Insights from the Inside – An Employer’s View of the Interview

Everyone has, at one point or another, been faced with the prospect of sitting down and speaking with one or more individuals who will decide whether or not you have the skills and abilities to become their newest employee.

The thought alone is enough to make the strongest among us tremble and break into a cold sweat. "It’s not fair," you theorize. One mistake or misplaced adjective during the interview and I’m back on the street, back at the end of the line, searching for the one intangible which will bring me job security and a financial well being. What did I do wrong?"

In an effort to give you that one intangible, we sat down with three professionals who make those hiring decisions on a daily basis. In return for their anonymity, they have agreed to give us their insights on how to master the interview.

The Introduction

"I hate to say it, but I will develop either a positive or negative attitude about an applicant within the first minute of the interview", comments Julia, a human resource manager with a large IT consulting company. "The way an applicant addresses me and how they introduce themselves leaves a lasting impression on me. I’m looking for confidence and a quiet sense of determination. I want to see a firm handshake and I want them to look me straight in the eyes."

"Don’t forget their attire," comments Robert, a businessman who owns four rental car establishments and two restaurants in a busy metropolitan area. "If an applicant, even one for an entry-level position, does not come to the interview properly attired, I will not consider them. If they can’t take the time or the consideration to be dressed correctly for something as important as an interview, I can only imagine what they would do on a daily basis."

All three professionals agree that first impressions are important. Dressing properly, displaying a subtle confidence and maintaining eye contact with each interviewer is the first step.

Impress Me

"I realize the interview process ranks right up there with having a tooth pulled on the enjoyment scale, but it’s not easy for the interviewer either," added Jonathan, a hiring professional for a large healthcare association. "If an employee that I hire does not produce, I’m the one with egg on my face. If I make a few bad choices it will be me on the other side of that table. Believe it or not, I’m not looking to turn an applicant away, I’m looking for someone who will impress the heck out of me and make my decision easy."

"I agree with Jon," added Julia. "My day is hard enough. I want someone who I will feel confident about, someone who I know can do the job I give him or her. I think any employer feels this way. I’m afraid some applicants think we enjoy watching them squirm and deciding their fate. Nothing could be further from the truth."

Be Prepared

Preparation for an interview is vital, all three professionals agree. Exhibiting an aura of confidence will come more naturally if you are practiced in the art of the interview. Do mock interviews with friends or family to familiarize yourself with the procedure. The more times you practice, the more relaxed and confident you will become.

"If you want to impress me, tell me something about my company or industry that shows me what you can bring to the position," comments Jonathan. "Someone who can demonstrate that this position means enough to them that they will spend time gathering information on my company, means that this person will probably stay late on a Friday if the work requires it. THAT will impress me!

"That reminds me of the time I was hiring a general manager for one of my car rental agencies," Robert added. "This woman came in armed with industry figures that I didn’t even know myself! Needless to say, she is now in charge of two of my establishments."

At the very minimum, each interviewer expects the applicant to bring extra copies of their resume and a completed job application form if required.

Emphasize The Positive

Now is not the time to be bashful about your skills and abilities. If you can’t show the employer why you are the best candidate for the position, well then you won’t be. While the interviewer may claim to be an astute judge of character, they don’t realize that you can manage a multi-million dollar budget, prioritize workflow to maximize production and streamline inventory to save millions of dollars, unless you can show that on your resume and reiterate that in the interview.

"The interview process is short," commented Jonathan. "I want to know what this person sitting in front of me can do for my company. Tell me your skills and provide examples of what you have done in the past. If you don’t, I have 10 other applicants who will. Be confident in yourself and if you can convince me of your skills, the job is yours."

Robert went a step further. "The hiring process is part deduction and part intuition. I want to see your skills and talents laid out on a resume, but I also need to see and hear you explain to me why you are best suited for the position. I want to be impressed with your delivery. If you can’t sell yourself, how can I expect you to sell my cars?"

It Starts With The Resume

"As I’m sure you understand, Jim - with you being in the industry, the entire hiring process hinges upon the resume," Julia emphasized, and both Robert and Jonathan agreed. "I see many, many resumes during the week, ranging from the barely intelligible to the professionally produced documents like your company provides. The only way you will ever see the inside of my office is if I like what I see on your resume. It may be a bit harsh, but it’s a reality in today’s business environment. What’s on that piece of paper could mean the difference between us landing that million dollar account or not. It’s no wonder my hair is turning gray already!" The people in the room laughed, with Jonathan agreeing and pointing to his thinning and graying hair.

When mailing a resume to a prospective employer, mail the document(s) in a manila envelope and do NOT fold or staple the resume. The employers also want to see a cover letter included. You may attach a cover letter to the resume with a paper clip in the upper left-hand corner.

