Major interview sabotage: What you may be doing to sabotage your own job search

Yesterday I attended a professional networking mixer and ran into a woman who is currently unemployed and seeking connections to find a job. First of all, she is definitely smart for using her resources (the attendees of this function) to find a job in the inside track. She mingled, and impressed people with her personality. She seemed genuinely interested in learning more about each person she met and also showcased her knowledge of the business world in her conversations with people. She approaches each conversation as a potential interview. The thing is that there is one area of her conversation that may be sabotaging her chances of moving forward.

In speaking with her about her job search she seems to be at the point of desperation. One thing I have learned in this business is that no matter how desperate you are in your job search you should never show it. If potential employers know that other companies are not interested in you, it can be a major turn off.

Why should I hire you if my competitors won’t? This is the question that employers will ask themselves when they hear that you have been having bad luck in finding a job. Never share information regarding your job search unless you are asked. If you ARE asked, always keep it brief. Saying too much can hurt you more than it can help you sometimes especially if you name competitors who didn’t call you back or tell the employer that you lowered your standards to find a job. What employers want is an employee who is a hot commodity and highly desired among competitors. Your job is to appear to be this person even if you’re not.

If you are in the situation where you are in a bind to find a job and want to avoid scaring off employers here are a few tips for approaching interviews and first meetings.

Don’t

1. Offer information about how your job search is going.

2. Bash the slow job market (employers know you’re talking about yourself).

3. Over thank the employers (you may come off too needy)

4. Tell them you’ve lowered your standards and will take anything

5. Tell them you’ve reduced your asking salary

6. Tell them how long you’ve been looking unless you’re asked (keep it brief)

Do

1. Thank them for the time and consideration before the interview and after the interview

2. Express your interest in this position

3. Show off your knowledge of the company (don’t over do it)

4. Ask questions about the job and company to show your interest (avoid pay, benefits and time off questions on the first meeting)

5. Act friendly and converse with others in the office while you wait for your interview (others in the office including the secretary may also have a say)

6. Exude confidence and positive energy

Here are some potential questions you may be asked regarding your job situation:

Interviewer-“So, how has your job search been going?”

Your response-“It’s going great so far, I’m here aren’t I!” OR “It’s going well, I’m just working on trying to find the right opportunity. I don’t just want a job to pay the bills, I want an opportunity that will utilize my job skills and personality and until now, I had not found anything that seemed like a good fit.” (they’ll ask you what you’re looking for, so be prepared to tell them and tailor your answer to this position)

Interviewer- “Have you had any interviews yet?”

Your response-“I’ve had a few interviews, but I haven’t found the right one yet. I’m hoping that I will find a great opportunity soon” (note: this response avoids negative answers such as “I haven’t been chosen”)

If you follow these simple tips you will definitely avoid the self-sabotage that can happen when you’re desperate for a job. Always remember, if you don’t get the job it just may not have been the right one for you. Don’t let yourself get discouraged. Remember that others feed off of your energy and negative energy leaves people unsatisfied. Fill them with positive energy and you will reap the rewards. Good luck in your job search.

Working at Walmart can get you a job in retail

Everyone has heard the saying “you are who you hang around” well, that also goes for the career choices you make. If you’ve spent the past 5 years of your life working at Wal-Mart you are highly likely to continue working in retail. With that being said, if you’ve been working 5 years in retail you are also less likely to get a job in another industry. We recruiters just happen to be looking for people with experience in the industry we’re hiring for, so if you apply for a job as a sales executive and you’ve been working as a computer programmer for all of your work history don’t count on getting a call back.

I know it sounds harsh, but I see it every day. I open my in-box and see 40 emails for the job I posted the night before. I open the emails and only 5 of the responses are from people who actually fit the description of what we’re looking for. The rest of the applicants are just hoping that they’ll be given a chance. The problem is, that in many job markets (including Michigan where I am) there are so many qualified candidates who fit the job description or excel past the minimum requirements that there is no reason to consider candidates who don’t fit the description perfectly.

If you are in a market like Michigan it is difficult to make a career change because the competition is steep and the jobs are scarce. If you are in this situation where you are interested in a career change, but lack the background to get in the field you desire you have two choices:

1. Move to a better market:

This one is pretty self explanatory. If you have the resources to move and you are in the position to do so then moving to a better market will make your chances so much better. After you move, still take the advice that is given below in the second option, but know that it will be easier for you now than it would have been if you’d stayed in such a slow job market.

2. Start from the ground floor again

I know it’s tough to start all over when you’ve already gone so far, but getting into this new field might mean taking a few steps backwards in pay and prestige in order to get your foot in the door in this new industry. In order to make this type of move you’ll need to be prepared with extra money so that if you do need to take a pay cut to achieve your goals you don’t have to go hungry while you work your way up. Starting from the ground has different meanings depending on how different the industry you’re in is from the industry you desire.

To get started on this path, take a look at your resume. Is there anything that you have accomplished in your work history that is related to the field that you are interested in? If there are things on your resume that relate to this industry you can use that to your advantage. Adjust the wording of your resume to focus on those key parts of your work history that relate to the career you’re interested in. Remove anything that is completely unrelated or irrelevant to this career. If you aren’t the smartest cookie when it comes to resumes you should definitely try using a resume service. The cost of a professionally written resume and cover letter is so small in comparison to what you’ll gain from it. If your resume and cover letter are tailored to catch the attention of a specific industry you will be more likely to receive a call back.

