He says, "Failed job changes have as much to do with the individual as with the organization, and ... people who pass off the blame simply demonstrate an opportunistic mind-set."
10. Not Taking Care of Your Appearance
"Your attire must inspire credibility," says Bagchi. He adds that it should follow written (and unwritten) rules for your organization and profession, and that dressing in a way that distracts is not a good idea.
Portions excerpted from "The Professinal: Defining the New Standard of Excellence at Work," by Subroto Bagchi, by arrangement with Portfolio, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc., Copyright (c) Subroto Bagchi, 2011.

The Work Buzz's Latest News: How to answer tough interview questions

How to answer tough interview questions

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 09:03 AM PDT

In our latest installment of #CBJobChat (our monthly Twitter chat, which takes place on the first Monday of every month at 7 pm CST, for those who don't know), we talked about one of the most dreaded parts of the job search: answering scary interview questions.
Scary interview questions are the ones that throw your brain for such a loop that you suddenly find yourself thinking about everything but the answer to the question ("I don't have a good answer for why I want to leave my current job, but I did just remember that today is my grandmother’s birthday and that she is a Leo!"), or nothing at all.
Because we believe everyone, not just our Twitter chat participants, should know how to deliver impressive, relevant and blank-stare-free answers to tough interview questions, we've pulled together some of the best advice from Monday's conversation.

Q1: How do you explain a layoff or being fired?
Be honest. Keep it short and professional. If the hiring manager wants to know more they will ask. — @KaraSingh
Seems like the stigma that was once there isn’t there for the most part. Just be honest about your situation. — @MatthewTForrest
Focus on the situation & not the individuals involved. It looks bad if you look like you are making excuses or blaming someone. — @SalarySchool
Q2: How should job seekers explain leaving their current job without badmouthing a boss and still sounding sincere?
I learned a lot but am ready for the next step … leadership role, new technology, responsibilities, etc. — @Amanda_Yates
There is no need to badmouth your old company. Be positive about them and focus forward. — @mtATL
New employers want to know you are choosing them, not just another job — @careerchatter
Also important to figure out what didn’t work so you are clear on what you are looking for in a new job. — @TappOnline
Q3: If you are "overqualified" for the position, how do you explain your willingness to take the job?
Stress the fact you are looking to add to the bottom line, been there done that attitude and looking for a home — @TheStewartGrp
Sell the extra value the company is getting from you, while showing that you are on their side, like @thestewartgrp stated. — @SalarySchool
If overqualified, focus on the skills you love & explain why the job is a great fit for where you want 2 be now – @TappOnline
Also understand the challenges of co. or dept. and show how being overqualified could save $$ and time w/ experience — @TappOnline
Q4: How do you explain a criminal record? Do you offer this information up front or wait for the employer to ask?
Great resource for tenuous backgrounds: No One is unemployable by Angel & Harney http://is.gd/Oq5rcU — @DawnBugni
Wait to be asked. If you get to the interview it may not be a problem. Don’t get diarrhea of the mouth. — @St8Wkr
Generally- Do not volunteer negative information unless you can control it and know if will be asked — @careerchatter
Q5: Have you ever brought up benefits or salary first? Or do you always wait for the employer? Employers, is there a tactful way to ask about money early in the process?
I’ve seen candidates get to the offer stage and salary expectations are off 75+%. It’s okay to ask early in my honest opinion. — @mtATL
This is often an early question “What’s the salary range?” Not unheard of in the recruiting world. Comes up naturally. — @Redzonejobs
I have always felt that you wait for at least interview #2 to talk money and typically let the employer bring it up — @TheStewartGrp
For recaps of past months’ job chats, check out:
July CBJobChat
June CBJobChat
May CBJobChat

