Project Plan Your Job Search

Are you struggling to stay on top of your job search? Do you need help in prioritizing your time? It can be a challenge whether you are doing a search while working a job or in between jobs, juggling the time and tools it takes to get your next gig is an art form. I have discovered there are six key areas in effective job searches. Target Tools Timeline Tackle daily Talk your story Take the job Today, let’s discuss timeline – planning your job search from beginning to end. Timeline As for a timeline for your job search, be realistic. If you are just getting started, most job searches are taking 6 – 12 months. The average for those unemployed is about 10 months. Though working with a coach will make this shorten, sometimes significantly. But don’t tell your coach at the end of May you want that perfect job by July. Not going to happen for most people. Job transition takes time and a whole lot of thought but it doesn’t have to wipe you out. First off, all job seekers should have a project plan developed for their search. It can be as basic or elaborate as you want it to be. The key is to have one. I have seen too many of my clients come to me for one area of the job search but then flounder horribly in the time management and planning aspect. This is usually the area we tackle next. Below are some of the tools I utilize with my clients. Attached are two documents. Pick the one that feels best to you and how you work. The key to planning your search is to plan. Sit down and write out the steps you will take and when and how. If you have no idea how to do this, call me. We can talk it through. Write the tasks in the left column. Break them down to as small a step as you can, as in  project Plan two or in more general terms but still a functional task, such as in project Plan one. All tasks listed must be defined enough to be able to be checked off all by itself. Job Search Project Plan 1 Tasks Due Date Completion First draft of resume 9/14 9/15 Second draft of resume 9/20 9/20 Final edits of resume 9/22 Networking into top 5 companies On-going Job Search Project Plan 2 Action Items Duration Who Wk. 1 Wk. 2 *Clarify Target* - Decide on job search goal/target 2 weeks Me - Establish milestones 1 day Me *Strategy Development* - Develop long/short-term strategy 1 week Me/Coach - Research & review job search tactics - Choose tactics to be used in campaign *Create List of Potential Companies* Note: On this plan, the weeks can go out as far as you want. So it breaks the search down by weekly segments. There is more detailed plan which ensures a step is not missed or overlooked and that all chosen steps are assigned to the appropriate parties. I think you get it by now. You have to have a written job search plan and to take action on it. Next up – tackle daily.

Why Starting A Blog Could Help Your Job Search

Why Starting A Blog Could Help Your Job Search

We’ve all heard about how starting a blog can benefit writers who are looking to publish their work, but what if you’re not a writer? Could blogging still benefit you? In what ways? Blogging is more than writing your thoughts and feelings about a topic you’re passionate about. In fact, blogging could entail many things. You could post videos, photos, infographics, and any other creations you can think of. You can offer help, post tutorials, and even earn money in some instances. Whatever you choose to produce when starting a blog, if taken seriously, it could be a great way to showcase your work as a professional. Why Starting A Blog Could Help Your Job Search As the demand to build an online presence in order to be more visible to potential employers grows, it isn’t enough to simply have social media profiles. If you want to have a bigger presence on the Internet, starting a blog could definitely help you in your job search. In an interview with Annabel Candy, creator of travel blog Get in the Hot Spot and blogging tips site Successful Blogging, the expert blogger shared why she got into blogging and web design. “I studied for an MA in Design for Interactive Media in 1995 because I had no idea about computers, but realized that I needed to get up to speed fast,” said Candy. “The Internet was so new then, I really had no idea what opportunities it would lead to but it’s opened up so many doors for me.” Because of the flexibility blogging provides, you can practically work with anyone and from anywhere, which can be beneficial when you’re looking to build a larger professional network. This rings true especially when you’re unemployed. Not having a steady income can really limit what you spend your money on. Sometimes you don’t have gas money to attend the job fair in your neighboring city or other networking events. Blogging can help you go virtual with your networking and it costs nothing. In addition, blogging is a good way to “differentiate yourself from most job seekers,” said Candy. “It’s a chance to show that you’re unique, passionate and prepared to take risks.” These are all good qualities to have when looking for work. It’s so hard to stand out from the job seeking pool when everyone around you is dressed as professionally as you, has a good cover letter, resume, references, and then some. “The WordPress 2010 and 2011 themes aren’t a bad way to start,” said Candy. Keeping a blog “clean and simple” are also good things to keep in mind when starting a blog. Even if you don’t have blogging experience this should be easy to follow. Think of blogging as you do about your job interviews, always looking for ways to make that good first impression. “First impressions count and are hard to change so keep your language clean as well as your design,” said Candy. If you haven’t explored the benefits blogging could provide, now is a good time to start. It can build your confidence, and help advertise your skills in ways other Internet sites cannot.

Best Advice For An Interview

These days, a job search is much like a sporting event: you practice and hone your skills for that all important match up in the big interview. But what skills do you focus on and how do you prepare for the interviewer’s style of questioning? Practice, bring your tools, and get your head in the game. The question I am most often asked is “What advice do you have for an interview?” My answer is consistent: Develop three to five stories from your most recent positions. Put them in the format of the challenge you faced, the action you took and the result of that action. Remember, a company is looking for how you can help them, not the other way around. Prepare Most interviewers use behavioral style questioning; in other words, the “Give me an example of when this situation occurred…” line of questioning. While you won’t know exactly what the interviewer is going to ask beforehand, you can prepare. The above exercise is the precise way to do just that. These types of questioning are meant to keep you on your toes and see how you work and think under pressure. Do you freeze up when you are thrown off? Or do you easily adapt to the scenario and launch into an answer Even if the situation is not one that you have encountered, you can explain how you would have handled the situation. Prepare for this line of questioning by practicing. Also, always address the problem, the possible solutions, and the actions required for a favorable outcome. Create A “30-Second Commercial” Another great idea is to develop a “30-Second Commercial” to answer the always dreaded, “Tell me about yourself.” Rather than start with “I was born in 1965 and I spent my first few years at home. I then went on to preschool…” know that this is your time to shine by quickly and effectively pointing out your strengths and the assets that you will bring to the company. Remember, you are a product that you have spent years perfecting and you need this company to purchase the product. Do Your Homework Know the company that you are interviewing with, know the culture, the history, and any information you can find on the interviewer. Show interest in the job by taking the time to learn about the company, some great tools include LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. This not only shows initiative and depicts you as a self-starter, it’s also a sign of respect. Know Your Online Presence Google yourself and see what impression a recruiter will surmise. A great way to increase your professional online presence is through participation in conversations on Twitter and LinkedIn. Join groups that interest you and remain active. And make certain that you eliminate any “bad publicity” from social media channels, especially Facebook. As you enter the interview, remember you are well prepared and ready to impress. It’s impossible to predict the exact moves and questions an interviewer will throw your way but as long as you use these tools, you will present yourself as the prepared professional that the company needs. I hope this interview advice is helpful. Happy interviewing!