"I will scan each resume quickly, seeing whether or not it’s even worth a closer look," Robert added. "If I like the layout and looks of the resume, I will then read it in greater detail. I can’t stress enough the importance of the resume."

In Closing

While first impressions may last, last impressions may be the first factor on whether or not you show up for work on Monday.

"When the interview is coming to an end, I will always ask the applicant if they have any questions," remarked Jonathan. "If I had a nickel for every time the response was "No, I think I’m fine", I’d be rich. If you want to impress me, ASK QUESTIONS! Let me rephrase that – ASK INTELLIGENT QUESTIONS! Believe it or not, If you ask me what the long-range plans of the association are, I will take that positively. I recommend you go into the interview with two or three questions in mind, than ask one or two additional questions on follow-ups to the interview."

Ask the interviewer what qualities they are looking for in their next employee. Then tell them how you can best meet those needs. This is an excellent way to explain why you are the best person for the position.

At the completion of the interview, stand up, shake each interviewer’s hand and thank them for taking the time to consider you for their position opening.

Final Thoughts

When each of the three hiring professionals were asked what was the most important aspect of the interviewing process they would like to convey to our visitors, they each replied with a different answer, thus validating the belief that the interview is a subjective experience requiring that each applicant utilize their talents to the fullest.

Julia: "Show me why I should hire you."

Robert: "Come prepared."

Jonathan: "Ask questions and give me intelligent answers."

- James Aure

Author of Expert’s Interview Advice and many other job and resume related articles – James Aure would be honored to assist you with your career resume, CV, cover letter and other job search needs. Please contact James at webmaster@aandaresume.com, 1-800-947-2410

From www.net-temps.com

Working for a Staffing Agency

Dear Joan:

I am looking to get any advice you have regarding working for Staffing Agencies for temporary or temp-to-hire positions in my town? I plan to switch to a different field. I can use my past employment skills for the new field. I feel now is a good time to have a fresh start in a new field as many companies have downsized to reduce costs. I am also thinking that there would be more work available through the agencies. To end, do you have any specific advice for negotiating a wage when employed by the agencies? I do not have a degree and the field I refer to does not require a degree. I just want to make sure I am on the right track as I go about this.

Thank you for suggestions/advice with anything I might be missing in the thought process.

Answer:

You are on the right track—staffing agencies hold the keys people can use to unlock this tough market. Human resources departments have been scaled back and are stretched thin. They often rely on professional staffing firms to help them recruit and to hire both temporary and full-time employees. In fact, staffing agencies often get the job posting from companies first, rather than the company advertising it to the public.

“The key to getting a great position through a staffing agency is this: Treat the agency as if they were a “real” employer—because they are,” says MaryAnn Raash, Milwaukee District Leader for SEEK Careers and Staffing. “If they don’t listen to instructions, or they dress in a sloppy way, or continually hound us, it reflects poorly on them as a candidate.”

Here are some specific tips from Raash:


Follow instructions to the letter. Every service is different, so stop in or go to their website to find out what the steps are. We have people who constantly call us but we keep telling them they need to follow the instructions first before we can see them. It can feel like stalking. If they don’t listen to us, they probably won’t listen to an employer. The sequence is often: 1. Send in a resume or submit one online. 2. Fill out an online application. 3. Clerical or other testing. 4. Face-to-face interview.

Put a resume together, no matter what job category you are in.

Distinguish yourself on your resume. In other words, what results did you get, what did people say about your customer service, work ethic, or team attitude? What value did you bring to the company? Put a “benefit statement” on your resume. In other words, what are you going to do for the employer? Focus on how you can help the company save money, make money, serve customers, produce a quality product, and so on. This will go a long way to get your foot in the door.

Find a way to get a face-to-face meeting. Some agencies don’t encourage this but how can they know how you come across unless they meet you in person? Even if you just stop in and get a few minutes with someone, you will have them as a contact.

Dress as if you could be hired on the spot—because you could be. For manufacturing-related jobs Dockers and a nice shirt would be fine. For office jobs, a blazer and nice slacks, for higher level jobs, a suit—however you would show up for work in your field.

Treat the service as if it is the only employer you want to work for. Says Raash, “I’ve had people say, ‘Well I don’t remember if I sent that in or not, I’ve called so many agencies…”

Don’t be so quick to turn down project work. Project work often turns into a good job because the employer falls in love with the person. Companies are gun shy and don’t want to offer jobs before they test someone out.

Write a hand-written thank you note. “I can count on one hand the number of personalized thank you notes I’ve received. Those people really stand out in my mind—and when you realize we can be in contact with 100 people a day-- that’s a big advantage. I don’t care if you go out to your car and write the note and bring it in and leave it at the front desk…it makes a difference.

