May 24th, 2010
by admin
Most people have heard of the 30 second commercial or elevator pitch, meaning you should be able to meet a person and pitch what you can do for them in between getting on an elevator and the doors opening again. Good elevator pitches are well practiced, concise and clearly articulate what you do.
The truth is it doesn’t matter if it’s a business offering a service, a candidate submitting a cover letter and resume or the Boy Scouts selling something outside of the local Wal-Mart. Most people have a short attention span until you have “hooked” them into listening longer.
This past week I had the pleasure of sitting in on an excellent business seminar where throughout the day the participants were able to come to a clear objective of what their business could offer. Not only was it easy to ascertain what they could or couldn’t offer me but the clearer they were and the more they had their statement down the more confident they were in what they were saying.
Here are some tips on getting your own clear objective.
- What is your product or service you offer?
- Who is your target market?
- What can you offer that no one else can or what makes you stand out from competition? What is unique about you or your service?
- Make sure it is clear of too many ten-dollar words or industry jargon. You can go into details afterward but remember people may have other things on their mind, you need to catch their attention quickly be sure it is understandable.
- Is your pitch compelling? Remember you are just setting the hook. The next step is a further conversation or in the case of a resume to read further.
- How can you customize it to different audiences?
Once you have your pitch put together, write it down, and repeat it as often as you can until it becomes second nature. The more you have it down the easier it will be to customize it and the more confident you will be the next time you go to a networking event, on an interview or better yet stuck in an elevator with just the person you are trying to impress.
Career Planning, Interview Tips, Social Media & Marketing | 
1 Comment »
April 24th, 2010
by admin
Interviews are stressful especially in these times where there are many candidates competing for the same positions. Unfortunately sometimes candidates do stand out from the competition but for the wrong reasons. Hopefully with a few of these tips you will really stand out and be noticed …. for all the right reasons.
Be on Time for the Interview
Being on time is generally 5-10 minutes before your scheduled interview. 20 minutes is too early and right at the scheduled time is too late. To ensure you get there on time, scout out the location or drive the route before the interview. Do not rely on GPS or internet based driving directions for drive times. They cannot account for traffic, detours or other roadwork. If you need to rely on GPS or maps be sure to add plenty of time to the drive.
Be Prepared
Review the job description and do research of the company prior to the interview. Doing your research helps you avoid unnecessary questions that may be answered by simply going through the company website. It also allows you to ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate you have explored the position and company more fully.
Be physically prepared for the interview. Be sure to have clean and pressed business attire and bring clean copies of your resume.
Avoiding Distractions
Leave the cell phone in the car or at minimum turn off all sound including the vibrate feature. Leave off the perfume and cologne for a day but don’t forget the deodorant and breath mints. What may be a good smell to you could be a distraction for the interviewer.
Answer the Question
It is always good to prepare for standard questions you know you most likely will be asked and there are things about your background you want the hiring manager to know about your background but be sure to focus on the questions being asked. Avoid vague answers and be concise. If you don’t know the answer to a question or do not possess a particular skill be honest but also highlight what you do have. By reviewing the job description you already know what is expected. Be prepared to turn the negative into a positive. Let them know you are willing to learn new skills. You may not have experience with a particular computer program but you may have experience with similar programs that do the same thing.
Be Positive and Ask for the Job
We all know interviews can be nerve racking but don’t forget to smile and relax. Be happy you are interviewing for a position you really want. Let the interviewer know you appreciate them taking the time to interview you and if at the end of the interview you like what you hear let them know you are interested and ask what the next steps will be in the process. You would be amazed at how many times we speak with a candidate who is very interested in a position but when we talk with the hiring manager they let us know the candidate has the right skills but they are unsure of the candidate’s level of interest.
Take Notes and Follow Up
An interview isn’t a class where you should come away with copious notes but bring a small notebook to take a few notes of who you meet with and any questions you have along the way. Immediately after the interview send a thank you email to those that you met with. It is your chance while the interview is still fresh in their memory to reiterate your enthusiasm for the position, address any concerns and again, highlight your experience for the position based on the interview. Remember to ask what the next steps are in the process during the interview and follow up where necessary. There is a line between following up and seeming desperate. Follow up calls or emails should be limited to every few weeks until the position is filled.
Interview Tips | 1 Comment »
November 24th, 2009
by admin
The new age of “Thank You” by Email 
In the spirit of Thanksgiving I want to touch upon a subject a lot of candidates skip in the interview process and is a lost opportunity and that is the Thank You Note. This simple gesture can go a long way to help you stand out in the interview process.
Thank You Notes were traditionally a hand written card mailed after an interview. While handwritten notes are still in use, with today’s technology and competitive environment for positions the Thank You Note can now take on a different form as a Thank You email. So what is different about an email over waiting to mail a card? An email can be seen immediately while you are still fresh in the interviewer’s mind, can be shared easily with colleagues who also may have an impact on the hiring decision and is a great way to show your strong interest in the position.
Some tips on the Thank You Email:
- Pre-write the essentials of an email ready to add key points. For most people when it comes to writing resumes and thank you notes, even the best writer gets writer block under pressure. Writing a generalized Thank You email and then personalizing it later is usually much easier.
- When you are doing your research on the people who will be interviewing (another important step) you be sure to note the correct spelling of their name and email if it is listed anywhere. Be sure to get any names of additional people you meet with.
- Take notes during your interview or write them down immediately after the interview so you remember the key points to add once you are back in front of your computer.
- The two things you want to address in your email is why you feel you are a fit for the position based on the interview and to address any questions you might have not answered well or feel like you need to elaborate on especially if it is something not covered in your resume.
- Keep the email short and direct. You want to thank the person for interviewing you, show your continued interest and enthusiasm for the position, address any key points you believe relate to the position.
- Remember to check your spelling and grammar. If you can, have someone else proof read it a second time before you send it but do not delay more than a day before getting the note out.
Interview Tips | 3 Comments »
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