Tag

Tagged with: Job interview
How To Explain Being Laid Off Multiple Times

How To Explain Being Laid Off Multiple Times
  • December 16th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on How To Explain Being Laid Off Multiple Times
  • -

Being laid off multiple times can feel overwhelming, especially when it happens back to back. It’s a scenario that leaves many professionals struggling to articulate their experiences during job interviews. The truth is, while it’s natural to internalize blame, being laid off isn’t necessarily a reflection of your abilities or worth. Here’s how to reframe your perspective and confidently explain your situation.

Why Being Laid Off Feels Personal

The initial reaction to a layoff is often self-doubt. You might think, “If I was good enough, they would have kept me.” But layoffs often have more to do with external factors than personal performance. Market shifts, company restructuring, or declining relevance of certain skill sets are common reasons people are let go.

When it happens a second time, the self-doubt can deepen. You might think, “Lightning doesn’t strike twice—this must be my fault.” However, the reality is that back-to-back layoffs often follow a pattern. For example, if you transitioned to a similar role after your first layoff, the second company may have faced the same challenges, leading to another layoff.

Understanding the Pattern

Woman on laptop thinks about filling out a job application after getting laid off

Here’s a common scenario:

  1. Your skill set or department becomes less relevant to the organization, leading to a layoff.
  2. In your urgency to find a new job, you accept a similar role in a company facing similar challenges.
  3. The new employer eventually encounters the same issues as the first, resulting in another layoff.

This cycle doesn’t mean you’re at fault. Instead, it highlights an opportunity to analyze the circumstances and make more strategic career moves.

How to Explain Back-to-Back Layoffs

Man answers a question during a job interview

When asked about consecutive layoffs in an interview, your goal is to show accountability and growth. Here’s how you can craft your response:

1. Acknowledge the experience

Start with an honest reflection, framing it as a learning opportunity.

“If you had told me three years ago that I’d experience two layoffs back to back, I wouldn’t have believed you. But looking back, I’ve gained clarity about what happened and what I’ve learned from it.”

2. Analyze the situation

Demonstrate that you’ve thoughtfully considered the circumstances and identified patterns.

“At my first company, there were signs that my department’s role was becoming less relevant. I stayed until I was laid off, and then quickly found a similar job. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that my new employer was facing the same challenges. That led to a similar outcome.”

3. Show accountability and growth

Explain how you’ve adapted and what steps you’ll take moving forward.

“Looking back, I can see two key lessons. First, I should have started exploring new opportunities as soon as I saw signs of instability at my first employer. Second, I should have broadened my job search to include roles where my skills could align with more stable, forward-looking organizations. These experiences have helped me refine my career strategy, and I’m committed to finding a role where I can make a long-term impact.”

This response conveys intelligence, accountability, and a commitment to growth—qualities any employer values.

The “Experience + Learn = Grow” Model

Woman answers an interview question

This approach is rooted in the “Experience + Learn = Grow” framework, which ensures your answers are structured, articulate, and professional. It’s the best way to answer those tough behavioral questions in job interviews.

Using this method, you can:

  • Share your story with confidence.
  • Highlight what you’ve learned.
  • Showcase your ability to grow from challenges.

Your Next Step

If you’re ready to master tough interview questions like this, Work It DAILY offers the tools you need. Sign up for a 7-day free trial to access our interview prep program and learn how to craft responses that position you as a must-have candidate.

Being laid off multiple times doesn’t define your career—it’s how you respond and grow that truly matters. Use these strategies to turn past challenges into a compelling story of resilience and adaptability.

Good luck! Go get ’em.

Read More
Why You’re Getting Interviews But No Job Offers

Why You’re Getting Interviews But No Job Offers
  • November 12th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on Why You’re Getting Interviews But No Job Offers
  • -

If you’re getting interviews but no offers, you may be unknowingly saying something in the interview that’s keeping you from standing out as the “must-have” candidate. The whole purpose of an interview is to showcase that you’re the solution to the company’s challenges and needs. Yet candidates with extensive experience—often 15 years or more—may struggle to communicate this effectively.

