Standout in the Interview

Want to stand out in an interview?  Here are some questions to ask the employer when they ask "Do you have any questions for me?"

1.        Is this a newly created position or would I be replacing someone?

2.       Is training provided?

3.       Is there a career path for this position?

4.       Did I answer all of your questions?

5.       Is there anything in our discussion you would like for me to clarify or expound upon?

6.       How would you describe a successful employee (name the position if you have it)?

7.       What is it about this position that would bring the greatest value to the company?

8.       What would you consider some of the strengths and weaknesses in the processes for this position?

9.       What were some the challenges you faced when you started here?

10.   What are the short and long term goals for the company?

11.   Are there any tasks for this position that have not been covered today or in the job description?

12.   What is the company’s turnover rate?

13.   What would be the top 3 challenges I will face in this position?

14.   What has to happen for you to know that you have hired the right person?

15.   What is the one thing you are proudest of regarding your department (team)?

16.   What does success look like for a new hire in this role after 60-90-120 days?

17.   What do you feel is the company’s strongest asset?

18.   What type of training does the company offer?

Don’t Get Ambushed in an Interview

 

 The most popular interviewing trend used by employers today is the behavioral interview.  This form of interview questions tends to focus upon your past experiences as well as your integrity, leadership abilities, initiative, communication skills, ability to problem solve, interpersonal skills, adaptability, knowledge, and past performance to determine if you will be a good fit for the employer. The behavioral questions are designed to lead the interviewee into more in-depth and trait revealing answers to specifically designed questions.   A complete answer to behavior-based interview questions must explain the task or problem for which you were responsible, the specific action you took to complete the task or solve the problem, and the results of the action you took.  

There are three forms of behavioral questions:

Open-ended questions – This type of question requires more than just a “yes” or “no” answer.  This type of question often begins with “Describe...”, “Tell me about...”, “When...”

Close-ended questions- This type of questions is usually used to verify or confirm information you have previously given the employer such as “You graduated from college, is that correct?”

Why questions – This type of question is used to reveal your rationale for decisions you have made in the past or to determine your motivational level such as “Why did you decide to go into the service when you had a scholarship at UNT?”

Here are some sample behavioral questions and possible ways to answer them:

Q. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Approximately 80% of all interviews begin with this question. Many candidates, unprepared for the question, start with a prolonged recap/narrative of their life story.

HOW TO REPLY: Commence with your latest related experience or training and communicate why you meet the criteria by matching your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for.  To answer, you must try to uncover your interviewer's greatest need, want, problem, or goal in filling the position and tailor your answer.  Recall recent work experiences which demonstrate your favorable behaviors or actions, especially your teamwork, leadership, and customer service abilities.  

Q.  Why are you leaving (or did you leave) your most recent position?

HOW TO REPLY:  If you left an employer on bad terms, you still must follow the inviolable rule: never badmouth your previous industry, company, board, boss, staff, employees or customers. Never be negative!  Any negativity brought into your reply will cast a shadow on your abilities, candor, and disposition.   This is not the time to discuss an increase in pay, even if that is part of the motivation.  If you have been previously terminated from a position – don’t lie about being fired.  It’s unethical, and can easily be checked.  The best way to answer is to attempt to redirect the reason from you personally.   Make sure you've prepared a brief, positive reason for leaving your last position.

Q. What are your greatest strengths?

HOW TO REPLY: You should match your abilities to the interviewer's greatest wants and needs. You should also have an example or two demonstrating strengths from your most recent work experience. You should, have this list of your greatest strengths (experience, initiative, customer relations) and corresponding examples from your achievements committed to memory.
Q. What are your greatest weaknesses?

This is often called an “eliminator” question because it is designed to shorten the candidate list. An admission of a weakness or fault will earn you an "A" for honesty, but an "F" for the interview.
HOW TO REPLY: Assure the interviewer that you can think of nothing that would stand in the way of your performing in this position with excellence. Then, quickly review you strongest qualifications.   
Q. Aren't you overqualified for this position?

