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Got Interviews But No Job?

Job Search Expert — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:00:59 +0000

Recently, I worked with a candidate who had no problem getting interviews, but couldn't seem to pull off getting a job offer.

He couldn't figure out what the issue was--he was a strong candidate, very qualified and extremely well-spoken. But he wasn't getting any job offers. He hired me as a career coach to help him figure out what he could possibly be doing wrong.

Turned out, it wasn't what he was doing....it's what he WASN'T doing that was holding him back.

Don't make this same mistake. Watch the video to see how you can set your interview on a sure path to an offer!

Click the image below to watch the video

I do talk about my webinar in this video, but instead I want you to watch another video that will show you how you can control your interview to get a job offer. You'll be amazed at how much this will make a difference.

Will a 30-60-90-Day Plan Help Me In a Management-Level Job Interview?

Job Search Expert — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:58:51 +0000

You’ve got the education, the experience, and the skills. How are you going to give yourself a boost over all the other candidates with the education, the experience, and the skills?

When I coach job seekers, I send every one of them into interviews with a 30-60-90-day plan because it’s the best tool available for helping those candidates stand out from the competition. It’s exponentially more important that management-level candidates come to the interview with a high-level plan for how they’re going to attack the job and the problems that need to be solved.

This goes above and beyond the technical and industry expertise employers rightly expect to see in managers—that’s a given.

What a 30-60-90-day plan does is showcase that experience in a “this is how it will look when I’m on the job” and “this is how I’m going to begin solving your problems and making you money” kind of way.

A well-thought-out plan highlights the “it” factor for employers. It shows them you know your stuff, AND you think strategically and know what it takes to get to a goal.

How you put together your plan will vary by whatever industry or career area you’re in, but all jobs will have a basic structure you’ll follow when you start:

(1) an initial period of learning the specifics of the company—systems, procedures, getting to know your team—that’s the first 30 days;

(2) a secondary period of getting your feet wet—getting more in-depth, evaluating changes you’ll be making; and

(3) a “ready to run” period of implementing changes, initiating action plans, etc.

Customize your plan with the research you do on the company and its position in the industry, since these plans are even more impressive the more you tailor it to the job. Use Google, LinkedIn, and your recruiter to start finding essential information for your plan. You might even consider doing a SWOT analysis to help you.

When you come to your interview with a top-notch resume, a brag book that takes a historical look at what you’ve been able to accomplish in the past, and a strategic action plan for success in the future at this job, you’ll be on your way to a job offer in no time.

Learn more about creating a plan on your own here.

Get a step ahead and save time by getting a 30-60-90-day template and coaching.

Job Interview Questions and Answers: What You Have to Prove In the Interview

Job Search Expert — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:11:32 +0000

If you've been in the job market very long, you know how competitive it is out there. But all that means is that since employers aren't chasing you, you've got to bring your "A game" to the interview.

Your mission in the interview is to prove to the hiring manager that

(a) you understand the job;

(b) you will be successful in the job; and

(c) you not only won't be a risk to his own employment, you'll make him look good.

But how do you prove that? He's got more than a few candidates telling him that they have such-and-such experience, and that they're driven, hard-working, enthusiastic, energetic, etc. How do you stand out?

You stand out from the rest of the candidates through your extensive research and preparation.

You've got to be able to address, with as much knowledge as you can, what the company's issues are and how you're the best person to them. That means doing your homework. You've got to know what the company's mission, goals, and biggest problems are. Do you see the shift here? It's a little less "this is what I can do" and a little more "this is how I can help you get where you want to go."

And, the best way to showcase your job interview preparation is through a 30/60/90-day plan.

A 30/60/90-day plan is a written outline of your tasks and goals for your first 3 months on the job. (Many people think about it in relation to sales jobs, but it's completely adaptable to just about every job). You're spelling out for your potential employer that you know what you need to do to be successful. The more company-specific it is, the better--and that's where your research comes in. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be perfect. It's a tool that will facilitate your interview conversation, and you can revise it later. The important thing is that it shows the hiring manager you've thought about how you'll accomplish important goals. It demonstrates your communication skills, strategic thinking, dedication, and commitment.

Putting this kind of plan together takes a significant amount of work--a lot more than most candidates will do. But that's exactly why it makes you stand out as a candidate who can prove why you are the best person for the job.

Want to learn more about how to bring your A game to the interview?

