June 30, 2009 by Jennifer Schoennagel
If you are in the job market and searching for a new career opportunity, make sure you do your homework on your prospective employer. Check them out on Linked In and see if you know anyone who works there (or used to work there). Find out what type of employer they are – is it a positive work environment? Do they value their employees? Have they been doing layoffs lately? If they have been doing layoffs you shouldn’t be surprised if you don’t get a call back from them. If you should get an interview, ask them directly why they are hiring for the position you are interviewing for but they are laying off in other areas.
We tend to bend over backwards for the people we are interviewing for but we can find ourselves in a bad situation if we don’t know what are getting ourselves into.
There is a fine line between a high maintenance candidate and doing your due diligence – keep that in mind as well. You can do most of your research behind the scenes without bothering the employer. For the issues you have to speak with them directly about (like compensation) wait for the right time. If you rush everything into the first interview you may leave the wrong impression. It’s like dating – if you talk about marriage on the first date, you may scare the other person away.
Good luck!
Jennifer Schoennagel
CEO, Business Partners 360
www.businesspartners360.com
Tags: interview, interviewing, job search, job seeking, recruiter
Posted in For Job Seekers | Leave a Comment »
June 24, 2009 by Jennifer Schoennagel
I know it can be hard when hiring managers and recruiters don’t call you back but DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY! I know it feels awful but it truly isn’t personal – we are getting resumes in droves and it is hard to touch each person. I know companies (like ours) commit to confirming receipt of the resume and setting expectations properly but don’t expect too much more than that.
Also keep in mind that many in those positions are doing the job of 2 to 3 people these days – they truly want to get back to you but they can’t. I have talked to several executives and recruiters that received pay cuts, additional work and less benefits so this economy is truly affecting everyone.
Stay positive, polite and cordial. Do not act frustrated or annoyed (even if you are) – that is a huge turn off. The goal is to get the interview and hired, not be the manners police! Hang in there – we will get through this together!
Jennifer Schoennagel
CEO, Business Partners 360
www.businesspartners360.com
Tags: frustrated job search, job search, job seeker, recruiter, unemployed
Posted in For Job Seekers | Leave a Comment »
June 18, 2009 by Jennifer Schoennagel
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!!
There is truly no better, more effective way to become a good interviewee. Seek out your friends and colleagues that have interviewing experience to interview you.
You can practice with just a few questions BUT they can’t tell you the questions in advance and they can’t give you easy ones. Ask them for questions they would ask their own candidates when they are hiring.
Finally be sure to ask for feedback and encourage them to be honest. Tell them that this could be the difference between getting a job or not getting a job so you want their honesty. Try to get some practice in once a week and before you know it you will look forward to interviews!
Jennifer Schoennagel
CEO, Business Partners 360
www.businesspartners360.com
Tags: fear of interviewing, interview fears, interview tips, successful interviews
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
June 17, 2009 by Jennifer Schoennagel
I have been reading and hearing more and more that hiring based on a job interview is a poor way of deciding on the right candidate. The rationale for this is most jobs do not involve interviewing as a day to day task. There is so much pressure in an interviewing situation that it likely brings out a nervous candidate, not a candidate at their best.
Consider including a real world example during the interviewing process. Ask the candidate to provide a writing sample, present a mini-business plan or diagnose broken code (depending on what you are hiring for obviously). This will show their actual ability AND most likely make the candidate comfortable in their element. You can also see how they take criticsm of their work (if you have any).
Happy Hiring!
Jennifer Schoennagel
CEO, Business Partners 360
www.businesspartners360.com
Tags: effective interviews, hiring, interview tips, recruiters
Posted in For Hiring Managers | Leave a Comment »