The Interview Edge

Be Memorable – For the Right Reasons

In a hyper-competitive employment market, it’s important to stand out from the competition.  You need to get noticed. You need to make an impression. You need to be memorable.

Whether it’s a networking opportunity or an interview setting, you want people to remember who you are. 

That said, while it’s important to stand out from the crowd, it’s even more crucial that you get the right kind of reaction. You don’t want people remembering you for the wrong reasons.

The recruiting world is replete with tales of candidates who’ve made inauspicious impressions. There’s no question these people are remembered. Some of the stories become almost legendary.

Will Adversity Make You Stronger?

Best seller Team of Rivals is a fascinating study of the political shrewdness of Abraham Lincoln. The introduction includes a concise summary of how and why Lincoln was able to gain a critical advantage over his competitors:

"More accustomed to relying upon himself to shape events, he took the greatest control of the process leading up to the nomination, displaying a fierce ambition...and a wide range of emotional strengths forged in the crucible of personal hardship that took his rivals by surprise."

Lincoln was self-reliant. He took advantage of circumstances within his control. Adversity made him stronger.

Those are some of the very same character traits the 21st century worker needs to cultivate in order to succeed.

There's obviously been no shortage of adversity on the employment front. The recession and its messy aftermath will leave some people battered, bruised, and at loss regarding next employment steps.

Others, while contending with a rough ride through the same choppy waters will nonetheless come out of the storm sailing smoothly.

The Benefits of Saying Yes

 
 
In the toughest job market since the early 1980s, it’s been widely reported that workers in their 20s are routinely turning down opportunities – with no alternative employment lined up – because they don’t feel the jobs are good enough.

With no income, they retreat home to live with Mom and Dad.

On the other end of the spectrum, we have workers who’ve watched their industries contract significantly – they’ve seen it coming, sometimes for years – yet the response has been and continues to be inertia. They've done nothing. They changed nothing.

And because they’ve done nothing, because they said “no,” they become less and less marketable. They find themselves competing with exponentially more people for fewer opportunities. Skill sets erode or become obsolete. They have few options.

It’s Not How You Start…It’s How You Finish That Matters

If you’ve been watching the Olympics at all, you’ve seen some interesting contests – and in some cases, surprising outcomes as athletes who looked as though they had no chance at all end up winning gold.

There is no such thing as a sure thing.

And in this there is a parallel to the hiring process. You may think you're such an underdog it’s ridiculous to even go in for the interview. You’re entering into this thing at a huge disadvantage…is it even worth bothering when you’re competing against somebody with an inside connection or a candidate who’s a superstar?

Just because you aren’t the favorite going into the competition doesn’t mean you can’t come out on top.

Starting a New Job? Don’t Spend Too Much Time in the Acceleration Lane

If you’re getting ready to start a new job and expecting a nice, gradual ramp-up until you’re at full speed, you’re in for a rude awakening.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or the junior person on the totem pole, employers expect new hires to get acclimated and begin making contributions right away. Meaning you don’t have a few months to hang around in the acceleration lane until you’re ready to find an opening to merge.

You need to show up ready to hit the gas and get onto the freeway. Which can be a challenge.

The first 90 days on the job can be overwhelming. You’re stepping into a new culture, learning a new role, adjusting to new schedules, getting acclimated to the company’s political climate, and building a new network of relationships. On top of it all, you may have moved (or be in the process of relocating) to a new city with your family following.

That said, nobody’s going to be very interested in sitting around and waiting until you feel like you’re ready to contribute.

Rate Your Candidacy: How Good Are You?

Imagine you're a tennis pro getting ready for your next important match. Are you better than Roger Federer?

Maybe tennis isn’t your thing. Let’s move to a swimming pool, then. Are you better than Michael Phelps?

How about a mountain? A skating rink. A luge course. Are you better than the Olympians headed for Vancouver?

Hours and hours of behind-the-scenes work is what turns naturally talented athletes like these into champions. There’s nothing casual about it. Winning doesn’t come without a lot of training and practice.

Serious athletes don't go into competition unprepared, no matter how accomplished they are. These people spend months - years - perfecting their skills. They may have a lot of hardware back home in the trophy case, but still they train. And of course you would, too.

