“Unemployed Need Not Apply”

Posted on August 2, 2011 by CamilleGrabowski

The practice by some employers of only considering employed candidates is shameful and should not be tolerated. The EEOC is investigating it as a form of defacto discrimination, significantly impacting some protected classes such as women and people of color. Check out Congressional Bill HR2501, submitted recently, which is designed to protect workers from this type of discrimination. Let your Congressperson know you support HR2501.
I am appalled at this hiring practice, but I do believe workers need to change their strategies for job search. The world of work has changed and if you want to be competitive you need to be aware of those changes and adjust your strategies. Bottom-line focused companies want to make sure they hire people whose skills are up to date. If that’s not you, then you should be looking at training, volunteer work, and temp work as tools to get you the next job. But keep in mind that at some point we’ll be out of this economic situation and those same companies will be begging for employees.

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Design a “Portfolio” Career

Posted on June 1, 2011 by CamilleGrabowski

What about designing a career that works for you and one that you may continue with even into retirement? A portfolio career requires that you juggle your schedule and, to the extent that you sell your own services, you will need to market yourself. But essentially you design a career around the things you love to do for which you can get paid! So, let’s say gardening is your passion. You can get a part-time position in a nursery or garden shop. If that doesn’t pay the rent or provide needed healthcare benefits, then add another part-time position that does.

If you plan appropriately, you may continue to engage parts of the “portfolio” long into your retirement years. You may choose related occupations or utilize all sides of your personality and talents by working in completely different occupations.

If you are working part time chances are that you may not qualify for benefits, so take into consideration the number of hours you devote to various aspects of your career and how you will manage health care and retirement savings. Many more organizations are now offering benefits for part-timers. So check them out. Here are some examples: www.moneycrashers.com/part-time-jobs-health-insurance-benefits/

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Resume Action Words

Posted on April 25, 2011 by CamilleGrabowski

Action words are the keys to helping the potential employer envision you doing the job that they have posted. It’s easy to get hung up on using the same words over and over–like “developed” or “managed.” Get some ideas for more descriptive words by reviewing action word lists. Those lists that are organized by skills area also help you identify your particular skill set. I’ve just posted a new list on my website.  Check it out and, if you have some ideas for additional words, let me know.  www.50pluscareercoach.com.

Posted in Developing PSRs, Interview Skills, Resume Skills | Leave a comment

Phone Interviewing Preparation

Posted on April 17, 2011 by CamilleGrabowski

Frequently the first interview an applicant will have is a phone screen, particularly during this time of high unemployment when job postings yield hundreds of resumes from qualified candidates.  The purpose of the phone screen is to determine which of the most qualified candidates should be invited for an in-person interview.  The first step in preparing for a telephone screen interview is to find out who will be interviewing you.  Will it be a recruiter, human resources manager, or the technical manager?  Knowing to whom you will be speaking helps you direct your comments appropriately.

Preparation

Prepare for the call in advance:

  • Have a copy of the job posting, paper, and pen available.
  • Have your resume at hand and highlight your key skills for the position.
  • Take the call from a quiet place free of noise and distractions.
  • Review your research of the company.
  • Have their website up on your computer during the call.
  • Create a brief list of general questions about the job/company (save the detailed questions for the face-to-face interview).

Using Your Voice

Since neither you nor the hiring manager have the benefit of the visual cues that a face-to-face meeting provides, you have to convey your personality and suitability through your voice and how you manage your side of the conversation.  Most important – be positive, use a friendly, conversational tone, and speak clearly.  Listen carefully to the questions and ask for clarification if you need to.  Let the interviewer lead the discussion.

General Purpose

The general purpose of the screening call is to determine if you have the qualifications required for the position.  If the job for which you have applied includes communication skills as a requirement, the way you handle the call will reflect on this skill.

End with a Call to Action

Close the conversation with a call to action:  What is the next step in the process? When can you expect to hear back from someone?

Relax and Be Confident

Most important—relax and be your confident self.

Posted in Interview Skills, Phone Interview, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Don’t you think you’re overqualified?

Posted on March 20, 2011 by CamilleGrabowski

This may be the most frequently asked question in an interview.  For a wide variety of reasons, job seekers are ready, willing, and able to take a position at a lower level than the last job they held. Some folks just need the money and are willing to do any kind of work. Others have decided that they don’t have either the physical or emotional ability to do what they did before. Still others want to return to work that may have been more fulfilling earlier in their careers.  Whatever the reason, if you are interviewing for a position that is in any way a “step back” from what you have done most recently, chances are excellent that you will be asked some form of this question.