Language Barriers In The Workplace

Though English is spoken by more Americans than all other languages combined, many businesses may staff workers who have a limited or halting grasp of English. This can cause lapses in productivity when co-workers cannot communicate or when a worker cannot tell their manager about a particular problem. Many employers say that they would hire more immigrants if it weren’t for the language barriers in the workplace. Here are a few issues that a business faces by having non-English speakers, as well as solutions to the problem: Spanish As A First Language One in ten Americans speak Spanish at home rather than English, a number that has nearly doubled in the past twenty years. Half of these Spanish speakers say that they speak English “less than well,” a figure that has not changed from earlier proportions. While many people think of border states like Texas and California having the largest difficulties with Spanish-speaking populations, it has proven a bigger business challenge in areas that previously lacked a large non-English speaking demographic. In North Carolina, for instance, the number of Spanish-speaking workers quadrupled; in Iowa it tripled. Issues In The Workplace A major barrier to business productivity that involves language is the use of idioms. In everyday speech it is typical for an individual to substitute particular phrases or words that mean something other than their literal meaning. Businesses are notorious, furthermore, for using sports metaphors like “home run effort” or “Hail Mary gambit” or “slam dunk success” in order to describe their operations, strategies, and day-to-day operations. Idioms are some of the most difficult parts of speech for a non-native speaker to comprehend. Any business needs to ensure that their company’s printed materials, like training manuals and circulations, are idiom-free so that a literal translation makes sense. Business Language And Vocabulary A second area of concern for any company is the use of a business language that may be different or contrary to the vocabulary of everyday life.  Companies use terms like “paradigm” and “benchmark” and “empowerment” in order to dress up a mundane task to sound complex. When discussing company operations, minimize jargon and create a language level that could be understood by any high-school student in the country. Some businesses, especially law-related companies, rely on abbreviations in order to minimize the amount of ink they put on paper each day. Some abbreviations can cross over Spanish language barriers, like “etc.”, but for someone who speaks a non-European language like Chinese, Arabic, or Hindi, it is simply a clump of meaningless letters. Minimizing Issues While it may be necessary to strip down each e-mail or written text to the bare bones, a business can take a few steps to ensure that a worker understands the message. Follow-up emails to the non-native speakers (as well as any of the native speakers who have trouble digesting information) can help drive a point home.  Whenever possible, communicate in person so that you can use body language and expression to make sure the message is received.  This may mean setting up a video chat when you are on the other side of the city or globe. International Business Sometimes the English speaker is the one who is facing a language barrier.  Many companies send their employees overseas, but only a few of those employees know the language of the country they land in. Sometimes it can be enough to set the employee up with translation software on a computer to communicate effectively. Other times, it may be necessary to retain the services of a translator: after all, the cost of a translation is minimal in comparison to the profit of signing an international business agreement. Joshua Turner is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to business. In this article, he describes language barriers in the workplace and aims to encourage continued study with a diplomacy degree through Norwich University.

5 Ways To Meet New Professional Contacts

5 Ways To Meet New Professional Contacts

A referral through someone in your network is a highly effective way to land a job. Sometimes, it’s not just what you know, but who you know. An endorsement from someone the hiring manager trusts is an extremely powerful means of influence. People in your network are also a great source of information about relevant job openings, and may be able to provide advice about how best to position yourself to the company. Sometimes, the best opportunities don’t reach job boards or recruiters because people within the network of the hiring company get to it first. For these reasons, I highly recommend continually putting in time and effort to building a strong professional network. Below are five ways to meet new professional contacts: Conferences And Events Attending a conference or event is a great way to meet a large group of professional contacts. Professional events are often publicized through industry newsletters and blogs. Try to find a guest or speaker list to determine if the event is worth attending.  This will also allow you to be productive with your time if you do attend. Conferences relevant to your industries of interest or skill sets may generate the most opportunities. Ideally, the conference will also offer great speakers and some educational value. Introduce yourself to people at the event engage in casual conversation about the topic and your professional interests. If you’d like to stay in touch, get their business card or contact information and send a thoughtful and personalized e-mail the next day. Remember, people attend conferences and events for the same reason you are – to expand their networks. Introductions Through People You Know Looking within your network for introductions is one of the most effective ways to generate new professional contacts. Ask people you know for contacts in the industry, at specific companies you’d like to work for, or even specific people within a  department.  Use LinkedIn to identify individuals you would like to meet, and look at your shared connections. If you’re changing roles or industries, scheduling “informational interviews” with people is a great way to learn, get advice, and obtain more relevant introductions. Cold Reach Outs If there’s someone you would really like to meet, and you don’t have a strong connection, you’ll have to reach out cold. Your success rate will vary depending on the role of the person you’re reaching out to, and the value you offer. An effective cold e-mail is short, personalized, and clearly describes how you can help the person and why they should meet with you. You can engage with the person on the public social networks that they engage on, such as Twitter, Quora, or their blog, to “warm up” your cold e-mail. Personal Interest Groups Interacting with someone around shared interests outside of work is a great way to build rapport and get to know someone. Find groups around your interests such as politics, religion, volunteering, or hobbies such as an intramural sports team or a book club. Personal interest groups aren’t the most focused approach to meeting professional contacts, but casting a wide net is important. You never know who you’ll meet; remember these people bring a network to the table as well. Private Events, Groups, And Parties Private events, groups and parties can also be helpful for business networking, to enchance your personal interests such as poker, or strictly social. Have a friend bring you to a party where you won’t know anyone. People often spend time with people of similar strength, so if you like your friend, it’s likely that he/she will know other good people. Team up with a colleague to host your own small event. Have each organizer invite a few people. You could even tell the people you invite that they can bring people. Before you know it, you’ll have a large group! Conclusion If there isn’t a group or event for your particular interest, organizing that event or group can be a great way to become a thought leader in a particular space. If you have a certain expertise, you might consider making yourself available to speak at an event. Getting started is the hardest part, but over time your network will start growing exponentially faster as the people you meet start introducing you around.

