Career Confidential » Interviewing Skills and Tips

Job Search Advice: How to Explain Your Unemployment (and Get Your Confidence Back!)

Job Search Expert — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:51:12 +0000

It seems that there’s always been a stigma attached to being unemployed, and even in this economy, when so many people are without a job for a lengthy stretch, it still causes candidates to be uncomfortable and nervous about telling people that they’re unemployed. They don’t quite know how to handle the situation in the job search or in the interview.

Watch this video to find out exactly how to handle your unemployed status in networking, your job search, and job interviews:

If you’re struggling in the job search, sign up for my Job Search Boot Camp.

It’s a free, no-obligation, one-hour webinar packed with practical and powerful tips and strategies to help you change your status from unemployed to employed–fast.

You’ll discover:

the 8 steps to success
the two things successful job seekers have in common
the one thing that holds most candidates back in the job search
the one tool that, if you don’t use it, will reduce your chances of getting the job by 30%

Haven’t you thought that there must be something you’re missing? Some secret that, if you just knew what it was, would help you break out and land the job you REALLY want? That’s why you need this webinar.

What have you got to lose? It’s FREE. Sign up today!

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Can You Over-Prepare for Your Next Job Interview?

Job Search Expert — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:47:56 +0000

I don’t think it’s even possible to be “over-prepared” for your job interview. The better prepared you are, the more confident you will be–and that shows. And especially in this job market, you’ve got to show up with your “A” game right off the bat to avoid getting eliminated from consideration. That means putting everything you’ve got into getting ready for your interview. When you think about your interview strategy, think about your goals. What do you want to accomplish in the interview?

You want your potential boss to see how successful you are going to be in the job.
You want to convince him that your product (you as a candidate) is the one he needs to solve his problem.

So, you’ve got to be able to address, with as much knowledge as you can, what the company’s issues are and how you are the best person to tackle them. That takes research and preparation. You’ve got to know what the company’s mission, goals, and biggest problems are.

The best way to showcase your interview preparation is with a 30/60/90-day plan. It’s a written outline of your tasks and goals for your first 3 months on the job. You have to do some pretty extensive background research to get one completed, but it’s worth it because it is the tool you need to accomplish your interview goals. Most people think about it in relation to sales jobs, but it’s completely adaptable to just about every job.

A 30/60/90-day plan shows the hiring manager that you’re going to be able to step right into the job without missing a beat. It helps him to see you in the job, because as you discuss your plan, you’ll be talking about you on the job. You’ll be able to demonstrate your communication and strategic thinking skills. You will be demonstrating your dedication and commitment to the company before you even have the offer.

That’s a significant amount of work, and a lot more than most candidates will do. But that’s exactly why this kind of “over-preparation” makes you stand out as a candidate who’s prepared for success.

Don’t forget to sign up for this FREE webinar: How to Get a Better Job – FASTER

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Job Interview Tip: What To Do If You Got the Offer, But It’s Not From the Company You Wanted

Job Search Expert — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:42:20 +0000

It’s not uncommon for a candidate to receive a job offer that’s not quite the one they wanted. But the good news is that there are things you can do to slow down the process involving the current offer, and speed up the process on the one you want.

Watch the video to find out how to work this situation in your favor, and avoid what could become a very sticky situation in your job search:

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Most Important Question in the Job Interview is the One You Ask.

Job Search Success — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:41:56 +0000

If you’d like more information on how to land the job you want, check out our FREE, one-hour webinar:

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Funny Job Interview Tips

Job Search Expert — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:32:41 +0000

Need a laugh before your next interview? Watch these very funny interview tips from Kris Straub:

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Why You Need a 30/60/90-Day Plan to Shine In the Interview

Job Search Expert — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:34:29 +0000

The best-prepared candidate is often the one who gets the offer.

And the hands-down, very best way to ensure that YOU are the best-prepared candidate is to construct a 30/60/90-day plan.

A 30/60/90-day plan is a written outline of what you will be doing in your first 3 months on the job. It’s divided up into segments–your first 30 days, which are usually focused on training and the getting-to-know-everyone part; the next 30 days (the 60-day part), which is usually the getting-up-to-speed portion; and the last 30 days (the 90-day part), which is where you set goals for accomplishing on your own (like bringing in new accounts, going after new business, or otherwise contributing to the growth of the company).

