Questions For The Interviewee - Business and Teaching Positions

In my book, Job Search for Moms, I share with you some of the questions that you, as an interviewee can ask the interviewer. Now, an interview is a two-way conversation and your questions don't need to be saved until the end of the meeting.  You should be an active participant and feel comfortable asking your questions throughout the interview.  Here are some of the questions you can ask in a business-focused interview, there are others that may be more applicable to the position you are looking for.

You should have several prepared questions.  This shows the interviewer that you are interested in learning about the company and that you have taken the time to research.  Sample questions can include:

1. What are the short and long term goals of the company?
2. What is the vision of the department?
3. What is the company environment like?
4. What concerns need to be addressed immediately?
5. What do you see happening with this position for the next 3 to 6 months?
6. What are the particular attributes needed to succeed in this job?
7. What are the challenges a person coming to this job will face?

One of my friends is applying for a teaching position and was looking for the types of questions to ask the Principal.  I went online and found a couple of links that supply those questions. The links also list some of the questions that a teacher may be asked. The links are:

http://www.job-interview.net/Bank/QTeaching.htm
http://www.career.vt.edu/Interviewing/TeachingInterviewQuestions.html
http://resources.topschooljobs.org/tsj/articles/2007/12/07/principal_interviews.html

These are just a sampling of questions that you can ask on an interview.  What questions have worked for you?

Updating Your Resume

I just read a blog about poorly written resumes.  The author spoke about the errors but didn't give any updating suggestions.  The comments underneath the blog begged for help.  I responded with the following tips.  I hope they can help anyone who needs a place to start.

"I teach job search techniques in the state of NJ and I too have seen some very outdated resumes.  Many of the people who attend the resume preparation classes have never had the time or need to update their resume and still subscribe to the format they learned years ago (objective, references available upon request, etc).
Researching the newer ways to update a resume is as simple as using Google or reading many of the posts from groups in LinkedIn. In a nutshell, I suggest the following:

1. Have an impact statement to replace the objective. This statement should be your selling point and describe why you are so fantastic. Are you a leader? Do you have a proven track record in something? Are you a subject matter expert in something?

2. Align your skills to the skills and competencies listed in the job description/posting. It is fine to have a template resume but it has to be updated for EVERY job that you pursue.

3. I personally like to see a set of about 6 bullets listing your skill set. This way they stand out and catch the eye of the reader.

4. Don't have your resume read like a job description. Make sure you support your statements with specific, quantifiable results. I always say in training, "Sure that is what you did, but what did it result in? More sales? Better customer service? Increased savings?" Next, make those words even more specific by stating percentages, amounts and any other powerful details that will make you stand out.

5. If you have any old performance appraisals, read these to remember what you did and the results. Dig up some of those letters from customers, clients, etc. thanking you for something. What did you do that was so great?

6. Don't forget your transferable job skills - those that can transfer from one job to another or from a volunteer activity to a job. Again, be specific with measurements.

These are just some ideas - do some research. Go to any of the many sites and study the resumes that are displayed to get an idea of how to frame yours. "

Good luck!

Interviewing Questions - Some Resources

I often find good articles as I prepare for job search training.  Interns Over 40 is a good resource and this article shares some of the more common illegal interviewing questions. 

The Unskilled Need Not Apply

We knew it was coming and it certainly was logical and inevitable.  Once an organization released/downsized/let go of staff, it had to increase the output of the staff that remained in place. Not only did those employees take on the responsibilities of those released, they also had to pick up new skill sets.  The attached article explains this new focus and the impact it has on hiring.  Now, when companies say that they are not hiring the unemployed they can claim it is because the unemployed lack the skills needed for the redesigned positions.  How can you stay on top of this trend?

1.      Identify new skill sets by researching positions.

2.      Clarify your development needs

3.      Research training opportunities

a.       Community College

b.      Local colleges, universities, education commissions

c.       Libraries

d.      Professional Groups

e.       On-line learning

f.       Networking groups

g.      Unemployment Office

The bottom line is to anticipate this trend and proactively do something to stay on top of it. Has this happened to you?  If so, what have you done?

Career Assessments

I've written about identifying your work values, interests,  likes, dislikes and skill sets in the past.  Many if not most of these areas will help you define the positions that most suit your character.  Today I want to post some links to free career assessments.  Some are offered through the government, some by agencies and schools and others from none other than the Oprah Winfrey on-line magazine.  When you get a chance, take the assessments and see if your career direction matches with what you are looking for in a job and career.  If you have any free assessments that you'd like to share, please add them.

http://www.aarp.org/money/careers/employerresourcecenter

http://online.onetcenter.org/skills/

http://www.careeronestop.org/

http://www.stewartcoopercoon.com/jobsearch/freejobsearchtests.phtml

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Who-Am-I-Meant-to-Be

http://www.oprah.com/money/Aptitude-Tests-Career-Assessment

http://coachcompass.com//
http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/OCAmain.shtml

On Being Let Go

I’ve been reading some very discouraging stories on the internet including LinkedIn about the unemployment situation.  So many people are expressing how they are faring, how they felt after losing their jobs and also about some of the very unsavory steps some companies take when releasing their employees.  It got me thinking about my own job loss and the things people should plan to do if that bleak news is on the horizon. I thought I would share some thoughts with you.