The Common Misstep of Seasoned Professionals

One common issue for seasoned professionals is feeling the need to showcase their vast experience by presenting themselves as a “Jack or Jill of all trades.” They often say, “I can do this, I’ve done that,” listing a broad range of skills and achievements. While this might seem like a good strategy to demonstrate capability, it can backfire. When you’re running through a laundry list of skills, it can come across as overwhelming or even boastful—like a know-it-all, narcissist, or “bull in a china shop.”

The unfortunate result? The interviewer may perceive you as either difficult to work with or overly desperate. Think of it like trying to sell a high-end luxury car for the price of an economy model—interviewers may view it as too good to be true, which triggers skepticism instead of confidence.

Shifting Your Interview Strategy

Woman demonstrates her value in a job interview

After 15 years of experience, your interview approach should be markedly different from someone with just a few years in the industry. Instead of listing capabilities, aim to position yourself as a specialist with deep insight into the company’s needs. Here’s how:

  1. Ask Insightful Questions: Take time to ask detailed questions that demonstrate a genuine interest in the company’s specific challenges. This shows that you’re attentive, not just rattling off qualifications.
  2. Use Targeted Examples: Provide precise, relevant examples from your career to illustrate your expertise. Instead of stating you can handle everything, focus on specific achievements that directly relate to the role you’re interviewing for.
  3. Agitate the Pain Points: At Work It DAILY we teach a technique called “agitating the pain,” which involves showcasing your understanding of the issues the company is facing. Reflect the company’s pain points back to them and show that you have experience with similar challenges. For example, you might say, “Based on what you’ve shared, here’s how I would approach this challenge. At my previous company, we faced a similar issue, and I handled it by doing X, Y, and Z. Do you think a similar approach could work here?” This kind of collaborative approach feels less like a lecture and more like a tailored solution.
  4. Collaborate, Don’t Dictate: Instead of presenting your skills in a way that might feel one-sided, engage with the interviewer. Ask for feedback on your ideas and adapt them to their responses. Successful, savvy professionals do this naturally, and it’s a powerful way to build rapport.

Avoiding the “Oversell” Trap

Man shakes hands with the hiring manager after a job interview

With years of experience, you may be unknowingly overselling yourself. This can make you seem more like a “know-it-all” than a team player. By focusing on collaboration and targeted examples, you’ll present yourself as a valuable asset without overwhelming your interviewer.

If you’re over 40 or have significant career experience, you might find specific guidance helpful to adjust your interview approach. Work It DAILY offers a video tutorial inside our Interview Prep Course that’s tailored for seasoned professionals. Through our seven-day free trial, you can access this and other resources to refine your interview technique, ensuring that your experience shines in a way that lands just right with potential employers.

With these adjustments, you can transform your interview approach and become the must-have candidate who truly stands out.

Good luck! Go get ’em.

Read More
3 Critical Salary Negotiation Tips For 2024

3 Critical Salary Negotiation Tips For 2024
  • April 29th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on 3 Critical Salary Negotiation Tips For 2024
  • -

The job search market has completely changed. It is now an employer’s market. Companies have a lot of options to choose from, and they’re being very strategic and picky about who they hire. They’re also being budget conscious; they want the best bang for their buck, the greatest return on investment. So, how do you successfully negotiate salary in this kind of labor market?

If you want to negotiate a higher salary in 2024, follow these three critical salary negotiation tips.

1. Don’t Negotiate Salary When It’s Listed In the Job Description

Many hiring managers are given a set salary or bonus structure for a new hire that they’re told not to exceed. With that in mind, if a company has the salary range for a job publicly listed in the job description, please understand that they’re not even going to entertain talking to anybody who doesn’t agree to that amount.

So if your walkway rate, which is the least amount of money you could accept without having to still look for another job, is not in that range, it is not worth your time to apply.

If they post a range, you better be in that range—or don’t bother applying.

2. Use Evidence-Based Answering In Job Interviews To Prove Your Value

The interview process is where you make sure that you get the highest amount of money possible, and you’re going to accomplish that through evidence-based answering.

Evidence-based answering is when you provide very clear and concrete examples of how you achieved results in your career that show you can do the job. You can’t just say that you have the experience and give hypotheticals in this competitive market. You need to provide the evidence with storytelling.

At Work It DAILY, we call this storytelling technique the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model. It’s a framework for making sure that you answer behavioral interview questions correctly, giving the right amount of evidence to prove your value.