Sign up for this FREE webinar: How to Get a Better Job - FASTER

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How To Find Essential Information for Your 30/60/90-Day Plan

Job Search Expert — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:01:01 +0000

Even though candidates might understand how much stronger they can be in the interview with a good 30/60/90-day plan, many of them are blocked when it comes to finding the information they need to create one. But it's entirely possible to find all the information you need to create a plan that will knock the socks off any hiring manager. Where?

There are all kinds of resources online for you to tap into: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, corporate websites, and Google. Your network can come in pretty handy here, too. They're all a part of job interview preparation you need anyway, and they can be tremendously helpful for writing your plan.

If for some reason there’s a lack of information online (like maybe it’s a smaller company) and you can’t, then that’s definitely a strong reason to do what you can and bring it into the interview anyway, since that’s an excellent opportunity to ask the questions that will lead to a greater understanding of what it will take to be successful in that job.

Candidates often think that their 30/60/90-day plan has to be perfect before they show it to the hiring manager, and that keeps many of them from creating a plan at all. In fact, all plans have room for improvement once you talk to the hiring manager in more detail about the job. It’s not unusual at all to make changes to your plan after the interview (for the second interview). If you’re discussing your ideas in the interview in a conversational style, you can learn a lot and make the hiring manager more comfortable with you.

There are 4 things that a hiring manager looks for when hiring someone:

Does this person understand the job?
Can they do the job?
Will they do the job?
Does this person pose a risk to their own continued employment?

The 30/60/90-day plan addresses all those issues. That’s why finding out this information (or at least bringing a plan to the interview so you can figure out what that information is) is key to standing out from the other candidates and getting the offer.

Best Resource for Your 30/60/90-Day Plan

Job Search Expert — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:47:55 +0000

A 30-60-90-day plan is an outline of what you intend to do in your first 3 months on the job. It’s a goal-setting document that shows you understand the job and you know what it takes to be successful at it. It covers everything from your training to your initial efforts to grow the business. It’s impressive to hiring managers because it shows that you’ve put a lot of thought into what you can do for the company, and it takes a lot of the “risk” out of hiring you. It can be overwhelming to create a plan, since it must be specific to the company to be the most effective. Where do you find the information you need to write a great plan?

Even though there are many sources of information you can tap into for your 30/60/90-day plan, the very best one by far is LinkedIn. If you could only choose one, it would be that one.

Why LinkedIn?

The groups, the question-and-answer discussions, the company pages, the people pages, and the ability to reach out and contact actual people who can help you with what you need to know are all parts of the very valuable LinkedIn whole.

The first step for you is to establish a LinkedIn profile that stands out. Spend some time on it, detailing your experience, crafting a compelling summary, and posting a professional photo. Begin making contacts and connections, and join groups that will be appropriate for your area.

Once you’re in the groups, you can participate in discussions that both expand your knowledge base and help you to become known to others in your field (if you make good comments). These become resources for your 30/60/90-day plan.

When you’re interested in particular companies, you can research company pages (that are often more informative than corporate websites) and the personal pages of people who work there or used to work there.

LinkedIn has a rich array of opportunities for you and your job search. If you’re not on LinkedIn yet, get a profile today.

How to Present a 30/60/90-Day Plan

Job Search Expert — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:26:55 +0000

You know a 30/60/90-day plan can absolutely help you knock the interview out of the park--but what do you do when the hiring manager isn't interested in seeing it?

Well, it depends.

In this video, I'll show you how to read the situation and recognize your cue for the best time to present your 90-day plan:

Where do I find the information to complete a 30/60/90-day plan?

Job Search Expert — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:24:15 +0000

A 30/60/90-day plan is a guaranteed way to make a powerful impression on the hiring manager and help you stand out from your competition in the job search. It’s simply an outline for what you’ll do in the first 3 months on the job: how you’ll get your training, get up to speed, and attack the critical challenges associated with the job.

The more specific you can be with your plan, the better. But someone who’s new to the company or new to the field probably won’t know what needs to go into the plan. That can make creating a plan seem overwhelming. The answer is research. The more research you can do, the better your plan will be. Where can you find the information you need to create a great 30/60/90-day plan?

Press releases
LinkedIn
Google groups
Facebook
Twitter
Google the company (set up a Google Alert for up-to-date info)
Ask your network
Ask your recruiter
Ask the person who referred you to the company
Ask someone who used to work at the company
Ask a current employee

All of these are great resources for the kind of information that will help you flesh out what you’ll do for the company in the role you’re interviewing for in the first 90 days of employment. It’s a lot of work. But the fact that you’re willing to go to this much effort before you get the job tells the hiring manager a lot about your work ethic, your commitment, and your drive. So, simply creating a plan will make you stand out, but the knowledge and insight you’ll gain from the experience will help you be the most-informed, best-prepared candidate—and that’s what will get you the offer.