As a former HR and Learning & Development professional with over 21 years of service with the company, my position was eliminated. I was brought to a room, asked what I did and once I responded, was told that my department would no longer offer that service. That was it.  Like many of you, when I learned this news, I was shocked, humiliated, angry and very emotional.  Our HR Director (who is a really great guy) went over the paperwork then and there but all I heard was "blah, blah, blah".  I had to call him afterwards to verify what he said.

Because I worked for a large, recognized company that values its employees, I was able to make use of an in-house Outplacement Center.  I was offered training, an office, a telephone extension and other amenities.   I took advantage of these services and would urge that anyone do so (if their company offers this service - not all do).  I was also lucky enough to save all of my non-confidential documents, programs and thank you emails. The toughest part was going back a week later, turning over my projects and packing up.

Flash forward two years later and now I teach the things that I learned in the outplacement training. I can empathize with what’s going on and offer these pieces of advice should you need them.

 Create a resume while your accomplishments are fresh in your head.  No, you are not too busy.  That’s what everyone says and I said it too.

Never burn your bridges. Never.

Try to get a hold of your performance appraisals because they will help with your resume development.  Grab your calendar too (all the entries will remind you of the good stuff you've done).

Make use of every network connection or opportunity that your company has (even if the wound is still so fresh and you are still fuming).

Realize that some of the people that you thought were your work friends will turn their backs on you and that can hurt just as much.

Hold your head up, be thankful for the opportunity for working at your old company and move on.

Please share your story.

Career Assessment and your Personality

Have you ever considered how your personality plays a big role in the career you select?  If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. For example, you are an analytical person who enjoys research and problem solving; you may not feel as comfortable in a sales environment. The same can be said for the reverse.

In my career assessment classes we talk about the variety of skills assessments that are available on the internet.  They range from those offered by the government, universities and even the Oprah Winfry electronic website. They are good (if you are really honest with yourself) tools to measure your skills and knowledge.  We also talk about the DiSC and Myers Briggs tools as indicators of personality type.  A good tool that measures your personality type is the Jung Typology Test™.  It's free, too.  Check it out and assess your type and see what kinds of careers it suggests think about.

How Is A Job Interview Like A College Admissions Interview?

A few weeks ago I attended back to school night at my son’s high school. Since he is a senior this year, the Guidance Department was on hand to talk about the things to consider as he transitions to college.  One of the pamphlets they distributed was called, “For Seniors Only, A Magazine for High School Seniors.” It contains all sorts of advice from financial aid, to campus safety to making the transition to college.  One article that caught my eye was called, Sell Yourself: The Admissions Interview.  As I scanned the article I realized that the advice they stated for the college admissions process can be useful for the job interview. 

Just like the admissions interview, you need to realize that a company reviews thousands of applications. The key, as with college interviews is to highlight your unique qualities and value. Sounds like personal branding to me and it also sounds like using this opportunity to present yourself as the person who will excel in this job.

The article goes on to list several steps to that the college applicant can take to present his or her unique attributes:  They are:

·         Be Honest and Straightforward

·         Be Yourself

·         Be Prepared to Ask Questions

·         Dress Appropriately

·         Be Aware of Non-verbal Communication

·         Be Prepared to Answer Questions

Let’s break them down for the job interview:

·         Be Honest and Straightforward: Your answers to behavioral interview questions will verify your abilities and skill sets. Make sure to honestly explain gaps in your employment history and similar areas.

·         Be Yourself: A given.

·         Be Prepared to Ask Questions: Make sure you do your homework and are prepared with a number of questions that relate to the position and company. Make sure that they are specific questions and not canned ones.

·         Dress Appropriately: Another given.

·         Be Aware of Non-verbal Communication: This is your opportunity to showcase your enthusiasm and energy. Be aware of how you come across and if necessary, correct any mannerisms that can diminish your self confidence.

·         Be Prepared to Answer Questions: Review the job description and come up with a list of anticipated questions.  Be able to relate the job descriptors to the types of work you did in previous positions.  Make sure you have measureable examples of your accomplishments.

For Seniors Only. A Magazine for High School Seniors. Volume 38. Number 1. Campus Communications, Boca Raton, Florida.