Rule of Engagement #5: Preparing for the interview! (Part I-A)

I would like to give credit to Erin Kennedy because I am basing the post on his article. I found it useful for me and I wanted to share it with all of you. If you would like to see the full article, please click this link. http://jenniferanthony.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/10-things-to-bring-with-you-should-always-bring-with-you-to-an-interview/

I think that we have covered some of the things below, but I also think that stressing the importance of the below items won't hurt. This confirms that preparation before the interview is KING.

"1. Five copies of your resume – even if you have submitted your resume electronically, it is still important to bring along hard copies. In many cases, candidates will find themselves interviewed by multiple managers, so it is always important to have enough resumes to go around.

2. Professional references – be sure to bring a list of 3-5 professional references. Include each reference’s contact information including email address as well as the capacity by which they know you. (Make sure that the contact information is current)

3. Personal references – more and more companies are turning to personal references to round out the interview process, so bring a list of personal references as well. Phone numbers, email address and relationship should be carefully noted for each reference. (Make sure that the contact information is current)

4. Work History – keep a list of your previous employers including physical address, phone number, employment dates and manager names. Being unable to provide this information is unprofessional and may raise an eyebrow or two.

5. Education – bring a list of each school you attended, the address and the degree, or program studied.

6. Skills – As technology continues to evolve, many potential employers are interested in what programs candidates have mastered. You should also include any specialized skills or equipment you can operate

7. Questions – almost all hiring managers will end the interview by asking if the candidate has any questions – prepare a list in advance. It is a great idea to do this by carefully reviewing the company website. The questions should be thought-provoking and relevant.

8. Documentation – Bring along any professional certifications as well as a valid driver’s license and social security card. In the event that the position is immediately offered to you, you will have all of the information needed with you.

9. Samples – Many jobs require a candidate to provide samples of their work. Be sure to bring along representations of your best work. This applies to almost all jobs. For example, an architect may bring along samples of their designs while a teacher might bring lesson plans or an example of a teaching plan.

10. Attitude – never underestimate the power of your attitude – remember you are selling yourself, so it is crucial you come prepared to do just that. Be well rested and eat shortly before your interview.

Being adequately prepared for an interview is the first step towards has a successful session. Be sure to prepare your interview items in advance so you are not rushing around trying to locate everything right before your interview."

Cover Letter - Find the Right Content Using the Employment Ad

The purpose of this post is to add some more information to one of my previous postings (http://jobcrusade.blogspot.com/2011/04/rule-of-engagement-3-cover-letter_10.html).

As I explained before, it is important to customize the cover letter for each position.  What I discover is that if you use the requirements of the position you can come up with a great cover letter because you are addressing the implied questions that are contained within each of the items.  I think that this is a great discovery because you will be able to tie your experience and compliance with their requirements and you won't have to guess what is it that they are looking for in the cover letter. 

For example, the following requirements were posted for a Customer Service position:

Do you have what it takes?

• Customer service and sales experience
• Rent-to-own, consumer finance, car rental, collections or automotive background
• Clean driving record, car and insurance
• Good credit and clean criminal history

Please remember that I am making the experience up for the purpose of the posting, remember that we need to be truthful, always. Also, I am just writing a base, I am sure that once you see the requirements for your particular area of experience you will be able to add your our seasoning to it. 

Dear Recruiter or Manager,

I would like to apply formally for the position of Customer Service Representative.  I am confident that I have the experience and drive to perform all the duties that were stated in the employment announcement. My Resume is attached.

I have extensive experience in customer service and sales. While I was working with X Company, I had the opportunity to work in X and Y projects, which gave me the exposure to successful sales and attaining customer satisfaction, which was part of the strategic goal of the company.  

My work experience has been in collections and rent-to-own. As you know, in both cases I dealt with difficult situations but I managed to care for my customers while achieving the purpose of my calls.  I was relentless but respectful both in collection and in the rent-to-won sales. 

I have a clean driving record and background and credit history.  I own a reliable vehicle and I am insured, so I am ready to start immediately.

I hope that my experience and qualifications are considered as favorable to obtain an interview.  I am very excited about this opportunity and I look forward to talk to you.

Sincerely,

Name

e-mail address

Phone number

I really hope that this posting helps you a little bit more.  If you need help composing your Cover Letter let me know know and I will try to help!

Quote by Marianne Williamson - I think it will inspire all of us who are looking for a job

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson

Rule of Engagement #5: Preparing for the interview! (Part I)

One little story, yesterday I decided to go the the salon to get my hair, nails, and feet done.  I was talking to the stylist and I told her that I was getting ready for an interview.  After a little while she asked at what time was my interview and I told her that I did not have any scheduled.  She looked me with puzzled eyes and I told her that if I applying for jobs then I need to be ready to interview.  You know, acting by faith.  

So, let's talk about Rule of Engagement #5: Preparing for the interview!

"Preparing" is sort of difficult because you won't know the interviewer's style or the questions that they may throw at you.  So here are some tips that I consider important in view of my experience interviewing people.

Tip # 1 - Read your Resume many times.

You have a Resume and you have send it to several employers. Read it time and time again so that you are sure that it is accurate, that maybe you need to tell the interviewer about anything new that you have done or accomplished since they received your Resume. Provide them with an updated copy with the new information.  More important, read it so that you remember what you wrote.  A blank stare after a question that relates to information in your Resume is not good.

Tip # 2 - Read about the company

With the Internet, the doors to understand a company's culture, goals, mission, vision, and way of doing business are open to job seekers.   Not researching and getting to know your potential employer is not acceptable and almost unforgivable.  Get to know the company, look around their Websites, find out who are the top players, their customers, and understand the mission and vision.  Be prepared to answer questions but also be ready to ask intelligent questions about the company.  That will highly impress the interviewer. 

