#JobSearch : How To Answer New, Hard Interview Questions Employers Now Ask. Companies are Asking about a New Line of Interview Questioning that is Stumping Them.

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Career Counseling clients started asking about a new line of interview questioning that is stumping them. They wanted guidance on how to develop an effective answer to diversity questions. Larger employers, especially Fortune 500 employers, have begun to add one or two diversity questions into their interviewing process. These are very difficult when you are not prepared for them.

One Fortune 100 Recruiter said, “our company has implemented a few new policies in response to the need to diversify the workforce. The key problem is that hiring managers often introduce their personal biases into the hiring process. So, the first change has been to send our hiring managers resumes to review where the recruiter has replaced the job candidate’s name with a number.

This way, everyone is equal, and no one brings personal biases into the interviewing process. Having had twenty years of hiring experience, I’ll tell you EVERYONE is raised with some innate biases against other cultures, races, genders, or sexual orientation. If you don’t think so, ask Baby Boomers what they think of tattoos? You will hear an opinion, for sure. Our company wants to level the playing field when hiring new employees and develop a culture where they feel they belong. We now have all our hiring managers ask a couple of diversity questions during the job interview.”

“Diversity initiatives are now at the forefront of every HR leader’s to-do list,” said a Chief of Human Resources who asked to remain nameless. “SHRM (the Society of Human Resources Management) has provided plenty of valuable resources to help companies big and small deal with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues which start with hiring new talent. I’ve been sitting through numerous webinars in the last few months covering this topic. Our company is smaller, and we are just beginning to develop a diversity plan. I am currently asking job candidates at least one diversity question in their interview with me.”

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Diversity questions often catch people off guard. It is a sign of the times that more employers are asking these, though. The job hunter, if unprepared, typically answers diversity questions poorly. That can mean elimination from that job.

Right approach

We live in a global workplace with many companies doing business with other nations. How do you define diversity? It’s not just race, but it can also include gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, and generational gap.

To answer appropriately, you must stress these three things:

·        tolerance

·        acceptance

·        inclusion

Older, more mature workers may have more biases because of the times which they were raised. Maybe you support vets. Perhaps you dislike a nationality because of war experiences. You must bring a more neutral attitude to your job in these sensitive times. All ages can have biases, so you are likely not immune from this issue, whether you are 30 or 60.

Answering Diversity questions

Here are a few questions and sample answers to help you understand how you can answer these questions.

Describe a time you were in a group of diverse people?

One client was from the Middle East, and she had experienced a great deal of discrimination. This question threw her in the interview. She confessed she had a complete block on how to handle this question. I worked with her in our interview coaching session to make her position and experiences better known. She said:

“I’m usually the person with the most diversity in any workgroup because of my Middle East birth. I have found others are usually afraid to ask me questions for fear of offending me. I am rather introverted, and in my culture, men’s opinions mattered more. I have realized that I must speak out more frequently and offer my ideas. I now actively participate in brainstorming sessions to solve problems. I even talk a bit about some of my life growing up in the Middle East. People are more comfortable around me because I made a significant effort to be more open and share.”

Here is how a male engineer in a global company answered.

“In my company, we have people from all over the world, so our workgroup is very diverse. I noticed some people are very quiet in the group. They offer more if we two are talking, but they remain silent in a group. I have realized the reluctance to speak in a larger group was because of age or generational differences or cultural differences. I then took on a more active role in group settings, even though I am not the leader. I’ll ask each person by name if they have any ideas or anything to add. This approach has given us new and better ideas to solve problems because everyone comes from a different perspective. It has also helped build more acceptance and make these people feel included and not like outsiders.”

As a manager, what strategies have you used to address diversity challenges?

“Many of our customers are from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds, so being savvy on how to act and what to say shows insight and good business acumen. As a result, I have taken several classes on diversity and became more sensitive to this issue. I do my best to promote tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion. I work with some resistant people who need additional training classes and coaching to be more sensitive. I coach them privately or call in HR and have HR offer a training course for my teams and indirect reports. I sell it as a terrific way to get more input from every person on the team, which allows us to come up with new ideas, productivity, and process/system or design improvements. That approach has been successful for me.”

Another answered with a clear-cut example:

“I had a female tech employee come to me and stated she overheard some men talking about their salaries. She did the same job and was shocked to hear that these men made more than $10,000 more than her. She requested an immediate raise to be equal to her male peers. I investigated the issue, and I found that all seven women I had in my division were underpaid. I took the issue to senior leadership and asked them to rectify the situation. This was not an easy sell because the company was in a so-called ‘no promotion, no raises’ timeframe. I talked to all the women involved and kept them informed. I was able to get equity raises through and retroactive to the beginning of the year. I pushed hard for this because it was the right thing to do. I feel strongly we need to offer fair, equitable pay to both men and women.”

