As you consider enrolling in the Career Search Rx Coaching Program, I want to share with you some of the job search and career questions that I respond to on a daily basis as a coach. As a CSRx owner, you will get this and more.
IS IT OKAY TO ASK FOR THE WAGE OF A JOB AT THE END OF AN INTERVIEW?
Generally speaking, candidates should not request wage information during the first interview. By doing so, you risk turning off the interviewer. The thought process is that the selection process typically involves more than one interaction between the candidate and the recruiter and/or hiring manager, so it is deemed too early to focus on the pay when you have not even been advanced to the next phase of the process. Even as a human resources professional and hiring manager, I don’t agree with this practice. When a person embarks on a job search, he/she is in search of a better opportunity that offers career growth, development, and, of course, better compensation. I like to discuss salary up front so that neither the candidate’s time nor mine is wasted during the selection process only to learn that the salary does not meet the candidate’s requirements. Many hiring managers do no feel the same, so I suggest that you, as the candidate, wait at least until the second interview to inquire about the salary range. Also, be prepared to advocate for a salary on the higher end of the range, if given the opportunity. Make sure the highlight your unique qualifications that are above the minimum qualifications requirements that are listed in the vacancy announcement.
“WHY IS “SEEKING FULL-TIME JOB OPPORTUNITIES” NOT A GOOD LINKEDIN HEADLINE?
Your LinkedIn is meant to be an extension of your personal professional brand. Remember that the objective of your LinkedIn profile is to enable you to show up on recruiters’ and hiring managers’ searches for candidates to fill the job vacancies that they are hiring for. So, your LinkedIn headline should immediately let people who are hiring know what your professional interests are. If you are a job seeker who does not yet have very much professional experience, I know that your first priority is to start making money so that you can provide for yourself. The challenge to that is that recruiters and hiring managers may not take such a vague headline seriously and will likely pass you by in favor of a member whose headline is specifically targeted. For example, you may enjoy providing exceptional customer service. The great thing about customer service is that every career field needs some level of customer service representatives, even if their job titles don’t expressly include the words “customer service.” So, your headline might read, “Aspiring customer service professional with strong communications and computer skills.” This type of headline could possibly catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers who are in search of Sales Representatives, Telephone Representatives, Customer Relationship Managers or Specialists, Administrative Coordinators, Vendor Reps, Service Managers, and many more. As you can see, the recommended headline is clearly stated and immediately lets recruiters and hiring managers know what you’re good at and enjoy doing, which are so important to your career success.
So, take a few minutes on the front end to write a more effective headline that will quickly have you showing up in searches and hopefully landing your brand-new job soon.
HOW DO I PRACTICE MANAGEMENT WHEN I DON’T OFFICIALLY HAVE A MANAGEMENT JOB?
There are different types of management. Two that do not involve the direct management of people are project management and program management. Project management allows you to work on work assignments that are typically not on-going. They are usually assignments that are meant to improve the organization’s infrastructure, such as Human Resources, Financial, Information Technology, etc.
Program Management is an on-going management position that is responsible for ensuring compliance in a certain area. Both typically require you to interact with a client base who is depending on you to meet deadlines and to work with a team. As a result, you become their unofficial manager while leading the project. These are known as transferable skills…skills that you attain in one capacity and can be applied for success in another capacity. For instance, before I became a Human Resources Asst. Director, I was a Human Resources program manager. I did not formally supervise staff but functioned as the lead person to deflect some of the traffic that went straight to the Assistant Vice Chancellor to whom I report directly. I was eventually promoted to Assistant Director.
Some senior staff-level positions or coordinator positions also offer the opportunity unofficially manage a program or a portion of a program. I use myself as an example again. Earlier in my career, I was a Sr. Employee Relations Representative. I managed my own caseload of investigations. I worked autonomously and my Director only reviewed my investigative reports prior to them being submitted to the Vice President of HR for final approval. That, along with being two classes from completing my MBA enabled me to land my first management job as an Employee Relations Manager with one employee reporting to me. As you can see, there are quite a few avenues into people-management roles.
The key is to prove that you exercise sound judgment, are very knowledgeable in your field of expertise and are positioning yourself as the “resident go-to” person re: all things job-related. You also need to exhibit effective interpersonal skills. I hope this information helps you and I wish you well in your career aspirations.
For more advice and information related to HR, the career search process and motivation, please feel free to visit my blog, HR by Nnamtique (https://nnamtique.com).
WOULD YOU HIRE A CANDIDATE WITH A CUSTOM FITTED SUIT OR ONE WEARING HIS DAD’S OLD SUIT?
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
If the candidate is wearing his Dad’s old suit or not would not be my first concern. I would be impressed that he wore a suit rather than jeans and a T-shirt. That would let me know that he knows what attire is interview appropriate. He could be running low on money and not able to afford to buy a new/custom-fitted suit. What matters most to me is does he possess the knowledge, skills and abilities that can support his success in the position that he’s interested in. As he begins to earn a salary, his attire will gradually improve.
I, as a hiring manager, would not want to risk losing out on an awesome employee because his suit is not custom-tailored.
WHAT ARE PRE-INTERVIEW PREPARATIONS?