So what’s the right answer? Is being “overqualified” is a bad thing? It’s not clear what the interviewer wants to know.  Here’s where you need to use your “active listening” skills. What information is the interviewer trying to get at? You may be able to figure out the interviewer’s concerns based on the context of the conversation. Here are some possible questions that the interviewer REALLY wants to have answered:

  • Will you be bored/unhappy in this position?
  • Will you be satisfied with a lower compensation?
  • Will you leave as soon as a more challenging job comes up?
  • Will you be angling for a promotion right away?
  • Will you try to take the interviewer’s position?

The interviewer may have any number of other concerns inarticulately advanced with the “overqualified” remark or question.  The bottom line is that you cannot give an honest and direct answer to such an ambiguous question.

Your goal in the interview process is to promote your skills, capabilities, and accomplishments and demonstrate how they match the employer’s needs.  In order to do this well, you need to understand each question and if it’s not clear what information the interviewer wants, then ask for clarification.

If you are faced with the “overqualified” question, consider using some form of the following response:

“I want to provide you with all the information that you need to make a good hiring decision. Can you please clarify your concerns?”  That clarification should express the concern of the interviewer and now you can respond.  The right answer here is the honest answer.  Be sure to consider your answer to the “overqualified” question as you prepare for the interview. Prepare your answers to every reasonable concern that being “overqualified” may raise.

Posted in Interview Skills, Tough Interview Questions | 2 Comments

10 Strategies for Overcoming Age Bias

Posted on March 6, 2011 by CamilleGrabowski

If you are concerned that your age or years of work history may create an obstacle in your job search, then you need to implement the following strategies.

1.       DON’T mention it.  Don’t bring up your age or your years of experience which may suggest your age.

2.       DO develop an air of confidence, vigor, and competence. Rid your mind of thoughts of age bias so you don’t give out any unconscious signals that age is an issue.

3.       DO make sure your skills and training are up to date for the job you seek.

4.       DO remove dates from your resume that may give away your age.  Those may be dates of education or certifications.

5.       DON’T go back any further than 15 to 20 years of work history on your resume.

6.       DON’T focus on your years of experience on your resume. Employers want to know what you can contribute now.

7.       DO emphasize your skills and accomplishments on your resume.  Create a T-chart and match your skills and accomplishments to the key requirements of the job. This exercise will prepare you for writing your resume and for the interview questions.

8.       DO seek out “age-friendly” employers. Identify 10 to 20 companies you want to work for and find out if they welcome mature workers. Network to find people who currently work there or have worked there in the past and get information from them. Check out the company website for photos, press releases, statements about corporate culture. Check out certified age-friendly employers at RetirementJobs.com and AARP.org. Visit the company parking lot and see who’s coming and going.

9.       DO make a good first impression at the interview.  Dress appropriately for your age and the company culture, display enthusiasm, and confidence. Leave any thoughts of age discrimination outside the building—they will poison your attitude and jeopardize your chances for a successful interview and never mention the subject of age, even in jest.

10.   DO prepare for the “tough” interview questions that relate to age.  Use active listening skills and look behind the questions.  What are the interviewer’s concerns?

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Take a Vacation from Job Search

Posted on February 20, 2011 by CamilleGrabowski

You’ve been looking for a job for over six months and discouragement is a mild description of your attitude.  It may seem like you’re sinking deeper and deeper into the well with no lifeline.  What can you do to restore your faith in yourself and your confidence in your ability to find a job?  You know your attitude affects the persona you present at an interview so it’s critical for your mental health as well as your ability to land that job.  It’s time to take a break.

Give yourself a week of NOT job hunting. No searching the job boards, no sending resumes, no phone calls, or emails.  Instead focus your “vacation” time on restoring your mental and physical health. Create a vacation schedule includes rest, exercise, and mental health restoration. Start with an exercise program—whether it’s working out on a treadmill, taking a long walk, swimming, stretching, yoga, or whatever is available to you—do it every day for at least 45 minutes. Eat healthfully by planning well-balanced meals.