When you correctly use evidence-based answering in a job interview, you are proving to the hiring manager that you have the value that they need. I talk about how important your unique value add (UVA) is all the time. You demonstrate your UVA through this kind of evidence-based answering.

3. Create A Table To Show You Exceed Their Expectations & Requirements

When you get the job offer and it’s time to negotiate salary, you should have a two-column table ready to give to the hiring manager.

In the first column of this table, list all of the things that are required to do the job you’re interviewing for. Go back to the job description, but also add in anything else they told you through the interview process that is a requirement to do this job.

In the second column, match up your experience to these requirements. If they said you need five years of experience and you have seven, put seven in this second column. If they said you need to be able to do a certain type of project and you’ve done it 20 times, say you’ve done that project 20 times.

Then, go through the document, and any place where you exceed the requirement that they asked for, highlight it in green.

This becomes the document that you are going to use to negotiate a higher salary so that if you get the offer and the salary is lower than what you expected, you can go back to the hiring manager and say…

“I’m really honored and excited to get this job. However, I was hoping for X. I put together this table because this shows that I not only meet all your expectations, but in green, you can see where I exceed them. I truly believe I’m going to give you the best return on your investment if you pay me X, and I would love it if you would consider that because it would give me the confidence that you believe in me and I will make sure I am worth every penny.”

These three tips are going to help you maximize your salary negotiation in this current job market. Spending the time to create a table and use evidence-based answering in the job interview will make all the difference. You don’t want to wing it. The more you prepare for salary negotiation, the better off you’re going to be. I promise.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

Read More
How To Answer 3 Interview Questions For The “Over 50” Job Seeker

How To Answer 3 Interview Questions For The “Over 50” Job Seeker
  • April 23rd, 2024
  • - Comments Off on How To Answer 3 Interview Questions For The “Over 50” Job Seeker
  • -

Navigating a successful job search can be tricky for job seekers over the age of 50 (and very often those over 40 too). Age discrimination is alive and well, and even though your resume got you to the interview, your “experience” might be a drawback.

Here are three interview questions you may be asked as an older job seeker with the best strategies for how to answer them.

1. You Seem To Be Overqualified For This Job.

This isn’t framed as a question, but it does demand a response—or you’ve lost the opportunity. You know they liked what they saw in your resume, but when they’re staring you in the face, they’re wondering if you’re really going to be a good fit. Will you be unhappy that you’re taking a job that’s “less than” what you’re capable of? Will you be bored? Will you fit in? Are you only marking time until retirement?

Help them see that you’re a good fit with an answer that addresses those underlying concerns:

“I may be overqualified, but I see that as a bonus for you. I am more than ready to do this job, and I understand what it takes to be successful in it. Aside from learning the specific way you do things at this organization, my actual task learning curve would be flat and I could produce results almost immediately.”

Pointing out what they stand to gain from this deal is always a good idea.

“I may be overqualified, but this particular position looks great to me because of X.”

“X” may be any number of reasons: you really like their product /service, you are excited about the work they’re doing, or even a more personal reason.

One gentleman I know told his interviewer, “My current job is over an hour away and I don’t want to move because I like where I live. The quality of life I’d get from eliminating that long commute would mean a lot to me.” It was a real reason and calmed their fears about hiring him.

2. How Do I Know You’ll Be Really Motivated To Do This Job?

This is not just a question of motivation, but also one about your energy and enthusiasm. You have several good options for answering it:

  • Offer your references to speak for you and your work ethic. References are powerful.
  • Point out a recent big accomplishment. If it’s only been a few months since you won an award or conquered a major challenge, the motivation question should be answered.
  • Bring a 30-60-90 day plan to your interview. There’s nothing like putting together a plan for success on the job before you get it. It’s a powerful demonstration of your work ethic, your knowledge, and your critical thinking skills.

3. How Would You Feel If You Worked For Someone Who Knows Less Than You?

Working for someone who knows less than you do is not great—and if you truly are someone who’s been around the block, you’ve probably gained a lot of wisdom and judgment that a younger person just can’t have. However, to answer this question, the only really good answer sounds something like this:

“I have found that even if someone knows less than me in one area, they know more than me in another. I usually find that I can learn something useful from everyone, and I think it’s exciting to work with a wide range of people because of that.”