Next, you’ll need to find a way in. Your current work history will strongly affect your choices when it comes to getting your foot in the door in this new industry. If you’re industry is very different from the industry you desire you need to be prepared to do internships (possibly unpaid) and very entry level positions. If your industry is not very different you will have a slightly easier time finding an entry level position. The key is to apply for positions that you qualify for. Do not apply to a position that asks for 3-5 years of experience when you are entry level. It is a waste of everyone’s time. Apply for only positions that you qualify for.

Here is an example to help you:

Sharon is a former talk radio host and she is interested in getting into recruiting. All of the listings that she finds in the paper ask for applicants with 3-5 years experience in recruiting. Sharon has never recruited before, therefore she does not qualify.

While researching jobs on careerbuilder.com she finds an ad for a front desk receptionist at a local staffing agency. After researching this company she finds that this is a company with many branches and a long history of success in the industry. There are definite advancement opportunities here. She then proceeds to tailor her resume to fit the position she desires. The ad calls for people with great communications skills, and the ability to multi-task, and answer multi-line phones. In her resume Sharon focuses her resume to showcase her great communication skills. She also must answer phones on the show when callers want to say comments and she is a great multi-tasker because she runs the board (the machine that controls the radio broadcast sound) while doing the show and keeping up with commercial breaks and show segments at the same time. Because of the way she adjusted her resume to fit the position she may get a call back. She can relay the same information to the employers in an interview (especially showcasing her communication skills) and hopefully land this position that offers a chance to move up in the future. While working she will gain knowledge of the business, showcase her knowledge to her employers, and win her way to the top.

Use Sharon’s example to show you how you can make the career change that you desire. Make sure that you are truly ready before you make that leap. Do some soul searching and find out if you’re headed in the right direction. You’re never going to make it to the top if you don’t have the drive and passion to reach your goals. If this isn’t the right industry for you, you will not be happy and will not move up, so make sure you are making the best decision for yourself. Also trust yourself. If you have done your soul searching and you’re passionate and work smart you will do wonderfully. Just remember that it takes time to build a career from the ground up and do your best not to get discouraged in the beginning.

Get promoted in 10 minutes

Getting to work in the morning can be one of the most stressful events of the day. In just a short amount of time we must attempt to get ready, eat something, drive to work, and get started on daily tasks. If you’re like me, you push the snooze button 5 times before you force yourself to wake up and by the time you wake up, you’re running late already. This endless cycle of running late in the morning wears on us and makes getting to work in the morning one of the worst parts of the day.

What we need to do to fix this problem is just a little bit of discipline. All you need to do to get a better start on your day is to set your alarm 10 minutes earlier than normal and wake up as soon as it rings without pushing the snooze. The best way to accomplish this is to put the alarm away from arms reach. If you have to get up to push the button it will be easier to get up and stay up. It takes some discipline to get into this routine, but it is completely worth it.

Just think of what you can accomplish with that extra 10 minutes if you use it wisely. Having more time to eat will give you more energy. Having time to take a longer shower can make you feel more alive and happy in the morning. How about beating traffic by a few minutes and getting to work early! Trust me, if 8am comes and you’re already hard at work instead of just sitting down you will be that much more successful. You will also look better to your boss if you come into work seeming brighter, more cheerful, and prepared.

Some people think that getting a promotion is a difficult task that takes a lot of butt kissing. It’s not true. All you need is a little discipline.

Stop chasing money…It’s time for money to start chasing you!

Life always teaches us things the hard way. We learn how dangerous credit cards can be by going into debt, the dangers of speeding by getting into an accident; we even learn the power of love by getting our hearts broken. The crazy part about is that we don’t have to.

I’ve learned that the key to succeeding in life is not to avoid mistakes, but to be prepared for them. Life is about making calculated risks and being prepared for the potential outcomes. No one ever makes millions without risk. Even people who get rich from winning the lottery took a risk. Purchasing a lottery ticket is not a guarantee. Most people will spend $1 to $20 on a lottery ticket and not get any return on investment, so those who won took a huge risk in purchasing that ticket. No money is made without risk.

When I say that making money takes risks, I don’t mean to tell you to throw your money out there on a wim and hope that something comes back I mean becoming as knowledgeable as possible and making decisions that are smart. Your first step is to start reading, learning, taking in every bit of information that you can about money and how to make it and keep it. A thirst for knowledge is what is going to make you rich! Knowledge is what is separating you from the wealthy and in order to get it you need to take the time to learn the knowledge that you have been deprived of all your life.

The first start on your path to financial success is to read. I know..you don’t have time right? If you “don’t have time” then you don’t really want to be rich. If you really want it you will make time. Skip a half hour of television a day, use your lunch break, bathroom break, or any extra moment of time you have to get the information you need to get started on your journey to true financial freedom. No get rich quick schemes involved.

Here’s a start to your reading list:

Rich Dad, Poor Dad (What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money that the Poor and Middle Class do not!) By Robert T. Kiyosaki

Think and grow rich by napoleon Hill

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie