Career Chaos

HOW TO ACE A JOB INTERVIEW

While getting a job – just any job – may be the most important thing in your life right now, the harsh reality is this: Potential employers don’t care about your problems; they are focused on their own. Employers are interested in finding the best candidate to hire for their open positions. So that puts the burden on YOU to prove your value, to prove your uniqueness, as to why YOU should be the one that is selected.

Proving value can be done by discussing examples that support any statement you may say in response to interview questions. For example, if you are asked, “What are your best qualifications for this job?” you might respond with, “I am a hard worker and have a great work ethic.” OK… So prove it! Give a couple of examples from past jobs where you went the extra mile, where you voluntarily worked overtime, or where you got kudos from your boss for the great work that you did.

It’s important to prepare for the interview by thinking about your examples or work stories in advance. Writing your stories out using a formula – CAR – really helps. CAR stands for Challenge/Action/Result. Explain a challenge that you faced in a previous job, the actions that you took to resolve that challenge, and the great results that occurred. This is the best way to prepare for any interview that you go to.

Before leaving an interview it’s important the employer knows that you are interested in the job. Employers don’t like rejection any more than you do. They are more apt to offer a position to the person who expresses that they really want the job than to a person about whom they have no clue if they’ll take it or not if offered. So at the end of an interview, thank the interviewer and politely say, “I just want you to know how interested I am in this position and I’d really like to work here.” That’s enough – they’ll get the message and hopefully, you’ll get the job offer when they are ready to make one.

DO YOUR VALUES MATCH THE COMPANY CULTURE?

Are you in touch with your core values? How do you determine if a potential employer will honor your values in their workplace? Many workers walk into misery when they accept a position at a company where their values are not in alignment with those of that company.

Cindy Maude, President/CEO of Callahan Creek (a marketing communications agency) addressed a networking group I attended today. Her presentation about women in leadership roles was very compelling. She shared her lessons learned from 20 years of growing a successful business.

But what stuck with me was her message about how important values are to her agency. They are so important that all employment candidates are screened for value alignment by being asked behavioral and situational based interview questions prior to any employment offer being extended.

So, here's another reason to know your core values and how you "show up" with them. Give this some thought before starting your next job search.

JOB TIPS FOR RETURNING TO WORK

Just got back to the office following my morning interview on WDAF-TV, Kansas City's Fox station. The three-minute interview afforded so little time for information sharing, so here is the expanded version of what I discussed today for those who are unemployed and trying to return to work.

Tip 1: Get out of the house: networking trumps Internet job boards.

Most jobs are gotten through networking - up to 60-80%. Meet people who know people that can introduce you to new people. Attend professional and community events. (Sidebar: One of my career coaching clients got his new job by getting to know his son's Little League coach.)

Only 10-15% of all jobs are gotten through Internet job boards. Spending hours in front of a computer hoping to find the right job will only make you feel more like a deer in the headlights. You may think you're doing something; it looks like you're doing something; you may fool your spouse or partner into believing you're doing something - but really, you're not doing enough.

Tip 2: Only you can make it happen: recruiters work for employers.

Recruiters aren't there to find you a job. They're job is to find the right candidate for their client companies who can't find the ideal client. Someone who's unemployed is not that person as a company gets tons of applications from unemployed people. Why should they pay a recruiter to find unemployed applicants?

You have to find your way to your new job on your own. It takes long, hard work to succeed. Take advantage of a support team of family and friends to help you, as well as professionals like a career coach - people who really care about your success.

Tip 3: Get a temporary job while continuing your job search.

Temporary employment can help out with a cash flow problem while you're looking for a job. Apply at employment agencies that specialize in temp jobs. Look into seasonal employment such as tax time work and retail holiday work.

Tip 4: Embrace change: new job field, maybe self-employment.

Don't be afraid to change, grow, and take on new challenges - try new things. "Green" jobs, or environment-related work, are a growing area. There are still jobs available in technology, health care, customer service, sales and accounting for those who qualify.

Don't qualify? Assess your current skills and interests, then get more education, if necessary, to change to jobs in careers that are available.

