Being Thankful In Your Job Search?!?

What??? Many of you read this and think that's nuts… right?

Being Thankful in the process of having to look for a new source of income for your family? Being Thankful while hoping that your career progression hasn't been set back years? Being Thankful while one potential job opportunity after another seems to be going up in smoke? Being Thankful while savings that were hard to build are slipping away day by day?

Yes… Thankful!

Here's what I mean…

Attitude First! Chuck Swindoll writes… "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it." As I've often said… One of the toughest, yet most important things to do in a job search is to maintain a positive attitude. Many people have bad things happen to them. Some people seem to be crushed by relatively minor bad events in their lives while others seem to go through severe difficulties with cheer and a bright outlook on life. Attitude is not the result of someone's circumstances, but rather the result of how they choose to look at life regardless of their circumstances. Choosing to be thankful even in your job loss will make all the difference in the world in your networking calls, meetings, and interviews. Decide that you will be thankful and you just might find your job search effort start to produce better results.

You're learning skills! You are learning what it takes to conduct a job search in todays market. You may think… "Thanks, but no thanks." However, learning how to find a job in this tough job market may be one of the most valuable long-term skills you may ever learn. In the world today, you will likely have to look for a job again in a few years… and possibly every few years for the rest of your career. Lifetime jobs are extremely rare anymore. Building a network now, and learning how to be more proactive in your search (as is necessary today), you will be much better prepared and more quickly successful the next time around. If you had not been forced into learning it now, you may have had to learn it down the road when it might be even tougher. Be thankful for the lifetime skills you are gaining!

You're evaluating yourself! When things are going along relatively smoothly, few of us ever take the time to take a look at ourselves much. We don't think about what makes us tick. We don't evaluate our strengths or weaknesses. We don't evaluate our successes and failures, and what factors contributed to each. We don't spend much time thinking about what job we would like to do most… or least. We don't think about what's most important to us in terms of income, career progression, family, faith, or other interests. Generally, in a job search, we are compelled to consider all these things. The result of this evaluation is usually a better sense of self, that can create a greater sense of confidence and conviction in whatever we decide to pursue. It also can enrich our lives greatly if we determine to balance our lives more appropriately than we may have before. Much to be thankful for.

It's a whole new world! Most job seekers tend not to look at the opportunity their circumstances present. A job search is a chance to break out of old ruts and patterns. It's an opportunity to gain new experience in a new environment, with new people, and with new leadership. It's a chance to re-invent yourself, or prove to yourself that you can add value to others in a different situation as well. It's a chance to explore the possibilities, to find opportunities you didn't know existed, or to finally jump into an opportunity you've been eying over the fence for a while. Focus on the opportunity that lies before you rather than the lost past and you will find there's a lot to be thankful for.

Being thankful in your circumstances is key to maintaining a positive attitude as well as a happier life. Take stock of the opportunity you've really been given and decide you will look at things in a more productive light!

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Answering "What are your strengths?"

One interview question many people seem to have a difficult time answering well is "What are your strengths?".

Either they feel uncomfortable "blowing their own horn" in the interview process, or they give answers that are very generic and don't distinguish themselves from the majority of other candidates.

This is one question you know will be asked in one form or another… either directly, or indirectly through behavioral questions. If you've had trouble answering this question well, what can you do to make it draw the interviewer to you instead of leaving them flat?

Here are some ideas that may help…

Know Yourself! You can't give a great response to the question if you don't know what your strengths are. Take the time to think through and catalog your successes and your abilities. Use tools like Survey Monkey, to ask previous co-workers and others what they think your accomplishments, strengths, and weaknesses are. Take assessment tests to better understand your personality and natural talents. StrengthsFinder 2.0 is an excellent tool for this. Get more help by reading "Know Yourself!"

Use Testimonials! Many people are self-conscious about trumpeting their own achievements to others in an interview. Although I would argue this is the time to do it… well. It's not bragging when you're sticking to facts. However, one way to do this very effectively while not sounding boastful is when you're quoting someone else's comments about you. Use feedback you've gotten from others, whether from survey's you've done when preparing for this, comments or kudos you've received in your previous position, or from previous performance reviews.

When you say something like… "In preparing for my job search, I went back to previous co-workers and managers asking them what they thought my strengths in my position were, I reviewed my previous performance reviews, and I took assessment tests. Some of the comments I received were…"  It's much more powerful than simply stating a lot of opinions about yourself. It shows you took extra steps to prepare, and it effectively comes across as a third-party testimonial, and that carries much more weight. It also takes the monkey off your back since it sounds less like bragging, but rather simply conveying what others have said.