Think about a few diversity questions you might be asked. (This Forbes article has more). Many interviewers want you to offer a specific work example. Think about the best illustration you can present, showing you to be accepting and tolerant. Write out your answer. Roleplay and say the words out loud. Perfect the answer, so you are ready to handle these challenging questions when asked.

 

Forbes.com | November 3, 2020 | Robin Ryan

#BestofFSCBlog : #JobSearch -Social Networking… What are you waiting for? The Reality of Finding a “Career” through Simply Newspaper or Job Boards is Slim to None.

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There are die-hards out there who still insist the best way to get a job is the old fashion way– newspaper ads, job boards, and word-of-mouth. While I agree on the word-of-mouth (a.k.a. networking) point, let’s face it, the reality of finding a “career” through simply newspaper or job boards is slim to none.

So, if you are still unfamiliar with social marketing/networking and online branding/profiles, I will give you the 101 basics on how to get started online with fast results.

  1. LinkedIn.com : I know I sound like a broken record here, but join LinkedIn. LinkedIn will open doors for you that you never thought possible. Originally started as a professional networking tool, LinkedIn is now being used by employers to seek out job seekers! How do they do this? They type in the keywords of candidate characteristics in the search box. If their words match up with the keywords on your profile, guess what?  You have officially become a contender. You can also research companies online, network with employees that WORK at that company and look for current job openings. Utilize LinkedIn as much as you can. You will be amazed at the results you get.
  2. Twitter.com : Join Twitter. If you are an entrepreneur, have a small business of some sort or are a job seeker, Twitter is a wonderful way to connect fast with all sorts of people. You build your network by following others who in return, follow you. It sounds strange at first until you get going. I created my profile, and within 3 months, I started really connecting with colleagues and job seekers, plus all sorts of other interesting folks. You can spread the word that you are job searching. The bigger your “follower” list is, the more people will know this and keep their eyes and ears open for you. I just read a great post about a college grad who got a job within just a couple of weeks of joining Twitter. It happens.
  3. Facebook.com : Facebook is a great way to connect with lots of people and get a little more personal with them. With the option of adding pictures, videos, quizzes and applications, you let the other person see more into your personal life–if you want them to. Many companies have their own Facebook pages that you can research.  Again, another great networking tool.
  4. Google.com : Another one I think everyone should do is to set up a Google profile. It is a basic profile with facts about you on Google. You will be able to control, or at least add to, what people see when they ‘Google’ you. Put up a professional picture and add a little bio. It adds to your online presence.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

As with anything, there are a few rules to keep in mind when doing your online networking. NEVER ever say anything you wouldn’t want a prospective employer to know. Remember that hiring managers ARE GOOGLING YOU, and an unsavory post on any of your networking sites may come back to haunt you. And PLEASE do not post any pictures that you wouldn’t want your Grandmother (or an employer) to see. Be smart. Keep it professional.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog | November 2, 2020

 

#JobSearch : A New LinkedIn Study Shows Job Seekers Are Not Helping Their Own Cause: Here’s What You Need To Do To Get Noticed. A MUst REAd for ALL!

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LinkedIn recently conducted a survey of 2,000 U.S. professionals, zeroing in on the actions of professionals who have been unemployed since the start of the pandemic. LinkedIn’s research, published by Andrew Seaman, senior editor of Job Search and Careers at LinkedIn News, indicated that people “have not been actively networking while being unemployed—even though most say it’s vital for a successful job search. ”

The reason for the lack of networking may be attributed, in part, to the misperceived shame and embarrassment associated with losing a job, as the study shows that “84% believe there is a stigma associated with being unemployed.”

According to the findings, networking is viewed as an unpleasant, uncomfortable and awkward necessity of the job search process, as “less than half of survey respondents (42%) say they’ve reached out to existing connections and only 39% say they’ve asked people in their networks, such as friends and former colleagues, for introductions to other people.” When it comes time to reach out to people outside of their core communities, “only about a third (35%) have been making their own introductions to new connections.” 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

As traditional methods of the job hunt have been curtailed due to the virus outbreak, such as grabbing a cup of coffee with someone, having an in-person, informal interview or attending a face-to-face networking event, gaining attention online has become paramount. It was somewhat surprising to learn that “only half of the survey respondents say they’ve even posted on social media about being unemployed or looking for a job.”

Their rationale for not branding and marketing themselves on social media is because they “don’t feel comfortable sharing publicly that they’re out of work.” Some respondents reported that they “felt too ashamed or embarrassed,” others thought “it wouldn’t be helpful.” They may also suffer from impostor syndrome, possess an inherent bias toward recruiters or have self-confidence issues.

