Direct Questions

These types of questions predetermine the focus of your answer. e.g. “What skills do you have that relate to this position?” Your information should be clear and specific. These types of questions, whether they relate to technical or soft skills, should be easy to answer if you have completed the research on yourself.

Non-Direct Questions

Non-direct questions are general and do not ask for specific information. e.g. “Tell us a bit about yourself.” You determine the focus of your answer. In response to this particular question, you should briefly summarize approximately four areas: education, experience, skills, and personal attributes. If possible, make your response relevant to the job you are seeking.

Hypothetical or Situational Questions

These questions use a problem solving approach to determine your analytical skills and critical thinking abilities. These “What if” questions are presented in the form of case examples or problem situations. You will be asked to imagine yourself experiencing a situation and will then be evaluated on how you would handle that situation. e.g. “It’s 3 p.m. and you have a report due to your manager at 5:00 p.m. Suddenly a major customer calls and says she has a crisis and need your help immediately. What would you do?”

Provide your answer in a logical sequence relating to the situation. There are many different problem solving models. The following is merely one model you could use to shape your answer:

• gather information
• evaluate
• prioritize
• seek advice (if necessary)
• weigh alternatives
• make and communicate your decision
• monitor results
• modify if necessary

Take a bit of time to think before responding. Don’t rush.

Behaviorial Descriptive Questions

Behavioral questions offer the opportunity to provide examples of past performance that may help determine future performance. Interviewers are asking what you did in a particular situation rather than what you would do. e.g. “Tell us about a time when you displayed good leadership skills.” Your answer could be delivered using the STAR model.

• Situation
• Task or Problem
• Action
• Result

However, it’s time to realize you have NO control over the job market, or the decisions made by hiring authorities.  You DO have 100% control over how you choose to react. Their decisions can become learning experiences to improve your search efforts, or they can destroy you.  The choice is yours to make.

Your attitude depends 10% of what happens to you and 90% on how you choose to react. Often the best decision is to refuse to react at all and just continue your efforts.  The job seekers who are receiving job offers have just decided to get rejected more than you have!  Each no and each experience with rejection puts you that much closer to getting a yes.  Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.  Get out there and escalate your search efforts in the New Year!

When you meet people and they ask you about your job search, smile and tell them it’s been a real adventure being a free agent in the open job market.  If you appear sad and depressed people will avoid making contact with you.  Appear happy and approachable and then turn the attention to them and ask them about themselves.  If you let someone talk about themself, they like you more and will be more apt to provide you with leads, referrals and networking possibilities.

Primary research is actually talking to someone where secondary research is reading materials already in print.  You need to conduct both types of research.  It is actually wiser to complete some secondary research before you start talking to people, so your questions are more intelligent and focused.

You will feel more empowered if you take the time to conduct research to correctly identify your job targets.  Take the information you learn and use it in your conversations with people who can help you attain a job that is right for you.

When you are selecting your specific targets, make sure you research the following on companies you are targeting:

1. Trends and future prospects
2. Areas of growth or decline
3. The challenges the industry/specific company faces that could utilize your skills
4. The culture of the company
5. The top, medium and lower ranked competitors in the industry

This will help you determine whether you are in sync with a particular industry and whether or not there is a place for you there.

If you don’t interview well, practice answering the difficult questions like “Tell me About Yourself” and “Why did you leave your last job?” These questions are commonly asked and being prepared will help you ace your next interview.

If your questions did not reveal the challenges or preferences of the hiring authority, rewrite the questions you will ask. The purpose of your questions is to reveal what is most important to this particular hiring authority so you can position yourself as their solution.

The job market is improving, job offers are being made and if you stay positive and continue to improve your job search efforts, you will begin to enjoy results and obtain a job offer or offers!

Youe attitude greatly impacts the level of success you will enjoy throughout your job search. See the cup half full and expect to succeed at identifying and landing your dream job!

Practice makes perfect and it is important that you plan out  your approach, prepare what you are going to say and write and lastly, maintain a positive attitude throughout the process.

Resignations are normally done in person backed up by a written resignation letter.

ORALLY

1. Choose what you are going to say and stick to your script. Often your employer will probe for more information and details that you may not want to share.  Don’t be forced into providing additional details by simply making it clear that you are submitting your resignation.
2. Stay positive and stress the benefits of your current career.  You never know when you may cross paths with your former employer.  It is important to form lifelong relationships throughout your career.
3. Expect your employer to possibly get emotional or confrontational.  Your choice to resign is more than likely going to catch your employer by surprise so you can’t predict their reaction.
4. Remain calm and composed regardless of what is said or done.  Stick to your prepared resignation notes.  Don’t get upset or raise your voice and remember the importance of not getting defensive.
5. Leave this meeting offering to be cooperative and assure your employer that you will not leave work uncompleted.  Offer to assist in the training of your replacement.  You want to leave a very good last impression with your employer.  Thank your employer for the opportunity to work for him.