Use Examples! It's one thing to say that "effective time management" is one of your strengths, and another to say "I've learned to fully use my calendar and task list to keep myself on track and focused throughout the day, and it's made me more productive." The first statement is a vague opinion. The second statement gives a specific illustration of what kind of time management you're referring to and how you do it. Examples that show your strengths in practice and what the advantage is (i.e. "made me more productive), are much more convincing and effective than simply using subjective, self-descriptive words. Examples are powerful!

Tailor It! For each interview you go to, you should make a point to know what the most important requirements are and then tailor your responses to best address their concerns. You may have a particular strength in mind. However, if it has little or no bearing to that particular job, it's not going to have much impact. Figure out which strengths you have that mean the most for that role, or tailor how you describe your strength in a way that applies directly to the position.

For example… if you are interviewing for an Accounting position where the company is planning on implementing new Accounting and Finance software…

You might have said: "I have strong communication skills."

However, a more effective answer might be: "Previous co-workers have told me I'm very effective at making complex concepts simple to understand, which is useful when communicating with other areas of the company, like IT, when trying to explain functional requirements for new systems."

The first statement uses subjective, self-descriptive words. The second statement uses a testimonial, a specific statement, and a benefit directly tailored for the position.

Be Prepared! In order to do all this well… you will not be able to simply come up with answers 'off the cuff'! It takes preparation and practice. As I coach job seekers regularly… write out answers in advance, practice them, hone them, practice them again and again. The more you practice saying them out loud, the easier, and more naturally they will come out in the interview. Preparation is key to presenting yourself as professionally and as effectively as you can.

The next time you're asked "What are your strengths?" Use these tips to be the best candidate they see!

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Nobody hires between Thanksgiving and New Year… Right?

It's not unusual for me to hear job seekers say that they might as well take a month off from their job search because hiring almost comes to a standstill during the holiday season.

Are they right? Is it a time of year when your job search efforts become meaningless?

NO!!! Here are some reasons why, and how you should take advantage of this time of year…

Less competition! This "bad time of year" myth as become conventional wisdom among job seekers. Meaning that many (maybe most) others put less effort into their job search after Thanksgiving as well. If you hit the gas and put more effort into your own search, you will most likely be competing with fewer applicants for positions than you did a month earlier. Take advantage of other people's misguided decision to scale back their efforts during this time.

End-of-year deadlines. Most companies fiscal year coincides with the calendar year. Meaning their budgets, and their requisitions run out at the end of the year as well. In many companies, if a hiring manager has an approved requisition to hire a new employee, that requisition expires at the end of the year. If the position isn't filled, the hiring manager has to get it reapproved, which isn't always automatic. They have to re-justify the need, and if they've met goals for a period of time without the position filled, it may not be approved again. Most hiring managers facing that deadline will make every effort they can to hire someone before the end of the year. It's not unusual for the hiring and selection process to move much more quickly near the end of the year than it might at other times.

They want to hit the New Year running! Many companies, whether their fiscal year ends December 31st or not, view the New Year as a great time to rally the troops, and have everything in place to improve company performance for the next quarter or next year. There is a great deal of intangible pressure on managers to be prepared. They often want to get the people, resources, and projects in place to be able to run full speed ahead as the New Year begins. They, therefore, often put extra effort into getting people hired before the end of the year.

They have more time. Many times, managers find that their own staffs' productivity is down because they are afflicted by holiday-itus as well. When overall activity is somewhat diminished, it gives them an opportunity to focus on things they've been procrastinating themselves… like getting someone hired for their open position! Take advantage of the increased focus on getting back-burner tasks completed.

So… what should you do?

Crank up your networking! The holiday season is one of the best times of the year to be networking. There are more natural opportunities for it, and people are generally in a more 'giving' kind of spirit. Use it fully to your advantage! Get more help by reading: "It's a Networking Time of Year!"

Be more proactive! Applying to a job online, or sending in a resume and waiting for a call is generally not very effective in getting you an interview. Proactively finding a contact, any contact, at the company, introducing yourself, and asking for another contact or for a meeting will be much more productive every time. Get a better understanding of the process and more help by reading: "The job application process… and how to break through!"

Feel good about your efforts! As I often write… One of the toughest things, and one of the most important things you can do for your job search is to maintain a positive attitude! It makes all the difference in the world for your own well being as well as how you present yourself to others (i.e. hiring managers)! One of the best ways to maintain a positive attitude, is to know you're doing all you can to find a new job. Putting the extra effort in while most others are reducing theirs should make you feel good about yourself! You can get additional insight and help here: "The ONE best thing you can do for your job search!"