Keep all your answers focused on the positive, and they will go a long way toward supporting your candidacy.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

Read More
Being Your Own Reference: Rating Yourself As A Professional In The Job Interview

Being Your Own Reference: Rating Yourself As A Professional In The Job Interview
  • April 18th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on Being Your Own Reference: Rating Yourself As A Professional In The Job Interview
  • -

Have you ever been asked, “How do you rate yourself?” in a job interview? The qualifier could be “as a professional,” “as an employee,” or maybe as the holder of a certain skill set. In most cases, they want you to give them an answer between 1 and 10 in order to get some concrete idea of where you and your skills are.

This is a tough question to answer. You will find advice that you should always rank yourself as a 10, or even higher. They say that anything less makes it look like you don’t have confidence in yourself or that you’re admitting a weakness.

In my opinion, automatically rating yourself at a 10 makes you seem a little conceited (at best). It sounds like a false answer, just like “I’m such a perfectionist” does to the “What’s your greatest weakness?” question.

At the same time, answering “5” may keep them from offering you the job.

Here’s how you should really answer, “How do you rate yourself?” in a sincere, job-winning way:

The best answer for someone with experience is a 7 or an 8. You’d elaborate on that by saying something along the lines of you see yourself as someone who’s learned a lot and is valuable at this point in your career, but you also realize that you can learn more from this organization—and then say what that is. This is reasonable, positive, and appealing.

If you’re just out of school or have very little experience, you should answer a little lower, at maybe a 6 or a 7. Again, elaborate on your answer. You see yourself as better than average (5) but with room to grow. You’re excited about what you can learn from this company and how you can contribute to it.

Is it ever okay to rate yourself at a 9 or a 10? Yes, but only if you’re a true subject matter expert with extensive experience. In most cases, we all have room to learn and improve.

Your interviewer will be surprised that you don’t automatically tell them “10” (or in some cases “11”). So make sure you explain your thought process. Say something like, “On a scale of 1 to 10, a 5 would be a true average, and a 10 is perfect. I think I’m better than average, and no one is perfect.”

Continue the conversation in a positive vein by pointing out what you’ve learned that makes you valuable, qualities that make you a great fit for the job, and why you’re excited to continue your career at this company.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

Read More
The Job Search Tip Introverts Hate (But Desperately Need)

The Job Search Tip Introverts Hate (But Desperately Need)
  • April 17th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on The Job Search Tip Introverts Hate (But Desperately Need)
  • -

No matter how talented, skilled, or educated you are, if you’re an introvert, you’re at a bit of a disadvantage in a job search. I am not an introvert, but I speak to a lot of them, coaching them through the process of getting a new job. The vast majority of them are amazing, highly qualified people who do their jobs extremely well—but they have a lot of trouble when it comes time to get hired.

There’s one piece of advice I give that introverts almost universally step back from or even sneer at. Here’s what it is…are you ready?

The job search is a sales process, and you need to “sell yourself” within that process.

What I’ve found is that job seekers with more reserved personalities aren’t as interested in hearing this. They take a big step back from this kind of mindset because it comes with a need for more aggressiveness or assertiveness than they might be naturally comfortable with in a job search.

If you’re an introvert, what kind of image pops up in your mind when you hear that? An overly aggressive used-car salesman? A pitchman on a TV infomercial? Put those thoughts out of your head. That isn’t at all what I mean.

What I’m talking about is a guideline or a frame of reference you can use to take action that will get you hired. It does require you to step out of your comfort zone, but the rewards for making that effort are great. You have a greater chance of winding up in a job you love, rather than a job that appears in front of you that may not be the best fit. You will almost certainly get a job faster, which puts money in your pocket in terms of a paycheck. Months without earning a paycheck adds up to thousands of dollars in lost income.

How does “selling yourself” work in practical terms? In the big picture, you are the “product” (aka business-of-one), the hiring manager (your future boss) is the “customer,” and your salary is the “purchase price.” The psychological process of an employer choosing to hire you is the same as that of a customer choosing to buy a product. When you break that down, you see that:

1. Your resume is a marketing document (not a job history) that needs to reveal the benefits of the product using data-based evidence. That means using numbers, dollars, and percentages to describe your accomplishments.

2. Your social media profiles are advertising—like commercials or billboards that grab attention and generate interest in your product. (You must be on LinkedIn, but don’t forget the power of other social media platforms.)

