Career & Life Coaching

It can happen to anyone. For one reason or another – a late arrival, botching answers to key questions, failing to show knowledge about the company –you had a bad job interview. Although the proverb is true, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, you do have an opportunity to make up some of what you lost in your bad job interview.

Was It as Bad as You Thought?

First of all, let’s make sure it really was a bad interview. Often, people are their own worst critics, and this is by and large a good thing. But when it comes to a job interview, you might be seeing things that weren’t actually there, or, at least, that weren’t nearly as bad as you perceived them to be. Give yourself some time. Take a walk, and clear your head. Try to put the interview into perspective. Obviously, things like arriving late are indeed negatives that will count against you, but others are less clear cut. Did you really stutter your way through the most important questions, or are you remembering it to be worse than it was? Were you really caught flat-footed by one of the interviewer’s questions? If you were, did it show? Did you fail to impress your interviewer with your knowledge of the company? Are there several things that were on the tip of your tongue that you were never able to express?  Answer these questions, and you’ll be able to tell yourself whether the interview was as bad as you first thought.

Is The Job Really for You?

Even if you’ve had a bad job interview, it might be a blessing in disguise. Did you feel like you weren’t able to connect with the interviewer? Did you feel out of place in the office? Were the questions exceedingly simple and not a challenge to you? Or were they largely over your head?

If you feel you’ve had a bad job interview, you need to ask yourself whether it’s a symptom of you being ill-suited for the job in the first place. Sometimes job interviews convince the perspective employee that they wouldn’t be right for the job, rather than the other way around, and there’s no shame in that. If you think this might have been the case, don’t be afraid to tell the employer so. Thank them for their time, and tell them that, based on the interview, you don’t believe you’d be a good fit for the job at the present time, and explain why. This will let the employer know where they stand and allow them to correct the record if you misunderstood something in the interview.

It Was a Bad Interview, and You Want the Job. Now What?

If you’ve carefully considered what occurred in the interview, and you’ve come to the conclusion that you did indeed perform badly, and further, that you’re still very interested in the job, it’s time to go to work. The first thing to do is to analyze what went wrong.

Ideally, you would have recorded the interview, so you can go back and check your responses to each question. If you don’t have the luxury of a recording, you’ll have to do your best to remember, with the aid of any notes you took. Go back over the questions you answered, and write down all the things you wish you’d said in response to each question. For example, if you were asked to describe one project where you took charge and completed the work in a  unique or outstanding way, and you weren’t able to remember the specifics, take the time to write down everything you can remember, now that you’re not under the gun. Go back through your records and come up with stats to back up your answers. If you feel you need third-party materials, such as a note from your old boss talking about that particular project and what they thought of your work, don’t hesitate to ask for them.

Once you’ve got everything assembled, it’s time to write a thank you/recovery note. This is a way to follow up your bad job interview with concrete examples to back up your less than stellar answers to the interview questions. If the interviewer was otherwise impressed with you but was under whelmed by your answers to a few of the questions, this is your chance to set the record straight and take back the initiative. Put together a concise, hard-hitting letter, using verifiable facts to back up your case wherever you can. When your prospective employer receives the letter, they will know, even if you didn’t show it in the interview, that you very much want the job and further, that you’re uniquely qualified for it.

There are any number of reasons why you can have a bad job interview. Often, it’s not as bad as you thought, and equally often, the interview gives you additional information that convinces you that the job isn’t for you after all. But if you have a bad job interview for a job you really want, writing a timely, fact-filled and enthusiastic recovery letter can show the employer yet again that you are the best person for the job.

Technorati Tags: career coaching, career guidance, Cecile Peterkin, job interview

You did it! You impressed your future employer to the point where they called you in for a face-to-face job interview. This is your chance to go in there in person and shine. Now that you’ve been given this opportunity, it’s critical that you don’t waste it. Here are the top ten mistakes made in job interviews and how to avoid them.

