Why You Didn’t Get the Job – Really
You interviewed for the perfect position. It was a perfect fit for you. You presented all of your qualifications in great detail. You told illuminating anecdotes that documented your achievements. You may even be the greatest candidate to have ever crossed their threshold. Yet you didn’t get the job. Why? The answer is simple – because it’s not about you. I know this sounds cold, but read on.
Companies don’t hire people because they need jobs or because they have compelling resumes. People get hired because the company believes they can solve a problem. Successful candidates use the interview process to position themselves as the best solution to the hiring manager’s problem. How do they do that?
Successful candidates use the limited amount of time available in the interview process to focus on the things that are of highest importance to the company. They keep their answers brief and follow them up with qualifying questions to make sure they ferret out the hiring manager’s problem, and then position themselves as the solution to that problem. Rather than going into a ten minute monologue in answer to the usual interview opener, “Tell me about yourself,” the successful candidate will answer with a brief summary of their background, followed by a qualifying question – something like, “Can you tell me a little more about what you’re trying to accomplish with this position? I’d like to focus my answers on the aspects of my background that matter most to you.” Using this approach throughout the interview sets the stage for an effective exchange that benefits you both. You’ll walk away with a much clearer understanding of the role and its challenges, and the company will have a much clearer understanding of the specific benefits to them of hiring you.
When I explain this concept to people involved in sales, it’s an immediate “Aha!” moment. Sales reps don’t walk into a customer’s office and begin reciting all the features and specifications of their product . They spend some time qualifying so they can understand what the customer is trying to accomplish, and present a solution that solves the problem. The interview process is the exactly the same, except that your skills and abilities are the product. Solve the problem, close the deal.
Facebook Faux Pas
Facebook privacy concerns are back in the news with the announcement of its new enhancements and collaboration tools. The reality is that anything you put on web will be accessible to someone, and Facebook is no exception. If you’re not on Facebook, it’s probably just a matter of time. Facebook grew 145% last year, and users between the ages of 35 and 54 now comprise its largest demographic. While you may not be using Facebook as part of your personal branding strategy, you need to be mindful that others – employers, customers, peers, recruiters – may be using it to check you out.
You’re all smart enough to not post a photo of yourself doing a keg stand at your college reunion. Here are a few other Facebook faux pas:
Whining. Of any sort. You hate your boss, your job is boring, and your customers drive you crazy. Cry in your beer, not on Facebook.
Political commentary. We live in a politically divided country. While your political rants may endear you to half the population, it’s a pretty safe bet you’re ticking off the other half.
Timing. Even though the lines between work and play continue to blur, the perception that you’re screwing around on Facebook during business hours can be a career killer. Remember, it’s all time stamped. Post your “song of the day” or favorite recipe on your own time.
Good News on the Hiring Front
Execunet’s Recruiter Confidence Index indicates that the tide may be turning for the Executive Employment Market.
- 64% of executive recruiters expect the executive employment market to improve during the next 6 months (the highest level since May 2008)
- 56% indicated they expect employers to leverage the current economic climate by “trading up” with new hires for existing management roles
- 21% of companies anticipate adding new executive jobs in the next 6 months (up from 14% in December)
Executives aren’t hired in a vacuum – hiring at one level leads to hiring at other levels. Bearing in mind that recruiters tend to be a pretty optimistic group (we’re a glass half full bunch) this is promising news!
Oddball Interview Questions
The folks at glassdoor.com have compiled their list of 2009’s most unusual interview questions, and there are some doozies! My favorite is ”If you were a brick in a wall which brick would you be and why?” I’m fascinated with all the permutations of where and why. See all the questions at http://bit.ly/5Os9o8
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search
The New Year is traditionally a time of new beginnings, and if a rash of current surveys is to be believed, over 50% of the workforce - at all levels and across industries - will be seeking new career opportunities in the new year. Whether you’ll be actively looking or just want to be prepared when opportunity knocks, now is a great time to review the past year, document accomplishments and update your resume.
To help you get started, we’ve prepared a list of 26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search. Some of them are no-brainers and others will require some serious thought.
Lay the Groundwork
1. Determine what you’re looking for – what does your next opportunity look like? Define what’s important to you. It’s unusual for multiple offers to come in at the same time so you need to clarify the criteria you’ll use to make your decision.
2. Have the “career talk” with your current management. Discuss growth options, career progression and future compensation opportunities. Perhaps your best next career step is to stay your current company.
3. Reconnect with your references. Confirm their contact information and their willingness to speak on your behalf.
4. Clean up your online presence. Anything out there is fair game. Google yourself. Make sure there’s nothing on Facebook you wouldn’t want your new boss to see.
5. If relocation is an option, sit down with your realtor and your banker before you start the search. Determine your home’s salability and likely time on the market and understand your equity and credit worthiness so you’ll be prepared to assess your options in other parts of the country. If you’re looking internationally spend some time on the ex-patriot sites and forums.