3. The interview is a sales call where you’re talking to the customer about what your product can do for them. How can you benefit that company? What value do you bring? When you think of it this way, all of your interview answers become another way for you to show or describe what they’ll get out of hiring you. This makes all your answers much more effective.

4. Also in the interview, you’ll bring “sales materials” that are printed evidence of the benefits of your product. You’ll bring a brag book that shows your past successes, as well as a 30-60-90 day plan that maps out what you will do for them in the future.

5. At the end of the interview, you act like a sales rep and close. This means that you ask for the business or the sale—the job. You say something like, “Based on what we’ve talked about so far, do you agree that I would be a good fit for this job?”

This question is a technique borrowed directly from sales pitches. Most introverts are intensely uncomfortable with the idea of closing. However, I think that the results you will get from it are worth stepping out of your comfort zone.

If you do feel uncomfortable, stop thinking of it as a sales technique. Think of it as good communication—because it is. You’re simply asking, “Are we on the same page? Have I told you everything you need to know?” All of these steps are really about communicating more effectively with hiring managers.

Better communication is a goal worth chasing for all of us. If you’re an introvert, coming at your job search with this mindset will help you get a better job.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

Read More
Spring Cleaning: 4 Ways To Fix Your Job Search

Spring Cleaning: 4 Ways To Fix Your Job Search
  • March 20th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on Spring Cleaning: 4 Ways To Fix Your Job Search
  • -

Spring Cleaning: 4 Ways To Fix Your Job Search

Is your job search turning into a grind with no end in sight? It may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your entire approach.

In cold weather climates, the beginning of spring is a time to clean the house and get organized—a practice known as spring cleaning. Through the years, spring cleaning has taken on a larger meaning with people using the time to organize and declutter things in their lives.

For professionals on the job hunt, a little spring cleaning (metaphorically speaking) could be a great way to reinvigorate your job search. Here are a few strategies your job search spring cleaning should include.

Reevaluate Your Job Search Approach

Man thinks about/reevaluates his job search approach/strategy while unemployed

Make a list of the last handful of jobs you applied for and see if you can identify any positive or negative trends. Consider things like:

  • How did I learn about this job?
  • How did I apply for the job?
  • Did I earn an interview?
  • What was the ultimate result?

A lot can be learned about your job search approach just by answering these questions and identifying patterns. For example:

Negative Trends

You discovered five jobs through job boards, applied to all of them via the job boards, and never heard back from any of them.

The common pattern here is applying through job boards. This isn’t to say that job boards don’t serve a purpose in the job search process, but they have their limitations, and you can’t run your job search entirely off of them. When you apply through a job board, there’s a good chance that your materials will never get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and never be seen by an actual person.

One simple fix is to research who the hiring manager or recruiter is that posted the position and email your materials to them directly.

The more efficient fix would be to take a proactive approach by putting together a bucket list of companies that you want to work for and start making connections on LinkedIn with people who work at those companies. You may already know some people who work there or have connections that can refer you to some individuals.

This is a great way to network your way onto a company’s radar.

Positive Trends

You applied to three jobs via referral, were invited to two job interviews, and made it through multiple rounds of interviews for one of the jobs before being passed over for someone with a little more experience.

The pattern here is that getting referred to a job by a professional acquaintance is a great way to land a job interview. This indicates that you’re leveraging your network well and you should continue to focus on your networking efforts.

The next step is to review the interview process and determine what went well and what needs to be improved. Sometimes the interviewer will provide feedback, and that feedback can be valuable. However, not everyone is comfortable with giving feedback.

Chances are you probably have a good idea about areas of improvement and the skills you need to gain. Put together a plan for addressing those shortfalls.

The good news in making it deep into any interview process is that it indicates that the company likes you as a potential employee (even if the timing just wasn’t right) and the experience could be a roadmap to a job with that company at a later date, or another similar opportunity elsewhere.

Give Your Resume & Cover Letter Some Much-Needed Attention

Woman on laptop writes and formats her resume to get it past the ATS

Are you continuously sending similar resumes and cover letters to each job opening with only minor adjustments? If so, your strategy needs some serious spring cleaning.

Let’s start with resumes!

Every resume should be tailored to the position in order for it to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually less work than submitting the same resume over and over again and never hearing back.