Don't buy the myth that the holiday season is a bad time to land a new job! MANY people get hired during this "bad" time. Do the things necessary to make it a very Happy New Year for you!

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Dealing with “The Jerk”

Someone in one of my job search classes had a terrible experience at a recent interview and wasn’t sure how she should have responded.

The interviewer/hiring manager was rude, confrontational, aggressive, and belittling. Essentially… he was a Jerk!

It’s pretty rare that it happens… but sometimes it does. What should you do if you are confronted with that kind of situation, and does it necessarily mean the potential opportunity is a bust?

Here’s what happened to this woman, and how she might have responded…

“Carol” had an interview for a Director Level position at a very large company. She was to meet 3 people on that day… the VP she would potentially report to, and 2 potential peers. Her first meeting was with the VP, and the interview seemed to go very well. She then was to meet with the 2 peers and finally debrief again with the VP. The first peer interview went well, and then was asked to wait in the lobby for a couple of minutes while the 2nd peer was coming from a building across their campus to meet her.

A few minutes later, the 2nd peer’s assistant came instead to pick Carol up from the lobby, explaining he would escort her to the Director’s office across campus. He walked very quickly, across a grassy, wooded path to the other building instead of using the sidewalk. Carol was wearing high-heeled shoes, had trouble keeping up, and was beginning to break a sweat on this warm day… but didn’t complain and walked along.

When they arrived at his office, he wasn’t there and Carol was told he would arrive shortly. A few minutes later, when he did arrive, he walked in quickly, didn’t say hello or shake her hand, sat down in his desk across from her and immediately asked “Why are you interviewing for this job?”

Carol, taken off-guard at first, gave her answer as to why she is interested in the company and the position. He didn’t seem as if he was listening to her answer, but was reviewing her resume intently. Before she completed her answer, he told her that her resume didn’t seem to be a fit for the role (even though her most recent position was the same role at another large, well respected company). Before she could answer, he pulled out his cell phone, and told her he just remembered he had left some important papers on a printer and wants to have someone pick them up. He made the call, that lasted several minutes while he was arguing with someone who couldn’t seem to find the documents he wanted.

After his phone call he immediately began to challenge her about her related experience, belittled projects she had worked on, cut her off as she answered questions, and had a very harsh tone throughout. Finally he said… “This is a waste of my time.” He called his assistant to escort her back and their meeting was over.

Needless to say… Carol was taken aback!

Debriefing with the VP, she did not relate all that happened, however, the VP was surprised to learn that the peer made her walk across campus and that he didn’t think she fit the role. Carol had a pleasant few minutes with the VP and the interview was over. She’s now waiting to find out what happens.

There could be two reasons for what happened… either:

1. The peer was simply a jerk!
   
   or
   
   
2. The style of the meeting was intentional to see how Carol would deal with stressful and confrontational situations.

Either way, her best response should likely have been the same.

Particularly for a Director level role, addressing the tone in a confident, assertive, yet polite and respectful way would create the most positive impression and potentially diffuse the situation. She could have said something like:

“Pardon me ‘Bob’, we may have gotten off to a bad start. Our meeting so far seems to be confrontational and I hope I haven’t done anything to cause that. I’ve been through 2 other interviews here today and they seemed to go well.  I hope we can have a constructive dialog for each of us to effectively determine my fit for the role so we can each make the best decisions. What questions can I answer for you to help you gain a better understanding of my related experience?”

Some keys to changing the tone of the interview are:

• Address it directly
     (our meeting seems to be confrontational)
• Make it a mutual problem, don’t be accusing
     (I hope I haven’t done anything to cause that)
• Establish the common goal
     (I hope we can have a constructive dialog… to determine my fit)
• Ask a question to move the conversation forward
     (What questions can I answer for you…)

Certainly it’s possible that he may have continued to be a jerk even after that. However, it’s also likely that he may have mellowed and addressed things in a more civilized way at that point.

If his style was intentional as a “stress test”, the approach outlined here would have satisfied his curiosity as to whether Carol can handle things in an appropriately assertive way. If it wasn’t a test, he would have hopefully still seen that Carol can stand for herself and not just allow herself to be bullied. In either scenario, Carol may still be a strong potential candidate for the role… and then she can decide if it’s a position she would like to accept or not!

Hopefully you don’t encounter “The Jerk”. However, if you do, be sure to address the problem and show that you can effectively move a conversation forward in a positive way.

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