HOW TO REPLY: The employer’s main concern behind the "overqualified" question is that you will leave your new position as soon as something better comes your way. Anything you can say to demonstrate the sincerity of your commitment to the employer and reassure him that you're looking to stay for the long-term will help you overcome this objection.  Also, assuring the employer that you love to learn and take on new responsibilities will help to soothe their wariness.

Q. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

HOW TO REPLY:  Employers want to know that you plan to stay with them.  Assure the interviewer that you are making a long-term commitment and that this position is exactly what you want to do and what you feel you do very well. Looking to the future, you know that if you perform with excellence, future opportunities will take care of themselves.

Q. Tell me about your ideal company, location, and job.

HOW TO REPLY: The correct answer is to describe the company (by reviewing ahead of time), what the company is offering that you like, how you feel you would be a good fit. Make your answer believable with specific reasons, stated with sincerity, why each quality represented by this company and opportunity is attractive to you.
Q.  Why do you want to work for our company?

HOW TO REPLY:  By doing an in-depth research of the company, you should make this your home run. Sources for research include: annual reports, the corporate newsletter, contacts you know at the company or its suppliers, advertisements, articles about the company in the trade press.

Q. Tell me about a situation when your work was criticized.

HOW TO REPLY:  Begin by emphasizing any positive feedback you may have received throughout your career. No one is always perfect, emphasize that you always welcome suggestions on how to improve your performance.
Q.  What are your outside interests?

HOW TO REPLY:  Try to shatter any stereotypes that could limit your chances. If you're over 50, for example, describe activities that demonstrate your intergenerational teamwork abilities, technology, as well as your physical and mental stamina. If you’re relatively young, mention an activity that demonstrates your wisdom. Keep in mind that employers hire employees for what they can do for them.

Q.  Looking back, what would you do differently in your life?

HOW TO REPLY: Indicate that you are a happy, fulfilled, optimistic person and that, in general, you wouldn't change a thing.

Q.  How well do you work under pressure?

HOW TO REPLY: Convey that you work well under pressure (and then give a recent example).

Q. What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?

HOW TO REPLY: Pre-prepare a good example, with an explanation as to why the decision was difficult.  Talk about what process, or processes, you used to make the decision.  Then relate how you carried it out.  If you are looking to leave the military, you might want to describe how difficult it has been to reach the decision to not continue with the military as a career.

Q. May I contact your present employer for a reference?

HOW TO REPLY:  If you are employed and haven’t told your employer that you are looking for a new position, then convey to the interviewer that you'd like to keep your job search private but that you are extremely proud of your record with your current employer.

Q.  What are your future goals?

HOW TO ANSWER:  Be prepared to discuss your goals for your career and personal development and learning which include the employer you are interviewing with.  Express your desire to stay with a company.  Avoid family, physical (health), community service, and any spiritual goals.

Q. How do you define success…and how do you measure up to your own definition?

HOW TO ANSWER: Give a definition of success by incorporating you, your strengths and abilities, a position within the interviewer’s company, and how that the combination would mean the ultimate success to you personally.
© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011-13. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

Tips on Getting Employed Using Social Media

Twitter – create a free Twitter account using your personal name.  Put your 30-second elevator  speech* in the information about you section and include an email.  You might want to create a personal email just for employment.   Once you have created a twitter account, add your twitter link to your resume.  Attach a recent picture and follow only employment-related twitter sites such as job boards and employment services.    

Facebook- if you don’t have a Facebook profile, then you should proceed to create free one.  When creating your profile, provide only information that an employer would need to see.  You might want to include your 30 second elevator speech in your profile section.  In your interests section, include words such as “networking” “team building” “employment opportunities”. Insert a professional recent picture and then look for employers and employment related sites in your field of interest and “like” them.  If you already have a Facebook profile, then review your existing page as the employer would see it.  Are all posts relevant?  Are all pictures appropriate?  Is every post made by you spelled correctly, and are you using proper grammar?  Is there profanity on your feed?  If you have a Facebook page and you answered “yes” to any of these questions and you really want to go to work, then you have two options – go in and re-create your existing page to a more professional one or create a new account and professional page and once it is created add it to your resume.