Pre-interview preparations are the steps that you, as an applicant or job candidate take, to ensure your confident presentation during your job interview. These steps can include:
- Ensuring that your resume/CV is updated, well-formatted, easy to read, and contain no grammatical or spelling error;
- Having a tailored cover letter that explains to the hiring manager or recruiter how your experience make you the ideal candidate for your job of interest;
- Knowing how to analyze a vacancy announcement to determine what types of questions you might be asked during the interview;
- Having an active, updated, optimized on-line professional profile;
- Building your career portfolio;
- Knowing the interview type and format that is/are used most often by hiring managers and recruiters for positions in your career field, and what they endeavor to learn about you;
- Practice interviewing;
- Selecting the appropriate interview attire;
- Knowing and applying the rules of interview etiquette;
- Piecing it all together on interview day for an awesome interview experience, etc.
I hope that this information is helpful.
Please feel free to visit my site, HR by Nnamtique (Human Resources by Nnamtique – HR Advice, Job Search Tips, Motivation) to find job search tips and advice.
Career Success to You! Go Get Your New Job!
“HOW DO I ANSWER IN AN INTERVIEW FOR A TECHNICAL ROUND ECE ENGINEER?”
Technical round interviews require candidates to answer questions about their experience performing the core functions of the job. It is my understanding that ECE Engineering is the study of electronic devices. So, you can best prepare by developing well-thought-out explanations of any experience that you have utilizing electronic devices to improve processes.
Consider the types of products or services that company offers to its customers. Think about your experience and how it relates to the products and services that the company offers. Have you developed any electronic devices? If so, describe why you developed it; how you developed it; how was it used; and did it solve a business-related problem? Have you ever used electronic devices to improve the performance of another electronic device?
Also, as an engineer, you will likely be responsible to ensure that your work does not violate any industry standards surrounding safety. So, make certain that you are current on compliance requirements that regulate work in your industry at the local, state, and/or Federal levels. Know the names of at least three of these laws, regulations, or statutes and why they exist. Familiarize yourself with the industry standard for mitigating compliance issues when/in you encounter them.
If possible, make a lasting positive impression by putting together a portfolio of uour work-related projects to share with the interviewer; however, don’t violate any confidentiality rules and/or reveal trade secrets from your current or former employers.
Once you’re able to articulate your experience from these perspectives, you should go into your interview confidently knowing that you are prepared.
I hope you find this information helpful.
HOW SHOULD YOU ANSWER THE INTERVIEW QUESTION, “ARE YOU WILLING TO FAIL?”
If you, as an interview candidate is asked, “Are you willing to fail?,” you should be careful to not just give a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Provide context to your response. Interviewers often use this question to gain insight into your thought processes; how you respond when you do not achieve your desired outcome; and your sense of sound judgement. So, to respond intelligently and completely to this question, make certain to address the following points:
- Begin your response by telling the interviewer that you make it a habit of not approaching projects or challenges with a failure mindset. Instead, you develop a plan that includes anticipating possible stumbling blocks and having a backup readily available; however, you realize that some circumstances are out of your control.
- Tell them that while you, like anyone else, would rather not fail; you are not afraid to fail because there are some valuable lessons and/or benefits that can result from failure.
- List some of those benefits such as 1) learning the approaches to that challenge that do not work successfully; 2) gaining new insight into the adjustments that may need to be made to achieve success; 3) getting closer to your desired outcome; or 4) determining the true feasibility of, or lack thereof to achieving your desired outcome.
You don’t have to feel stuck when faced with thought-provoking questions as this one. Relax, consider what the interviewer is trying to learn about you by asking the question and respond confidently.
Career Search Success to You! Go Get Your New Job!
#Failure=Success #FailinordertoSucceed #FailureLeadstoSuccess #NoSuccessWithoutFailure
HOW CAN I KEEP A JOB AND NOT END UP QUITTING BECAUSE OF STRESS?
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Unfortunately, many of us are working under very stressful conditions these days as employers endeavor to do more with fewer resources…particularly human resources. Some people’s jobs are more stressful than some others. Over time it can take a toll on us and our families physically, medically, socially, spiritually. I recommend that you take the following steps to try and alleviate some of the stress that you are feeling:
- Make a list of the aspects of your job that are causing you stress. Request a meeting with your superior to advise them of the amount of stress, and the causes, that you are experiencing. Tell him/her that you enjoy the work that you do and want to do the be job possible, but that the stress is impacting your ability to continue to do so. Ask for additional help. Even an intern or part-time employee in your area might be able make a great impact. You may be surprised by the support that you receive. Could it be that, since you have not said anything about the workplace stress that you are experiencing, they don’t know just how serious the situation is.
- Review your work processes and determine if some work realignment could increase efficiencies and provide some relief. Develop a plan that and, if necessary, in your organization, get the go-ahead to test those changes to see how effective they are.
- If your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), call them to talk to them about ways to reduce stress, such as taking a short break each hour to walk around to stretch and clear your mind, breathing exercises, etc.
- Try yoga, prayer, meditation.
- If all else fails, update your resume and cover letter. Also update your LinkedIn profile and begin networking with other people who work in your career field. Identify new career opportunities that you are interested in and apply. Start practicing for interviews. Get ready to make a change.
- When/if you decide to leave your current job, make certain to complete their exit interview process and respectfully, but honestly inform them that workplace stress is the reason why you have decided to leave. Give the proper resignation notice and make your move.
I hope that you find this information helpful and I hope that you are able to find a solution that works for both you and your employer.
Career Search Success to You! Go Get Your New Job!