1.   Dressing Dreadfully:  According to a Careerbuilder.com survey, the single most common mistake made by candidates in job interviews is inappropriate dress. It’s almost a certainty that you as the candidate will be expected to wear a business suit or other formal dress to the interview. The one exception to this rule can be high-tech companies, where anything other than jeans and flip flops might make you stick out like a sore thumb.

2.   Badmouthing The Boss:   Believe it or not, the second most common mistake made by a job candidate was badmouthing their former boss. How do you think your perspective boss will feel if they hear you harping on your prior boss? They’re going to wonder whether they’ll be the topic of conversation if you should happen to move on to another company in the future. Even if you have excellent reasons to be bitter, don’t do it.

3.  Lack of Excitement:   If you can’t get excited for the job interview, your interviewer will probably figure that you won’t be very enthusiastic while you’re on the job. Sit or stand up straight. Smile! Make sure the interviewer knows how excited you are to be interviewing for this particular job.

4.  Acting Like a Know-It-All:   There’s probably nothing that annoys an interviewer more than an applicant who comes in and is aggressive to the point of arrogance. While it’s very important to engage with your interviewer and ask questions, there’s a fine line between showing interest and monopolizing the conversation to the point where the interviewer can’t get a word in edge-wise. Be sure to let the interviewer finish their sentences, and try not to ramble on when you’re speaking.

5.  Lack of Preparation:  On the other hand, it’s vital that you prepare for a job interview by researching the company and preparing for all the typical questions you’re likely to be asked. If the interviewer asks a question you don’t know the answer to, you’re much better off telling them so than stuttering and mumbling as you grope for an answer.

6.  Not Asking Pertinent Questions:   An interview is a two-way street. You don’t want to ask a bunch of irrelevant questions at a job interview, but you do want to ask pertinent, well-thought-out questions that require more than a yes or no answer.

7.  Late on Arrival:   You never get a second chance… No doubt you’ve heard it before. If you’re going to be late, call and tell the interviewer, the sooner the better. If it’s earlier in the day, ask if you can reschedule for later that day.

8.   Being Inarticulate:   One of the questions you’re almost sure to hear at a job interview is “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” Although it might seem like a simple question, more often than not it’s tough to articulate the answer, so practice. Rehearse the answers you plan to give for questions like this.

9.  Being too General:   When the interviewer asks you a question, do your best to give examples or connections that link your answer to the job under consideration. You’re usually better served with concise, specific answers rather than longer, rambling answers that don’t necessarily apply to the job you’re seeking. 

10.  Asking about Salary : Don’t be too eager to talk salary. While it’s vital not to sell yourself short, you don’t want to make your salary requirements the centerpiece of the interview. If it doesn’t come up during the course of the interview, you can ask about the salary toward the end.

Copyright, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: job interviews

As job seekers broaden their horizons to include positions far from their home town, and human resources departments try to deal with the deluge of job applications brought on by the recession, telephone interviews have become much more popular. Here are some telephone interview tips that will help you get your foot in the door – and keep it there.  Although this is a guide to help you prepare for a phone interview, you’ll discover some handy job interview tips that will help you, whether you’re on the phone or not. 

Be Spontaneous

The trouble with a phone interview is that your potential employer can spring one on you at any time, so you must be prepared for the possibility. Here are some telephone interview tips that can prepare you for a spontaneous interview:

• Keep Your Resume Handy: You may need to recall key points at a moment’s notice. Ideally, you’d memorize them, but if that’s not possible, be sure your resume is within easy reach.
• Know Your Stuff: If this is a job you’re really interested in, one of the first things you should do is commit to memory the key facts about the company and the requirements of the job you’re after.
• Keep a Pen in Your Pocket: It’s always a good idea to have a pen and paper handy, just in case you hear something you’ll need to know in the future.
•  Keep Your Cool: Remember, your questioner knows they’re putting you on the spot.  If you’re not sure of an answer, or you need to get your thoughts together, don’t be afraid to take a few deep breaths. It’s better than umm-ing or uhh-ing your way through the interview. This is sound advice for a scheduled phone interview as well.