Behind-the-scenes work is also a key component of the “contest” known as the hiring process.

To win consistently, you’ve got to invest in some serious preparation. You've got to "train" just like Federer and Phelps and speed skater Apolo Ohno.

Mind the Gap

That logo, of course, is synonymous with the London Underground (though the phrase, or some variation of it, is now in use by transit systems worldwide). It's a warning to passengers to be aware of the space between the door of the train and the station platform.

There are millions of Americans who need to mind a different kind of gap - in employment.

If you've been out of work for some time, you need to be mindful of the impact that's having on your marketability.

Obviously, you're not alone; many are in the same situation. However, don't take that to mean there's safety in numbers. Gaps on your resume - especially big ones - can be a problem. 

Time to Punish Your Employer?

So this downturn has been going on forever, and you’re tired of what’s going on at your company. They’ve laid people off, there were no raises last year, they won’t get you a new computer, and they’ve lowered the boom on business travel. You know the financials don’t look very good, and they’re trying to get through it. Still….

Maybe your story doesn’t exactly match this one, but you get the sentiment.

Hard times have a way of taking the bloom off the rose. Employees start to see things in a different light.

Three years ago you might have liked your company just fine. Or maybe you were ambivalent. You’d occasionally get aggravated with senior management or your boss or who knows what - but it wasn’t serious enough to upset the apple cart. After all, the money and the perks were pretty good. All in all, things were okay.

Engaged in a Job Search? Here’s a New Year’s Resolution Worth Making

Typically, traffic to job sites surges during the first two weeks of January. With the beginning of the new year comes a renewed effort to look for work…both by people who are unemployed and those who are simply interested in making a change.

Many of those candidates might be a little unsatisfied with the results of their searches during the past year – but as they begin 2010, they’re vowing to dig in and make new progress.

Maybe that's how you'd describe yourself.

In the spirit of the season, then, perhaps a resolution is in order.

If you really want to change things up, resolve to quit making the same mistakes. Employing tactics that didn’t work in the past isn’t going to somehow suddenly deliver a different outcome moving forward.

For many of you, then, the first order of business is to step away from the job boards and instead focus on active networking.

You will open up avenues you otherwise would never known about if you do. While other candidates lament the lack of available positions, you’ll score introductions to people you need to meet and may find yourself on the inside track for opportunities that most other people aren’t aware of.

Resolve to make 2010 the year of – people. They’re the resource that will pay dividends.

How to Help Your Job Search: Watch the Eggnog

Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes, writes in the latest issue about the connection between physical fitness and employment – or unemployment, as it were:

“Of those hurt of threatened by the Great Recession, people who are less than physically fit may be more vulnerable to layoffs and face longer bouts of unemployment. No corporate human resources manager would ever admit to this, of course, but one HR head who counsels unemployed men at my church told me he has noticed a trend: The men facing the longest road back to employment are those who have physically given up. Their waistlines have grown, their hair is poorly kept, they look slouchy and grouchy. My HR friend’s best advice to the unemployed used to be to stay networked. Now he tells them to stay networked and physically fit.” (my emphasis)

Wise counsel.

By all means, have fun at your holiday gatherings! But enjoy the goodies, hot toddy cider, and feasting in moderation. It’s a little insurance policy for your paycheck that won’t cost a dime.

Career Success Strategies: Another View on the Importance of Adaptability

If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you know I talk quite a bit about the importance of adaptability.

To succeed in a dynamic market, you’ve got to be forward-thinking and flexible.

I read a real-world example of this concept in an interview with David Perlmutter, the new director of the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication (my alma mater).

What he had to say had broad-reaching relevance...far beyond the world of journalists.

Generic versus Brand Name: Which Kind of Candidate are You?

I did a quick search online for Air Jordan DMP 7 shoes…and saw them listed for as much as $310.

Why would someone plunk down three bills for a pair of athletic shoes? Obviously there are less expensive options.

Clearly, though, plenty of people are willing to spend the money.

In fact, Air Jordans have consistently been among the best selling basketball shoes since they burst on the scene in the mid-1980s. All these years later, people still eagerly await new model releases – and snatch them up.

That’s the allure of a powerful brand.

