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.