The jobs dictate the salary, and the staffing service determines what the job will pay, so there isn’t as much room for negotiation. However, if you do a good job for an employer, you are in an excellent position to negotiate based upon how much they can see you’re worth.
Do you need answers to tough job hunting questions? Are you looking for some added punch to help you stand out from the crowd? Joan Lloyd’s has developed job hunting tools that can help you to maximize your job search:

Savvy Negotiation Strategies to Get Paid What You’re Worth on a New Job (Detailed, 8-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)

Easy, Step-by-step Guide to Using the Internet to Land a Great Job (Detailed, 10-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)

The Resume That Opens the Door and the Interview That Gets the Job (Detailed, 37-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)

Joan Lloyd has a solid track record of excellent results. Her firm, Joan Lloyd & Associates, specializes in leadership development, organizational change and teambuilding. This includes executive coaching, 360-degree feedback processes, customized leadership & presentation skills training, team assessment and teambuilding and retreat facilitation. Joan also provides consulting skills training for HR professionals. Clients report results such as: behavior change in leaders, improved team performance and a more committed workforce. Contact Joan Lloyd & Associates at (800) 348-1944, mailto:info@joanlloyd.com, or JoanLloyd.com

About Joan Lloyd

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From www.net-temps.com

60 Seconds and You’ve Got the Job

These days one slip in an interview and someone else gets your dream job. Of all the job hunting techniques I’ve ever taught, the 60 Second Sell interview technique is the one most clients tell me is, “the best thing I ever learned.” It’s a key strategy in my book 60 Seconds & You’re Hired! because it immediately captures and focuses the hiring manager's attention. Don’t enter your next interview without mastering this outlined technique.

The 60 Second Sell is a tool that helps you target your skills to meet the employer’s needs. It allows you to summarize your most marketable strengths in a brief and concise manner. Successful job hunters praised the tool for several reasons:


It was effective in capturing the employer’s attention.
It provided an excellent concise answer to tricky questions.
It was very easy to use the formula.
It provided a strategy plan for managing an interview.
It was a great way to end an interview.
The 60 Second Sell is a customized, 60-second memorized statement that summarizes and links together your FIVE top selling points to perform that employer’s specific job. For example, if the employer were hiring an accountant, you would want to summarize your years in the field and your computer expertise as two of your selling points. As you discuss each selling point, you must put them into an order so that the thoughts flow together in the most effective way. When you link the ideas into sentences it should be spoken in 60 seconds or less.

When to Use It

Most interviews are over before they ever really get started. You have to immediately capture the employer’s attention, get them tuned in to you as a true top-notch candidate. The 60 Second Sell is effective because it demonstrates your strengths and illustrates how you will fill the employer’s needs. That is the key to its success, and yours.

Open your interview by using your 60 Second Sell. Typically the first interview question is “Tell me about yourself.” Hiring Managers complain that people ramble, saying some people take 20 minutes offering a life story for their first answer. After the first minute or two, they say you have totally lost their attention. Starting with a 60 Second Sell solves this problem and engages the hiring manager immediately and concisely by stating here’s exactly HOW I can do your job.

“Why should I hire you?” is another question for which this technique is the perfect answer. An effective 60 Second Sell can convince them to hire you. Other applicable inquiries include: “What are your strengths?” “What makes you think you are qualified for this job?” “What makes you think you will succeed in this position?” “Why do you want this job?” These questions offer an excellent opportunity to stress your most marketable skills using your 60 Second Sell.

Be Memorable—End With a Convincing Close

Most seasoned interviewers will tell you that it is easy to forget a person the minute they walk out the door. Employers often sit back at the end of the day, look at the resumes and wonder who was who.

Using the 60 Second Sell ensures repetition of your major strengths. Closing with your 60 Second Sell leaves the employer with your most marketable points fresh in their minds as they fill out their evaluation form.

This technique really is the perfect ending, when the employer has asked all their questions, you’ve asked yours, you’ve learned about the next stage, and when they will be making a decision. This employer will remember when you end by saying “Thank you for this opportunity to meet with you today." In closing, let me summarize for you what I’d bring to this job"…and insert your 60 Second Sell.

- Robin Ryan

Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil is considered America’s top career coach. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, resume writing services, interview preparation, salary negotiations, and outplacement, to clients nationwide. She is the best-selling author of: " 60 Seconds & You're Hired!", " Soaring On Your Strengths", " What to Do with the Rest of Your Life", " Winning Resumes" and, "Winning Cover Letters". A dynamic national speaker, Robin has spoken to over 1200 audiences sharing her insights on how to improve their lives and obtain greater success. Contact Robin at: 425.226.0414, or email: robin@robinryan.com, or visit her website: www.robinbyan.com

Need more assistance? Robin is available to help you achieve your goals and dreams with individual career counseling. Click here to learn more.

© Copyright 2009 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.

