Tag Archives: interviewing

      By Heather R. Huhman

It’s that time of year again — graduation time. If you’re about to graduate in the Class of 2012, congratulations! You may be in the midst of a job search, and I’m here to walk you through each and every step.

Step 1: Finding Opportunities

This step involves a lot of research. Search company job sites, like Glassdoor, big online job boards (like Monster or Indeed), and your social networks like Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Take advantage of your professional network, too; personal references are one of the best ways to find out about hidden job opportunities. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to a company you’re interested in – ask for an informational interview to discuss possible opportunities and where you could fit in at the company.

Step 2: Applying

So you found appropriate job openings – great! Now it’s time to apply. Keep a spreadsheet of what companies you’re applying for, what dates you applied, and what materials you submitted; organization is key in a job search. 

When it comes to your resume and cover letter, make sure to personalize them to match the requirements of each job opening; forget “cookie cutter” applications. Remember to focus on achievements on your resume, not simple duties. You should also consider creating a portfolio of your work to bring with you to interviews, whether it’s a tangible portfolio, an online one, or both. Showcasing examples of your actual work speaks more to your abilities than a resume ever can.

Step 3: Interviewing

Congratulations – you made it to the interview phase. This is often the most important (and most nerve-racking) stage in the process. Follow the two “P’s” of interviewing: preparation and professionalism.

Come prepared by researching the company and interviewer, practicing potential interview questions, mapping out your route to the interview, and bringing the necessary materials (a copy of your resume and cover letter, your portfolio, etc). Be professional by dressing and speaking the part, being polite, and following interview etiquette. In the end, there’s only so much you can do for an interview – be yourself and display your skills and accomplishments, and you’ve done your best.

Step 4: Following Up

After the interview, it’s often a waiting game. Set yourself apart from the crowd by making sure to follow up on your interview. Send a handwritten “thank you” note to your interviewer(s), thanking them for their time and consideration. Also take this opportunity to reinforce your interest in and qualifications for the position, and anything else you forgot to say during your interview. Following up, let a company know you’re not only professional, but very interested in the position and willing to go the extra step.

Step 5: Offer vs. Rejection

The moment of truth: do you get an offer or a rejection letter? If it’s an offer letter, congratulations – you got the job. Now, you need to consider whether or not to take it; is it the right job for you? Is it the right fit, in terms of opportunity, salary, hours, and commute? How does it fit into your larger career goals? There are many factors to consider when considering a job offer.

If you’ve gotten a rejection, don’t worry – it’s not the end of the world. Thank the interviewer again for their time and consideration, and ask for constructive feedback. Asking for feedback after a rejection is a great way to start working on your skills and experiences to fit the needs of employers.

Step 6: Negotiating Salary

Salary negotiation is difficult, but necessary when accepting an offer. Research salaries in your industry (Glassdoor’s salary data is great for this) to determine what most companies pay people at your level. Then, instead of demanding a certain salary, let your employer know why you deserve a certain salary – think of your accomplishments, experiences, and anything else you contribute to the company. This should be a conversation, not an argument.

Step 7: Succeeding At The Job

You’ve researched, applied, interviewed, followed up, got an offer, and negotiated your salary; now, it’s time to succeed at the job. Remember the two “P’s” of interviewing – preparation and professionalism – and apply them to your job. Remember to always go above and beyond, ask for more responsibility, and most importantly, communicate with your co-workers and supervisors. You’re ready to start your career now, so start it on a great note!

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Ken Thoreson is the CEO of Acumen Management Group, an organization that helps build successful sales and sales management organizations. Thoreson has written several books, including “Recruiting High Powered Sales Teams.” In the radio interview below, Thoreson details how to properly interview, how to spot a superstar seller, the traits of a great salesperson and when to stop nurturing someone who is not going to make it. Click on this link and listen to his podcast where he is interviewed on RadioInk.com:
http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2337096&spid=24698

Check out Ken Thoreson’s website: www.Acumenmanagement.com and his blog www.SalesManagementGuru.com. You can also follow him on twitter: www.Twitter.com/KenThoreson

By Meghan M. Biro

So  there are still “no jobs,” from your perspective, at least none that you feel you can find or land. Not even a shovel-ready job in sight, and although you’ve never held more than a snow shovel, you’d take even one of those jobs.   Fast food places say you’re overqualified; retail stores will give you only 20 hours a week. The only thing you can find in your field is a part-time consulting gig, or five of these.

Before you borrow your friends’ tent and head to your city’s financial center with a bottle of patchouli, take the consulting gig. Take two or five gigs! I will tell you why, and tell you how to get noticed so you land a real, paying the job.

Consultants come in two basic flavors: the careerist who’s committed to making this their career, and the more skilled unemployed or employed person who’s perhaps thinking of changing careers. Consultants usually are looking for freedom and flexibility and give a company needed expertise and brainpower in crunch times. What these roles have in common: a willingness to do whatever it takes. But you need more – you need to be noticed, valued and hired.

Try these five tips:

1. Research the online influencers who matter to your career or prospective employer. Follow them on Twitter, Google+, Facebook and LinkedIn. Look for their blogs. At regular intervals, retweet, comment and, while you’re at it, add links to favorable articles in industry and business publications.
2. If there’s a company blog, write for it, pulling in references to influencers and top news stories. Get the the company’s key message down by heart and read the publications that matter to them. Be savvy in a very visible way.
3. Eavesdrop. I’m serious. Be unobtrusive, but listen. You’ll hear about special projects and know who’s overloaded. Then offer to help, and describe how you will get the task done quickly and well.
4. Attach yourself to the hardest workers, the most productive people, and be seen as a part of their team. Volunteer to pitch in on their projects and, when you understand the lay of the land, suggest new projects that make sense for the business, and offer to take them on.
5. Often companies bring in consultants when they don’t have enough work for a full-time hire. Help them get the work. Volunteer to go to industry networking events. Represent the company and talk about its capabilities. You’re in sales mode here – both the company and yourself as a skilled and smart person.

What these tips have in common is taking action. Sitting by the phone or updating your status on Facebook and waiting for a ‘you’re hired’ call is about as useful as buying a lottery ticket.

Instead, act.

Call everyone you know who’s in a company you’d like to work for, tell them you’re looking and willing to be part-time or a consultant. In this economy someone will bite. Then move to #1-5, and be persistent.

Show up every day happy, be positive and productive. Be in the right pace, so you know when it’s the right time.

Meghan M. Biro, founder of TalentCulture, is a serial entrepreneur and globally recognized career expert in talent acquisition and creative personal and corporate branding. Meghan has conducted more than 300 successful career searches for clients ranging from Fortune 500s to the most innovative software start-up companies. Meghan is also a new media strategist who enjoys accelerating collaborative business and community goals. When not recruiting, blogging, and innovating, she manages a dynamic coaching practice to empower corporate leaders, mid-level managers, software technologists, and recent college graduates. Meghan is a member of the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS), The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and several entrepreneurial organizations. She serves on the Alumni Council for Greens Farms Academy, acting as a career mentor to high school and college students. Founder and co-host of “#TChat, The World of Work,” a long-running, weekly Twitter chat and radio show, Meghan’s ideas have appeared on Forbes, CBS Moneywatch and she blogs regularly at Monster, The 12 Most, Ragan’s HR Communication and several additional online destinations of note.

The Glassdoor Team is a small yet seasoned group of individuals looking to provide greater transparency into one of the most important aspects of our lives – our jobs. Contributions to the blog are designed to present a unique perspective on current events, offer commentary on the inside workings on specific jobs at a multitude of companies, and provide details on the latest happenings from within Glassdoor.