The Blizzard and the Job Search

The Northeast got slammed the other day with a huge snowstorm. It started on Sunday and before it was finished on Monday morning, we had over 30 inches in some parts of NY/NJ.  Today, Tuesday, many of my friends in parts of NJ are still not plowed and people can't get to work or the store or to pick up their medicine.  There's an angry mob out there and who can blame them? The weather forecasters were on the fence with this storm but regardless, it showed a lesson in preparedness (or lack of).

What if you applied for a position or networked with someone who forwarded your resume on to a potential employer and you got a call for an on the spot interview?  Would you be prepared?  Would you be stuck in the storm without a shovel?

Here are a couple of quick tips:

1.     Have all your job search material in one place.  Separate labeled folders containing your resume, short list of specific accomplishments, references, and the possible job descriptions will allow you to speak freely and confidently.  You should also have an example of a job specific weakness and a description of how you overcame it.

2.     Be prepared for specific behavioral or STAR questions.  An employer wants to know what you DID rather than what you WOULD do. STAR stands for Specific, Task, Actions taken and Results.

3. Have your Elevator Speech ready to go.

That's it - all you need to prepare for an unexpected call.  The more you review and prepare though, the more confident you will sound (and feel). Don't be left in the cold!