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.

I have been thinking a lot the last couple of days about what topic to cover in the blog this week. Maybe job searching techniques and social media. Maybe tips on staying calm and collected in a panel style interview. Maybe the importance of a professional online presence and the need for an iResume. Maybe the busy, busy baby in my belly that is going to add a bright impact to our family in a couple of months…no, that isn’t job related…or is it?

All of this thinking has led me to this moment when I have decided to blog about my thoughts and specifically to ask for your thoughts. We have incorporated a great tool called Skribit into our blog which will allow you to suggest and inquire on topics that are of particular interest to you and your career.  (see the suggestions button to the left) So, have at it…this is your chance…ask away, and we will provide our professional insight and tips to benefit your career decisions.

iResume is committed to continuous improvement around usability, new features, and building a community that will make your career management, resume writing, interview process, and job transition(s) as painless as possible.

Whether you are happy in your current role, actively or passively job searching, open to a new industry, etc, we look forward to your feedback and blog topic requests!

-Allison

In reference to my previous post about Behavioral Interviews, a question was asked about getting back into the IT field after being out of it for 7 years…This question has prompted today’s entry.

No matter the industry, getting back into a field after being out of it for several years can be tricky. Any functional shift like that is tough especially when there are many jobseekers who have relevant, recent experience in your field.

The best advice I can give is 3 fold:

1. Get your hands back into the field whether it is

• At home with software,
• Online tutorials,
• A class or two at a local community college or university,
• Completing a certification
• Reading books.

Show that you are willing to learn, are committed to ramping-up quickly, and have a strong desire to get back into the field.

2. Be prepared.

• Update your resume highlighting skills related to your desired field,
• Get written recommendations,
• Prepare for interviews, and
• Pprepare to take a bit of a step back in order to return to the field. Don’t sell yourself short, but be realistic in the current market.

3. Use your network!!

• Share your career achievements and aspirations with past colleagues, mentors, recruiters, friends, classmates who can give you a positive referral and help guide you in the right direction.

Good luck!
- Allison

http://www.iresume.net

When you are out of a job, do not treat it as a vacation. Take a week or two up front if needed, relax, clear your head, and then return to “work” finding your next career opportunity. We all have responsibilities, bills to pay, family to support, personal and professional needs, so be an adult, stay focused, and treat your job search as your full time job!

Build, and use your network
If you are not informing your network of your job search and career intentions, you are selling yourself short, as most companies announce openings to their employees first to find qualified candidates through word-of-mouth as opposed to job board postings or outside recruiters. So, build your network, and use your network…past classmates, past colleagues, previous managers, family members, friends, etc. LinkedIn is a great place to post your profile and connect with valuable contacts.

Create, and use your online resume
It is also imperative to have a professional online resume that will set you apart from the rest of the candidate pool. iResume is a great place for you to create your resume once and use it anywhere. You can share it with your network, distribute it directly to hiring managers and recruiters, and track your job search activity. You can direct others to your personal url or download your iResume into many different formats as you choose.

Plan your days
Just as you will when you land your next position, you must plan your days in order to be successful and effective in your job search. Schedule coffee meetings, lunch meetings, and phone calls to catch up with past colleagues or interesting contacts who may be influential in your next opportunity. Set a block of time to search online for jobs that are posted. But, as mentioned above, many of the best opportunities are circulated by mouth, so don’t waste all of your time on the job boards. Indeed is a great place to go for aggregated job postings. Attend career seminars such as Realize Your Potential coming up in Atlanta. Attend job fairs, career related networking events, and career related social hours. The more organized your days, the more efficiently you will operate. Have a marketing strategy documented that you can provide to those who are interested, and share your online resume and profile. You can even order cost effective business cards with your iResume url and contact information.

Get off the couch, and get motivated!

• Build, and use your network
• Create, and use your online resume and professional profile
• Plan your days, and stick to it!

Good luck!
-Allison

• 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!

If you have an interview scheduled with a new company, it is often a phone interview. Be sure to take it just as seriously as a face-to-face interview. This is the company’s first impression of you (beyond your resume), and you want to stay calm, and focus on your mission…Getting the face-to-face.