Linked In- Creating a LinkedIn profile is time consuming but is definitely worth the work you put into it.  Linkedin is a professional networking site.  Like Facebook and Twitter, it is free to join.  However, the site is designed for the business professional world.  Once again, when you create your linked in profile be careful of spelling and grammar.  Post a recent professional picture.  Look for professional persons you may know and also join groups which are correlated to the field you aspire to enter.  

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

6-Step Blueprint for Creating an On-Line Presence

Hiring managers continually use the internet to find out about you.  Upon receipt of your on-line application or résumé, it’s just a matter of simply typing in your name in the search box.  Through this one effortless action, an employer can attain personal knowledge on how you lead others, how you think, and what type of contribution(s) you provide to civilization in general.

Yes, all of this can be found just by paying a visit to your on-line presence as seen on Facebook, twitter, Linkedin, My Space, your blog, your YouTube additions, any online discussion boards you are on, groups you follow, community events you are involved in, and anything else that can be readily revealed about you.  This can also be accomplished just by searching your name on Google, or other search engines.   When you search your name, what do you find?  If future employers and others and find this same information, what will they think?  With this in mind, it may be time for you to create, delete, or re-create your on-line image - especially if you are a current or soon-to-be job seeker. 

Tell employers who you are!  Here are six steps for creating a professional on-line presence:

Step One. Determine precisely what you want your on-line presence to demonstrate to readers.  Like a really good autobiography, everything in your on-line profile should be honest, but also appealing to an employer. 

Step Two. Start out with a clean drawing board by either creating a new profile or re-vamping your older one.  When creating a profile on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, or any other board, choose a professional name (or use your own) and upload a current professional picture of you (preferably in an office or professional setting).   Don’t shock an employer at an interview!  Using an older photograph could be easily seen by an employer as a deceptive move on your part.

Step Three.  Provide employment and training details that accurately represent you.  Use professional language and highlight both your abilities and professionalism.  Proofread every entry for accuracy in both concept and spelling.

Step Four.  If participating in discussion boards, thoroughly read and check all entries by others. Then, when making your response entry, use only the correct language, spelling, and punctuation.  You might even want to type your response in Word format on your computer and then use the computer’s spelling and grammar check, thesaurus, and correct any punctuation errors before copying and pasting your answer(s) onto the discussion board.

Step Five.  Clean out your followers list and also who you are following.  Keep family and personal talk to a minimum or zero.

Step Six. When displaying your likes and dislikes on your pages or blogs, avoid putting up items that would be considered as unprofessional by an employer including religious or political groups. 

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011-12. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

Interviewing by Phone? Not a Problem

       Properly planning and preparing for a phone interview can increase your employment chances dramatically.   Characteristically, the initial phone call from an employer will be to arrange an in-person interview or to schedule a more formal in-depth phone conversation. This is often the result of the company wanting to make a “quick hire “and deciding to conduct an in-depth phone interview discussion with some potential candidates to determine if any applicant  is appropriate for the position they are filling.  Upon the phone interview screening, the company will then schedule a face to face interview.  For that reason, job seekers should always be ready for the both types of phone interviews: the predictable (which has been scheduled just like an in-person interview) and the surprising (which occurs with the first contact call.) 

            Good preparation  for an interview by phone should having your most accurate current résumé within your reach (perhaps in a drawer by the phone), having well prepared notes (by taking information from your résumé and preparing to answer difficult questions, as well as knowing and using proper phone protocol. 

 Proper Phone Interview protocol includes:

             Change your phone answering tone while you are in the job search process. Although you may have a preference in a certain type of music, it is best to go without during a job search.

             Be professional and business like when speaking during the interview.  Don’t get too friendly with the interviewer.. 

            Write down important information for further review after the call. 

            Let the interviewer speak and don’t interject comments unless asked to do so. 

            Answer all questions truthfully and avoid elaborating. 

            Follow your résumé as you talk about your history or schooling. 

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011-12. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

   

Can Employers Really Trust You?

Put your resume, cover letter, training, experience, looks, and ability to interview out of your mind.   The big question is: can an employer really trust you?  That is the sole most-salient item they are endeavoring to bring to light during an interview. 

Throughout the interview process, here are some of the questions churning in virtually every employer’s mind with regard to your trustworthiness:

Can I trust that the information this candidate has given me (résumé, cover letter, other information) is accurate and truly characterizes this person and their abilities?

