IResume

As posted in my last entry regarding your online image in photographs, setting the right first impression is key in the interview process. When you are going in to an office for a face to face interview (or if you are participating in an online interview via a webcam), it is important to put your best foot forward.

You have most likely had a phone screen and phone interview at this point, so congratulations on getting past the resume screening and selling yourself over the phone. That is an accomplishment, so be proud of yourself, and go into this next interview with confidence!

I have compiled some interview tips below. Some are similar to your preparation for the phone interview, but this stage of the game is more critical, so read on…

If you do not know the answers to the following questions, ask them of the recruiter who is setting up the interview:

• Why is this position open? Would I be replacing someone else, or is it a new role?
• What is the interview schedule?
• How many interviewers will I meet with? What are their titles and relationships to this position (boss, peer, executive, etc)
• Is there any insight you can provide regarding the work environment and company culture?
• What is the biggest challenge with this role? What are the keys to success in this role and company?
• Can you provide me an address and directions and any parking specifications I should be aware of?

Additional preparation tips:

• Arrive approximately 5 minutes prior to your interview. It is good to have a few minutes to feel comfortable in the office environment and to show your punctuality. 10-15 minutes makes you appear too eager. Being late is unacceptable.
• Research the company on their website, and re-familiarize yourself with the job description.
• Bring multiple copies of your resume (at least 2 more than the number of interviewers you will meet with)
• Be upbeat and positive. Project confidence in your voice.
• In all interviews – Do not carry on about a previous employer, boss, co-worker who you did not get along with, a job that annoyed you, how you hate to work over-time, etc. The objective is to be a positive asset to the new employer, so be sure to SMILE and express your positive attributes. No one likes a whiner!
• Listen carefully to each question. Show that you understand what is being asked of you, and answer with definitive answers…no one word answers, and no long-winded dissertations.
• Provide examples in your answers that are pertinent to this particular role.
• Do not ask about benefits, vacation, PTO, or salary. These topics will be discussed if/when you receive an offer and can be negotiated then if necessary.
• Be prepared with a few questions for the interviewer regarding the position, the department, what the expectations will be for your performance. Show that you have researched the company and understand the position.
• At the end of the interview, ask, “What are the next steps?” Reiterate your interest in the position, and provide your availability for a follow up interview.

Tips on appearance:

• This is not the time or place to try out a new hot pink stripe in your hair or polka dots on your finger nails. In general business settings, taking a more conservative approach to your appearance in the interview can’t hurt.
• Dress in a dark suit (even if the office is business casual or casual unless strongly advised otherwise – you can bust out the khakis, golf shirts, jeans, and flip-flops as appropriate once you have landed the job)
• Minimize your accessories (including gold teeth if they are removable, big clanky jewelry, etc)
• Carry your resume in a portfolio with a notepad and pen to keep your resumes looking neat and to provide a place for you to take notes.

Good luck!
-Allison

We continue to hear that how you present yourself online is critical, as it can be very beneficial or detrimental when it comes to your career. With the wide acceptance of social media and the growing number of job seekers on the market, public profiles (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn) and resumes (iResume) are being viewed many times daily. Recruiters, hiring managers, and colleagues in your professional network are seeking you out online, with or without your knowledge.

We have all heard the horror stories about someone claiming they were sick and then posting pictures on Facebook of the party from the night before. Or the guy on Twitter who slammed a company that had just offered him a job – a job offer which was then rescinded. This brings us back to the topic of pictures…You should be aware that what is on the internet is not private, and first impressions can help or hurt you in this age of social media.

One area where few people spend a lot of time to thinking about is their profile photo. Many times this is a small photo, anywhere from 48×48 pixels to something slightly larger. It is hard to find a good photo of yourself that works well in this format. Plus, many people don’t like photos of themselves… This is understandable. We often prefer to be behind the lens than in front of it, but it is important to have a good photo of yourself to create a good first social media impression.

Many times, the wrong kind of photos are being chosen. Don’t choose your mug shot (or something that resembles one) or a full body shot that provides no facial recognition or professional appearance. These photos don’t work in small formats and make your online profile look sloppy.