Building Your Network: 5 Tips For Shy Networkers

For shy networkers, building your network can be a challenge. A week ago, I attended a business mixer sponsored by the Portland Business Journal, and was immediately reminded about something.

As I walked into the crowded room of about 200 professionals, I remembered that keeping up the art of networking requires you to keep working at it. Like exercising a muscle, you need to keep flexing it in order to keep it in shape.

Not that I have any excuse… I have been (ahem) a little negligent myself lately in getting out into true networking situations where I don’t know anyone.

A heavy client load and multiple projects have kept my time constrained to running from appointment to appointment, with no time (or energy) to commit to going to any after-hours networking events. I’ve been too exhausted.

But that is no excuse.

I realized it had been awhile since the last networking event that I had attended, and silently resolved to get myself back out there.

So, as I entered that room, I suddenly realized how flabby my networking muscle was. And I’ll admit it: I was scared since I knew a total of two people out of that crowd.

Why was I scared?

Because deep down, I am actually a horrifically shy person. And when anyone who is shy is thrust into a setting where it is densely packed and they don’t really know anyone, the natural instinct is to clam up and find a corner of the room for shelter.

It was all I could do to force myself into the heaving crowd. But I did it.

When people reveal to me that they are shy or have a hard time networking, I know that pain… personally. But you CAN get past it and it can open up new doors in ways you couldn’t have imagined.

During the event, I pushed myself past the shyness envelope, made eye contact with strangers, and stuck out my hand to say hello. I met a lot of people that night through the power of networking.

One gentleman I met was interested in resume writing services for himself (he contacted me later to follow up- a good sign); another was slipping past a door I was standing near and I jokingly said, “In order to pass, you need to introduce yourself.”

Turns out he was an executive coach and after chatting, we set up a meeting the very next day to figure out how we could refer business to each other.

And a client of mine (one of the two people I knew at the event) was chatting with another gentleman to whom she introduced me… turns out he was involved with a workforce board and we had a lot to discuss. Since then, we have met in person over coffee and shared ideas over e-mail.

So, if you say you are shy and that is the reason why you aren’t good at networking, that is a self-imposed barrier you have put up in front of yourself.

Yes, it can be uncomfortable. But here are a few quick tips for you to get through that initial awkward conversational stage and transform the people you meet at events into powerful contacts in your network:

1. Be Fearless

Walk up, stick out your hand, introduce yourself, ask them about what they do, then shut up. People love to talk about themselves. So let them. Being quiet means you don’t have to come up with things to talk about and you can take their conversational lead!

2. Be Well-Read

Keeping up with current events and business trends gives you a treasure trove to draw from in terms of conversational topics.

3. Initiate A Call To Action

If you want to learn more, there’s only so much you can chat about comfortably in a crowded room. Suggest to meet the person over coffee in a less busy setting. You’ll both be more relaxed and the ideas can flow more freely.

4. Follow Up In 24 Hours

Don’t shove the person’s card in your drawer and call it good. That’s not networking. That’s called disposing of your contacts (I am not talking about the kind you stick in your eyes).

E-mail messages are good, but even a nice little hand-written note can lend some distinction to your thoughtfulness.

5. If The Conversation Isn’t Working Out Very Well, Release The Person

You can always excuse yourself if they have lost interest or there isn’t any rapport building.  (Or if they are looking over your shoulder!)

Say, “Well, it was nice meeting you and we should both probably mingle a little more… thanks again for chatting!” and then let them go.

Sometimes, shy people have a habit of clinging to people that they are able to talk to and then never letting them go. Don’t be one of those networkers! The purpose is to meet as many people as you can.

Don’t let yourself become your own worst obstacle to networking. Get out there, and get a networking workout… the more you do it, the easier it will become!

Employers: Avoiding Age Discrimination In The Workplace

With people staying in the workforce longer, one of the challenges that a business may face is ageism. Depending on what type of business you are working in will determine how much of this you may actually encounter.

What’s Ageism?

First of all, it is important to know exactly what ageism is and how it applies to the business world. You can basically sum it in up in two words “age discrimination.” It can be choosing not to hire someone, to hire someone based solely on his or her age, or it could also have to do with trying to force someone to retire.

This could be because the business has had employees in that age group that did not perform well in the past or maybe they feel that they cannot do the job adequately due to their age and abilities. Maybe a business does not want to hire older workers as they feel that they are only going to work there a year or two and then retire and it is not worth training them. Regardless of the reasoning, ageism is something that any business should strive to avoid.

Avoiding Ageism – Legally

One of the first things that a business can do to avoid ageism is to check the laws at a local and national level. While this seems like a strange thing, you want to make sure you are not hiring people you shouldn’t be. For instance, if there is a minimum age that people have to be before they can enter the workforce, you need to keep that in mind. There can be places that have a mandatory retirement age so you cannot hire anyone who is over that age limit. When looking to hire for your business, do not ask people for their age or birth year, instead ask them if they are legally allowed to work. If you are not sure if people will know those ages, you can simply ask if they were born between X and Y years.

Where You Advertise

The location of where you advertise can ultimately affect the ages of the applicants that you receive, which can make your business look like it has an age discrimination issue. For instance, if you put most of your ads in the places where teenagers are known to hang out, you likely are going to get a lot of teenagers applying for positions.

This may be your goal if you are hiring for a minimum wage job that does not require education beyond high school but if you are looking for someone with a degree and five years experience, you are not likely to find it there. One of the best locations to advertise is the newspaper or on the Internet job classifieds as people can find them there regardless of age.

Setting Up Policies

Having policies in place within your business can help to prevent ageism from happening and will also allow for better employee satisfaction. For instance, you could have a wage schedule that indicates when employees qualify for raises and how much they can be or a range. Determine a method to evaluate this based on performance or other factors and have it laid out when the employee starts their job. Make sure that these guidelines are then followed and that employees know exactly what is expected of them in order to qualify.

Policies should also be setup for discipline in the same way. Regardless, make sure that those in your business who do the evaluating keep records. Offer opportunities for advancement within the business based on qualifications and merit.