Almost half (46%) of the people in the survey said they have “lied about being out of work,” while 51% have “avoided a social event because of the way they feel about being out of work.” Sadly, “24% said they felt embarrassed, 23% felt uneasy and 15% felt ashamed” of being out of work. The feelings of the out-of-work respondents run counter to finding that “the vast majority (96%) would hire a candidate who was laid off due to Covid-19.”

When you’re downsized, it’s natural to feel a twinge of embarrassment and some shame—even when it’s not your fault. Personal identities are intertwined with our jobs and careers. When you’re out of work, many people feel a loss of prestige and status. So, they keep the job loss to themselves. It’s completely normal to feel this way—temporarily. You may need some time to grieve and process what has happened. However, you must then pick yourself up, brush yourself off and take action.

Keep in mind that if you’re in this situation, you’re not alone. The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the job market. Over 60 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since the start of the virus outbreak. Unemployment hit an all-time high. The real numbers are probably larger than the official government data, as people who’ve finished collecting benefits just fall off the radar of statistics. The data also neglects to include people that unwillingly retired, as they weren’t able to find meaningful employment, those who are significantly underemployed relative to their experience, pushed into the gig economy (due to no other options) or they begrudgingly took lower-end roles to get health insurance.

Recruiters, corporate talent acquisition, human resources professionals and hiring managers understand that this is an unprecedented time. They most likely know or have family members in a similar spot. However, job seekers who have shared their feelings of inadequacy—tied to temporarily being out of work—may have experienced or heard of colleagues that were treated shabbily in their job searches. In past job markets, particularly when things were hot, there were always corporate managers that looked askance at candidates that were in between positions. They’d grill the applicant, “Why did they choose you for firing and not someone else?” The clear inference was that there must have been something wrong with the person, like they didn’t do their job properly, couldn’t work well with others or there is a deep, dark secret surrounding their separation from the payroll.

No one can blame you for being in between jobs, as it is so prevalent right now. There’s no stigma attached anymore. Any rational person, when they learn of your situation, would say that they completely understand and most likely will share similar stories about a bunch of people they know who are going through the same thing.

With this in mind, there’s no longer a need to go it alone. Be open about your goal of finding a new job. Let people know that you’re in the job market and what specifically you want to do next. If no one knows that you’re on the job hunt, they won’t reach out to you with opportunities.

Think of your job search as a group effort. Enlist as many people as you could think of, including family, friends, college alumni, former co-workers, business associates, kids you grew up with, members of organizations you belong to and people you met at various functions. If they don’t have any solid leads, politely and persistently ask them to point you to someone that they know who may get you in front of the right person.

Strategically align with folks on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that can contribute toward building a mutually benefiting network. These people should include potential hiring managers, human resources and talent acquisition professionals at the companies you’d like to work with. Find top-tier recruiters who are known experts in your field. Seek out peers at other companies within your niche. This way, the right types of relevant people will get to know you, as they see your postings and keep you in mind when jobs become available.

The best way to start branding yourself is by commenting, sharing, writing posts and articles on LinkedIn. The content should focus on your area of expertise, as you have a lot of knowledge to impart. You can start slowly by liking and addressing the postings of others. Find leaders in your field with large followings. Get involved in their conversations to amplify your own voice. Keep in mind that the questions you answer and your responses should burnish your brand. It’s fine to write about the emotions, challenges and pressure you’re dealing with in your job search. By openly expressing yourself, people will get to know you as a real person. If you want to take it to the next level, create videos. You can discuss matters relevant to your field. In addition to LinkedIn, also pay attention to other social media platforms that are relevant to your profession.

Set a schedule to contribute on a consistent basis. If you only post once in a while, you’ll get lost. Post regularly, so people get to know you and become interested in what you have to say next. You’ll start building an audience by continually marketing yourself. People will feel like they know you and will gladly help you out with job leads.

Aggressively reach out to recruiters and human resources professionals at companies you desire to work for. Contact anyone you know that could offer a lead. This is not the time to be shy. Even if you’re an introvert, push yourself to seek out assistance. If you’re uncomfortable initiating a phone or video call, send an email or contact them on social media platforms. The worst thing that could happen is that they don’t get back to you. The best thing is that you’ll find a great new job through a kind referral.

There are a number of online video meetups for job seekers to replace the pre-Covid-19, in-person networking events. Join them, participate and make yourself known. This will help build up another level of network—on top of what you already have. If you’re feeling brave, ask people who may be of assistance with your search to hop on a quick video call.

Even armed with this advice, I understand that it may not be easy for you. Start small and build from there. Your self-confidence will steadily increase. You’ll feel much better about yourself once you take control of your search. People will sense your new passion. Before you know it, they will start sharing job opportunities with you!