Be Prepared

If you’ve got some time to prepare, in addition to the above telephone interview tips, try to:

• Keep Hydrated: Phone interviews can be lengthy. You don’t want your voice giving out on you at a critical moment.
• Control Your Environment: If you’re at home, make sure there’s no obnoxious background noise. If you like to walk and talk, make sure you’re not going to encounter a chain saw on your route.
•  Dress for Success: Yes, even for a phone interview. How you dress can affect how you act. Dressing nicely will help you to project confidence over the phone.
• Remember to Smile: Just as dressing can help your confidence, smiling can help your disposition. Keeping a smile on your face will come through in your voice, even if you don’t notice it.

These are some job interview tips that are uniquely tailored to a telephone interview, but you can apply most of them to an ordinary job interview as well. As with any interview, phone interview questions can be all over the map, so be prepared to answer everything from why you’re looking for a job to how you would respond to a challenge. 

If you have time to prepare for a job interview, it’s a good idea to take a few minutes to think about how you envision the interview proceeding. Come up with a pitch that sells yourself and presents your unique qualifications for the job. If there are items on your resume that you don’t want to dwell on, think about how you can transition to a positive aspect of your skill set.  Remember, if someone referred you to this position, it never hurts to drop a name.

It takes days to prepare for a job interview, but a phone interview sometimes doesn’t give you that luxury. Hopefully, these telephone interview tips will allow you to avoid potential pitfalls and put your best foot forward during your next phone interview.

Technorati Tags: job interview tips, phone interview questions, prepare for a job interview, telephone interview tips

There’s a lot of great job interview advice that’s available when you’re looking to get hired, but for those who are looking for a new job, sometimes the best advice isn’t conventional. One example of the less common advice involves looking into less common job interview techniques and options like the informational interview.

Unlike a traditional job interview, an informational interview doesn’t involve a follow up to your resume; an informational interview is far more proactive. Rather than waiting to hear back after you’ve applied for a position and then meeting with members of the Human Resources department, this job interview technique involves identifying the types of companies that you think you would like to work for and the positions that you want to explore and setting up appointments to talk with someone who can give you “the inside scoop.”

Why is looking into this type of interview so beneficial when you are looking for a new position? Here are just a few of the reasons:

* When you are able to sit down with someone who works in a position similar to the one you are looking for, you will be able to learn more about what the job is like – what happens during a typical day, what responsibilities fall on someone with that position, and how busy an average day is.

* By taking advantage of an informational interview, you’ll be able to learn more about how the individual got his or her job – what education, work experience, and interests helped to open the door.

* When you’re able to communicate with someone in a position that interests you, you’re able to learn more about them, about the team they work with, and about why they chose the company that they are working with rather than others in the area.

In other words, when you’re looking for job interview advice and your goal involves learning more about local businesses and the types of positions that interest you, you’ll find that taking the initiative and talking with someone in those roles is a great option. Not only will you be able to learn more about a given job and company, but also you’ll discover additional benefits. You’ll find that:

* If you’re comfortable, you can ask the interviewee to look over your resume or otherwise compare your qualifications to those needed for the position; if you’re looking to break into a new field, this will help you to determine which skills you need to further develop.

* You’re able to make a new contact – someone who may be able to help you later in your job search.

* You have the opportunity to show your interest in the company and the position and to let those on staff learn more about what you have to offer.

While all of those benefits can have a dramatic – and positive – impact on your job search, there’s one more reason to explore this job interview advice. When you look into informational interviews, you also have the opportunity to prepare for future interviews, to learn more about the vocabulary of a given position, and to make sure that you’re exploring options that will ensure that you’re on the right career path.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: informational interview, job interview advice, job interview techniques

Whether you have built your career working on the line in a factory or you’ve held a position of power in a Fortune 500 company, the current economy makes it likely that you could end up looking at finding a new job. The key to ending up in a position you’ll love is – quite simply – focusing on conducting an effective job search.

In order to best identify effective job search techniques, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at the dos and don’t of finding a new job. Rather than ending on a negative, let’s first take a look at what not to do.