Can I trust that the information this candidate is giving me during the interview is candid and straightforward?  Or, is it extremely well rehearsed interview rhetoric?

Can I trust that this person really aspires to work for me and my organization?  Or, is this just an interview for the sake of practice?

Can I trust that this person is coachable, trainable, and open-minded?

Can I trust that this person will show up to work regularly?

Can I trust that this person will fully perform the available position to the best of their abilities?

Can I trust that this person will be loyal, both to me, and to the organization?

Can I trust that this person will remain with the organization for at least several years?

Can I really trust this person?

By proving to the employer, during an interview, that you are truly trustworthy, you are strengthening your chances of obtaining any position.   

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011-12. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

How To Answer Standard Interview Questions

Preparing to answer any interview question presented to you is arduous, to say the least.  Often, it seems that there just isn’t a way to ease your anxiety.  Time has proven, however, spending extra time preparing prior to an interview results in more improved your answers and that you will be more confident in giving them.  Here are a few standard interview questions:

1.       Why do you want to work for us? 

Your answer should come from thoroughly researching the company including what they do and what the job they are advertising entails.  If, through your research, you determine that the position deals with job aspects which you are uncomfortable with, then you would and should decline an interview.   However, if the company offers a job or jobs which you find interesting and would like to be involved with, then you should stress your interest during the interview.  As an example – if the company does a lot of cold calling of customers and you have a similar background, you can answer this question by stating that upon researching the company you found that they have a great deal of interaction with clients both old and new and that you have previous experience in a call center environment or in sales and really are enthusiastic about this type of work.  Or, if the company is a financial organization and you just love working with numbers, you can discuss your aspiration to work with figures and statistics and stress your meticulous consideration to detail.

2.       Why should we hire you?

If you have thoroughly researched the company, you should have an idea as to why you want to work for them (see #1).  As an example, if the company is a research and development organization, then you might want to emphasize the fact that you like to create new things and possess an out-of-the-box thinking style and state that you appreciate that the company supports this type of ingenuity in its workers.

3.       Tell me about yourself.

Your answer to this question (which is often the first question asked) should be no more than a minute or two in length and should include education, work history, and recent employment history.  The interviewer is going to be more interested in the latter so this is part you should emphasize.  Be sure to incorporate transferrable skills and duties from your past employment to highlight what you can do in the new position.  Emphasize customer service abilities, dealing with deadlines, meeting quotas – to name a few.

4.       What do you find most attractive about the position?  What do you find least attractive?

You should let the employer know at least 3-4 factors about the job you find interesting (from reading the job description) and then add one minor, unattractive or uninteresting item (if you find one).

5.       Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Your response should not contain goals you may have for returning to school or moving to another company (the employer doesn’t want to hear this) but rather should clearly state that you are interested in obtaining a long standing and progressive career within the organization.  In this answer, you also want to demonstrate that you desire to be an integral part of the organization and hope to augment your talents and abilities towards the company’s successes in the future.

6.       What are you looking for in a position?

Your answer should be oriented to the opportunities which are offered by the company you are interviewing with.  You should stress your desire to perform the job duties well and a desire to obtain recognition for great job performance.  Your answer should be from the perspective of opportunity and not your personal well being.

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

Ways to Appropriately Answer the Dreaded Salary Question

When you are asked about your salary expectations you should not give the employer an actual figure.

Why?  Because if you give a number that is higher than the actual salary range for the position you have applied (typically the interviewer will inform you that you are too high in your salary expectation) it sets a very negative tone for the remainder of the interview.  Conversely, if you give a number that is too low, the interviewer will probably not say anything in an effort to hire you at the lower salary rate.  

Here are some variations of salary expectation questions you may be asked and some possible responses.
 

What is your current or your most current previous salary rate? “Since this position is very different from the last position I held, can we discuss what my job responsibilities would be and then determine a fair salary for the position?  Generally, an employer would have a hard time arguing when you have used the words "responsibilities" and "fair" in when responding.
 

What salary range are you looking for? “I don't have a range in mind at this time.  I would like to hear about the job requirements and your expectations first, in order to get a sense of what you need for the position.”  