 

Forbes.com | November 1, 2020 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : 6 Things You Need To Do Before, During And After A Job Interview. A MUst REad!

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To have a successful job interview, there are a few key things you need to focus on. Preparation beforehand is critical, as is the way you perform in the interview itself and the way you follow up afterwards.

These tips will help you ace your next virtual or in-person interview.

Before the interview.

Research

It’s important to research the company you’ll potentially be working for so that you have a better understanding of the company culture and what working there is like. Look at the company’s website as well as sites like Glassdoor to get a feel for what employees think about working for the company. Read reviews to see if anything raises a red flag and if overall employee outlook on the company is positive or negative.

Prepare questions

It’s just as important for you to ask questions at the end of a job interview as it is for you to answer them, because that helps you gain more insight into what working at the company is really like. You want to make your questions as specific as possible and avoid asking anything that could be answered by going to their website. If you want to know about company culture, try asking for clarification of something you’ve read – ‘I saw on the website that one of your core values is learning. Can you tell me more about the kind of learning and development options that you offer?’

You first impression begins the moment you turn on your video in Zoom. It’s of utmost importance that your background is clean and clutter free and you are dressed professionally. If you can’t find a good background in your home, use a virtual one instead. Replace the handshake with a greeting and thank the hiring manager for inviting you to the interview. Be sure to look directly at the camera when you’re speaking so that it gives the impression you’re looking the hiring manager in their eyes. You can look at them when they’re speaking, but when it’s your turn, speak to the camera not their picture.

Talk about more than just what’s on your resume.

The hiring manager has already looked over your resume, so they know the details of your work history. The interview is when you can elaborate and give more details about your accomplishments and the type of work you did. Back up your answers with statistics wherever possible, as this helps to show how you’ll add value to the company.

Don’t answer yes or no questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Always elaborate on your answers. Saying yes or no doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything about you, so don’t throw away an opportunity to sell your abilities by using one word answers. If you’re asked if you have experience working with a specific program or software, say yes and explain how you used it. If your answer is no, think of something comparable that you do have experience with and explain how you think it’s relevant.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Follow up.

Stay in contact with the hiring manager.

No matter how well or how poorly you think the interview went, you absolutely must follow up afterwards. A quick message to the hiring manager thanking them for their time goes a long way. In your follow up, you should include the position you interviewed for, a quick takeaway from your interview, and a reiteration about why you’d like the job. If you want to get creative, you can send a video message or a link to your website if you have a portfolio of work you’d like to share.

Continue to follow up regarding next steps like a second round of interviews or a decision being made. You should already know when the hiring manager intends to reach out, so be proactive and send an email if you haven’t heard from them by a few days after they said they’d be in touch. Keep this email short and to the point – a couple of sentences will suffice.

Forbes.com | October 30, 2020 | Ashira Prossack

#JobSearch : 3 Reasons You’re Not Getting More Job Interviews (Even Though You’re Qualified). “Screw This! I Can Do Better!”

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“Screw this! I can do better!” Some variation of this usually pops in your head the moment you decide to get serious about searching for a new position. Fueled with excitement and optimism, the idea of landing a new job elsewhere seems worth the effort.

But, after more rejection emails than you’re willing to admit, you start to wonder if you’re really cut out for the next step in your career. You question if now is the right time, if you should stay put and if you’re even qualified. Even though you know you have what it takes to excel in the role you want, the lack of job interviews makes you contemplate if you’re in over your head, especially given the current job market.

However, rather than second-guessing your skills, it might be time to reevaluate your job search approach instead. Here are three reasons you’re not getting more job interviews even though you know you’re qualified for the roles you want. 

You’re not clear on what you want to do next.

Most people, whenever you ask them what they want, they’ll usually tell you what they don’t want instead. But, it’s not enough to want to leave your current job, you have to know where you’re headed. Especially at a time when the job market isn’t what it used to be, you can’t afford to toss your resume out into the wind and hope for the best. Applying for jobs without crystal clear clarity is a sure way to get denied, even when you know you’re qualified.

When you’re not clear on which type of jobs you should pursue, you risk appearing overqualified for some jobs and unqualified for others. So many high-achievers tell me that they’re frustrated because they keep hearing that they’re amazing but they’re not getting hired. One of the main reasons for that is because, even with great experience, without a clear focus on what you want to do next, it’s much harder to communicate in your resume and application why you’re the best person for the job. Getting crystal clear on the type of roles you want next not only makes your job search more organized and more efficient but also makes you a better candidate, which increases your chance of landing more job interviews when you apply for the right roles.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

You’re not clearly showing why you’re ready for the roles you want.