From www.executeam.com

The Changing Face of Temporary Work

Routinely asked if temporary work should be listed on a resume, I always give the same answer: YES! Temporary work is a great way to fill the gaps between jobs or after being laid off. It can also serve as a gateway to re-enter the workforce, enable a career change or help you get a foot in the door to the corporate world. Long gaps between jobs may prevent you from getting an interview; temporary work will fill the gaps, help keep your skills current and allow you to meet people and network while making your resume more attractive to potential employers.

Temporary employment isn’t just answering the phone or typing up letters anymore. Temporary employees work as accountants, paralegals, dental hygienists, x-ray technicians, human resource representatives and in many other skilled professions. Harvard grads, MBAs, ex-dentists and lawyers, real estate agents, musicians, aspiring actors and teachers are just a few of the candidates in the temp pool today.

Janae turned to temping when an injury prevented her from working as a dentist. She was placed as a temporary Administrative Assistant at a prestigious medical center where after proving herself, was hired as a Special Project Analyst. This position involved creating and analyzing databases to determine future satellite locations as well as regional advertising campaigns. Janae credits this success to temping.

The face of temporary work is changing. It’s time to get noticed – consider temping!

Temping is a personal choice. Whether you temp to explore career options or to get your resume noticed amidst a multitude of candidates or to just build experience and skills, it’s up to you. There are Career Temps who enjoy the flexibility of short-term assignments and the extra money for travel and leisure as well as Transitional Temps who may be moving, want to further their studies while temping or change careers completely. Once you figure out how temporary work may benefit your particular situation, it’s time to consider how to get noticed by an agency!

Dave, who admits he stumbled upon the idea of temping at a career fair, says “…temping turned out to be the best thing I could have done.” A former music teacher looking for steady income and work, Dave was exposed to various jobs by temping until landing his current permanent position at an architectural firm where he works as an Architectural and Engineering Designer. Dave is responsible for drafting, 3d rendering, marketing materials, graphic design, IT support and much more.

Temporary work isn’t always easy to get! Candidates with college degrees are competing with those that entered the workforce right after high school and offer real world experience. Computer knowledge including email, Internet research and MS Office skills are now requirements to get temporary work. Additionally, recruiters want to see soft skills including personality, presentation, attitude and other “fit” factors as well as flexibility on pay and location.

Letters of recommendation, excellent references and continually building your skill-set will set you apart from the competitive pool of talent as well.

Kristen decided to explore the idea of temping after being a stay-at-home mom for 12 years. She states, “I lacked a steady, progressive work history. I thought I would have a better chance temping at a company, letting them see my work ethic, capabilities and personality first hand and then hoping it would lead to a permanent job offer.” Kristen, formerly an Operations Analyst before staying at home with her children, was hired as a Human Resources/Payroll Administrator after temping for just over a month.

Once you are in the door - make a recruiter work for you! Many times recruiters are able to help job seekers get an interview or assignment they never thought possible. Working with an agency recruiter instead of going directly to a company has its advantages. A good recruiter will have solid client relationships. While your resume lacks the ability to reflect what’s not written on paper, a recruiter can speak those hidden words, get in your corner and pave the way for you to showcase your talent in person. There are occasions where clients have asked to hire temps after only a week of temping and temp-to-hire assignments are becoming increasingly popular – it can happen to you!

- Jennifer Barrett

Jennifer, a New York native, has been in the staffing industry for more than ten years and has experience in sales, recruiting and management. Currently, Jennifer is responsible for planning and strategy development as Director of Recruitment at Lauren Staffing. In her recruiting, she uses a consultative approach and strives to make the perfect matches for her candidates and clients by understanding their individual needs and aligning them to benefit both. Jennifer utilizes her Masters in Management to understand the needs of executive level hiring managers, as well as her degree in Spanish to recruit and place bilingual Spanish-speaking professionals.

www.laurenstaffing.com

From www.net-temps.com

Accounting Division Manager

Supervise accounting and fixed assets in the coordination, implementation, administration, and operations. Responsible for AR, AP, year-end accruals, bank reconciliation, fixed assets, auditing, etc. Will undertake in depth analyses and make recommendations. Coordinates and conducts special projects. Requirements: strong written and verbal communication skills, and able to think creatively and critically. 7 years experience with 3 years in a supervisory role. Bachelor's in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field. A Master's in Business Administration or Public Administration can substitute for the # of years of experience.

Medical Techonologist - You Don't Want to Miss This Opportunity

Growing CLIA accredited laboratory has immediate positions available for experienced Medical Technologist. Candidates must be MT certified or possess a Bachelor's degree in a science major (biology, chemistry, biochemistry, forensics, etc). Reference lab experience required (tissue culture and chemistry). Must be ASCP certified or eligible. New graduates are welcomed to apply. Day shift position with rotational weekends, competitive salary, and benefits including overtime pay.