Additionally, some recent research has shown that if you mirror the behavior of the interviewer you are more likely to get the job.  So, be sure to pay attention and watch your tone of voice, enthusiasm, and body language.

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

Tell me about a time when you misjudged a person.

Answer Guide:

This question is to find out about well you adjust to the different personalities in your workplace.

Some time back, I had a co-worker that I felt was always extremely moody.  Being an upbeat and happy person, I had a difficult time with her moodiness but I did my best to adjust to it although I didn’t understand it. What I didn’t realize at the time was that she was going through a very painful divorce and she was dealing with it with little or no help from family and friends.  After I left the company a year later, I heard that she left the company a short time after me. One day, I made the decision to find her and call her just to say hello.  It was the best thing I ever did because we during that visit we became friends and we now meet and have lunch often.  I believe the whole experience has made me a much more thoughtful and accepting co-worker.

What is your preferred way to communicate?

Answer Guide:

This question is to find out about your personal communication style (be careful how you answer – saying that you “love to text” may give the wrong message).   

I have several ways of communicating at home.  I use email as one form of communication and also talk with friends and family via phone.  At work, I use only the approved forms of communication.  In the past, my employers have all established guidelines for communication in the office and I have followed those diligently.

If you could start your work life over what would you do differently?

Answer Guide:

This question is to find out if you have any detour that may be blocking your professional career.   

I am a forward looking thinker so this is a difficult question.  Looking back over my career, I don’t think I would really change much.  I have learned from each and every job experience and am always willing to learn more.  Perhaps, the only thing I might have done differently would have been to return to school earlier.  I try not to dwell on the things I could have done and to focus on what I plan to do in the future.

How do you balance your personal life and work?

Answer Guide:

This question is to find out if you have made personal arrangements to avoid calling in (such as daycare).   

I have worked on my organizational skills and feel that I can balance my personal life and my work life   I purchased a day planner which has really helped.  I also find the Outlook calendar very helpful.  I have a backup plan for anything that might come up so that I can full focus on my position and give it 100%.

Gap in Employment

What did you do during the six month gap in your employment?

Answer Guide:

Because I knew I was ready to re-enter the workforce at the earliest available date, I worked on a personal plan to get back to work. I re-vamped my resume, read self help books and internet sites, visited and applied to some employment agencies, and also built up a professional network through LinkedIn, Facebook, and twitter.   I connected with past co-workers who could attest to my work performance and asked them if I could use them as contacts.  I found that the websites offer job opportunities also through job postings.  Although the job search took longer than I anticipated, I learned a great deal about myself during my unemployment and realized that I am a person who really enjoys the challenge of working and will probably work well past my anticipated retirement age (smile). 

Think about what you say or text to “connections”

       Use social media sites every waking hour and tell everyone of your every single move or thought?  If so, you just might find yourself in employment trouble if you vocalize too much on social media sites.  Many employers have gone to using the internet sites as a screening forum for potential job candidates.

      It is now “the norm” to see if applicants turn up on social networking sites, after doing the more traditional “Google” of someone’s name. If you are a job seeker and there is anything on your social site that you don’t want an employer to see, time to get rid of it!  Don’t be self-assured in believing there is such a thing as having one “confidential” site and one “visible/open to anyone” site.  Today’s technology allows almost anyone the capability to view anyone’s information through an electronically connected “semi-detective agency” network.    Tiny and large bits of information alike can be amassed as quickly as you can raise a detective’s monocle to your eye.

       As much as a good physical impression, an applicant’s overall “perceived” abilities or inabilities are equally as important.  If you text in slang or use profanity on your social site, the repercussions could result in long-term case of unemployment.  If you constantly boast of your uproarious weekends, repercussions could be a “not employable” status. Although you may only have a few persons within your social network, each one of those could have a hundred or even more connections. 

       In today’s media driven society, the only scrupulous social networking a true job seeker can do is to make minimal non-offensive entries on to their personal page, network to find potential employers on a “professional” social networking level, and play enjoyable solitary social media games while waiting for the phone to ring with a job offer.  