Top 6 Critical Soft Skills Of Job Seekers

Top 6 Critical Soft Skills Of Job Seekers

It’s a typical story for many job seekers. You apply for a bunch of jobs. You get some interviews, but can’t understand why you aren’t hearing back from so many of these companies. Whether it’s to actually get a job interview or to be called back for a second interview, oftentimes, you may come to the conclusion that you just aren’t as qualified as many of the others. Other times you know you are qualified, so what gives? While there are many factors that come into play here, it is a fact that some less qualified candidates are chosen over more qualified candidates simply because they have stronger soft skills than their more qualified counterparts. Your soft skills, which are a combination of your personality, attitude, and social skills, do weigh heavily in an employer’s decision to consider you as a candidate. Many employers believe most people can be trained in the hard skills required for a job much more easily than they can be trained on the soft skills. If you are a job seeker, you should do a self check on how you present both to prospective employers. Millions of companies out there have some ultra highly skilled employees. These are employees who may have advanced degrees, various certifications, lengthy relevant experience, and sound knowledge of their job responsibilities. Despite that, their managers are desperate to toss them out. How do things go so wrong with such skilled employees? Aren’t highly skilled employees the object of an employer’s search for a new team member? Despite their sound skills and knowledge, some of these highly skilled employees turn out to be an employer’s biggest nightmare. Perhaps they are argumentative, self-serving, unmotivated, dishonest, or just have terrible attitudes. Maybe they have all those traits or just a few. Regardless, they lack some critical soft skills that are not easy (and oftentimes, impossible) to train. As a result, more and more employers are willing to train less qualified candidates when they find ones with outstanding soft skills. While hard skills are the skills employees should have to actually do their job  (education, training, and experience) those alone simply are not enough to land jobs in many companies. Many employers assess candidates for their personality and behavior traits and consider finding the lack of strong soft skills to be deal breakers. As a result, less qualified employees often win jobs because employers know that hiring employees who lack strong soft skills can wreak more havoc to their bottom line than employees who are lacking some of the hard skills. I am not going to say that people can’t learn and grow in some key soft skill areas but ask any manager if it’s easy to train an “attitude.” It’s not! The following are the critical soft skills employers most desire in their employees: Honesty and integrity Strong work ethic Emotional intelligence Self motivated High energy/positive attitude Team player There are employers out there who typically concentrate on qualifying candidates solely by their hard skills.  Sooner or later, though, they realize the price they will pay. They may find some great employees but they are bound to find some bad ones and these bad ones are hard to forget! These are the employees that literally consume up to 80% of a manager’s time. Sure, they know how to do their job, but they also can make life miserable for everyone around them in the process! Most experienced managers have had their share of experiences with employees like this. Because of that, more and more employers are finding themselves open to considering less qualified candidates with highly impressive soft skills. If you are a job seeker, you need to be aware of the importance of these critical soft skills and how you can use them to leverage your personal and career brand in your job search. You can intertwine them into your cover letter and also into your job interviews. Using specific examples in situation/behavior based interview questions is key. Highlighting these skills and using them as examples of how you operate, as an employee, is a great way to make up for any hard skill deficiencies that you might have. Every day, job seekers apply to jobs they are not fully qualified to do and many do get hired! However, common sense must come into play here. Obviously, you should not apply for engineering jobs if you have no engineering experience and were an English major in college. However, if it just comes down to types of degrees required (bachelors vs. associates) or years and type of experience, you can and should leverage your soft skills to increase your chances of being considered for the position. If you do lack certain hard skills, you should always mention that you are a very quick learner and can easily be trained without issues. I have overlooked many hard skill requirements to hire an honest, hardworking, positive person who was just so eager and willing to become a high-level team member. For the most part, they work out great and become great assets to the company and the work culture. The time it takes to train some skills that may be lacking is truly nothing compared to the energy that gets zapped from an employee who lacks critical soft skills. All job seekers should make a point to highlight their soft skills because be assured, employers need and want them!

What Not To Say In A Job Interview

What Not To Say In A Job Interview

In today’s competitive job market, even getting a job interview can prove to be difficult. So, when you eventually get an interview, you want to make sure that you do everything you can to absolutely ace it. All too often, people can mess up the interview with ill-chosen comments, and before they know it, they’re job hunting again. But with the right job interview training and tips of what not to say in a job interview, you will significantly improve your chances of getting the job. Bad Answers Here are a few things you shouldn’t say: Question: Why do you want the job? This is your opportunity to show how the interviewer how passionate you are about the job position. Highlight a good reason why you want the job by for example relating it to your education or background and state what it is you can bring to the job. Don’t answer with: “Because my mum told me to” or “Because it will pay for the rent while I look for a job that I really want to do” – Here, you are immediately proving to the interviewer that you do not actually want the job and you will not benefit or bring anything to the company in anyway. Question: What do you like to do in your spare time? This question gives you the opportunity to show the interviewer what your interests are, allowing them to get to know your personality a little bit more. Don’t answer with: “Going to the pub” or “sleeping” – Employers like it when people can talk passionately about their own interests as it helps them to better understand you as a person. Instead of saying “going to the pub” talk about some social activities you enjoy doing, such as a hobby where you’re part of a club or team. Question: What do you expect to enjoy most about this role? This question allows you to let the interviewer know that you have done your research and understand exactly what will be required of the job role. State the key aspects of the specific role that you are most excited about. Don’t answer with: Listing the perks of the jobs such as “ lunchtimes,” “pay,” “discounts,” or “holidays” – This immediately shows that you’re not hard working and that you’re not actually very interested in the job role. Question: Where do you see yourself in five years? This is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are serious about the industry you are interviewing for and allows you to tell them how you want to progress in the next few years. Don’t answer with: “I see myself doing your job”- Don’t threaten your interviewer with the idea that you are planning on taking their job in the future. Although you might eventually get a position similar to your interviewer in the future, saying this will give the impression that you already think you’re better than your interviewer, and arrogance is not an employable attribute to have. Bad Questions Here are some questions you shouldn’t ask: “Do you really do that? I didn’t know that!” – Here, you’re immediately showing your interviewer that you haven’t done your homework and researched the company before your interview. “Do I have to wear that uniform?” – Questions like this show the interviewer that you have a poor attitude and you care more about what you look like rather than the actual job role. “Is it okay if I just take this call?” – This highlights to the interviewer that you are not serious about the interview and are more interested in your personal life, demonstrating that you are unprofessional as well as rude. “What’s the holiday and sickness policy?” – Before you’ve even got the job, you’re showing the interviewer that you’re planning your days off. Asking about sickness also shows the employer that you’re likely to have a lot of time off work. Bad Statements Here are some statements you should avoid: “Sorry I’m late.” – You’re immediately demonstrating to the interviewer that you are unreliable and have poor time management. The last thing they want is someone rocking up to work half an hour late every morning. “I didn’t like my previous employer.” – Even if this is the case, this is something the interviewer does not need to know. It can reflect badly on your character and is unprofessional.

