Job search made easier with this brave interview guide

Posted by CathyG in career advice, intervew, job interview, job search on 09 17th, 2008

As a career consultant, I work mostly with midlife, midcareer professionals who are most definitely not cowards. But I would still recommend this book.

First, I like the way Piotrowski suggests solid answers to tough questions. Most interview questions are pretty dumb but you have to keep a straight face and answer them anyway. (Like the time someone half your age asks, “What are your strengths?” Gimme a break. I want to say, “I survived.”)

Second, Chapter 5 (“Put muscle into your interviewing”) will help you create your resume as well as prepare for your interview. In fact, I would read this chapter before writing your resume (and I would ignore the author’s suggestion about functional resumes — even if you are changing careers 180 degrees, don’t do it). You’ll feel strong and confident if you work through the challenges.

Third, the book gives you exercises in every chapter. So if you’re between jobs and you’re waiting for the phone to ring, no more excuses! Start working your way through these exercises. You’ll be better prepared for your next phone call.

I think this book works on several levels. Even if you’re self-employed, you may have to endure an interview before tackling a big project. Try it out here.

Job Interview…or Consulting Call?

Posted by CathyG in career advice, intervew, job interview, jobsearch on 07 12th, 2008

You’re interviewing for a job and the interviewer wants to pick your brain. You sense they want your expertise without paying for it.

“Real” consultants run into this challenge all the time. Most of us learn to charge for “diagnostic” or “test-drive” challenges.

When interviewing, you may feel more constrained, especially if you need or really want the job. Here are some suggestions – but it’s always a judgment call. You’re on the scene. Use your intuition and your judgment.

(1) Are your interviewer’s requests common within your industry?

If not, recognize a red flag. For example, a senior manager normally would not be asked for a writing sample. You have to decide if the company is coming from left field… or if the HR people are incompetent or bored, but your own manager will be just fine.

(2) Did you initiate the contact through a back-door or informational interview approach?

You may be selling the employer on creating a job, not just filling one. Some experts recommend using the opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving skills by presenting yourself as a consultant, not a candidate.

(3) Are you being asked to disclose information about specific programs and processes from your current career or business?

I’d view these requests as a danger signal. Your manager may be testing your loyalty and ethics…or displaying some peculiar value systems of her own.

(4) Are you asked to prepare a written report?

Be sure to write your name and identifying information on every page.

Frankly, I would take a risk and ask, “If you implement my recommendations, what will my compensation look like?” I can’t imagine an ethical company that couldn’t come up with a response.

But I get surprised all the time and I would love to hear from readers on this one. Just click on “comments” below.

(5) Are you asked for on-the-spot recommendations to a specific, complex challenge?

This technique may be legitimate. Some interviewers want to see how you approach a problem, such as the kinds of questions you ask.

But sometimes they’ve got a real problem and they want to free advice. Consider saying something like, “We had a similar problem in my last job. And here’s what I did…”

Prime your intuition: teach your intuition to send you a telegram, not a post card.

Irreverent Job Search Guide with interview advice.

[Career Change Strategy] The Real Deal on References

Posted by CathyG in career change, career coaching, intervew, job search, jobs, references on 12 16th, 2006

Q. I’m changing jobs. Before leaving my current position, should I get letters of reference?

A. Probably not. In my experience, corporate employers rarely pay attention to “To Whom It May Concern” letters. They’ll prefer phone calls that aren’t recorded. When they need a letter, they’ll have their own forms and they’ll want letters sent directly to them.

But before taking off, take time to set up your references for future calls.

(1) Research the way your present boss normally handles references.

Some well-meaning managers avoid giving anyone a glowing recommendation. “Nobody’s that great,” they’ll say. “I want to be honest.”

But of course everybody else exaggerates and your reference’s “honesty” comes across as concern.

Other references are just clueless. My colleague “Nick” genuinely wanted me to get a great opportunity when he wrote a letter for me. But he added a line suggesting I might be “somewhat eccentric.”

Luckily an interview committee member asked me, “What on earth does he mean?”

“We’re friends,” I said, truthfully, and reached for the phone.

Nick was completely baffled (“I meant it as a compliment”) but he agreed to revise his letters so I’d sound like a serious candidate in all respects.

(2) Get permission to list references and be sure they’re “live.”

Your boss may be required to refer all calls to Human Resources. Or she may be moving to a new career and you’re part of the past she wants to forget.

In my former life, students often asked if they could list me as a reference for jobs and graduate programs. But sometimes I’d get a surprise request from someone I barely remembered, creating awkward moments for all of us.

(3) Watch for red flags.

If your job prospects get derailed mysteriously, over and over again, consider hiring a resource to check your references. They’ll call to say, “I’m checking references on Tim Toole.” They won’t pretend to be an employer; it’s rarely necessary.

One reference-checking consultant told me, “The manager who answered the phone said, ‘Just a minute.’ Then, without covering the mouthpiece, he yelled, ‘What did the lawyers tell us to say about Tim?’”

(4) Discover the common practices and unwritten rules of your own industry and field.

University professors and administrators typically submit three letters of reference with each application. Often these references will be mailed directly to the hiring department but they’re standardized and prepared ahead of time.

By the time you’ve gained some seniority in your field, you’re probably familiar with standard hiring prospects. But when you need to change careers, talk to some well-connected recruiters. Talk to managers who have actually done some hiring in recent months.

(5) Be proactive.

Let’s face it: writing reference letters adds hassle to somebody’s day, especially when your reference is not familiar with your target market. If appropriate, offer to follow up or draft a list of key points to emphasize in the letter.

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