You do not necessarily have to use a standard “corporate” style headshot…often, something more unique is preferred…But the main thing to remember is to present yourself in a professional and interesting manner at the same time. Remember that the first thing most people are going to see in the job search process is your profile photo. Do you want your potential boss having a first impression of you holding a beer? How about being hugged by two girls in bathing suits? OK guys, this sounds great! But don’t miss the point…potential employers might not get the right idea.

Articles are coming out daily sharing that more and more employers are searching the internet (using Google or Bing to search your name, searching Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) as a part of their vetting process for new hires. When they do find you on a social media site, what will be their first impression?

On many social media sites, you may choose to display a family photo, which can be very tasteful. On more professional sites such as iResume and LinkedIn, a head and shoulders shot is much more appropriate. It can be off center or black and white (as long as it is not too dark) to add variety but still provide a professional appearance.

So, should you hire someone to take a professional photo? Not a bad idea! You can find someone locally that can shoot your photos from $50 to $150 dollars. We suggest taking several setups such as wearing a suit to something slightly more casual like a white shirt and jeans.

But, if you are looking to save money and have a friend that can help, you can have them can take photos for you. But know that self-portraits (sometimes abbreviated as “sp”) don’t always turn out as nice. People tend to create weird angles or perspective or develop a double chin. At a minimum, have someone else take it, even if it’s a spouse or girlfriend or friend – just have someone else take it. So when I say “hire” it doesn’t mean necessarily paying someone, if you can find it free, go for it.

Revisit your social media profile photos and ask yourself “is this the right photo?” If not, make the effort to get one taken. Remember, people beyond your friends and family may view it, and in this competitive market, you want to standout in a positive way.

Happy picture taking and happy job searching!

-Allison

This entry was co-authored by Frank Lazaro, an experienced marketing executive, BS from Kean University, MBA from Coles School of Business, and founding board member of Atlanta photography and arts-based not-for-profit, Atlanta Photography Exhibit.

• Gathering knowledge about
  o the company,
  o roles and responsibilities of the position,
  o necessary skills to do the job,
  o why the position is open (is it a new role, or did someone leave, and why)
• Presenting a top notch resume,
• Being prepared to discuss your education, work experience, and the characteristics you possess coupled with your ability to operate in the work environment.

The objective is to sell yourself and to do so truthfully…don’t embellish on your resume, or during an interview.

Get the interview. Your resume is how you create your first impression, so make sure it is complete, professional, honest, and error free (including spelling and grammar). Once your resume and application get you noticed, often times, the phone interview is treated as a screening to ensure accuracy of your resume and to weed out candidates based on functional/technical ability and how your experience lends itself to the opportunity. When you are brought in for a face to face interview, continue to be prepared to discuss your skill set, work experience, and resume, and be prepared for behavioral interview questions. Behavioral interview questions give recruiters and hiring managers a true sense of how you handle situations in the work environment including stress, management, colleagues, deadlines, and more….remember “past performance is a key indicator of future performance in a similar role/environment.”

During the interview, it is imperative to keep in mind the position for which you are interviewing. For example, if you are interviewing for a management position, and a question is asked of you about your previous experience leading a team, make sure you provide a positive example that highlights your management/leadership skills that helped your team be successful. This seems like common sense, but the nerves of an interview can take over if you are not prepared (be prepared, not memorized and insincere). Practice answering questions with the STAR approach.

1. Situation/Task (state the situation or task at hand)
2. Action, (state the action that you took)
3. Result (state the results/outcome)

The STAR approach enables you to provide a complete answer with a beginning, middle and end. Coupling this approach with your knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the position for which you are interviewing, you should be well prepared for most questions.

Here are some sample behavioral interview questions:

1. Provide an example of how you have been successful at empowering either a person or a group of people in accomplishing a task.
2. Tell me about a time when you made a personal sacrifice in order to reach a work objective.
3. Describe a time in which you found it necessary to speak up about an issue where there was a real or potential risk to the company or your project and your perspective was not popular. What was the outcome?
4. Tell me about a position you have held that required you to remain focused in a chaotic environment.
5. Describe a project when you were especially energized and others (team, business unit etc.) did not able to share your exuberance. Were you able to change their views or inspire more energy and motivation for the project?
6. This position is an important leadership role for moving our organization forward – Why are you the one for the job?

Good luck!