SUGGESTIONS WHEN APPLYING FOR A JOB I was recently asked by one of our clients to be part of a job interview panel as they looked to fill an important position within their company. They short-listed the applicants and conducted background checks, so I presumed we were only seeing the most qualified people that applied. What struck me as I studied the resumes and took part in the interviews was the gap between the best and worst candidates. I was impressed with how qualified some of the applicants were and how well they conducted themselves during the interview process. However, there were some things that stood out as to why one person ranked at the top and why others did not perform so well. Here, then, are some suggestions you may find helpful if you are planning to apply for a job in the near future
How you act: How you act after you give your notice may be how you are regarded by your soon-to-be former employer. If you slack around while serving out your notice period, it may come back to haunt you. It is much better to put 100% of your energy and skills into the job and make sure you leave the position in better shape than when you arrived. It will help you down the road, I promise.
Never burn any bridges: Our industry is relatively small and everyone knows everyone, or at least someone who knows someone. When employers are checking references, if they hear from your previous employer that you bad mouthed them on your way out the door, then you are less likely to be considered for a position. No matter how much you’d really like to tell your boss exactly what you thought of him or her, it’s better to part ways on good terms and take that high road. The way you talk about a previous employer is how interviewers think you'll talk about them in the future, so keep it civil.
Tell the truth: Do not exaggerate the facts on your resume or cover letter when applying for a job. If caught, you are unlikely to get the job. If it comes out later that you lied on the application or during the interview it may be grounds for termination. The courts have little sympathy for employees who are untruthful in order to get a job.
Be careful what you write: This goes beyond your resume and cover letter. Some employees will type your name into a Google search engine to see what pops up. Don’t be surprised if your potential new employer also checks the social networking websites such as Facebook and YouTube. If they find rants from you about your last employer or inappropriate video of you on YouTube you are unlikely to make the interview process and may never learn the reason.
Do your research: Make sure you check out the company you may be working for and learn as much as you can about them. Most companies have a website that will offer lots of information about the people and the operation. If there is ratings information or other data that is freely available to the public, then access it and try to learn as much about your potential employer as possible. Your goal during the interview is to convince the people on the other side of the table that you're the best person for the job. But you if do not know much about the company or the expected skills and responsibilities for the position, you are unlikely be considered for the position.
THE LETTER AND RESUME
Write a targeted cover letter: Take the time to find out who the decision maker is and how to spell their name, and get their title correct. Sending a note with “To whom it may concern” is a strong signal that you are not interested in the job. Have someone proof your work to eliminate the typos, and grammatical mistakes as these are an indication of poor attention to detail and perhaps a lack of interest in the job.
Modify your resume to target the job: Just like the cover letter, your resume should build a case for you to be hired for a specific position. If you're applying for a financial analyst position, don't include all your Scouting awards!
Make it easy for them to contact you: You need to make it easy for your potential employer to get in touch with you. However, you should not include your work phone number or work email address. Potential employers may question if you will end up searching for your next job on their time
The interview starts long before you arrive at the location: I know of one person who missed out on a job because of their poor driving skills. He cut someone off on the highway. Unfortunately, the hiring manager who followed the candidate right to the interview venue observed this. Some companies will have a staff member sitting in the lobby of the hotel listening to all the conservations and observing the candidates. Employers will often ask their receptionists if you were nice to them. If you were rude or abrupt, it may cost you the job. On another occasion, I was conducting reference checks, and in trying to reach a GM, had occasion to speak with the receptionist, who had also worked with the applicant. Eventually, she told me that this person was always cold and often rude to the females at the station. That resume quickly went into the “no” pile.
Be early: Make sure you arrive early for the interview. You do not want to be stuck in traffic or unable to find the interview location, because you will arrive flustered and not create the best first impression. No employer likes to be kept waiting, especially given they may be on a tight timetable and have scheduled several interviews in the one day. If you arrive late, it will likely cut short the time they have allocated for you and you may even be refused the interview.
Dress for success: Do your homework ahead of time and establish what the acceptable dress code is for the job for which you are applying. As a rule of thumb, it is always better to be overdressed than to show up in casual attire only to be facing a panel of people in suits and ties.
Pay Attention: Another way to show you don't care much about the job is to get distracted. Answering your phone, sending texts or digging through your bag tells the interviewer that your focus is anywhere except on the interview.
The money question: You should never bring up the question of compensation during the first interview. The people on the other side of the table know it is a factor and they will bring it up when they feel the time is right. If money appears to be your primary concern, you may quickly become less attractive to the employer. If they ask you how much you think the job is worth, you might want to avoid that question and politely tell them that it is too early in the interview process to be talking about money. You are better to have them tell you what the position pays.
Ask good questions: Near the end of the interview, you may be asked if you have any questions for the employer. This is your opportunity to gather important information about the company while at the same time demonstrating your level of interest in the position. If you have a page of carefully crafted questions, you are showing this employer that you want the job and you are interested in their company. Saying that you have no questions is often a signal that you’re not really interested in the position.
Remember what your mother taught you: Don't swear, chew gum or forget to shower. You want to make a good impression. In short, don’t give the interviewer a reason not to hire you.
The follow-up: Interview etiquette goes beyond the goodbye handshake. Follow up with the interviewer by sending a thank-you note, either by e-mail or in the mail. Keep it short but reaffirm your interest in the position and the company. If it’s a close call then your follow-up note may be the deciding factor.
What if I don’t get the job: If you do not get the job, then use this as a learning experience. Talk to the hiring manager and ask why you missed out. Ask him or her for any advice they can offer, and send them a note to thank them for their suggestions. The advice you receive will help you in the future and your efforts in following up may result in you being considered for a future opportunity within this company.
Conclusion: This is by no means an extensive checklist. Applying for a job and going through the interview process is often daunting and time consuming. If you and the potential employer approach the process the right way, it increases the odds of matching the right person to the right job. |