WRITTEN

1. When you put your resignation in writing, always remember that this will become part of your permanent personnel record with this employer.
2. Take time to prepare what you want to say and try to be as positive as possible.
3. Include the following information:  Your name, date, notice of termination, duration of notice (normally two weeks), and your signature.
4. If you are leaving on good terms, thank your employer for the opportunity to work for them.  Stress what you have learned and how the experience has had a positive impact on your career.  Remember this person may be asked to provide a job reference for you in the future.
5. If you are leaving on BAD terms, refrain from making any negative comments or venting.  This will become part of your permanent personnel records which could harm your career in the future.
6. Write a professional resignation letter not a personal one which could result in negativity.

EXPECT A COUNTER OFFER

1. You have caught your employer off guard and often they will offer you your next promotion and raise to entice you to stay.  However, the level of trust between you and this employer has diminished.
2. Don’t lose sight of why you were looking for another opportunity.  Was it just money and advancement or are there things beyond your control that resulted in your job dissatisfaction.
3. Accepting a counter offer also affects your integrity with your new employer.
4. It’s a fact that almost always, the person who accepts a counter offer is back in the job market in a relatively short period of time.

LEAVE THE “RIGHT” WAY

1. Provide your employer with a two week notice.
2. Complete unfinished work
3. Organize your work area, files, desk, database
4. Inform your co-workers of any follow-up work needing to be done
5. Maintain a positive attitude throughout your resignation period
6. Offer your contact information, in case questions arise
7. Negotiate salary, vacation, commissions or any other forms of compensation due at the time of your resignation.

You want your past employer to feel good about the time you worked for them.  You also want them impressed by how you handled yourself throughout your resignation process.

1. Does the layout invite attention?  Is it clear and easy to read with appropriate spacing?

2. Did I list only my past ten years of work experience?

3. Did I list my education?  High School?  College?  Trade School?  Any job relevant certifications?

4. Did I key in on any rewards/awards that set me apart from my past co-workers?

5. Do I have a skills section that lists all career specific skills?

6. Did I make it easy to contact me to set up interviews?

7. Is all of my contact information accurate?

8. Are all of my dates listed on my resume accurate?

9. Do my strong points stand out?

10. Is my resume on one page?  Ideally one page, but two is fine.

11. Does it include a clear-cut Objective or Summary of Qualifications?

12. Is all the information relevant to my Objective or Summary of Qualifications?

13. Is my verbiage clear and professional (no jargon)?

14. Is my information honest and ethical?

15. Does it grab the reader’s attention immediately?

16. Did I omit any personal information?

17. Did I omit any reasons for leaving past jobs?

18. Did I omit any salary information?

19. Am I using strong impact statements?

20. Am I using accomplishments rather than simply tasks/duties?

21. Are my responsibilities clear and understandable?

22. Did I avoid abbreviation?

23. Would my resume entice the Hiring Authority to select ME as one of their candidates to interview?

24. Did I check and double check for spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors?

25. Did I have someone I trust read my resume for spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors?

26. Did I offer to provide References at their request?

These are just the very BASICS as you review your resume.  Remember that your resume is your ticket to your interview.  Your interview is the main step to your job offer.  It is always a good idea to have someone look over your resume.  However, keep in mind that the opinions you receive are subjective and ultimately it is YOU who will make the final revision.

Family and friends don’t realize how hurtful their remarks, opinions and advice can be when you are desperately trying to find a job. You must also realize that these individuals have NO expertise in how to conduct a successful search. The job market today is much more competitive and automated making it more difficult to schedule interviews and obtain valuable feedback. Do yourself a favor and block out the negativity and noise in your life. Don’t allow the opinions of others to become your reality. When you are told what you will NOT be able to accomplish, automatically think to yourself, “just watch me!” One great example: Michael Jordan was told by his high school coach that he was not good enough to play high school basketball. Just imagine how different his life would have been if he believed that coach and quit playing basketball. Your attitude, expectations and self confidence level greatly affect the success of your job search. Starting today, expect great things to happen and kick your job search into high gear.

These factors are also considered in the hiring process.
Which job seeker demonstrated…

• the strongest interest in the opportunity being offered?
• the highest level of confidence in their ability to do the job?
• knowledge of the company as well as the job being offered?
• the ability to fit into the company culture?
• talents which would enhance current team members?
• a track record of accomplishments and how they impacted past employers?
• the ability to make the hiring authority “look good!”

Don’t assume for one minute that hiring authorities are going to take the time to figure out who is the best fit for their opportunity. It is up to you to show a high level of interest, stress your accomplishments and the impact on past employers, as well as a higher level of confidence in your ability to get the job done.

Finding a job is a competition and you want to WIN by obtaining the job offer. It is your job, as a job seeker, to eliminate the competition by clearly showing the hiring authority why you are the person who will provide the greatest return on their investment (your salary package) if they hire you! Go out there and WIN!