The 4 Things a Hiring Manager Looks For in a Candidate

Job Search Expert — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:57:35 +0000

Candidates are always looking for the “secret” to what the hiring manager is really looking for, so that they can highlight those parts of their experience that will entice the manager into making the job offer. If you look at hiring across industries and job titles, the basic qualities all hiring managers look for in the interview are the same:

Does this person understand the job?
Can he or she do the job?
Will he or she do the job?
Does this person pose a risk to my own continued employment?

Everyone who is responsible for hiring employees is held to account for how those employees perform. The manager wants to make a good hire, and it often feels like a pretty big risk for him. And it is. A large part of their job is choosing the right candidate.

The good news is: you can make that decision easier for the hiring manager by creating a 30/60/90-day plan. A good 30/60/90-day plan outlines what you will do as a new employee during your first 3 months on the job. It covers your training and your strategy for success. Your plan (and your discussion of the plan with the hiring manager) answers all those questions.

It shows that you understand the job, or you never would have been able to create the plan. It’s an especially good tool for job seekers who are new to the career.

It shows that you can do the job—you already have a plan. The plan shows, step-by-step, what you intend to do to get up to speed and take off as a self-sufficient, successful employee.

It shows that you will do the job because anyone who would take the time to create a plan like this already has a good work ethic and commitment to the job.

It shows that you won’t pose a risk to the manager’s employment. He can see that you know what you’re doing, and he can see that you know what it takes to be successful.

The 30/60/90-day plan is a valuable tool for you as a job seeker. I would not go to another interview without it.

Want a Job Offer? Use a 30/60/90-Day Plan For Your Next Interview!

Job Search Expert — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:37:10 +0000

A 30/60/90-day plan is a written outline for what you will do during your first 3 months on the job. It serves as both a strategy plan and goal-setting because it covers training, getting up to speed, and your plans for growth. It shows hiring managers what a go-getter you are, it is a fantastic vehicle for creating a better interview conversation, and it helps you stand out in a big way from other candidates. It's more well-known for sales jobs, but it is absolutely adaptable for any job as an action plan. They can be as simple or as detailed as you want to make them.

Some candidates hesitate to bring one to their interviews because

(1) they worry they'll make a mistake in it that will knock them out of the running,

(2) they worry that the hiring manager won't want to see it, and

(3) they worry that there won't be an opportunity to present it in the interview (and they can be a lot of work).

In this video, you'll see why 30/60/90-day plans are worth the effort, and you'll discover exactly what to say in the interview to overcome any of these obstacles.

Candidates who use 30/60/90-day plans experience tremendous success. You should, too.

Ready to use a 30/60/90-day plan for your next interview? Here are 3 options for you:

Get the 30/60/90-day Sales Plan with Audio Coaching. It's everything you need to create a customized plan for your job--fast.

Get the 30/60/90-Day Action Plan with audio coaching. It shows you how to customize the plan for any career area.

Sign up for this FREE, information-packed, one-hour webinar on How to Get a Better Job Faster to learn how to guarantee yourself a job offer every time you interview.

Is It Possible to Create a 30/60/90-Day Plan For Your Job Interview In Less Than 2 Hours?

Job Search Expert — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:14:54 +0000

A 30/60/90-day plan is a detailed outline of what you intend to do on the job in your first 3 months as an employee. It’s an overall strategy for success laid out in a step-by-step fashion that is specific to that company and that job. The more specific it is to that company, the better off you are, because you want the hiring manager to be able to visualize you working for him and being successful in the job.

As you might guess, it’s not easy to just whip one of these up in a hurry.

You probably won’t be able to create a plan in less than two hours on your own, but it’s entirely possible if you have some assistance in the form of coaching or a template. With a template, you don’t have to worry about the formatting or the steps. With coaching, you get some help with how to think about it, and where to go for resources, and what your overall focus should be.

Everything you need (templates, samples, and audio coaching) is available at Career Confidential in the form of a 30/60/90-Day Plan for Sales Jobs and a separate 30/60/90-Day Action Plan that was created especially for non-sales jobs. Once you see what a good plan looks like, you can fill in the blanks with the specific information on the company that shows you’ve done your homework and you'll be able to make a powerful impression in the interview.

Even though these plans are impressive on their own, they’re also impressive because the work that goes into them shows your energy, drive, and commitment. Most candidates won’t go to this much trouble before they even get the job—which is one more thing that puts you at the head of the pack.