The reason why it’s so important to tailor your resume is that throughout your career, you acquire numerous skills, but the job you’re applying for may only be focusing on 6-8 of those skills. In that case, those skills must rise to the top of the resume with quantifiable examples of how you successfully used those skills at previous jobs.

Remember, recruiters go through hundreds of resumes. They need to be able to tell from a quick glance whether or not you’re a potential candidate for the position.

While updating your resume, you could also spruce up your LinkedIn profile by highlighting the skill sets that you want to be noticed for by recruiters.

As for writing a good cover letter, the key to success is writing a disruptive cover letter. When you write a disruptive cover letter, you’re basically telling a story. The story should focus on how you connect with the particular company and job position. The story could also focus on your personal journey, and how you got to where you currently are in your career.

If your resumes and cover letters aren’t unique, now is the time to clean things up and get on track.

Build Your Personal Brand

Just because you’re looking for work doesn’t mean that you don’t have anything to offer. Use previous career experiences and passions to build your personal brand.

Ask yourself, “How do I want other professionals to view me?”

Pick an area of expertise and start sharing your knowledge and experience with your professional network by pushing out content on your LinkedIn and social media accounts. Good content can include blogs, social media posts, and videos.

By sharing content about your experiences and passions, you slowly build your personal brand, and others will start to notice. The content could lead to good discussions with others in your network. It could also lead to reconnecting with connections that you haven’t spoken to in years, or making new connections.

You never know when one of these connections could turn into a job lead or referral. The trick is to get on people’s radars. So, when you’re cleaning up your job search, be sure to build a plan for personal branding.

Maintain Healthy Habits During Your Job Search

People exercise during their job search

Your job search is important, but it’s even more important to know when to pull back and focus on personal health and spending time with family and friends.

There are actually things that you can do for your own enjoyment that could help your job search in the long run, such as:

  • Grab coffee with a friend – It’s good to engage in light conversation with friends during challenging times. And if your job search does come up, remember that most people have been through it themselves and you never know when a friend may provide you with a good idea or lead on a job.
  • Volunteer – Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community and help others. In addition, if you develop a little bit of a career gap while looking for a job, you can always talk about how you filled that time volunteering, if you’re asked about it during a job interview.
  • Continue to focus on other passions – Are you a fitness nut? Blogger? Crafter? Continue to do the things that bring you happiness. And if you’re in a position to profit from your passion through a freelance job or side hustle, even better!

Spring is the perfect time to clean up and improve your job search so you can land the job you want. If you’re struggling to find a job, follow the tips above to reinvigorate your job search—and watch your career blossom!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.


Read More
3 Types Of Questions You Should Ask At The End Of Job Interviews

3 Types Of Questions You Should Ask At The End Of Job Interviews
  • March 18th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on 3 Types Of Questions You Should Ask At The End Of Job Interviews
  • -

3 Types Of Questions You Should Ask At The End Of Job Interviews

There are three types of questions I teach all of my career coaching clients to ask when they are in an interview. These three questions are especially important when you’re in those final stage interviews with higher-ups. If you ask these critical questions, you are going to be seen as more intelligent, more engaging, and the candidate who will give them the return on the investment they’re looking for if they hire you.

At the end of your next job interview, make sure you ask the following three questions so you can stand out as the best candidate for the job.

1. A Connection Question

When you get to the end of the interview and the hiring manager says, “Do you have any questions?” the first type of question you want to ask is a connection question. This type of question allows you to ask them about their experience at the company. Here are some examples:

  • How did you get your job here?
  • What do you like most about working here?
  • What’s the most impactful part of your job?

I particularly like the connection question around how they ended up in their job and what they like most about it because it gives the hiring manager a chance to talk about their own professional journey and people enjoy sharing that.

2. A Question About The Company’s Challenges

Man asks about the company in a job interview

The second type of question you want to ask should be about the company’s difficulties and challenges. Here are some examples:

  • What is the greatest challenge your department will face this year?
  • What do you think is the biggest challenge the company will face this year?

Then, you end the question with this:

  • And how will the role that I am interviewing for help overcome that challenge?
  • And how would the job I’d be doing positively impact overcoming that challenge?