The Dont’s of an Effective Job Search

When you are looking for a job, there are some things that you’ll want to avoid doing. Here are just a few of them:

1. You’ll want to be sure that you aren’t just waiting for the perfect position to come to you.

2. You’ll need to be sure that you aren’t applying for positions that are too far above or below your skill and experience level.

3. It’s important to make sure that you aren’t simply looking for jobs in one place.

In other words, when it comes to finding a job and conducting an effective job search, it’s important to make sure that you are being pro-active. This is especially true if you are not working when you start to look for a new position.

The Dos of an Effective Job Search

By looking at and taking advantage of effective job search techniques, you’re going to find that the process of finding a job is a lot easier. Therefore, you are going to want to make sure that you are considering the following:

1. The best job opportunities are not going to be found simply by taking a look at the classifieds section of the newspaper or by scanning through listings on popular, web-based job search sites. You’re going to want to be sure that you’re talking with people you know and taking the time to contact companies that you would like to work for – even if you aren’t aware that they are hiring.

2. If you’ve wanted to make a career switch for a while, this may be the perfect time to explore something new. While you’ll want to be sure that you apply for positions in your current field, be sure to consider other options as well.

3. Tailor your resume to the company and position that you are applying for; be sure too that your cover letter addresses both your skill set and the needs of the business at which you are applying.

The more that you focus on your strengths, take advantage of the network that you’ve built and are able to communicate effectively with those who make hiring decisions, the more you will be conducing an effective job search. Stay positive, stay focused and take advantage of the resources available to you and you will be able to avoid the mistakes others make when it comes to finding a new job.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved

Technorati Tags: effective job search, effective job search techniques, finding a new job

Working in the human resources department of any business – particularly when it is your job to find the ideal candidate for a given position – it is essential that you are able to ask the right job interview questions. While you are going to want to focus primarily on making sure that the candidate is qualified for the position in terms of education, experience, commitment and potential to excel in the position, it is imperative that you also ask those job interview questions that will help you to determine whether or not the candidate is a great match for the company.

In other words, when you interview a candidate, you are going to focus on more than just his or her experience and qualifications for the position. You are going to want to focus on the individual’s work habits, whether or not he or she has what it takes to become a great leader within your company and whether or not the candidate is someone who will be a great fit within the environment of your company.

In order to determine whether or not the candidates that you are considering for the position are going to be a great fit for the company, some of the job interview questions that you ask should be focused on the way that the candidate performed in the past. You will want to ask questions such as:

Those job interview questions are going to help you to get a sense of more than just the applicant’s experience. You will be able to get a feel for what he or she finds challenging on the job, how the applicant responds to the expectations of a workplace environment and how he or she feels about working as a member of a team.

These basic questions will help you to determine the candidate’s experience, their level of confidence and, to some extent, what challenges they have faced and how they have dealt with them. The more that you are able to get a feel for how the applicant responds to different situations, the better the position you will be in to explore their work habits and their responses to various situations.

That information will also give you a sense of whether or not the candidate for the job is someone who feels comfortable taking on leadership roles – particularly when you follow with job interview questions that address leadership characteristics:

Not only will these job interview questions help you to get a sense of how others at the candidate’s previous position felt about working with him or her. Addressing these questions will give you perspective. You will be able to focus on the answers given, and to move into questions about how the candidate would perform in various situations within your company.

You will have the opportunity to bring up scenarios that have taken place within the company. You’ll have the chance to ask questions about the way in which the candidate would handle particular tasks that he or she would be faced with and about the way that they would respond to examples of the politics of the office.

What you will find is that, by bringing up day-to-day challenges that may be faced within the office, is a sense of how a given applicant would respond. You will be able to see whether his or her answers are in line with those given about past circumstances – in other words, you are going to find yourself in a position to look at the previous answers given as well.

Unless you are able to ask the right questions during the interview and are able to interpret the answers, it is going to be difficult to determine whether or not a candidate is qualified – however, you are going to want to be sure that you are asking job interview questions that will help you to look at more than just the basics. In other words, you are going to want to be sure that the candidate you choose for the position will not only be qualified but will also prove to be a valuable addition to the team.