Ouch! Tweeting Your Career in the Foot

I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again…watch what you tweet. You can be your own worst enemy if you lack discretion.

With unemployment above 10% and six-plus people vying for every open position, the last thing you need is self-inflicted damage. Errant posts may not blow up in your face today – but they can be ticking time bombs waiting to go off. 

Yet people - lots of them - continue to tweet without thinking. Case in point:

Shorthand – Not Appropriate for All Occasions

Texting is ubiquitous as a form of communication. Along with it, a whole new lexicon has developed...which is fine in its place.

Increasingly, though, many people are seemingly unaware of the fact that shorthand isn’t always appropriate (neither is texting).

ASAMOF, if you’ve involved in a job search, using shorthand when you shouldn’t can mean BB4N – TAF. It can cost you dearly.

Take your thank you letters, for instance.

(You do send thank you letters following every interview, right?)

Blasting out a thank you to the hiring manager via text and sprinkled with acronyms is not the way to close the deal and get the offer. You need to send a proper note – in English. That doesn’t mean you can’t transmit it electronically, but it needs to be a letter…and you need to put some thought into its composition.

Unless you’re not serious about the job.

J2LYK.

The Interview Edge - required reading for people who are serious about their careers.

Where's the Career Answer Man When You Need Him?

Your resume hasn’t generated much response. What should you do?

You just started a new job but are feeling like you’re not getting any direction. What should you do?

Your company is taking a beating due to the recession; you’re worried about hanging on to your job. What should you do?

You’re over 50, looking for work, and concerned about age bias. What should you do?

Your industry is in decline; you’d like to transition into another sector that’s in better shape. What should you do?

Job Skills – It’s Your Responsibility to Keep Yourself Current

This weak job market has been around for a while – quite a while – so why is it I keep reading articles about employees who find themselves newly pink-slipped and essentially unmarketable because they lack requisite skills?

It’s way past time to wake up and smell the coffee. The employment situation we’re faced with in October 2009 did not sneak up on anyone.

You should routinely evaluate your marketability. Nobody is going to do this for you. Your viability as an employee – and as a candidate – is your responsibility and yours alone.

Are there skills you lack? Which proficiencies would make you a more well-wounded candidate? How can you go about adding these to your experience?

The landscape is littered with candidates who have been well aware of the gaps in their experience (some small, others gaping) but did nothing about it.

Then we read about them – over and over again – people lamenting the fact that they lack the qualifications necessary to compete effectively in a very tight job market.

Resting on your laurels is a dangerous game to play.

The Interview Edge - required reading for people who are serious about their careers.

Don't Tweet That Job Goodbye

If you're a parent or have spent any time around toddlers, you know they love to play with things they’re not supposed to touch. It's like the proverbial moth to the flame. They get their hands on matches, or they’re fascinated by wall sockets, or they find ways to open cupboards they shouldn’t be in….and on and on. Even a toddler-proof house never seems to be 100% secure.

Telling young children about the potential danger often falls on deaf ears; the temptation is just too overpowering…or they simply don’t understand the possible consequences.

Of course there’s nothing inherently dangerous about the power outlet or the stove or the match. In the wrong hands, used carelessly or improperly, though – look out.

Twitter and Facebook, in some ways, are adult versions of the otherwise innocuous product that can cause oh so much damage if used in the wrong way.

Why Should the Hiring Manager Believe in You if You Don’t Believe In Yourself?

I probably don’t have enough experience for them to seriously consider me.

They’re going to think I’m overqualified.

I’m not going to stack up well against the competition.

There’s a ton of competition; my chances are slim.

I screwed up that last interview; there’s no way I’m going to get an offer.

This interviewer is giving off a cold vibe; I must be doing badly.

These types of thoughts have a way of turning into self-fulfilling prophecies. Your own worst competition is often what's going on in your head. If you don’t believe in yourself, it’s going to show. And that’s a problem.

Attitude...How's Yours?

Anybody remember when the economy was robust? Seems like a LONG time ago, doesn't it? Sadly, it's going to be a lot longer before the job market is back on sure footing.

Everyone is sick of salary freezes, suspended 401(k) contributions, wage cuts, and worries about job security. But guess what? Your company is sick of worrying about a lot of things related to the recession, too.

Nobody is enjoying this situation.