By asking this type of question, you’re saying, “I get it. You’re hiring me to solve problems and alleviate pain. So tell me about the big challenges.” In fact, I’ve even coached people to say:

  • Can you tell me the one thing that’s keeping you up at night with respect to the business? And how will the job that I’m doing help with that?

No matter how you phrase it, this type of question lets the hiring manager vent and talk about what concerns them, and it also gives you the framework of what you would need to do in order to succeed in the role.

3. A Question About Next Steps In the Process

Woman shakes hands with the hiring manager before a job interview

The third and final type of question that is so important to ask in a job interview is about the next steps in the process. Here are some examples:

  • Can you tell me what the next steps in this hiring process process are?
  • Can you tell me what I can expect going forward in this hiring process?
  • Can you tell me how you feel about me as a candidate for this role? And is there anything else you feel I could provide for you that would help me stand out? Because I’m really interested in the job.

This closing question is all about you getting to the bottom of what to expect (managing your own expectations), and the hiring manager should be able to frame that out for you.

I’ve given you a few different examples of how to ask these questions because everyone has to find their own voice. So, at the end of your next job interview, remember to ask these three types of questions (we’ll call them the three Cs), and ask them in a way that feels right to you:

  1. Connection question
  2. Challenge question
  3. Closing question

When you ask these questions consistently, you’re going to see much better results from your interviews. I guarantee it.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

Read More
4 Ways To Recover From A Bad Job Interview

4 Ways To Recover From A Bad Job Interview
  • March 7th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on 4 Ways To Recover From A Bad Job Interview
  • -

4 Ways To Recover From A Bad Job Interview

Did you ever leave a job interview feeling like it didn’t go so well? Self-doubt can creep in as soon as you walk out the door. Little things nag at you like your posture, tone, and the answers you gave.

You can turn these negative experiences into positive ones and become better at interviews.

Every setback in life is an opportunity to learn, and there are multiple things that you can learn from a bad job interview that could lead to success in the next one.

Here’s what you need to do to recover from your mistakes and put yourself in a position to ace your next job interview.

Take Notes Following The Interview

After the interview is over, take a step back and think about the interview.

Write what you feel may have gone wrong. Putting your thoughts on paper after the interview gives them the most validity. This is when raw emotions come out and your thoughts are true. After a couple of days, revisit what you wrote. Look at your entries completed in the heat of the moment. Reflecting on these thoughts with a clear head can help you focus on how to develop your interviewing skills.

It also may be helpful to talk to a friend or professional acquaintance about your poor interview experience and get their feedback.

Identify Strengths

Woman identifies her strengths with a career coach before a job interview

The job interview can be a crucible. It is a source of stress for most job seekers. The thought of saying something wrong or not presenting yourself correctly can be taxing in an already nerve-wracking job search. However, stress and adversity can make you stronger going forward in any job interview process.

Think about what you did that went well. Did you explain situations you were in through solid storytelling? Reflect on what parts of interviews you were most comfortable in. Think about your approach and mindset in these areas. Develop an interview strategy with this as your foundation.

Set Up A Routine

Confident man waits before his job interview

Many great figures in sports set up a routine before every game. Whether it’s because they are superstitious or not, there is a level of comfort in doing something familiar. It eases their minds and gets them into the flow of the game. Develop your own routine for yourself with job interviews.

Set up a consistent practice routine where you dedicate a certain amount of time on a daily basis to preparing for the interview. Try to do at least one mock interview with a trusted friend or colleague.

The morning of an interview, go for a run, read, or do something you enjoy that gets your mind off the interview. Develop a routine and set your own flow, and you will improve in the job interview.

Send Thank-You Notes

Woman on laptop writes a thank-you note after a job interview

You should not only send a brief thank-you note after the interview thanking the company for the opportunity to interview for the job, but you should also send a brief thank-you note after receiving a job rejection.

A job rejection can be an opportunity to get some feedback—just don’t be too pushy about it.

In responding to the rejection, once again thank them for the opportunity to interview, express disappointment for not getting the job, but congratulate them on finding the right candidate. You can then ask them if there’s anything that you can do to improve as a candidate and stay on their radar for future opportunities.

If they respond, it’s free feedback! If not, just let it go and move one.