Focusing on job interview questions that will help you to build a solid team will help you to ensure that the company continues to succeed and that new leaders continue to emerge.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: interview, interview questions, job interview, job interview questions

When a lot of the news about the economy is anything but positive, many people focus on making sure that there is stability in their lives. In an economic downturn, after all, there is ample stress about keeping the job that a person has – particularly in industries in which there are a number of cutbacks; it hardly seems like a great time to make a career change.

One of the things that you will find, however, is that an economic downturn creates opportunities for those who are looking for a career change. Those who have been working in investments and banking, many auto workers and others, for example, will find that looking into a career change doesn’t just give them a chance to come closer to reaching their goals; instead, making a more dramatic change actually helps to ensure that they have a number of great options available to them – options that might otherwise not be there.

Ultimately, making a career change in an economic downturn isn’t for everyone; in addition to the stresses of a job search, there’s the realization that not only are they competing with others for jobs, but they realize that they are competing with others who seem more qualified. Therefore, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

1. Maintain your confidence. Whether you are looking into changing your career because you’ve been downsized or because you are looking for a change, you need to believe that you’re ready to make the transition.

2. Look into any training that you may need. No matter what change you are thinking about making, it’s important to know that you have the skills that you need to help you move forward. If that means looking at taking a course or even volunteering in order to get experience in the field they want to break into.

3. In an economic downturn, there are a number of people who will be looking for any given position; if you don’t hear back right away, it’s not necessarily a sign that you shouldn’t keep trying; it’s instead an indication that it’s not the right position.

The more that you are able to draw on your experience and the more that you are able to determine whether or not you are committed to making a career change, the better the position that you will be in overall. Remember that there is training available, and keep in mind that if you are in a great position to make a fresh start, everything will fall into place – provided you do the necessary footwork.

Changing your career goals can be the best decision that you’ve made – regardless of whether or not the country is in an economic downturn; if it’s something that you are willing to work for, you’ll find that no time is the wrong time to start moving in a direction that you feel great about. The resources that you need are readily available to you; it’s up to you to take advantage of them.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: career change, Cecile Peterkin, Cosmic Coaching Centre, economic downturn

Given the situations that exist within the economy, more and more people are concerned that they will be facing a job loss. Despite the fact that being out of work can be a terrifying prospect – after all, so much relies on having a paycheck and even just the consistency of a schedule and routine – we all have career resources that we can rely on. The biggest challenge that many people have, however, is that they do not know how to identify the career resources that are available to them.

In order to survive a job loss, there are the obvious things that you will need to do. You’ll need to take the time to come to terms with the changes in your life and you’ll need to be sure that you’ve looked at your financial situation and ensured that you have a plan in place for yourself and your family. Then you’ll want to start looking at career resources – both those that are obvious and those that are a little bit less obvious.

Obvious career resources involve your skills and your talents – the things that you draw on every day that are extremely beneficial to your career and to any business that you are working with. Similarly, you’ll find that drawing on the experiences that you have will enable you to understand the path you are on and to identify whether or not you want to continue in the same field.

Just because there are obvious career resources however, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t scratch at the surface a little bit; often you’ll find that just beyond your initial sense of what’s available to you is a treasure trove of assets:

· There are the connections that you’ve made. Friends, business acquaintances, mentors, former colleagues that have moved on previously: all of these individuals can provide advice and references when you are looking to break into a new field or looking for new opportunities. Don’t hesitate to look a bit further though; for example, if you’ve always gone to the same coffee house and know the owner, he or she may also be able to steer you toward a great opportunity.

· There are your interests. Whether you’ve volunteered your services or simply had a passion for a particular topic, you may find that this too is a career resource. Volunteer positions that are outside of the realm of your traditional career provide additional skills and may open the door to a field that offers greater rewards.