These plans can be as detailed as you wish, or you can keep it simple. The important thing is to make it specific to the company you’re interviewing with. Not only does that allow you to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework on the company, it helps you talk to the hiring manager about specific things you’ll be doing, which helps him to see you in the job (which is half your battle).

Want more? They also help you have more control over your conversation with the hiring manager. It facilitates finding out what the hiring manger is really interested in, so that you can talk about what’s going to sell you as a candidate for the job.

The 30/60/90-day plan takes some effort to put together. The research on the company is the most extensive and time-consuming part (but you need to know that stuff anyway, right?) and then it takes some strategic thinking to actually write out the plan. But just the effort alone makes you shine in the interview because most candidates won’t go that far in thinking about their role at the company before they’ve even got the job. It makes the hiring manager look at you and think, “If this candidate will work this hard and show this much commitment to the company before we’ve even hired him, what will he do as an employee?” And THAT’S what you want him to think.

To really shine in the interview, you want to blow the hiring manager away with your focus, energy, initiative and dedication right from the start. The 30/60/90-day plan is the way to do that.

There are tools available to help you, complete with samples and actual fill-in-the-blank templates:

30/60/90-Day Sales Plan With Audio Coaching

30/60/90-Day Action Plan (for non-sales jobs)

If you’d like more information on how to land the job you want, check out our FREE, one-hour webinar:

Webinar Signup Here

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Letter of Reference: Let’s Talk About This…

Job Search Expert — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:08:42 +0000

Do you know how to handle the references question? I just talked to a candidate who’s making a fatal mistake when asked about her references. Listen to this audio to find out what it is and how to avoid it:

Want more job-getting advice? Check out this free training on “How to Get a Better Job Faster”

2: Click here to register for this no-charge webinar.

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Job Interview and Preparation Coaching

Job Search Expert — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:44:40 +0000

Did you ever wish you had the “inside track” at your interview? Or that you knew exactly how to explain that slightly difficult/embarrassing/sensitive situation in your job history? Or even the very best way to explain who you are and what you do in a compelling, “hire me” kind of way? Maybe you’re getting interviews, but you know that something’s not going quite right because you’re not getting called back for the second one.

What’s your solution?

Hire an interview coach.

Interview coaching is an unexpected alternative for many people. There are so many articles you can find online about job interview preparation (including everything on this blog) that it can seem just as easy (and cheaper) to just do it yourself.

But, an interview coach can take you beyond what you can accomplish yourself—providing an expert, unbiased insight addressing your individual situation, examining your job history and personality to help you devise the best way to position yourself in the interview, and even role-playing interview questions with you. It’s important that you get one who knows your field and that you’re comfortable working with….but once you do, you’re set. It is an investment, but it’s one that will pay off as soon as you land the job you’ve been chasing.

Maybe you’re not having too many problems but you realize you could be just a little bit better. It’s gaining that extra edge that turns a competitor into a champion. Pro athletes know that—that’s why they hire coaches, too.

Interview coaching can help you with confidence and presence, communication skills, your wording and emphasis in your answers to typical job interview questions. You’ll learn to customize your answers to fit your individual situation and stand out from the “standard” answers everyone else gives. Coaching can also help you master the all-important closing (asking for the job) at the end of the interview.

Don’t spin your wheels trying to handle this difficult job market on your own. Get smart, and get a coach who can help you get on the road to success!

You can check out what I offer as a career coach here: http://www.phcconsulting.com/interview-coaching/. I’m not saying you have to hire me, but you can get more ideas on what an interview coach can help you with. I’ve helped many candidates land great jobs faster than they could have imagined with just a little career coaching help, and I really believe it’s a great solution for every candidate. Best of luck.

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Should I bring a 30/60/90-day plan to my first interview?

Job Search Expert — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:54:27 +0000

That’s a question many candidates ask. Folks who want to differentiate themselves but aren’t sure about the timing or etiquette involved in the hiring process wonder if they should bring the whole 30/60/90-day sales or action plan to the first interview. Watch the video for my answer:

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Is “no experience” stopping you from getting your dream job? Listen here.

Job Search Success — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:19:55 +0000

If “no experience” is stopping you from the dream job that you desire?
Listen to this short audio clip about how to overcome this objection…..

Want more job-getting advice? Check out this free training on “How to Get a Better Job Faster”

2: Click here to register for this no charge webinar.

Webinar Signup Here

Also, if you would like you can sign up for our monthly newsletter.

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