If you’re always hearing from your family and friends that your resume looks good but you never seem to hear back from companies when you apply for jobs, then you’re likely struggling in this area. Even if you’re clear on the roles you want next, if you’re not clearly showing why you’re ready for them, your efforts will be futile.

For instance, if you’re ready to finally secure a senior management position, but your resume only talks about projects and supporting tasks and doesn’t mention one word about your leadership skills and your ability to manage or develop a team, then you’re not clearly showing why you’re ready for the management position. To get more job interviews, you need to show how your experience aligns with the roles you desire next. Don’t just outline your career history in your resume and hope someone is willing to take the time to understand why they should hire you. Eliminate the guesswork and show how your experience has prepared you for the next step in your career.

You’re not clear on how to stand out ahead of the crowd.

If you’re still applying to eight jobs a day, stuffing your resume with keywords, and only relying on application portals to get noticed, then you’re probably not clear on how to stand out ahead of the crowd. Worse, if you’re still waiting for recruiters to reach out to you on LinkedIn, without being proactive, then you’re limiting yourself and your job opportunities. Once you know what you want, and how to show you’re ready for it, you have to be willing to take it a step further to stand out and impress hiring managers.

But, I get it. Maybe you’re still wondering if it’s even possible to stand out in the current job market. If so, the answer is a resounding yes. One of my clients recently landed her first director role at a competitive company in the middle of a pandemic and the recruiter told her that she beat out 4,000 candidates for the position. But it wasn’t because she got lucky. It was because she decided to stand out and be strategic. She mastered how to reach out directly to the right hiring managers. She decided to get out of her comfort zone. She learned how to genuinely connect with new people at companies she loved and she didn’t just wait and hope for the best.

If you’re having trouble getting interviews, instead of doubting your skills, doubt your strategy. It might be time to take a step back. Get crystal clear on what you want, take the time to show you’re ready for it, and master how to stand out ahead of the crowd.

Author: Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level and secure the positions they’ve been chasing. Grab her free guide.

 

Forbes.com | October 29, 2020

 

#JobSearch : 10 Things You Should Always Bring With You to an Interview. If You Want to Be One of the “Chosen” to Land an Interview, You Must Be at the Top of your Game.

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The current state of the economy and the job market has made it challenging to find a job. If you want to be one of the “chosen” to land an interview, you must be at the top of your game. No longer is it enough to simply appear at an interview dressed in a suit and armed with a positive attitude. Today’s candidates must be thoroughly prepared for each interview they attend.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

An important component of that preparation is knowing the ten things you should always bring with you to an interview.

  1. Five copies of your resume – even if you have submitted your resume electronically, it is still important to bring along hard copies. In many cases, candidates will find themselves interviewed by multiple managers, so it is always important to have enough resumes to go around.
  2. Professional references – be sure to bring a list of 3-5 professional references. Include each reference’s contact information, including email address as well as the capacity by which they know you.
  3. Personal references – more and more companies are turning to personal references to round out the interview process, so bring a list of personal references as well. Phone numbers, email address, and relationship should be carefully noted for each reference.
  4. Work History – keep a list of your previous employers, including physical address, phone number, employment dates, and manager names. Being unable to provide this information is unprofessional and may raise an eyebrow or two.
  5. Education – bring a list of each school you attended, the address, and the degree, or program studied.
  6. Skills – As technology continues to evolve, many potential employers are interested in what programs candidates have mastered. You should also include any specialized skills or equipment you can operate
  7. Questions – almost all hiring managers will end the interview by asking if the candidate has any questions – prepare a list in advance. It is a great idea to do this by carefully reviewing the company website. The questions should be thought provoking and relevant.
  8. Documentation – Bring along any professional certifications, as well as a valid driver’s license and social security card. In the event that the position is immediately offered to you, you will have all of the information needed with you.
  9. Samples – Many jobs require a candidate to provide samples of their work. Be sure to bring along representations of your best work. This applies to almost all jobs. For example, an architect may bring along samples of their designs while a teacher might bring lesson plans or an example of a teaching plan.
  10. Attitude – never underestimate the power of your attitude – remember you are selling yourself, so it is crucial you come prepared to do just that. Be well rested and eat shortly before your interview.

Being adequately prepared for an interview is the first step towards has a successful session. Be sure to prepare your interview items in advance so you are not rushing around trying to locate everything right before your interview.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog | October 29, 2020

#JobSearch : How To Talk About A Layoff Or Furlough In A Job Interview. You will Be Asked About your Career Moves and Layoff(s).

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Mass layoffs and furloughs have been announced across a variety of industries — travel and leisure, media, energy, financial services, etc. (Business Insider keeps a running tally here). While losing your job may be more commonplace now, it can still be difficult to talk about, especially in a job interview, where you might feel less confident admitting any negative news.