Build your Network
6. Join or increase your participation in professional organizations relevant to your industry. Join the board, head a committee, get your name out there as a player in your industry.
7. Update (or create) a LinkedIn profile and put a plan in place to build your network as quickly as possible. Check out your profile on Zoominfo. LinkedIn is by far the largest business networking site. Zoominfo is one of the most popular business research sites.There are multiple networking sites out there. Decide which you’re going to use and work them religiously. Make it easy for people to find you .
What’s Your Value Proposition?
8. Compile documentation that will verify your accomplishments and business impact, recognition awards, promotions and reviews.
9. Outline your background from a feature/ benefit perspective. How will your experience benefit a new firm? Be prepared to give examples – short stories to illustrate your accomplishments.
10. Update your resume. Make it heavy on quantifiable accomplishments. (See #8 & #9) Save it as “Your Name.doc” so the recipient can find it easily. Most resumes are scanned and parsed into a database so keep your formatting simple. Include relevant key words and phrases.
Logistics
11. Set up a personal email to use in your job search. Think about your image – no cutesy names like Partyanimal@xxx.com and snugglyskibunny@yyy.com. Use your first and last name in the “from” of your emails (not your email address) so the recipient can find your emails easily. Do not conduct a search from your company email address.
12. Always use an email signature with your complete contact information, including your email address and preferred phone number. It makes it easier for the recipient to grab the info.
13. Use a phone number that rolls to voicemail if you’re on the phone – you never want a busy signal. Use the same number on all of your job search documents and emails.
14. Check your voicemail message – It should be professional and upbeat sounding. No rock music, chipmunks or kids.
15. Start saving up vacation and personal days for interviews, and leave some openings in your day planner for phone screens.
16. Try on your “lucky” interview suit – especially if you spend your life in business casual. Make sure it’s clean and pressed, fits and you still feel like a million bucks when you wear it.
Strategy
17. Plan your strategy –identify target companies and industries, and look for contacts and connections for networking .
18. Create job search agents on the big boards and aggregators, e.g. Indeed, Simply Hired, Monster, CareerBuilder, so you’ll be alerted to positions that meet your criteria.
19. Research associations and niche boards that focus on your industry. Many have job postings or will allow you to post a blinded version of your resume.
20. Set up a system to track your job search – where you’ve sent your resume, who you’ve spoken with, when you need to follow up. It can be a spreadsheet, a database, or even a list.
Rehearse
21. Practice your elevator speech.
22. Brush up on interview techniques. Prepare and rehearse your answers to the perennial interview questions: “Tell me about yourself” “What are you looking for” “Why are you looking” “Why did you leave your last position?” “What are your salary requirements?”
23. If you’ve been fired or let go prepare a one sentence explanation that is succinct and brief. Practice saying it out loud until you can state it clearly, without emotion or defensiveness. This is important. Nothing derails an interview faster than whining about how you’ve been mistreated.
Financial Considerations
24. Dig out and review your employment agreement and / or non-compete. Understand your liabilities, obligations and limitations. Schedule a review with your attorney if you’re unclear about their impact.
25. Review stock options and 401K vesting schedules. Review / understand bonus and commission payout schedules. Whenever you leave a company you’ll leave some money on the table but your timing can minimize the impact.
26. Check the status of your flex spending and health savings accounts. Maybe you need to schedule that lasix procedure before you leave?
And don’t forget to call your recruiter - aren’t you glad you’ve always returned those calls?
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #26
#26. Check the status of your flex spending and health savings accounts. Maybe you need to schedule that lasix procedure before you leave?
Did you miss earlier posts? Read the entire article here.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #25
#25. Review stock options and 401K vesting schedules. Review / understand bonus and commission payout schedules. Whenever you leave a company you’ll leave some money on the table but your timing can minimize the impact.
Did you miss an earlier post? Read from the beginning here.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #24
#24. Dig out and review your employment agreement and / or non-compete. Understand your liabilities, obligations and limitations. Schedule a review with your attorney if you’re unclear about their impact.
Did you miss yesterday’s post? Read the article from the beginning.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #23
#23. If you’ve been fired or let go prepare a one sentence explanation that is succinct and brief. Practice saying it out loud until you can state it clearly, without emotion or defensiveness. This is important. Nothing derails an interview faster than whining about how you’ve been mistreated.
Did you miss an earlier post? Read the article from the beginning.
26 Things To Do Before You Start Your Job Search – #22
#22. Brush up on interview techniques. Prepare and rehearse your answers to the perennial interview questions: “Tell me about yourself” “What are you looking for” “Why are you looking” “Why did you leave your last position?” “What are your salary requirements?”
Did you miss an earlier post? Read the article from the beginning.