Tip # 3 - Appearance

Clothing

Understand the type of work that you are applying to do.  For example, it would be odd to show up to the interview wearing a suit if the position that you are applying for is for a construction laborer.  The same, it would be odd that you show up in jeans for a business management position.  Prepare your clothing, tight in the buttons, have it well pressed. Even if you will wear jeans.  Clean cut appearance is universal, it does not matter what type of job you are interviewing for.  

If you want to win cents, do not use scent!

With more and more companies selecting to be fragrance free due to many employees (including the hiring managers) having chemical sensitivities and fragrance allergies you don't want to jeopardize the success of your interview by making your potential co-workers or managers uncomfortable. So DO NOT use fragrances (including perfumes, colognes, deodorants, hair products, even cloth softeners.)  Don't think that I am too extreme, using any type of scent may cost you a great job. 

Personal hygiene

Oily or messy heir, not good. Too much makeup, with intense color that may be associated with clowns, not good. Bad breath, not good. Chewing gum, not good. Sweaty appearance, not good unless it is an outside job and they know that you are going to interview right after work because they cannot accommodate you at any other time.  Also, please shave or groom your facial hair. 

OK, we are good for today. 

Next time Rule of Engagement #5: Preparing for the interview! (Part II)

-Time, location, and what not to do before the interview.

Interim Posting #2 - Be Ready by Taking Care of Yourself.

I went to the beach yesterday, I got sunburned so badly that my skin is peeling and I do not look interview ready, what I look like is a beach bum.  I just wonder how am I going to explain my burning skin if I am called for an interview.

So I think that a good advise is that while you are looking for a job, please take care of yourself. It would be sad if someone calls your for an interview and you look like a disaster.  Then you will be like me, expecting that wonderful call and dreading it at the same time, at least while I go back to normal.

Write to you soon!

Rule of Engagement # 4: Be a Strategist (going after the right jobs)

Hello Everyone!  I think that this posting is very important, so please read it carefully!  Also remember that I will talk about my experience and depending on your line of business your approach may be a little different, and that is OK.  Just follow the basic principles while customizing your own search.  

I think that it is worth mentioning that the economy seems to be getting a little bit better.  It is true that here in Florida it is improving very slowly because of the big dive that we took between 2006 and 2009, but we will get there.  And this is a good point, maybe I will really have to consider to move out of this beautiful State if I want to advance my career. The alternative might be to take a few steps back and wait for the economy to improve. Then maybe my dream job will show up.  However, I am a nester, meaning that I do not like to jump from job to job. In my previous job I stayed for almost 4 years and only left because of a layoff and the one previous that that one almost 12 and likewise, I left because of a layoff.  

OK, let's get to business, Rule of Engagement # 4: Be a Strategist (going after the right jobs)

In one of my previous posts I mentioned What I Wanted vs. What I Needed.  For now, I am still going for what I want.  Still have a little time.  However, what I want is really hard to get.  What I want is mostly out of State, which for me is not a problem, my family is willing to move.  But I think that even though I have an excellent Resume, personal interviews is where I excel.  Anyway, below some tips.

Tip # 1 - Do not place all your eggs in the same basket.

Do you know how many job search boards, websites, and social media forums are available to you? I do not know the exact number but there are MANY.  Just to mention some:

For Free:

Monster.com (hotjobs.com)

Careerbuilder.com (why is it so slow when I try to input information?)

Simplyhired.com

Indeed.com

Upgrade for a Fee: (Usually for jobs that are $100,000+)

Theladders.com

6figurejobs.com

LinkedIn.com

There are many professional groups (such as SHRM in my case), where I can go and check jobs directly related to HR. If you are part of a professional group, you will most probably be able to obtain some leads there.

Tip # 2 - Read the employment announcement carefully.

If the employment ad says "experience in such industry required" or "certain degree required" and you do not have it, don't apply; they won't call you, you will waste your time (and theirs).  If they say "no relocation" that means that they are looking for a local candidate; the way around this is if you have family members in the area and you are willing to relocate at your own cost, then use their address.  You will have to flight really soon if you get an interview, so be prepared with top cash to purchase the ticket with little time in advance.  

Tip # 3 - Subscribe to "search agents"

If you want to work for a specific company, send them your Resume.  Some of the more organized companies have "search agents" meaning that you can enter your information and you will get advised whenever they post a position that may be good for you; you can then apply. 

Tip # 4 - Create a log of the positions and companies that you have applied for.  

This is basically a self-note for me.  I am wondering, what if someone calls me and I don't even remember the position for which I have applied?  After I am done writing this I will go to my e-mail and I will get all the confirmations and make my list.  

I think that we did well for today. Next time: Rule of Engagement #5: Preparing for the interview!

Interim Posting

Before I continue with the next rule of engagement, I want to interject that it is very difficult to find a job outside of your "normal" industry experience.  I have interest in many areas such as retail, consumer goods, and technology, but because I have been in the construction industry for over 15 years, there is not too much that I can do to obtain an opportunity to transition to another industry. I think that they count that the learning curve will be costly, and that is understandable; they do not know me personally, otherwise, they will hire me, right??!!

So, lesson learned, if you have the opportunity to have a job in a different industry in your early career, you will have better chances to move freely across industries when seeking for career opportunities.

The other alternative is to network that you are in the market for a job. Hopefully someone that knows you (me) can open the door for an interview.

We'll see! Write to you soon.