You will likely be asked about your various career moves and transitions, especially your most recent ones. You may also be asked about any gaps in your resume. Finally, with layoffs prominently featured in the news and top of mind for many, the interviewer may ask you outright if you were downsized.

The good news is that, with so many people affected, there is less stigma attached to being laid off or furloughed. The better news is that you have control on how you talk about a layoff or furlough. You can minimize the negative impact of being laid off or furloughed and still ace your job interview by taking these five steps:

1 – Address what the interviewer really wants to know

Remember that the purpose of the job interview is to determine if you’re the best candidate for the job. The prospective employer wants their problem solved. They really aren’t focused on you, except for what you can do for them. In the same way, they don’t really care about your layoff, except what it might reveal about how good an employee you will be.

A layoff or furlough can impact you negatively if the prospective employer thinks you were let go for performance reasons. You can counter that by confirming that you were one among many and not singled out for cause. The prospective employer might worry that your time away from work has eroded your skills. You can counter that by keeping your skills and expertise updated. The prospective employer might assume your recent bad experience has soured your attitude or work ethic. You can counter that by showing high energy and enthusiasm during the interview.

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2 — Keep your answer concise

Concise means just enough information. You don’t want to say too little, such as avoiding talking about the layoff or furlough at all. This makes it appears as if you’re hiding something. At the same time, you don’t want to say too much and keep referencing it throughout the job interview. This is like going on a date where the other person spends the whole time talking about their ex! The incident is in the past, and the job interview is for the future. You want to assure the prospective employer that you only have eyes for them.

3 — Keep your tone neutral and non-judgmental

The prospective employer wants to hire someone who will be committed and a positive addition to the team. If you bad mouth your previous employer, your next employer will worry you will say the same about them. Even if the layoff or furlough was handled terribly or you felt you were treated unfairly or you have whatever good reason for having a negative opinion about your past employer, keep your tone neutral and non-judgmental when you explain what happened. (it helps when you keep your answers concise!)

Getting to a neutral tone when you are talking about a difficult issue is something you may need to practice. As a longtime recruiter, I have sat in too many interviews where the candidate clearly still harbors negative feelings toward a past employer. Outline in advance what you will say about the layoff or furlough. Practice saying it until you can do it without getting emotional – e.g., sad, angry, defensive. Role play with someone else who will probe on this issue to make sure you’re comfortable talking about it. (Read more tips here on how to handle a hostile interview.)

4 — Refocus the interview back to the job opening

The likelihood is that the interviewer will move on quickly after hearing a satisfactory explanation for your layoff or furlough. But you can help move the interview along by initiating the transition back to the job opening at hand. For example, as you talk about your recent job, you mention that you left because you were laid off, and then you immediately highlight the skills, expertise and experience you gained at the job that is relevant to this particular opening. No need to wait for the interviewer to sign off on your layoff explanation and give you permission to move on. The job interview is a conversation, a two-way street, and you can control the agenda as much as the interviewer by refocusing the interview on the job opening.

5 — Line up references to support your story

Too many job seekers wait till they have an impending job offer before lining up their list of professional references. It takes time to reach your references and confirm that: 1) they agree to give you a reference; 2) you have their most updated contact information; and 3) they know what to say to give you the strongest and most relevant reference possible.

Number 3 surprises some people, but you need to coach your references. You don’t need to tell them what to say word-for-word (and legitimate references won’t want you to do that anyway). However, you need to tell them what jobs you’re going for so they can highlight the relevant aspects of your previous work together. This includes talking about the circumstances surrounding your layoff or furlough – even if only to confirm that it wasn’t performance-related. Having your references lined up in advance, including someone who will corroborate your account of the layoff or furlough, will make you more confident and comfortable in your job interview.

You determine how strong a candidate you are, not your layoff or furlough

Being laid off or furloughed is the end of that job, but certainly not your career. You can still come across as a strong candidate during the job interview by highlighting the skills, expertise and experience you do have. Remember that the prospective employer is focused on hiring a solution to their problem, not your layoff or furlough at all.

 

Forbes.com | October 28, 2020 | Caroline Ceniza-Levine

#JobSearch : What’s the Value of Sending a Thank You Letter? Studies Show that Candidates who Follow Up the Interview with a Thank You always Get Chosen Before their Peers.

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I’ve been asked many, many times, “Do I really need to send a Thank You letter to the employer?” and the answer is always, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Okay, so I am a bit uptight about Thank You letters. I know that–especially after a wedding or birthday. But do we need to do it after an interview? Does the employer really care? Does it really make a difference?  YES!