The phone interview is often the first of two or three interviews prior to a job offer being extended. So, do not rush the process and get carried away asking about benefits, salary, etc. Again, your main objective is selling yourself and getting the next interview.

Here are some very helpful tips to keep in mind.

• Research the company on their website, and be familiar with the job description.

• Have a copy of your resume in front of you so that you are prepared.

• Be upbeat and positive. Project confidence in your voice. 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!

• Stand up while you are on the phone. You will project your voice better and come across in a more alert and confident manner.

• 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.

• Get into SALES mode, and see yourself. Sell your abilities, experiences, and credentials to the recruiter or hiring manager.

• Do not ask about salary. You may tell them what your current or previous salary is if asked, but stop there. This is not the time or place for that discussion.

• Do not ask about benefits, vacation, PTO. 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.

Good luck!

-Allison

It is critical to send a thank you to each individual with whom you speak during an interview. These recruiters, hiring managers, and associates are taking time away from their schedule to learn about you and how you may contribute to their organization. Send your gratitude for their time and interest.

You can send thank you’s via email, which is pretty acceptable these days; however, a hand written thank you letter will really make you stand out from the rest of the candidates. It may be wise to send the email to ensure timeliness, and follow up with a hand written letter through the mail as an added gesture highlighting your commitment and interest level.

In the thank you, make it personal. If you spoke with three seperate people, write a personalized note to each, not just a canned thank you. Refer to the conversation that you had. Reiterate how you can be effective in the role, and show that you were listening to their needs. Also, include a link to your iResume, so they have continuous access to your up-to-date resume on hand from anywhere. Sign off with your full name, email, and phone number so they can easily get back in touch with you regarding the opportunity.

Set up your iResume now! Continue your job search, get the interview, and follow up with an appropriate thank you!

Best of luck.

-Allison

There is more to learn on Twitter than what people are having for lunch, especially if you take the time to follow people who share your interests, education, and/or experiences.

Tips for Job Searching on Twitter
• Follow people in your industry who are writing about jobs or employed at companies where you have interest.
• Find target companies, and follow people who work there.
• Have good conversation, and tweet often enough that people know you and your career-related abilities.
• Tweet about your industry, job title, knowledge base.
• Provide advice to others in your field. Become and expert, and share your knowledge.
• Build your reputation through good conversation and a broad network.
• Follow recruiters and others who are writing about job opportunities in your city and industry.
• Use your online resume in your tweets.

Create your Online Resume to post on Twitter
Create an online resume and profile that is easily tweetable such as iResume. You will have your own personal url that is your unique iResume, making you stand out from other job seekers. Share your url, and/or include it in your bio.

Twitter Job Search Tools
Utilize search tools including TwitterJobSearch and Twellow, search through Twitter Search, follow @microjobs, or visit TweetMyJobs site.

There are additional job resources pertaining to specific fields and cities such as @alldevjobs – Developer jobs, @juicyjobs – Green jobs, @socialmediajob – Jobs in social media, @chicagowebjobs – Web-related jobs in Chicago, and @JobsBoston - Jobs in the greater Boston area. Or you can use more generic resources including @indeed - One search. All jobs, @jobshouts – General job postings, and @simplyhired - Job search site.

Happy job searching!

-Allison

In today’s slower market, job searching is weighing heavily on many people. As the saying goes, desperate times, call for desperate measures. But, the last thing you want to appear in a job search is desperate. Sometimes, this sense of uncertainty and borderline panic may lead people to stretch the truth a bit on their resume or when asked questions in an interview. We caution you, don’t do it!

If you overstate your experience, education, or activities, you are not being true to yourself, and you are definitely misleading a future potential employer, which will not get the relationship off on the right track. You also do not want to get into a role that does not suit your skills and background because you may very quickly find yourself back on your job search.

Most employers today run background checks, and many verify education and previous employment. Even if they loved you in the interview, if they find a misleading degree or misstated position, your chances of working for that employer, or employers with whom they are closely aligned, will quickly vanish. Don’t be too naive…bad news travels fast, and recruiters and hiring managers know individuals in similar roles in other companies. You are much better off to address your experience and education head on and allow for your references to validate your abilities.

-Allison