So - since things aren't going to turn around anytime soon, it's time for an attitude check.

How's yours?

Surviving a Lengthy Recovery – You Can Do It

If you read yesterday’s post, some of those IHS Global projections might have made you feel like crawling back into bed and pulling the covers up over your head for the next few years.

Some states have been dinged so badly that they’re looking at a world of trouble for the next 6-7 years, that’s true. And the job market in aggregate will likely be soft for quite a while.

Take heart, though; there are nuggets of positive news, too. Shift your thinking, focus on the horizon, and it’ll make your sail through the choppy waters we’re in right now a little less rough.

First, the economy is improving. That doesn’t mean things feel better or much different for the vast majority of us – that won’t happen until the jobs picture brightens. And we know that employment is a lagging indicator, meaning job losses will probably continue and the unemployment rate probably won’t start falling for some time.

Dare to Be Different

The more you search for a job just like everyone else searches for a job, the less effective you will be. Think differently and you’ll uncover more opportunities than the vast majority of the competition.

Here’s a little hint: a lot of people are content to “search” for work by scanning want ads and postings. Or they brand and market themselves just like the rest of the crowd. And they wonder why they don’t have much success.

Newsflash: looking for work is hard work, particularly in a down economy. You have to be industrious, you have to be persistent, you have to be creative, and you have to use your head. You have to be a good salesperson.

Most people – even now – don’t understand that, or aren’t willing to do that, or aren’t able to do that.

Be different.

Your Questions Answered

From the mailbag:

1. What’s the most common resume mistake?

There are many, but failing to make a good first impression is a big one. This can encompass quite a few things, such as: making errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation), poor layout and other issues that hinder readability, or a weak lead.

Make a bad first impression and you can almost guarantee your resume won’t get more than a passing glance.

2. I’ve got an interview scheduled with a large company that just announced layoffs. Should I go ahead and meet with them or forget about it?

When Good Enough Isn’t Good Enough

Depending on the circumstances or the task, sometimes good enough works just fine. When you’re looking for a job, though, you’d better ratchet up your performance if you want to score the interview.

That means you need to take the time to write a solid cover letter.

19 months of recession and cover letters are still being treated as afterthoughts by a whole lot of people. If you’re simply going to “throw one together” you may as well pass on the whole process, because you’re wasting your time.

A poorly written cover will almost always assure that your resume will never be read.

Is that what you want? Or are you seriously interested in the opportunity?

How to Get the Hiring Manager to Buy What You’re Selling

Want to propel your job search forward?

Then shift your perspective and remember this: it’s not all about you. Look at your candidacy through the eyes of the hiring company. Because most candidates fail to do this, you’ll give yourself an immediate advantage.

Of course you want the job. You want to work for Company ABC. This would be a great opportunity for you. And so on.

But that’s not effective positioning.

Perception is Everything

What kind of first impression does your resume make?

How about when you talk with a hiring manager on the phone? How do you come across?

Finally, the all important face to face interview…what kind of reaction do people you meet with tend to have to you?

However you answered those questions – are you certain?

A lot of candidates make serious mistakes with their resumes or come across poorly during interviews - yet they have no idea this is the case. Of course, people don't go into the hiring process trying to shoot themselves in the foot. Yet, unintentionally, that's exactly what far too many end up doing.

Be forewarned: portray yourself as less than desirable, and the hiring manager will believe you.

For the Unemployed, a Higher Hurdle to Jump

Whether the economy is in recession or booming, hiring companies are always attracted to passive candidates. These are the people who are employed and not actively seeking new opportunities. Fairly or not, passive candidates are always viewed as the most desirable.

With the unemployment rate moving closer to 10%, though, you’d think this attitude might loosen somewhat. Since so many people are out of work, it’s likely the active candidates will catch a break, right?

Wrong.

The Wall Street Journal ran an interesting story about this last week. If you didn’t see it, you need to know about it.

Over 50 and Jobless

Age bias as it relates to employment is real. There’s nothing new about that.

Hiring managers often assume workers at a certain age cost too much, or they won’t stick (bolting for a better opportunity once the economy improves). They might figure older workers lack energy, or their skills aren’t up to date, or they won’t mesh well with a younger team or supervisor.