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011-12. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

Learn to Leverage Yourself When Going for a Position

Leveraging yourself amongst the many job competitors in today’s tight job market isn’t easy.   Especially if you are a seasoned veteran or a more senior worker who hasn’t had to use today’s technology much in order to survive.  At least until now... 

One piece of advice - use technology – don’t let it use you!  Remember, if you are feeling a little overwhelmed by what you don’t know about today’s technology, you don’t have to spend a fortune to take a multitude of classes or run out and buy the latest products.  You should make plans to attend free tech conferences, expos and trade shows in your area.  Local civic organizations also sponsor free or minimally priced trainings. You can also read about the latest technology in the local newspaper or in magazines or in self help books from the library.  

When asked about your technical skills, try to refrain from letting people know you have any discomforts with technology or using today's technological devices.   Let them know, subtly, you are expanding your mental universe by embracing all things technological and enjoying it.  You just might find that you really are.....  

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011-12. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

Be Prepared for the Interview!

Setting out for the interview need not be too scary if you have prepared in advance. Here are a few pre-interview tips to make things go more smoothly.


1. Organize and prepare a portfolio. The portfolio doesn’t have to be fancy; a plain vanilla folder will serve for this purpose well. The portfolio should contain multiple copies of your résumé, letters of reference, copies of transcripts, recent certificates or certifications and examples of your work for the employer to review, if necessary. Call all of your references and let them know you are going to use them and re-affirm that you have the correct contact information on each one.


2. Review your résumé and proof for correctness. The more you review and proof and have others review and proof your résumé, the better. Remember to be truthful in all ways when presenting yourself to the employer through your résumé and supporting documentation.


Your résumé is the first impression the employer has of you, so honesty counts.


3. Create a short biography. Create a short synopsis about your professional self that will sell you to the potential employer. Practice it until you feel comfortable enough that you can relate it to the employer without hesitation and with confidence. You want the employer to know why they should pick you for the position. Remember to only highlight work related information.


4. Research the company and drive by it before the interview. Familiarity with the location will put you at ease on the day of the interview. Also, knowing a little bit about the company can help you convey to the employer what you like about them and why you would be a good fit.


5. Set your clock, your phone and your mind. Set your alarm clock in order to ready yourself for the interview and arrive early, re-charge and set your cell phone with the main number or given number of the interviewer in case something happens to delay you. Set your mind to be confident and secure that you are the best person for the position.


6. Practice your handshake. Yes, whether male or female, a firm handshake is important and displays confidence!

7. Get a good night’s sleep. You want to look refreshed and ready and a good night’s sleep will help you.


8. Arrive early. Get to the interview about 15 -20 minutes early. You will probably have to fill out an application for the employer (yes, even if you bring your résumé) but you will be prepared because you will have all of your information in your prepared portfolio!




© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011-12. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author: C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.

Job Seeker’s Competition Isn’t Always “Unemployed”

Unemployment remains relatively static at 9.6% nationwide.  Today, these statistically documented out-of-work job seekers are not just competing for positions with their unemployed counterparts but also with the growing number of    statistically undocumented “underemployed and underpaid” workers trying to lay their claim to additional superfluous income.

      Traditionally, these workers are employed individuals who have taken significantly less paying  positions due to a previous layoff, early retirement, or for other reasons. To sustain or maintain a previous lifestyle, these workers look to supplement their current decreased household income status by adding a part-time or even a second full time position on a different shift.  Although seeking a part-time position to supplement income is not a new concept, it has grown since economic downsizing has created so many unemployed and under-employed workers.  Because the majority of the focus is on the unemployed, under-employed workers customarily tend to slip under the economic radar and therefore are not seen as a “threat” to the unemployed workers

Friend, Follow and Connect Your Way Into a Position

Looking for a part time or full time position?  Social networking is growing and as it does so does the capacity for serious job-seekers to find a job.   You may just find the perfect job where you haven't been looking - social networking sites you already are on.  If you "tweet", "friend", or "connect" on a social network,  you can go to "groups" and begin "following" your way to a position.  On some sites, you receive notifications as jobs are posted - and this often is prior to listings in the local news or on the large internet job sites.