Devote 30 minutes each day to restoring your mental well being by meditating. If that sounds too foreign to you, then spend the 30 minutes thinking and writing about yourself—your best qualities—the things about you that make you the unique and valuable person that you are. If you have negative thoughts, just push them aside and focus on a positive one. This isn’t always easy when you’re in a period of discouragement, but just note one or two positives to start.  If you practice every day you will discover more.

Restart your job search after your “vacation.”  Don’t just pick up where you left off, but start all over.  Carefully review your job search goals. If the jobs in your field have pretty much dried up, identify the skills you have that are transferable to another position. Conduct some informational interviews to verify your suitability and get more data.  Revise your resume.  Make sure your resume is focused on a particular job title. You need a different resume for each position title.  Do your listed skills support the position for which you are applying?  You may need to reorder or add skills, depending on the position description.

Searching for a job is a job and you may need a break—a “vacation” to restore your energy and gather your strength. Take a little time off to refocus and come back to your job search renewed.

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Networking Etiquette

Posted on February 6, 2011 by CamilleGrabowski

Make the most out of your networking opportunities by adhering to the basic rules of etiquette.  Don’t monopolize your contact’s time—be considerate and schedule conversations at their convenience. Be professional and polite—never pushy. Focus on getting leads and referrals and if the contact doesn’t have any at the moment, give them your business card and ask them to keep you in mind if they should hear anything.

By the way, you do have business cards, don’t you?  If not, head over to your nearest print center and have some created right away.  Make sure to include the title of the position you seek and/or a list of your key skills.

Make sure to follow up with a thank-you note, whether or not the contact yielded any information. You will want to stay in touch and check in with them again. Provide a copy of your resume if appropriate.

Be a good networker and pay it forward. Don’t wait until you’re out of a job to reach out to people. Check in with your contacts and be proactive in meeting new people—don’t just wait until you need a job. Keep in mind it’s not all about what your network can do for you–if you don’t offer your advice or connections to your contacts, they aren’t going to be very motivated to help you.

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Your “Elevator” Speech

Posted on January 23, 2011 by CamilleGrabowski

Networking has become the most important tactic for finding a job. As you begin to attend networking events you may have concerns about what to say to a contact and how to introduce yourself, so be prepared. Start by creating your “elevator speech.”  That is a 30-second statement (the time it takes to go up or down in an elevator) that clearly and succinctly describes your skills and the job you seek.  Focus on what you can provide to a company—your value-add.  Here’s an example:  “Hi, I’m Joe Green and I am an experienced e-marketer. I help companies grow their business by developing robust marketing plans utilizing e-marketing, web development, and website promotion programs. I’m currently looking for an e-marketing specialist position.  Do you know of any companies who may be looking for someone with my skills? “  Once you’ve developed your elevator speech, practice, practice, practice until it rolls off your tongue comfortably and effortlessly.

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Networking Notes

Posted on January 9, 2011 by CamilleGrabowski

Do you know that almost 80% of all jobs are filled by word of mouth?  Just that fact makes the idea of networking sound a little more appealing.  Many people are put off or even afraid of networking, but it’s not as scary as you think and, truth be told, you are networking every day in every interaction you have with another person.  Now that you are looking for a job, you just need to focus that networking on your job search.

Networking

Networking happens all the time.  It’s the method you use for developing relationships at work and in your community. You may belong to a professional or volunteer organization.  You belong to these organizations because you share interests with other members. Use these same techniques to promote your job search. Make a list of the contacts in your network and let them know the type of position you seek. Enlist their support in passing the word on to their contacts and sharing leads with you.  Be a focused and effective networker by being prepared with your “elevator speech.” Pay attention to networking etiquette, whether your contacts are made in person or online.

Your Network

Your network consists of anyone who may be able to help you identify a job opportunity.  You can network in person or online using social media tools such as Facebook and LinkedIn.  Don’t set limits on who should be a part of your network. Information can come from anyone, the person next to you on an airplane, an acquaintance or family member. People who know you, who like you, and who are aware of your skills will want to help you. They’ll inform you of opportunities and refer you to people in their network.  Start by creating a list of people to contact.  Here are some examples of who should be on your list:

  • Friends and neighbors
  • Family members
  • Peers
  • Current and former co-workers
  • Current and former supervisors
  • Fellow professional association members
  • Current/former clients and customers
  • Service providers (e.g. hairdresser, barber, doctor)
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