Sometimes those assumptions turn out to be accurate. Just as often, of course, they’re not.

This recession, though, has been particularly tough for older workers.

The latest (June) data shows a widening gap between younger and older unemployed workers. The 55 and older crowd have been jobless an average of 30 weeks – 9 weeks longer than their younger counterparts. And the 7% unemployment rate for older workers is the highest since 1948.

Brace Yourself: You Could be Paying More for Your Medical Benefit

According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report published last week, employers who offer health coverage to their employees could be looking at a 9% cost increase next year…in large part because people who are worried about losing their jobs are using the benefit while they still have it (taking care of elective procedures), and also due to factors such as price increases.

That means there’s a good probability you could see increased costs in the form of higher premiums, deductibles or copays.

42% of employers surveyed said they anticipate passing on some of the increased cost to employees.

Not great news – especially if your wages have been frozen as a result of the downturn. Still, you probably remain in a better position than your self-employed buddy. It’s hard to truly appreciate how much that benefit is worth until you have to pay for it completely out of your own pocket.

Always keep the value of the benefits package mind when you’re negotiating your compensation. Don’t get so focused on the base salary only that you lose sight of the other half of the equation.

Who’s Got Your Back at the Office?

Is it your boss?

Your buddy in the next cubicle?

The person you’ve worked with for years?

No, no and no.

The only person at work who has your best interests at heart is sitting in your chair. (I can’t claim that line…it was in a book review in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal.)

Consider that before you expect your boss to protect you when pink slips start flying during the next round of layoffs. Or you assume he'll tap you for a promotion because you work hard.

Think about it before you pour your heart out to your co-worker, sharing all the details about your job search. Information like that has a way of leaking (whether maliciously or as an innocent slip of the tongue)...and ultimately ending up in the hands of the wrong person.

Never relinquish responsibility for your future to someone else.

The Only Constant is Change. Do You Have What it Takes to Succeed?

The idea of a straight-line career trajectory is pretty much a thing of the past. Now, not only is it likely you'll work for anywhere from 7-10 companies (or more) during the course of your career, you may find that you'll change occupations entirely.

Not only is change constant - its pace is accelerating.

"Hot" jobs seem to pop up out of nowhere and then flame out just as rapidly. Finance was the key to the kingdom just a few short years ago. Now look at it. That's not to say it won't come back, but ask all those Finance and Accounting majors who are trying to find work right now how happy they are about their chosen field.

To succeed in a dynamic job market, you have to be able to adjust constantly. What worked well in the past may suddenly become outmoded and ineffective. Complacency is dangerous.

One of the most important skills you need in your toolkit is adaptability.

Pay attention to what's going on around you...in your business unit, in your company, and in your industry. Have your finger on the pulse of the overall business climate. You'll avoid being surprised by change you never saw coming if you make it a point to be tuned in.

Sharpen your ability to assess your skills and experience. Know what you need to do to improve and stay ahead of the curve. Take initiative; develop the ability to recognize opportunities.

Know how to rely on yourself. You are your own best advocate.

Employment Situation Got You Looking Behind Your Shoulder?

If it has, you’re not alone.

Lots of prognosticators were forecasting we’d hit 9% unemployment by the end of 2009. Obviously, they missed that one with gusto. Here we are at 9.4% and this recession isn’t over by a long shot. Since employment lags the economy, the writing on the wall is clear for all who want to read it: the next 12 months (maybe more) are going to be tough on the jobs front.

A lot of people are looking behind their shoulders, waiting and wondering what’s going to happen next.

While that’s a natural response, it’s not really the best strategy.

If you’re always looking behind your shoulder, you can’t see where you’re going.

Shift your focus to what’s in front of you.

While it may feel like it, there are many factors over which you have control. Don’t waste time worrying about the things behind you that you can’t influence.

Think about your career just as you would if you were developing a long-range business plan. Determine where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. Take charge, chart your course, and concentrate on what’s ahead.

Treat Every Day on the Job as if it’s Your Last

Not trying to be Dr. Doom. Or the Eternal Pessimist.

I’m simply hoping to help you avoid needless self-inflicted damage in the event that you do end up out of work.

Losing your job is bad.