Career Advice For The Unemployed: Stress Less

Career Advice For The Unemployed: Stress Less

It’s tough being unemployed – especially in this economy. Since I cannot offer you a job, perhaps some of the experiences I have used during period of uncertainties I have gone through, I can share with you. While I may not know how you feel, I know the most unnerving feeling is probably uncertainty and stress of bills mounting and being cash strapped. Don’t Give Up Yes, I know easier said than done. Don’t give up looking for a job. So long as you keep the effort, one day the accumulation of these efforts will build to a tipping point. You will find that job. This is one career advice for the unemployed I can give. There has been so many times in my life when I felt dejected and out of energy, but the feeling of not giving up and keep going on has often served me well. So, don’t give up. No good news today does not mean no good news tomorrow. Share Your Concerns Yes, you have a lot of stress; you have a lot of problems. Share these with your close friends or family. You may think you are troubling them and do not want to add to their own problems, in actual fact it makes them feel better if you share it with with them. At least, they know how you feel. Additionally, let friends know of your concerns. Let ego take a back seat. Not being employed is not a crime and sometimes is not of your own doing. When you share your concerns, you are actually also opening doors. Friends who care may actually spread the word around and get you jobs. This is one career advice tip for the unemployed I know that works. See It From A Different Angle I know this career advice for the unemployed is going to be tough to understand. You are unemployed, how can you see it from a different angle? Learn this, each situation gives us an experience that we can introspect. Look within yourself and see what opportunities there are to explore other areas of interests. This is your best opportunity. What do you have to lose? What are some of the things you have wanted to do that you never had a chance? Are there skills you want to pick up and never had the time? Use interviews to find out about other industries. Rise Above Your Emotions You must be going through an emotional roller coaster as the days go by and you have not found a job. Rise above the emotions of anger and depression. When you have these feelings you cannot make good judgments. Realize that there are some things that cannot be rushed. Be in equilibrium with the situation, do what you have to do but do not be angry or depressed about it. Call it the “Law of Attraction” if you like – how can you attract good things if you are constantly negative? Accept Don’t Resist Some things cannot be changed and some things will come at it’s own time. Does it mean you do not do anything about it? No. Does it mean you accept your fate? No. So, what does this career advice for the unemployed mean when it says accept, don’t resist? It means, do what you have to do now. Is it sending out resumes? Is it spreading the word with friends and associates that you are looking for a job? Then do just that, do not resist what needs to be done. Things don’t come if you don’t act. Act Perhaps the most practical and do-able career advice for the unemployed is to act. Go stick yourself out there. Send out the resumes, speak to people, share your concerns, tell them to spread the word that you need employment. I know you are likely to say, you have done all that, but it is not enough. If you have done all that, see if there are other things you can do. Search the web for inspiration. Believe in the Butterfly Effect when looking for a job. A small action now may result in big returns later. You job may just be around the corner once you send out your 1,057th resume. I hope this career advice for the unemployed can help you see things in a different light and lessen your stress. Keep going and good luck.

5 Best Resources For Those Considering Teaching

5 Best Resources For Those Considering Teaching

Teaching is one of the most difficult yet rewarding careers out there. If you feel that you have what it takes to become a teacher and want to make a difference in the lives of others, here are a few resources to help you weigh your decision and get started: 1. Friends And Family The best insight will always come from actual teachers. If you have family members or friends with teaching experience, conduct some informal interviews. Write down the questions you may have about the profession and find out what these teachers consider to be the greatest rewards and drawbacks of teaching. Ask them how they dealt with particularly challenging situations, like classroom management issues, and what advice they would offer to new teachers just entering the profession. You can also get some resume and interview tips if you have already made the decision to embark on a teaching career. 2. Internet Resources The Internet can connect you with higher education resources, teacher blogs, lesson plans and any other information you seek. One particularly helpful site is Teach.com, which provides information on how to become a teacher in any state or abroad. The site offers detailed descriptions on how to meet state certification requirements, connects potential teachers with higher education and certification programs, and has a blog with information on designing quality lesson plans, classroom management strategies and many more topics. Like Teach.com, Certification Map offers detailed guides to state certification, information on master’s and certification programs, and informative blogs. 3. The Government If you know what state that you want to teach in, you should consult that state’s department of education to find out certification and testing requirements. Many state education sites also offer information on alternative certification programs and employment listings. The U.S. Department of Education is another helpful resource for student loan information, current trends and policies in education, and teaching resources. 4. Non-Profit Organizations For recent graduates, several non-profit organizations help new teachers get their careers started by offering work opportunities in high-needs schools and geographic areas. Teach for America employs new teachers for two years in high-poverty areas. Organizations like Americorps and the Peace Corps offer volunteer opportunities in the United States and abroad, which offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and experiences that look excellent on resumes. 5. Higher Education Institutions You may already have a bachelor’s degree in a subject area but need to fulfill the education coursework to become a teacher. Prospective teachers should investigate Master of Art in Teaching programs, which often offer flexibility and help with the certification process. You can find resources on degree and certification granting programs through Certification Map and Teach.com. Even if you are seeking certification in a state that does not require a master’s degree, higher education can make you more desirable to hiring districts as well as make you more knowledgeable and prepared to teach.

How Many Versions Of Your Resume Do You Need?

How Many Versions Of Your Resume Do You Need?