Ya Gotta Be You | Career Rocketeer

Link to Career Rocketeer - Career Search and Personal Branding Blog

Ya Gotta Be You

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 03:30 AM PDT

Often, when people read a lot of job search advice and strategies, they come to the conclusion that they have to project something other than what they are when speaking to potential employers.
There’s advice about the kind of image they need to project, the way they should answer questions, the way they should look, the way should talk, and the attitude they need to portray. It’s easy to look at that, and assume that they don’t measure up so they have to take some acting lessons pretty quick! …only to discover that ends up doing more harm than good.
Most employers can spot a phony a mile away.
Authenticity is critical to making a connection. When an interviewer believes what they see is genuine, they are much more likely to be interested in pursuing things further.
Ya’ gotta be you! So how do you do that and become more ‘hirable’ at the same time? Here are some observations…
Be honest with yourself… and them. Assess your own performance in interviews, practice with others and get honest critiques. Be willing to take to heart what ever shortcomings you may find. If you have a relatively flat personality or communication style… where you’re not very engaging… realize that may be a factor that’s hindering your progress toward a job offer. If that’s your natural state, it’s pretty hard to fake a more dynamic personality. Your greatest chance of success would be to deal with it honestly and proactively with your interviewer. At some point in the interview, you might say something like:
“I realize that I don’t come across with a naturally dynamic or charismatic personality, and there’s not much I can do about that without appearing phony. However, I’m passionate about my work and love doing a great job with whatever assignments I’m given. I hope that focusing on my results can be the most important consideration.”
That may not help if you’re interviewing for a television News Anchor position, however, for most other roles it can turn a liability around. Acknowledging the trait shows that you are self-aware, and understand how the trait might be perceived. A statement like this shows that you are focused on results regardless of the issue, and you are committed to perform your best. All of that is very attractive to a potential employer. Whether your trait is a flat or bland communication style, a nervous tick, an accent that can be hard to understand at times, a stuttering issue, or various other characteristics, dealing it with it directly is most likely to be your best bet.
Be able to articulate your strengths and accomplishments. In order to make the statement above be as credible as possible, it’s critical that you can succinctly describe what abilities you do bring to the table. You must be able to tell them what accomplishments you’ve had related to the role you’re pursuing, and what strengths you have that will be an asset to them. Take the time to determine what will be most important to the employer for this particular job, and be able to articulate your related experience to them. It takes some preparation time and effort to determine what is most relevant, and how to communicate it best.
It’s about being the best ‘you’, you can be. At the risk of sounding like a fluffy platitude… “being the best ‘you”, you can be”, is critical. Succeeding in an interview process is not about trying to be like someone else, or becoming something you’re not. Rather it’s understanding who you are, and presenting yourself in the best light.
Regardless of your natural tendencies or personality traits, there is never an excuse to be unprofessional, disrespectful, or course. Those are actions that can, and must, be controlled. However, other traits that can’t be changed without trying to become something very unnatural for yourself, can be practiced and presented as positively as possible.
It won’t work every time. Just like most things in life, nothing works every time. Your results will be dependent on the subjective response of the interviewer. Don’t try it once, perhaps still not get selected to advance in the hiring process, and decide it doesn’t work. Practice and hone your statement, and try it again next time. There are no ‘silver bullets’ in a job search. However, your odds are likely to improve dramatically if you apply it regularly.
Address your weaknesses head-on and you are likely to find you will turn a liability into an asset!

Author:
Harry Urschel has over 20 years experience as a technology recruiter in Minnesota. He currently operates as e-Executives, writes a blog for Job Seekers called The Wise Job Search, and can be found on Twitter as @eExecutives.

blogging4jobs

I Lost My Home, Like Hundreds of Thousands of Others

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 05:38 AM PDT

Three and a half years ago, I asked for a divorce. I knew it was going to be a very difficult financial transition; I just had no idea how difficult. Within three months of my ex moving out, I had left my position as an executive recruiter, gas prices were over $5 a gallon and I was in deep doo-doo. Serious doo-doo. I had been writing and working seriously in social media. I decided to start my own consultancy and make a go at being self-employed. I had a few jobs here and there but nothing substantial or long-lasting. My house payment was $3,100 a month.
I worked with my mortgage holder, Countrywide, to try and come to an understanding of some kind. I knew I was not the only one in this situation, the bottom was dropping out all over the globe. Within three months, four houses on my street were in foreclosure. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Several family members offered us a place to stay but I just didn’t want to give up, so I kept at it. I kept consulting, I kept writing, and I kept talking to Countrywide, which soon became Bank of America. Problem: every time I talked to someone it was someone different and they had no record of my previous conversations with bank employees. They even set up a special branch close to my home specifically for homeowners in trouble. You had to make an appointment and there was never the same employees there – they apparently had a revolving backdoor, too. It was like starting the process all over again every time I walked through the door.
That first year, I managed to gross $22,000. The second, just over $6000. That’s right $6000. But, soon, my consulting client base was growing- I was starting to get back on track, my writing was being noticed, and as a result, I was offered a job with a recruitment vendor. When I negotiated a hardship refinance, Bank of America came back to me with an offer making my monthly payment $3200, this would include all my back payments. My new job was 1.5 hours away and the bank refused to consider my commuting costs as part of my monthly bills. In order for me to stay in my home, the one I had clung to for so many years, I would just need to come up with about $4000 a month, in car and home.
I made an appointment and went in to the “specially set up B of A branch near my home”. I sat across the desk from a nameless 20-something and with tears in my eyes, and after reviewing every shred of evidence and paperwork asked him sincerely what I should do… He leaned forward and told me, “Find a new place to live.” I was devastated. I sat in my car in that parking lot for an hour, too weak to turn the key in the ignition. I was a statistic, a cruel statistic of a greedy lending system, of divorce, of single parenthood, of a wretched economy – and I didn’t want to be. I wanted to do my part, I wanted to pay my way…
But destiny in the form of a new job – a new life was gently taking my hand and leading me down a new street and my bank was giving me a shove. A wonderful place came up for rent just fifteen minutes from my work, taking fourteen hours off my weekly commute . That was one year ago – last month, finally, I received notice that B of A had foreclosed on my home, the home they told me to leave. And last week, “because the company charged me excessive fees and unlawful practice occurred in the servicing of my loan,” the Federal Trade Commission sent me a settlement check for $177.
$177.
I am human and fallible, like hundreds of thousands of others.
Perseverance. Tenacity. Persistence. Determination.
Survival. It wasn’t a choice.
Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for the online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology. She is also a proud mother of four residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a contributor for Blogging4Jobs. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