When a job loss catapults you instantly into a dire, perilous situation…when you realize you’re in a far deeper hole than most…and that you dug it…that’s even worse. How are you going to feel when you look down and see the shovel in your hands?

Are You (Yawn) Labeling Yourself?

What do you do?

99% of the time, people answer that question by saying something like this:

“I’m a graphic designer.”

“I’m in software sales.”

“I’m the CFO at Company XXX.”

If you're the one asking the “what do you do” question and this is the type of answer you receive, there’s a good chance your mind is going to start wandering almost immediately. A bland, uninteresting “I am a label” response is a conversation killer.

Problem is, especially when you’re looking for work and every interaction is a potential networking connection, killing the conversation is the last thing you want to do. You need to engage the other person, not encourage them to tune you out.

What makes you unique? How can you describe what you do in a way that will make the listener want to hear more? Think in terms of verbs. They’re among the most powerful words at your disposal.

Just a few examples: help – improve - teach – deliver – organize – lead – optimize - direct - guide - introduce - develop - create.

Pair the verb (the action) with the benefit derived from the action, and suddenly your answer - and you - sound a lot more interesting. Your job didn’t change, and neither did you…but what the other person hears and how he or she reacts to what you've said will change.

Stay away from the label. Think about what you do in terms of how others benefit from it, and try using that as your answer when people ask about your job.

How to Get an Offer – And Have it Rescinded – All in Less Than 24 Hours

You might think this would be difficult to pull off. Not so! A candidate can do anything when he puts his mind to it.

True story: candidate flies in for a full day of interviews. He does well. He’s offered the job. All that’s left is to sign the final paperwork, which he’ll take care of in the morning before heading back to the airport. He retires to his hotel, exuberant! He decides to celebrate by enjoying much of what the mini bar has to offer. He falls asleep. (That’s probably not the right choice of words…”passes out” would be more accurate.)

Next morning, as previously arranged, his new boss comes by the hotel to pick him up and give him a ride to the office where they’ll seal the deal by finishing that paperwork. The candidate, however, isn’t waiting in the lobby at the appointed time. Because he’s still sleeping it off.

Texting – Amazing Though it May Seem, Not Always Appropriate

I recognize this may come as a shock and strike some as hopelessly “last century,” but texting a thank you to the person you just interviewed with isn’t good form. Trust me on this. There is a time and a place for everything.

This isn’t the time.

Email, on the other hand, is fine. But if email is your method of choice, treat this like the letter that it is and don’t let yourself fall into texting shorthand. That means use English! No THX, POV, ATST….and while we’re at it, no bold type, no caps, no multiple explanation points, and no symbols.

Don’t go all casual on them. Show the company you’re a professional and send a proper note. Unless, of course, you don't care whether or not you get the offer.

Filling the Job - It Ain’t Over ‘til it’s Over

To mark Major League Baseball's Opening Day (a holiday in my house), that Yogi Berra-ism feels like an appropriate lead. It's true in baseball and also applies to the hiring process: "The game isn't over until it's over." The number one finalist falls out and the first runner-up ends up getting the job more often than you might think.

Good news for those of you who are about to find out the photo finish didn't go your way.

It’s every company’s headache…after what’s often a lengthy process, they believe they’re about to close the file on a position when suddenly it’s an active search all over again.

For recruiters, it’s not just a headache, it's a nightmare…for the reasons above and because recruiters don’t receive the bulk of their fee until the candidate is placed. There’s also usually a guarantee on the candidate, meaning if he or she falls out within a period of time after the start date (anywhere from 30 days to 6 months), payment is refunded to the client. Poof.

Deals blow up for all kinds of reasons. For example:

Thank You Letters - Who Needs 'Em?

You do. If you want the job, that is.

The thank you letter is a critical element of the interviewing process. In a way, it’s analogous to the defense attorney making his closing summation at trial. The evidence has been presented; now he’s wrapping the whole thing up with a bow, recapping what’s been said, and trying to convince the jury why they should decide in his client’s favor. It’s not uncommon for the case to be won or lost on the basis of the summation.

If you're the person on trial, you probably don't want your attorney to phone this in. Or to decide it isn't worth doing at all - why not skip it and roll the dice? Let's just send them in to deliberations and let the chips fall where they may.