A lot of times, job seekers will contact me with help on their career document, then start rattling off a whole list of COMPLETELY different functions that they want to cover in the resume. One recent client was hoping to try and cover human resources, event planning, and communications all in one document. Unfortunately, in today’s brave new world of applications, one size does not fit all. But does that mean everyone needs to be constantly chasing after a moving target, always changing the document to meet each job posting? Nope. You have to rethink your strategy completely and start seeing your resume as a themed asset. Here’s why… As we go through our careers, our background evolves into probably at least three or more different thematic areas. In my lifetime, I’ve been a meeting planner, television producer, tourism manager, educator, and resume writer, to name a few. Can I pull all of these areas under one roof/one resume? Not a chance. No one could possibly digest it all – there is too much stuff “muddying” the waters if, say, I were to apply to be a faculty member in a post-secondary school. The trick to hitting those moving target is to get grounded first. Take a deep breath and think about what area you are actually going to have the highest degree of job search success. Then focus your efforts on that area. I would suggest one, two, but no more than three major areas. Then create a separate document for EACH of those themes. Create a section header entitled “RELEVANT HISTORY” then list the job records most relevant to the position to which you are applying first, then summarize (if necessary) any non-relevant ones to avoid distracting the reader. That way, you can account for any holes that open up in your work experience caused by moving non-relevant history into an “Additional Background” header. What you are saying to the potential employer is this: “Here’s the information that is RELEVANT to what you are hiring for… and oh, by the way, you’ll probably notice there are some holes in the work history, so down here, here’s some additional background that summarizes those non-relevant jobs. Want more info? Just ask me.” Keeping your document themed is critical to keeping your sanity and your job search in check. You need to be focused and centered on your core areas that will yield the highest level of job search success. Why? Because if you get spread out too thin, you’ll be too far and too wide in your job search efforts, and never get the vertical depth required to find employment success. You’ve heard of the “shotgun approach” to job seeking? When you are so scattered you end up running around all the time and not experiencing any traction, then you’ve slipped into that mode. Not a good place to be. Employers can smell desperation, and if they sense a lot of shape-shifting in your resume to try and make yourself more than what you really are to “fit” into a particular job mold, they will drop you like a hot potato. They are more interested in the highly qualified candidates than the “sorta” qualified ones. Instead, BE THE MOLD. Think thematic approaches in your document on your core strengths, experience, and expertise. Be centered on what you feel is your best “bet” (to borrow a poker euphemism) in finding a job. Then create a separate thematic resume in that area. This allows you to concentrate your experience, keywords, relevant involvement and professional development in that theme. The end result is you get a specific version of your resume in the proverbial can that is about 90% of the way there. Then, when you find a job posting that matches your target career goal, you’ll definitely need to do some tweaking to make sure your resume terminology matches the position announcement. That ensures your keyword “hit” ratio is as optimized as possible before you submit your resume as an application. But you won’t have to reinvent the wheel and start all over to create a new document. Job seekers simply cannot be constantly morphing documents into something that someone else wants. You need to be grounded in what it is you offer in a specific field, then tweak the resume to match and make sure the terms mirror one another. You’ll have better control over your job search, yield better results, and not have the feeling that you are constantly chasing ghosts.

Why You Should Do An Online Internship

Why You Should Do An Online Internship

Whether you are already enrolled in a distance learning program or you plan to be soon, thinking about your future career is probably on the forefront of your mind. Since most people getting an online degree are doing so for their future career, it’s no surprise students want to know what types of career services are offered. Why You Should Do An Online Internship Some schools will provide you with job placement services, but certain types of degrees will require more effort to get a job. Many industries are looking for people with experience and new graduates don’t always fit the bill. However, if you can find an online internship with a company in the same industry, you can get experience to land a full time, permanent position. Finding An Online Internship Since you’re in distance learning, you’ll probably be using the Internet for finding the internship as well. Depending on the type of degree you’re going for, the internship might be local or online. Typically, internships completely online are for jobs like writing, graphic design, or other virtual careers. If you already know of companies in your area that accept interns, that’s the place to start. Other than that, a simple Internet search should get you some resources. Also, check different social media networks; many companies will post internship opportunities there. Benefits Of An Online Internship Although you’re focusing on your coursework and will soon have a degree, it can be hard finding a job in the beginning. The biggest benefit to online internships is that they help you gain valid work experience to put on your resume. Not only that, but the employer can provide you with an excellent reference and recommendation. If you’re looking for a career that’s home-based, you will need to find an online internship. This shows future employers that you’re capable of working on your own with very minimal supervision and meeting the deadlines set for you. Getting Employment After you’re finished with your online internship, contact the person you were working for to ask for a reference. If you did your due diligence before accepting the internship, you should already know they are willing to give you a reference. You will now have experience in your field of expertise and something to put on your resume. When looking for a full-time, permanent position, be sure to let them know what experience you have, who the internship was for, and the type of work that you did.

Young And Unemployed? 3 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Hired

If you’re a college graduate and you’re unemployed, you might have an idea of what I’m about to talk about. You’ve spent four years of your life hitting the books, getting good grades, participating in relevant extra-curricular activities, and maybe even juggling a part-time job in between. You’ve worked really hard for your degree and you’ve been told time and time again that a degree is essential to finding employment in today’s competitive job market. So, why are you not getting hired?

First of all, you’re not alone. According to this survey by the U.S. Department of Labor, men and women from ages 20-24 are about 70.9% of the total population, but only 13.3% are part of the labor force. Though the unemployment rate has slowly declinedfor Bachelor degree owners, it’s still lagging. For that reason, the competition is fiercer than ever. This means you really have to re-evaluate your job search strategy.

3 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Hired

Here are some reasons why you might not be part of the employed percentage just yet:

1. Your Resume Isn’t Job Specific

While it’s good to have a strong resume with all of your professional skill sets, your resume can become generic when all you do is send the same resume to every open position you find. Take the time to rewrite your resume on multiple occasions and use specific keywords that are in the job description.

According to an article on the Job Center of Wisconsin website, gathering information specific to the job you are applying for and matching it with your experience on your resume is what makes a good resume. You have to “Think like an employer,” the article states, “do not give unrelated or negative information.”

2. You’re Not Applying To Jobs That Are Specific To Your Skills

You have every reason to apply to every job in sight. Our economy, though steadily improving, is still lagging in jobs for recent graduates. Still, it doesn’t do you any favors when you apply to every single job you see and send the same resume to each one.

Apply to the jobs you want and are qualified for. After all, it’s what you studied for. Try to make a list of potential places you’d like to work for and target those companies any way you can. Use social media sites to find people you can network with, and keep an eye out for any open positions. You have a better chance at getting hired at a job where your skills are relevant than at a job you’re 100% unqualified for.

3. You Don’t Take Your Social Media Profiles Seriously

According to an article on the Undercover Recruiter, a survey of 300 professionals by Reppler found that “hirers are using social networks to screen job applicants.” This means you should clean up your Facebook and Twitter profiles to present a more positive, but more importantly, a professional image of yourself.

It might be in your best interest not to post that picture of you doing a keg stand as your default, or Tweet about how you hate looking for jobs because you’d rather be partying with your friends.

Quick Fixes For 3 Problems With Your Online Presence

Living in the modern world, one’s online presence is a key part of their identity – especially in the entertainment business. When someone’s name is mentioned in conversation, people turn to the Internet to find out more about that person. Who are they? What have they done? They are looking for answers and usually those answers are attainable by making a few clicks on the keyboard.

So, what’s your online identity? Here are a few problems you could be having and some solutions you can implement TODAY!