Many large companies have found this method of advertising the most effective and least expensive.  By posting jobs on sites such as LinkedIn, an employer can not only receive resumes or information requests for positions, they can also view profiles and read recommendations.  It is a real time saver and also is very efficient.  Savvy job seekers who keep their profile up to date and professional can move to the front of the line...and into employment.

Sometimes you do have to reinvent the wheel!

If you are wedged into a job hunt rut, then it may be time to re-evaluate what you are doing or not doing to find a position.   From your résumé to the interview, you should assess and re-assess as you receive, or don’t receive, those all-important calls for an interview.  And, if you aren’t receiving calls, then your deductive skills should tell you that cover letter and/or résumé are the culprit.  If you are getting interviews and not receiving a call back, then it is time to re-assess your interview style as the malefactor. 

If there were an ultimate job getting résumé or cover letter, then anyone and everyone who applied for a job would use it.  And, if there were a set if perfect interview techniques, everyone who used them would get hired.   However, the employment universe is faulty and finding answers to a static unemployment status requires as much research as a dissertation for a PhD.  And, like the requirements for a thesis, every résumé and interview should be distinct within the dynamics of the employment universe.

To get the wheels turning again in your employment search, follow a few simple basics.

1.    Don’t use a template to create your résumé and cover letter.

2.    Adjust and change your résumé and cover letter as needed to fit positions you apply for - adding in information about you and your work history or training that matches what the employer asks for in the job announcement.

3.    Check your spelling often and always have someone else proof your résumé and cover letter before you send it to any employer.

4.    Use terminology and words in your résumé and cover letter that you personally know and understand, and not words you have copied from other people's résumé, or from some other source, to avoid embarrassment during an interview.

5.    Practice, practice, practice interviewing and view each interview as another practice.

6.    Most importantly, don’t lose your focus or drive to get to the finish line and into a career.

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2010-11. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.  

IAVA Announces Changes

Complete: Upgrades to the New GI Bill.
In 2008, historic New GI Bill legislation was signed into law.  Since then, IAVA has been fighting for critical upgrades where the benefit was lacking. These upgrades, which were passed last week, will impact 400,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans within the first year.  These include:

• 85,000 full-time National Guardsmen who will become eligible for the New GI Bill
• 58,000 students at private and graduate schools will have increased
 tuition benefits
• 25,000 distance learners will receive a monthly living allowance
• 21,000 disabled vets using Vocational Rehab will receive additional allowances
• 19,000 Active Duty service members will receive an annual book stipend
• 6,000 vocational students will receive tuition/fees and a monthly living allowance
• 6,000 On The Job training/Apprenticeship participants will get access to an 
expanded program
• 6,000 schools will receive increased fees for processing vets’ paperwork
• 180,000 new recruits will not have to pay $1,200 to buy into the old GI Bill

Read more on the IAVA blog...

Get Noticed! What Your Resume Says to Employers

Tell me the time, don't build me a clock.....! Employers don't want to read a book when looking at your resume. Consequently, your resume should immediately describe you honestly and clearly without being overly wordy. Because your resume is, or should be, limited to one page in length, every part of your resume should be connected to the other parts logically. Information should be organized clearly and be visually appealing to the reader. The key focus is to have your resume express to the employer how you will meet their (and their organization’s) requirements for success once you are hired. Remember, if your resume isn't customized and linked to the business’s product or service it won't represent you as a viable candidate to the employer.

Job Seeker’s Competition Isn’t Always “Unemployed”

Unemployment remains relatively static at 9.4% nationwide. Today, these statistically documented out-of-work job seekers are not just competing for positions with their unemployed counterparts but also with the growing number of statistically undocumented “underemployed and underpaid” workers trying to lay their claim to additional superfluous income.

Traditionally, these workers are employed individuals who have taken significantly less paying positions due to a previous layoff, early retirement, or for other reasons. To sustain or maintain a previous lifestyle, these workers look to supplement their current decreased household income status by adding a part-time or even a second full time position on a different shift. Although seeking a part-time position to supplement income is not a new concept, it has grown since economic downsizing has created so many unemployed and under-employed workers. Because the majority of the focus is on the unemployed, under-employed workers customarily tend to slip under the economic radar and therefore are not seen as a “threat” to the unemployed workers