Yeah, I don't think so.

Likewise, this thank you is a closing summation of sorts - and equally important. You’re recapping the interview and everything that's happened up to this point and trying to convince them to hire you. This letter is your final opportunity to reiterate your unique selling proposition and make a lasting impression. It’s your last chance to restate the most important aspects of your candidacy and summarize how you can help the company meet its challenges.

Skip this step (or fail to take it seriously) at your peril.

Making the Jump to a New Industry

From the mailbag: “You’ve talked about transitioning to a new industry, but I’m skeptical. The playing field isn’t level and it seems impossible to compete against an insider.”

I’ll acknowledge up front that it’s not easy to make the leap.

But it’s possible, and it happens all the time.

Shift your perspective. Think about it this way: if the only eligible candidates are those who have direct industry experience, then new industries would never get off the ground, would they?

The Job Search: Will Digital Communication be Your Undoing?

Anybody with a keypad or keyboard has instant access to the world. Within a matter of seconds, musings can become part of that vast digital “ether” for everyone to see.

It’s fabulous. You can connect with people half a world away. You can share your thoughts as a participant in the enormous blogosphere. You can submit letters to the editor of any newspaper that publishes online. You can comment on any number of issues at any number of sites.

There’s a flip side to this, though.

Depending on where you publish your comments, not only can anybody see it, it’s also out there for perpetuity. It can be pretty tough – and sometimes impossible – to make it go away. There’s no magic "erase" button.

Job Review Coming Up? Now More Than Ever, You Need to Ace It

Especially with the economy in recession, it goes without saying you need to firm up your position with your employer. If your performance review is coming up within the next quarter, start now to prepare.

(Actually, whether it’s a severe downturn or the market is riding high, you should never go into a review without having prepped for the meeting. This is yet another instance where advance thought and planning are advisable…no “winging it.”)

You might think the ball is entirely in your manager’s court when it comes to the appraisal, but that’s not the case. In some ways, the review is a lot like the job interview. As you're prepping, think about what makes you unique, and consider your employment and your contributions from the company’s perspective (i.e. it’s not all about you…what’s “in it” for them).

Job Search Time Management

Want to know how to instantly get more out of the hours you devote to your job search?

Spend less time clicking and more time shaking hands.

If the bulk of your efforts are focused in the direction of online job boards, you’re misallocating resources. You’ll have much better luck if you dedicate yourself to maintaining regular connection with your network – and building your circle of contacts by meeting new people.

There are a number of reasons to avoid burning a lot of time online, such as:

• The vast majority of jobs are never posted.
Statistics vary, but somewhere in the neighborhood of 70%-80% of job openings never end up on the boards or in the want ads. If postings only represent a quarter of the available inventory, why spend an inordinate amount of time looking there?

Layoff Pitfalls - Burn the Bridge at Your Peril

As the recession deepens, the pace of job losses is accelerating with many more projected to follow.

With more and more people facing the prospect of layoffs, there is increased potential for a mass conflagration resulting from the many bridges that are going to be torched. If you end up with a pink slip, don’t add to the flames.

Anyone who's gone through the experience knows it can be pretty miserable. It can play out in any number of ways. Things may happen with shocking speed, or the process can be extremely protracted – akin to “death by a thousand cuts.” You agonize for weeks or even months as you wait for the other shoe to drop, becoming increasingly anxious with each passing day…or find yourself scrambling as events unfold at an alarming rate.

Landing the Job: It’s NOT All About You

Wait a minute! That seems counterintuitive. After all, you’re the one trying to uncover leads. You’re the one who’s trying to walk away with the job offer. You’re the one trying to gauge whether this company is the right fit for you.

All true.

Even so, it’s not all about you. If you can keep that perspective front-of-mind throughout your job search, you will exponentially increase your likelihood of success. It’s not at all difficult, but many candidates miss opportunities by not adjusting their thinking.

Take Susan, for example.

She’s diligent about networking. Any time she meets someone new, she runs through her mental checklist and focuses with laser-like intensity on how this person might be able to help her. 

Networking: Are You Memorable…or Nondescript?

How many times have you walked away from a networking event with a stack of business cards in hand, most of which end up tossed in your desk drawer never to be looked at again?