1. No Online Presence

I type in your name, hit the search button and… Nothin’! Nada! Zilch! Congratulations, you don’t exist. Rarer and rarer, I’ll admit. Even your privacy settings won’t allow that kind of anonymity. But a locked Facebook profile and a couple of random mentions are as good as nothing.

Quick-Step Action Plan:Start with creating a LinkedIn profile for yourself and then start linking in with your friends, co-workers, former fellow interns, etc. This is a professional networking site so make sure your profile contains all of your relevant professional experience and a compelling summary at the top.

Extra Credit Assignment: Join groups on LinkedIn related to your profession or otherwise appropriate (most likely, there’s an alumni group for your college, maybe even one specific to your major) and start commenting on discussions to which you have something to offer. Also, visit blogs relevant to your profession and start commenting on the posts. If you are a good writer and have a good idea for an article, offer to guest blog.

2. Incomplete Or Incorrect Online Presence

Your IMDB page says you guest starred on “Castle” last season, but you are a composer. Your LinkedIn profile is missing the job you currently have, your most impressive job to date, by far.

Quick-Step Action Plan: Time for a little housecleaning. Check your LinkedIn profile, your IMDB page. Ditto MySpace, for those in the music biz. (Yes, MySpace is still a relevant professional social networking tool for musicians, music managers and producers, etc.) Anywhere you maintain a presence. Make an effort to clean up your act. An incomplete or incorrect online identity can be more damaging than having no online identity at all.

Extra Credit Assignment: Google yourself and see what comes up. Was a blog post written about you that describes you using an outdated title? It’s probably no big deal. Most people know though the internet is forever, people change jobs and even professions.

But if it is misleading, or you can easily get the blogger to install the word “former” before your job title, then go for it. Especially if you are still getting a pesky number of inquiries from strangers thinking you still have that job.

3. Inappropriate Online Presence

This can apply to your career in two ways. The first: Oh, college… oh, your early 20s… Oh, dear. Potential employers (and internship supervisors and clients) Google you, sometimes before they even interview you. That picture of your with a beer in your hand holding up your shirt to display your new bellybutton piercing is going to cost you that opportunity.

Yes, we’re in entertainment but we want employees/interns/service providers who have good judgment. Having that picture online says you don’t.

The second way an online presence can be inappropriate is if you are shifting gears in your career. If every mention of you online depicts you as a camera assistant and you have just gotten your second cinematographer job and want to continue on that path, it’s time for a little online image makeover.

Quick-Step Action Plan: In the case of the bellybutton photo or any other image or comment that makes you look like a less-than-stellar job candidate, take it down or get yourself untagged if the photo belongs to a friend. In the case of a job transition, rewrite your online profiles to describe yourself in the way you currently want to be seen. You are a cinematographer with a background in camera assisting.

Extra Credit Assignment: Start commenting in relevant LinkedIn groups and on blogs which allow you to establish yourself as a professional in the way you want to be seen. Especially if you can’t get the offending (or outdated) content removed from the web. You are not an exhibitionist drunkard. You are not a camera assistant. Now go tell someone on the web. Eventually the outdated content will get pushed so far down your Google search, the potential employer will never see it.

Congratulations, you now have the right online presence to help you get where you want to go. Now make a note to check it every few months in case it needs updating or in case your college days somehow end up making an appearance.

3 Tips To Avoid Missing Out On New Job Opportunities

3 Tips To Avoid Missing Out On New Job Opportunities

Did you know that you can actually be hiding from employers and not even know it? It’s true – You could be missing out on new job opportunities. Statistics show that 90% of employers search online for candidates; and although social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and job boards are great places to start—and be discovered, if your actual resume isn’t online—you’re missing out. We have 40+ sample resumes on our web site; and almost every day, we’re contacted by recruiters looking for candidates who match the qualifications of positions they are trying to fill. They found the resumes on our samples page by completing a keyword search on Google or some other search engine. Many times, recruiters aren’t going to job boards to look for qualified candidates; they are simply typing the skills, areas of expertise, and specific qualifications into a search engine and then contacting the candidates who pop up.  So how can you be the candidate who gets discovered by recruiters and hiring managers conducting search engine searches? Here are three great ways to start: 1. A Web Resume Your resume as it’s very own Web site.  Your resume Web site has its own URL—which you can add to your LinkedIn profile, printed resume, networking/business cards, and pretty much anywhere else you can imagine.  When a recruiter completes a keyword search the search engine will pull up your resume for those matching keywords. 2. A Professional Blog Create your own professional blog and talk about your experience and skills, passion for your industry, or provide advice to readers. Consider adding a page to your blog that includes your resume and contact information as well so that recruiters can easily contact you when they pull up your blog. 3. A Professional Web Site Or Portfolio Considering going the extra mile and creating an entire professional Web site or portfolio that highlights your career experience, includes a bio, samples of your work, a copy of your resume, professional headshot (if appropriate), and a contact page with links to all the sites you are currently networking on such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and so on. If you opt for this route—which I think is a great idea—be sure to include the links to all the sites you’re on, a copy of your resume, your e-mail address so they can contact you about relevant opportunities, and a compelling (but not too long) career biography that highlights some of your greatest professional accomplishments. You can always direct employers back to this site to learn more about you as a candidate—and find other ways to connect with you as well. Take note to practice due diligence and safety when posting your information online. You don’t have to give your street address; and frankly, I would never include it online. You can provide your e-mail address in order to allow a potential employer to contact you; or you could include your LinkedIn profile address. If you have a P.O. box and are comfortable providing that on your Web resume, you could do that as well; or just simply provide your city, state, and zip. Providing a phone number is really up to you and how you feel about putting that information out on the Internet. You can make yourself available online but not vulnerable. And that is what’s important. Be smart about which information you post, but be diligent in getting yourself out there to be discovered for new job opportunities.