When in the job search process, a little bit of manners goes a long way. A Thank You letter can literally boost your chances of beating out other candidates.In a recent online poll taken, a question was posed to HR managers “Are you more likely to hire someone who has sent you a post-interview thank you note?” 61 percent answered either “yes” or “perhaps”, where 39 percent said “no” or “probably not”.

With fierce competition out there these days, HR professionals are looking at more and more criteria to help them decide on the best possible candidate. The right Thank You letter can give a hiring manager additional insight on your intelligence, manners, and written verbal communication skills, as well as your desire for the job. Guess it’s time to dust off the box of thank you notes.

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Studies repeatedly show that candidates who follow up the interview with a thank you always get chosen before their peers. Sending a customized thank you note gives you an edge. It helps remind the interviewer who you are. Many recruiters of Fortune 500 companies admit that some candidates get lost in the shuffle, only to rediscover them when receiving a thank you note.

A thank you note reiterates your strong points. It reminds them why they should hire YOU. 

Here are a few tips about writing a thank you note:

1- Proofread. Double check and make sure that not only is your thank you error-free, but that you are sending it to the right employer!

2- Restate Your Strong Points. Hiring managers state that a thank you note is “literally the last chance candidates have to sell themselves to an employer”. Remind them why you are the best candidate.

3- Impress Them with Your Listening Skills. State something in the letter that relates to the conversations you had at the interview. Show them you really were listening to them, not daydreaming about what the benefits and compensations are going to be.

4- Thank Everyone. If 3 people interviewed you, then they each get a thank you. Not only will they be impressed, but they may show it to each other in an attempt to get the others to want to hire you, too. Just remember to customize each letter. A letter that is not well-thought-out (or the same to each) can only hurt you. If you are stumped on what to write, just think about the topics you discussed during the interviews.

It only takes about 2 minutes and a stamp to make a lasting impression.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

FSC Career Blog |  October 27, 2020

#BestofFSCBlog : Eight(8) Ways To Cope & Rebound From Constant Rejection In Your #JobSearch & Career. During the Job Search, you’ll be Met with Rejection & it’s Even Worse Now.

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Interviewing for a job or seeking advancement at work is stressful and nerve-racking. The pressure is now intensified as there’s a prolonged Covid-19 pandemic with no immediate end in sight. Over 60 million Americans have filed for unemployment, millions more are underemployed or have finished collecting benefits and have fallen off of the government’s official data coverage. So, now you’re faced with intense competition.

During the job search, you’ll be met with rejection and it’s even worse now. As companies are concerned over what will happen in the future, it’s hard to get noticed at the office, especially as everyone’s fighting to hold onto their jobs or get a better one.

It’s especially hard to handle rejection when you’re worried about your financial situation, how you’ll pay the bills, rent or mortgage. After submitting dozens of résumés and completing lengthy, annoying and glitchy applications every day without hearing back, it’s nearly impossible to stay positive. When you think you did exceptionally well in an interview and haven’t heard back after several weeks, it’s devastating. If you’re stuck in the same role at work and no one is giving you a chance, it’s hard to keep making it through the day.

Here are some ways to cope and rebound from rejection.

1) It’s not just happening to you.

Take a small measure of comfort in knowing that everyone is going through the same thing. We’ll all be in this together. Yes, there will be some people who look like they’re getting all of the breaks, but those are the rare exceptions. Take comfort in knowing that everyone else is experiencing similar feelings of fear, stress and bouts of depression. Everyone at one point in their career gets rejected for a coveted role, loses out to an office rival for a lucrative promotion or gets ghosted after a great series of interviews.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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2) Maybe it’s not meant to be.

Once in a while, you catch a break and you’re in the right place at the right time. Most often, you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not getting selected to move on in the interview process nor getting a raise or big bonus may have nothing to do with you. It could be due to a host of other factors. The job may have been placed on hold or the company went in a different direction. There could have been an internal candidate that received the job offer. The senior vice president’s nephew got the promotion.

3) Consider your approach.

If you keep striking out, it may be time to do some self-analysis. Are you applying for jobs outside of your core competencies? What does your social media footprint say about you? How’s your tone in the interview or at the office?

When you’ve been beaten down, it’s easy to start feeling bitter, resentful and angry. These unattractive traits could come out and alienate people. If a manager senses that you’re unhappy and blame others for everything that’s happened in the past, they won’t be interested in extending an offer or giving you more responsibilities. In this job market, they’ll believe that there are many other smart, capable and level-headed people with positive attitudes available.

4) Make adjustments.

If you keep striking out, share your presentation style with trusted friends and mentors. Ask them for their honest evaluation, constructive criticism and feedback. Really listen to what they have to say and enact the necessary alterations to your approach.