Now think about the other people at those same events you’ve attended. When they get back to their offices, each with a handful of cards…..is yours apt to end up in that “business card black hole” collecting dust in their desks?

Or will they look at your card the next day and not only remember you – but talk with you again and again?

The answer depends in large part on whether or not you made a memorable impression.

How exactly does one accomplish this?

How Effective is Your Executive Bio?

You've been tapped to be a panelist or give a presentation at an industry event. You need to submit a bio.

You're creating a press kit. Your head shot and bio will be included.

You're submitting a piece for publication. You need to include a bio.

You want to post something other than the qualifications summary from your resume on LinkedIn. You need a bio.

A resume is one thing - a bio is another animal entirely.

Depending on the situation, someone else may craft your bio (like the folks in PR). One caveat, however - make sure your PR people are capable writers. And make sure you review what they've written about you before it's sent out into the world.

Successful Networking – Give and Take

The smart person pays attention to her professional contacts on an ongoing basis. Whether the economy is soaring or in recession, whether she’s progressing quickly up the ladder or facing a temporary setback, whether she’s just starting her professional career or has been in the workforce for years – she’s mindful of her network and intent on adding to it.

Not everyone is this conscientious.

When times are tough, those who’ve neglected their networks over the years have a tendency to “get religion” and focus with renewed zeal on their circle of extended friends and associates – and what they can do to expand it.

Better late than never.

How to Cope When Layoff Rumors Fly

If the threat of downsizing is looming at your company, there are things you need to do right away to make sure you’re prepared.

• Update your resume
You should be doing this routinely, but if you’ve been lax, this needs to be your first priority. Too many candidates wait until after they receive pink slips before pulling the resume out and dusting it off. Nobody does their best writing when they’re stressed and hurried. If writing isn’t your strong suit to begin with, it’ll only be magnified if you’re scrambling to get this crucial document into shape.

The other danger of trying to beat the clock with resume updates? People tend to forget information that should be included.

Career Roadblocks: A Minor Drug Conviction Can Cost You the Job

Beware past indiscretions that cannot be swept under the rug.

Even the most seemingly trivial drug offense can stick with you for years – sometimes permanently – and cost you dearly in terms of lost opportunity.

It can be an especially significant barrier to entry into some of the very sectors which are projected to experience robust job growth over the next few years, like health care and education.

Especially in light of today’s litigious climate, employers have to be very careful about the people they hire. That’s why criminal background checks are now fairly common; there’s a huge liability risk for the company if an employee gets into trouble and it’s later determined that there was some type of black mark on that person’s record about which the employer should have been aware.

How Easy is it For Someone to Hire You?

If this sounds like a strange question, consider this: many candidates make it simple for hiring managers to exclude them from consideration.

Worse yet, this often occurs very early in the process.

Don’t let it happen to you. Today we’ll focus on things you can do at the initial stages to improve your prospects.

Follow Instructions
Seems obvious, doesn’t it? Yet you might be surprised how frequently candidates fail to comply with directions.

Consider the application. Complete the entire form accurately and as indicated. If you’re doing this offline and are asked to print, for example, don’t submit something written in cursive. Don’t leave fields blank. If you’re asked to insert your resume in the body of the email, don’t ignore the request and send it as an attachment instead.

Are You Dressed to Succeed?

Dress the part. We’ve all heard that phrase.

It’s not simply an adage. Though you may not realize it, you’re being sized up by what you’re wearing. Before you say one word, people are making a judgment about you based upon the way you look.

Your appearance is a factor both internally (in terms of those you manage) and externally (clients, partners, prospective employers, and so on).

With that in mind, it’s important that you take care of your “brand.” Remember – that’s you. Represent it well. Do you look like someone people want to follow…to ink a huge deal with…to hire?

If your clothing is ill fitting, your shoes are scuffed, or you don’t look “put together,” it’s sending the wrong message.

Even if your office environment is casual, it’s not an excuse for sloppiness. This applies to everyone…including the guy in charge. The CEO who shows up for work in ripped jeans and a rumpled sweatshirt will be noticed. And talked about. 

A final note: f you’re aspiring to bigger and better things, keep in mind something you might have heard your grandmother say: dress for the position you want…not the position you have. There’s a lot of truth to that.