The Internet Equalizer — The Smart Phone

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 04:17 AM PDT

social media at work, mobile smart phone, mobile recruitment, mobile recruiting, mobile jobs, workplace cell phone policy, conversation culture,

Last week in my guest post over at Social Media Explorer I expressed my frustration with Employment Law Attorneys when it comes to social media, but it doesn’t stop there. Social media has been around since the Internet itself through forums, chat rooms, instant messenger, and even dating websites. It’s something that companies could control, block, and monitor until now.
The Internet and social media equalizer, the catalyst is something you might not expect but use most every day. It’s your cell phone.
Your smart phone if you want me to be more specific. Your Internet ready, social media compatible, programmable and portable smart phone computer is the cause for the social media and technology revolution that is upon us. Until the Blackberry, Internet surfers were tied to their computers either at home or at work. We were forced to check our email the old fashioned way, and then the crackberry changed all that. The iPhone made accessing the Internet and social media through apps so much easier. The iPhone is what the electric dryer did for the laundry. Before then, things worked well. We had a system, and we literally hung our laundry out to dry. The iPhone is more efficient and more expensive. Did I mention that nearly 88 million Americans use clothes dryers in their homes while 1 in 2 will have a smart phone by Christmas 2011.
Some interesting facts about your smart phone:

Almost 50% of small business owners use Smartphones to help facilitate the running of a business.

A prediction of $11.6 billion will be spent on mobile application development by 2012.

By the year 2014, an estimated number of Smartphone users in the US alone will reach 194 million.

With mobile technologies and tools like smart phones, tablets, and other mobile devices becoming a growing part of the majority’s daily lives. Companies are struggling with controlling as well as monitoring employee usage during work hours while these same companies are leveraging mobile recruitment strategies and customer mobile clubs as part of their overall business, marketing, and recruitment strategies.
Considering creating a policy that outlaws smart phones and mobile devices, at your office, read this first. Mobile technologies like smart phones are here to stay.
Companies who understand, communicate and establish boundaries with their employees provide a culture which fosters empowerment, development, and trust. Those that don’t encourage deception, frustration, and mis-trust. I don’t know about you but recruiting and retaining candidates is much easier in an environment like the former and not the latter.

What Happens if You Lie on Your Job Application?

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 11:00 PM PDT

What you write on your job application is critical to your success in getting a job. Hiring managers know people are human. Things happen.

To get this useful advice and many other helpful career resources, visit us now at CAREEREALISM.com.

4 Secrets to Winning Entertainment Cover Letters

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 10:30 PM PDT

If you follow these four tips, you will not only get me to the end of the cover letter, but prove yourself to be a smart, hard-working individual.

To get this useful advice and many other helpful career resources, visit us now at CAREEREALISM.com.

Should Job Seekers Take a Vacation?

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 10:00 PM PDT

What do you think? As a job seeker, did you take a vacation? If not, how did you unwind in your spare time? Your job search is like a full-time job.

To get this useful advice and many other helpful career resources, visit us now at CAREEREALISM.com.

Create a Stress Strategy BEFORE You Need It

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 09:30 PM PDT

I'm a firm believer stress from home follows us to work and vice versa—even for those who say they keep the two separate. No, you don't. You can't.

To get this useful advice and many other helpful career resources, visit us now at CAREEREALISM.com.