In other words, if you are faced with a job loss – or even just the potential that it could happen to you – it’s important to make sure that you are looking beyond the moment. When you are able to identify your career resources along with your strengths and contacts, you will be able to do more than just survive; you’ll find that you are able to thrive and to find a new position that not only gives you stability, but also that offers its own rewards.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: career resources, Cecile Peterkin, Cosmic Coaching Centre

With the current economic climate, more and more people are hearing the news and finding themselves concerned that they could be faced with job loss. On one hand, these individuals who are afraid of losing their jobs are looking for career tips that will help them to become invaluable in the office; on the other, however, there are some individuals who see job loss as a good thing. This latter group is often looking for career tips that will help them to change course.

In other words, what you are going to discover is that there are some people who see the bright side – who see the opportunity to look into other options and end up doing something that they think they will enjoy a bit more.

In order to turn a job loss (or just the possibility of one) into a positive, there are a few key things that you should do:

1. Focus on your interests. If you’ve always found yourself thinking that you would like to try something completely different just because it appeals to you, why not take the time to see what’s involved in making the switch. At this point, you’ll find that it might be worth it to take a few classes at a local community college, to volunteer with a favored organization or even to take on an internship; many people learn best by doing – volunteering and internships are great ways to get your foot in the door and start making connections.

2. Take advantage of your contacts. If you have friends, family members or former classmates in the field that interests you, take the time to get in touch now to show your interest rather than waiting for your job loss to be inevitable.

3. Make sure that your finances are in order. While this might not top the list of career tips that you usually see, it’s important. Whether you are thinking about starting down a new path or you’ve heard rumors about cutbacks, knowing that you have the money that you need to make ends meet is something that will save you a great deal of stress and anxiety and give you the time that you need to get started in a new position.

Ultimately, not everyone who is at risk for losing his or her job is going to be looking for career tips that will let them chance pace and start a new career – and that’s okay. In no ways is looking for the chance to get a fresh start the only option, however it’s the best option for some people.

If you are looking for a career change and the tips that will help you make one or you’re just concerned about the possibility of job loss, it’s a good idea to start looking at your options. Knowing the right contents and having a direction will let you have a plan that you’re ready to set into motion – a plan that will help you to secure a new job that you can feel great about.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: career tips, Cecile Peterkin, Cosmic Coaching Centre, job loss

Job searching is never fun, nor is it something that is particularly comfortable for the majority of people out there. It can be frustrating, but ultimately, it can prove to be an extremely rewarding experience. There are additional challenges that exist, however, when it comes to job searching in a recession.

The term recession is likely to be as frightening to many as a job search. Because of this, it’s important to remember that there are ways to simplify job searching in a recession. Whether you are currently employed and concerned about the possibility of a layoff or you are unemployed and eager to find work, the following tips will help with job searching in a recession.

1.Inventory your skills. Whenever you are searching for a job, it’s important to make sure that you know your strengths and that you are able to identify the areas where you could be stronger. While job searching in a recession, if you are aware of the potential for growth in a given area, you may want to make an effort to develop those skills – particularly if they will make you more marketable to employers.
2.Identify your long term goals. When you are searching for a new job, you have a great opportunity to get a fresh start. If you’ve always felt that you aren’t doing the right type of work, you have the opportunity to explore other options – and what you would need to be able to break into a new field – rather than just looking for more of the same.
3.Step up your confidence. When you are frustrated and down about your circumstances, it is going to show. The more that you are able to overcome the stress that you’re experiencing and exude confidence, the better the position that you will be in to go in for the interview.

Ultimately, confidence is one of the strongest factors out there; when you are committed to doing your best work, when you are focused on learning about the companies that you apply to and you are able to focus on developing the full skill set that they are looking for, you will have an advantage.

Staying marketable is something that you can focus on whether or not you currently have a job and regardless of whether you are starting into a new field or looking for a similar position. When there are strains on the economy, there will be more applicants for various positions and that means that there will be more competition; remember that competition can be a good thing – provided you let it drive you to be your best.

Job searching in a recession, in other words, is really just a matter of ensuring that you are at the top of your game – that you have all of the necessary skills, that you know what you are working toward and that you know that you’re able to accomplish all of the things that you set out to do.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: Job searching in a recession