Job Search Series – Nailing the Interview – Part 1 – Types of Interviews

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Types of Interviews


“Besides getting several paper cuts in the same day or receiving the news that someone in your family has betrayed you to your enemies, one of the most unpleasant experiences in life is a job interview.” ~Lemony Snicket

It is my hope that Mr. Snicket will read the next few blog posts along with you so that he, too, might gain some snippets of advice that will help smooth the way to the job interview process. 

Let's start by taking a look at the various types of interviews you can expect to come across: 

Job Search Series – How to Work a Room (Full of Strangers) – Part 3

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Conversing and Connecting

“It occurs to me that our survival may depend
upon our talking to one another.” 
~ Dan Simmons, Hyperion

I agree with author Simmons’s pithy observation. Of course, there are many types of survival. Learning how to turn strangers into strong relationships will make you a survivor of the networking circuit!

This week I’d like to focus on getting in and out of groups and conversations gracefully.

Job Search Series – How To Work a Room (Full of Strangers) Part 2

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 Balancing Mingling with Food & Drink

 "Sometimes, idealistic people are put off the whole business of
networking as something tainted by flattery and
the pursuit of selfish advantage. But virtue in obscurity
is rewarded only in Heaven. To succeed in this world
you have to be known to people" ~ Sonia Sotomayor

A networking event should be approached in the same manner that you would a job interview. Prepare, dress and behave as though you will meet your future boss, because that could very well happen.

Job Search Series – How to Work a Room (Full of Strangers)- Part 1

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“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou

Attributing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as from other sources such as the 2011 study conducted by Right Management, which is part of Manpower Group (Forbes, June, 7, 2011), career and employment professionals have generally concluded that the percentage of jobs that are attained through networking range anywhere between 40%-80%. The truth is probably closer to 40%, but that is still a huge number and indicates that at least half of one’s time and energies should be devoted to networking. 

Job Search Series – Telling Your Story

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"You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you
 had to overcome to reach your goals." ~ Booker T. Washington

An important element of your communications strategy is to identify and demonstrate to others your ability to get the job done through stories about your accomplishments.  Employers, as well as recruiters and others who can connect you to employers, want to know about your problem-solving, leadership and team building skills and these can aptly be portrayed through stories that may be told at job interviews as well as -- when appropriate -- networking events, casual conversations and correspondence (cover letters, follow up thank-you letters, etc.). 

Job Search Series – References Upon Request

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“A good reference can seal the deal for a candidate.”
~ Shawn VanDerziel,
Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief of Staff at Chicago’s Field Museum (Renowned U.S. natural history museum and home base of the celebrated archaeologist / adventurer of the Indiana Jones movies) 

A key element of the job search is one’s references; yet candidates often fail to give this component the attention it deserves. Neglecting to research, update and nurture your references can trip you up just as you’re about to cross the finish line. 

Job Search Series – Going For The Gold

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"Not that you root for failure," Vasgersian said,
 "but he needs one more crash to guarantee a spot in the next round."
 ~ NBC 2014 Winter Olympics Announcer Matt Vasgersian   

The above-captioned statement was uttered during the men’s freestyle aerial ski jumps last week in Sochi during the play-by-play commentary. The speculation was that for American Mac Bohonnon to qualify for the finals one of his competitors would have to make a mistake, thereby making Mr. Bohonnon’s point score sufficient. No sooner were these words spoken when Renato Ulrich of Switzerland took his turn at the aerials and crashed. 

Job Search Series – Your Positioning Statement

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“Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
~ Dr. Seuss, Happy Birthday to You!

Now that you have completed your prototype resume that you will customize for each position to which you apply, and have an understanding of the principles of the cover letter (see the previous three guest posts by Lyn Nelson), let’s turn now to your positioning statement. This composition is also referred to as your 30-second elevator pitch because it should be short and concise enough to recite between floors as you are riding up or down in an elevator – because you never know when you will run into someone important and you only have a few seconds to take advantage of the opportunity to make your case.