Find A Hobby To Balance Out Your Career

Find A Hobby To Balance Out Your Career

Do you have a hobby or two? What are they? How much time you spend doing them? I know your reaction to this line of questions, “Lisa, why are you talking about hobbies. You’re a career management coach. You help people find jobs and manage their careers. What does a hobby have to do with a career?” I submit to you that it means a great deal. Our expression of ourselves in the activities we do, especially the ones we thrive at and get invigorated by tells us about ourselves. It tells us what we enjoy, our interests, sometimes our passions. It may even help us to find our next great career. Who knows by exploring an area of interest that you already enjoy what could be the possibilities to be involved in that industry. I know. I know. You are going to say, “But Lisa, if I did my hobby as full-time work I would hate it.” Perhaps. But it comes down to balance, doesn’t it? Investing so much of our life and ourselves into constant work, drains us. It doesn’t refresh us. Who said you have to work “a million” hours a week to succeed in your career? Here’s my pitch to you… What if you actually worked a balanced schedule and refreshed yourself in the other parts of your life such as fun and recreation (hobby)? I believe you will be more productive, more creative, more relaxed, and even amicable in your work. What is your hobby? Biking, skiing, car racing, running, music, art, history, politics, kayaking, surfing, sailing, scuba diving, hiking, cooking, sewing, knitting, painting, writing, photography, aviation, jumping from airplanes and the list goes on. I am sure I missed a whole crowd of them. Hobbies are meant to relax us. They are meant to be enjoyed. Putting our energies into something totally different than our careers or businesses can help our bodies and our minds. We gain new perspective on our jobs. I promise you, you will feel better and be more creative. You may come up with an idea to fix a problem you never would have before had you not “walked away” to engage in a new passion, even if for a few hours at a time. 

How To Edit Your Resume When You’re Overqualified

How To Edit Your Resume When You’re Overqualified

With the job market saturated with highly qualified candidates who have been laid off from jobs they’ve held for years, it’s no secret many are now interested in applying for jobs that may fall below their level of expertise. If you are a candidate who may be overqualified for a job you’re considering, think about making adjustments to your resume to help you get the job.

Subtract “Too-Impressive” Job History And Education

Believe it or not, it’s perfectly acceptable to leave information off of your resume that might be considered too impressive. For instance, if you have worked as a marketing executive but now want to apply for a job as a human resources manager, you can leave the executive information off, especially since the new and old positions aren’t in the same field.

Same goes for education. If you have a doctorate, you don’t have to add it to your resume. You can postpone any discussion about this qualification for your interview where you can take the time to explain why you’re looking for a job that doesn’t require as much of a challenge.

Add Extra Details About History That Help You Qualify

On the other hand, it’s a great idea to elaborate on various aspects of your career that can help you better qualify for a position. Take time to think about what made you a great manager at a previous point in your career. What caused you to excel and advance to the level you reached prior to leaving your last job?

As a manager, you’re sure to have had great accomplishments to list on your resume. Be sure to go into detail about what made you great then—and what will make you exceptional in the position you’re applying for now.

The goal of writing your resume is to make sure you get called for an interview. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to do if you get tossed into the denial pile because an employer is worried you’ll become bored with your job and flee as soon as you can. By adjusting your resume accordingly to get the interview, you have given yourself the opportunity to sort out the remaining details face-to-face.

The One Question That Ruins An Interview

Most HR representatives and headhunters agree on one thing: that few candidates arrive at the interview prepared to answer the one question that is almost always asked, “What is your greatest weakness?”

Although the question is seldom phrased like that anymore, it doesn’t matter how they word it because the response has to be the same. The interviewer wants you to tell them your weakness, where you need to improve, where you’re not as strong in technical skills or management experience, or something.

Candidates get flustered with this question more than any other, and for no good reason.

I’ll Let You In On A Secret…

Most of the time, the person asking that question doesn’t even want to know the answer. They ask the question because they want to see how you answer it.

After listening to responses from thousands of candidates, and discussing the issue with dozens of clients, I’m convinced there is only one way to answer the question, and that is by being…

Honest

Honesty is a much abused virtue. Really, the only time you see or hear of someone being honest is when they’re apologizing for already being caught. A politician with his pants down or his hands in the till. A comment that “slipped” out and offended any number of ethnic groups or religions. Or, a more general act of civil disobedience. The one thing in common is that the “honesty” part only surfaces after the guilty party is exposed. People are forgiving souls though, and if the apology is well-written and presented sincerely, all ends well.

This Is Not So In An Interview

You don’t get that second chance in an interview. You don’t get to rally the troops, have someone write a speech, and then proffer an apology. In an interview, you’re stuck with what slipped out of your mouth, so you better be prepared.

This is not difficult. You should know what your weakness is. People have probably been telling you all of your life—parents, spouse, co-workers—and by now it should have sunk in. If you don’t know it, think hard about the term “self-awareness.”

In any case, it doesn’t matter because that weakness you’re about to blurt out is nothing the interviewers haven’t heard before. In fact, if you didn’t know this, here’s another secret for you—everyone has a weakness. Even Superman can be hurt by kryptonite.

The reason you’re being interviewed is because the company thinks you might be able to help them solve their problems. They brought you in because of your strengths and accomplishments—accomplishments that you achieved even with your weaknesses. If you show them you can solve their problems, you’ll stand a good chance of getting the offer. Being honest with this response will go a long way toward getting the offer because they’ll know that, if you can be honest about your weaknesses, they can probably trust your other responses.

Don’t Try To Be Clever

The worst possible response would be to try and pass off a weakness as a strength. I’ve seen people recommend doing this, and it’s garbage advice. If the best answer you can come up with is that you are a perfectionist or that you work too hard, you have far bigger problems than you realize.

So, how do I answer the question? I’m not going to tell you how to answer the question. No one but you can do that. But I’ll show you an example of a normal response that’s a good one:

Let’s assume you’re a design engineer.

“I have a tendency to rush things. In the past that resulted in a few quality problems with the finished product. The second boss I had worked with me on that, and I’ve had to resort to desperate measures to slow myself down. If you walk into my office, you’ll see sticky notes all over my computer and desk, with notes that read, ‘SLOW DOWN’ or ‘Double check everything!’

“I also set alarms on my phone that pop up twice a day reminding me of the same things. When I see these reminders, it hits home. The good thing is, the process works. The last two products we put out have been finished on time, on budget, and, so far, with no field problems or quality issues. It’s actually made me a much better engineer, but, I still need those reminders.”

This kind of weakness people can relate to because it really is a weakness. The difference is you’ve shown that you learned how to deal with it.

Preparation

You should practice your response so you’re comfortable discussing it, but don’t make it sound like a rehearsed speech. Also, be prepared for the interviewer to probe deeper. Some interviewers like to dig a little to see if there’s any fluctuation in your answer or if you try to back off when pressed.

Bottom Line

Always be honest, even if you think it might hurt your chance for an offer, although it probably won’t. To summarize, here’s what to do when you’re asked the question.

• State your weakness.
• Let the interviewer know you’re aware of it.
• Show them you’ve figured out how to deal with it.
• Show them that solution worked.