You should also take a step back and assess other elements too. Review your résumé, LinkedIn profile, networking strategy and social media postings. People look at these things and make snap judgements. Ensure that you are presenting yourself in the best light.

Practice your elevator pitch until you feel it’s perfected. Think of all the questions that could be asked of you and rehearse your answers.

5) Manage your expectations.

Pre-pandemic, your goal may have been to find a job within one to three months. You also wanted to receive a certain title and compensation. In a strong job market, that’s fairly reasonable. Today, you need to adjust your definition of success. Getting a new job is very hard and could take a long time.

Focus on the victories along the way and celebrate them. Feel good when you hear from a company. Pat yourself on the back when you get an interview. Get excited about a second round. Keep in mind that the odds are stacked against you. So, if the offer does not materialize, it won’t crush you.

6) Keep a running list of your good qualities.

Rejection can sap your self-confidence and question your abilities. You may start ruminating on all of the bad breaks that hurt you in the past. Left unchecked, you can slide down a slippery slope of self-doubt and second-guess any decision you make.

Replace the negative feedback loop with a recitation of all of your stellar qualities and crowning achievements. When a negative thought pops up, immediately replace it with a memory of a time in which you prevailed over adversity. Mentally repeat back all of your accomplishments—both big and small. It will serve as a reminder that you’ve succeeded in the past and can prevail against all odds in the future.

7) Positive mantras help.

Self-talk yourself into a success-oriented mindset. Have a list of positive affirmations and play them on loop to fight back against the obstacles and hurdles in your path.

“This is merely a minor setback; I will find a new job!”

“Just because I was rejected for the job does not diminish my self-worth and value.”

“I am smart, talented and have a lot to offer.”

“I won’t give up and will make it through this tough time!”

8) Stay strong and tough.

You need this to power through the daily challenges. A helpful tip is to take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Don’t wallow in self-pity or engage in destructive behaviors, such as binge drinking, eating to excess, watching too much television, taking drugs or isolating yourself from others. Hit the pause button and stop obsessing over your situation. Find some hobbies to distract you. Engage in activities that you excel at, so it provides a confidence boost. Take a walk in the park to clear your head, set a workout routine, listen to thoughtful and encouraging podcasts and read books or stories of uber-successful people that triumphed over failure and rejection to put you in a better mood.

It’s not easy to cope with rejection. This will be a constant battle. By focusing on staying strong, reminding yourself of all of your great qualities, reevaluating your approach, adopting positive mantras, taking a break and adjusting your definition of success, it will help you combat and overcome the feelings associated with rejection.

 

Forbes.com | October 23, 2020 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : Interview Responses to Avoid at All Costs. You Need to Answer the Questions Correctly to Get the Job.

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An interview is your opportunity to sell yourself. Regardless of how much you may look the part, you need to answer the questions correctly to get the job. Interviewers ask key questions and look for certain types of answers. Honesty is always the best policy, but remember that it is okay not to offer information that was not asked.

Never bash your former employer.
It doesn’t matter if your last boss was the Wicked Witch of the Workforce, don’t say anything negative about your former employer. Instead of saying that you left your last job to get away from your boss that micromanages like it’s going out of style, say that you are looking for an employer that wants to utilize your talents and allow you to truly contribute to the company. Instead of saying what you hated about your last employer, focus on what you love about the employer that you are interviewing with.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Avoid slang.
It doesn’t matter if everyone you know uses double negatives and slang, don’t use them in your interview responses. Always make sure that you look and sound intelligent and articulate in an interview. You might be a college graduate from an ivy league school, but if you speak like you dropped out of grade school in your interview, there’s a good chance that you won’t be getting the job. An interview is the place to be as professional as possible.

Always have questions.
Almost all interviews end with the interviewer asking you if you have any questions about the position or the company. Be certain to have some questions. However, avoid questions about pay, vacation time, hours, bonuses, and similar things that depend on you actually having the job. Instead, do some research on the company that you are interviewing with and ask a question about something that you read. This shows that you are interested about the company and have done some research.

Never say you were fired.
When asked why you left your last place of employment, never under any circumstances should you say that you were fired, even if you were. You could say instead that you and your manager agreed that your last position may not have been the best fit. Do not lie about why you left, but avoid using the words fired, terminated, and let go in your explanation of why you are no longer with your previous company.

Don’t lie.
It’s better to admit that there is something that you don’t know than to lie. If you find yourself put on the spot with a question that you don’t know how to answer, it is perfectly acceptable to ask for a moment or two to consider your answer. When you give the interviewer a well thought out response to the question that was posed, you can also make a point of emphasizing that you don’t make snap judgments and decisions, but instead prefer to think through how you are going to answer the situation. In many situations, this type of personality trait can be an asset.

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

FSC Career Blog | October 23, 2020