Starting a small business, whether from scratch or through franchising, is an option to consider for some people. For others, self-employment can become a bigger disaster than being unemployed. You have to test your entrepreneurial skills before starting any business. Know your threshold for handling risk. If risk stresses you out, you are not a good candidate for becoming a small business owner.

Bottom line? Don't give up. Looking for a job is a full time job in itself. Put in your 40 hours per week and you'll be surprised at what you will find.

NETWORKING MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

According to the Silicon Alley Insider, "Monster's employment index fell 4.8% year-over-year in January -- meaning companies were looking to fill fewer positions online this month than they were a year ago."

Although networking has always been the #1 way to find a new job (some estimates as high as 80% for the best job search method), while online job search has accounted for 5-15% of successful new jobs, networking is definitely now more important than ever if you want to find your right position.

CAREER CHANGE - WHAT INFLUENCES IT?

Have you heard the news? Gas prices are rising, the housing industry is in crisis, health insurance premiums are soaring, visitors from abroad come to the U.S. to do their holiday shopping as the dollar declines in value. And the cost of food continues to skyrocket! (Milk, eggs, and cereal are almost beyond the reach of the average household.)

So, how does this all impact you? Just stop and reflect: When was the last time you got a cost-of-living raise? Is your salary keeping pace with your everyday expenses? Surprisingly, the so-called employment index appears steady - people aren't losing their jobs - yet. But are workers thriving or barely surviving?

If you find yourself barely surviving instead of thriving, what will it take for you to make a career change in 2008? Don't stay stuck in "business as usual" just because it's familiar. If you're not getting anywhere, take a chance - even it means an unknown change. Familiarity may feel comfortable, but it's not always better.

Take this quiz to see what gets in your way of career change. For more info, contact meg@abilitiesenhanced.com.

HOW TO CHANGE CAREERS

There's a lot of advice on the Internet about how to change careers. Who can you trust to give you the true scoop? Check out this reputable source offering a 10-Step Plan to  Career Change.

SO, YOU WANT TO GET PROMOTED?

You’ve been working long hours and lucky to get your 3% annual pay increase. Living expenses keep outpacing your raise. How can you ever get ahead financially? A promotion seems the answer, but your boss doesn’t seem interested in considering it – what’s up? You know your work is valuable and necessary to the department – doesn’t anyone care about what YOU need?

If this sounds like your situation, listen up. “People don’t get promoted as a reward for a job well done. They get promoted as part of the company’s total strategy – otherwise known as succession planning.” Huh?

It’s time for you to get strategic in your thinking about your career path. Remember, at work it’s all about “them” and not “you.” You have a job because you provide value to your company; you are contributing to your company’s overall profits. In order to get a promotion, not only do you have to contribute more value, you have to do it in such a way that fits into your company’s long term goals.

As you create your promotion strategy, dig into your company’s valued competencies and determine how your personal attributes align with them. Map out your plan for how you can boost your involvement to get recognition from the key management responsible for your promotion. It’s all about building relationships, building bridges, and spotlighting your achievements. Status quo won’t get you promoted – embracing change will!

Here's a book to help you - Power Tools: Top Executive Coaches Put You on the Fast Track to SUCCESS! Check it out! Read my chapter, "Careers in Motion: Hang on for the Ride!"

HOW TO FIND A JOB

In December, I posted my top tips for finding a job in 2007. Well, I was interviewed on local TV about just that topic on December 20, 2006! View my Kansas City Live apearance here. It's only 5 minutes long...

HOW DO YOU GET PROMOTED?

I attended an interesting seminar yesterday, delivered by a business professor. She presented the topic, "Myths on Moving Up the Ladder." A lot of good stuff here, but one thing in particular really resonated:

You won't get promoted at work as a reward for how well you do your job, but rather only for how your promotion will play in to the company's overall succession planning process. It's all about the company's needs - not yours.

Interesting - is this really true?

TIME TO MOVE ON?

So you had your review. And the boss really socked it to you. What do you do? Do you take it on the chin and make the changes your boss wants? Or do you chuck it all and walk out the door?

The Wall Street Journal published an article on this topic, "Review Went Badly? Stay Cool and Find a Fix." Take a look. Yours truly is quoted on reasons why you might get a bad review and how to handle it.

Whatever you do, keep in mind that your actions at work shape your career's destiny. Choose wisely.