Everyone has made mistakes in job interviews. The important thing is to learn from them and focus your efforts on improving. Follow the tips above to recover from a bad job interview and ensure success in your next one.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Read More
How Hiring Managers Make Decisions

How Hiring Managers Make Decisions
  • March 6th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on How Hiring Managers Make Decisions
  • -

How Hiring Managers Make Decisions

Every day, millions of job seekers find themselves struggling to understand one big question: What does it take to actually get a job offer? Interviews come and go but no job offers. What gives?

The whole job search process has changed so much in the past few years. But at the end of the day, there is one thing that has not changed at all: You can only get a job offer as a result of your performance in a job interview. However, if you don’t have a fundamental understanding of who actually gets job offers, it doesn’t really make a difference if you land five or 50 job interviews. It’ll be tough to land a job.

Here’s a little insight on how hiring managers make decisions…

How Hiring Managers Make Decisions In The Interview Process

When hiring managers sit down together to decide which candidate gets a job offer, the decision is not likely going to be made based on any one candidate’s education, qualifications, work experience, or hard skills. Occasionally, one or more of those could play a part in breaking a tie between two great candidates, but that doesn’t happen all that often.

Here’s the truth: Some people who are clearly less qualified than you are get the job offer.

In an attempt to be the most impressive candidate, many job seekers search online for the most common interview questions and then spend time compiling their best stories so they can give great answers that show they have the skills to do the job. But by the time you get past the phone interview (and especially when you get to the second interview and beyond), it’s not really about whether or not you meet the requirements set forth in the job posting anymore. It’s already been determined that you are qualified enough.

Pulling out your best stories is a good idea, but it skips over a key component. Hiring managers don’t just want to know what you did in previous jobs. They are also looking very closely at how you did it. Hiring managers are very interested in knowing who you are as a person—your work ethic, your attitude, your work style, your people skills, and whether or not you will fit into the workplace culture and be a big asset to it.

Who Gets The Job Offer?

Hiring manager shakes hands with a job candidate before an interview

If two managers are trying to make a hiring decision, the following is a representation of a typical conversation:

Manager 1: “Wow! Mike has 10 years of experience and a master’s degree, but I was more impressed with Jeff. Wasn’t that a great interview? He doesn’t have the experience but he has the passion, a great attitude, and the drive that we need around here. And he has a lot of great ideas! His enthusiasm was contagious! I sensed that Mike sees this job as more of a way to just collect a paycheck. I also get the feeling he might be resistant to our way of doing things. Didn’t he seem pretty set in his ways? I think he might be burnt out or something. I think I can get Jeff up to speed in no time. Staci was good too, but I say we go with Jeff.”

Manager 2: “I agree. I admit, I am a little concerned that Jeff has only three years of experience since we decided we needed someone with at least five years. But he seems to really know his stuff so I think I am okay there. I love how he talked about how important his own personal development is—he’s the type who will probably train himself. You are right on with Mike. I didn’t sense that in the first interview but I did in this one. He seems like the guy who wouldn’t do much outside of his job description. And while he could step right in and do the job, we definitely need more positive energy around here. I liked Staci too. What are your thoughts on her?”

Manager 1: “I like Staci and she could be the right person, but having Jeff and Staci’s interview back to back really showed some of Staci’s deficiencies. She could easily do the job. She didn’t say anything that was overly concerning, but she just doesn’t have that energy—the enthusiasm—that Jeff has. He seems to have a lot more ambition than she does. It just doesn’t seem like this job excites her as much. Jeff seems excited about what we do here and has a personal interest in it and that’s important. Also, I am not certain she’ll fit in. Remember when she talked about that project she worked on with four others but then said she did 90% of the work? She had a reasonable explanation but I don’t know if I buy it. Plus, she did seem focused on questions about work hours and flex time. I just feel like Jeff will really run with this job and turn it into something great. I would like to extend an offer to him.”

Manager 2: “You’ll be his manager, so if you are certain, I will support that.”

How Do Hiring Managers Describe You?

Hiring managers interview a job candidate

That is a key question to ask yourself. Do you express your positive attitude, enthusiasm, excitement, and stellar work habits? How will hiring managers describe you, as a person, after you leave?

Soft skills are critical and it’s not enough to say you have them. Most people say they are a positive person and will work very hard to get the job done right. That does nothing for you if you don’t prove it.

If you want to impress, hiring managers must be able to feel those words and see how you displayed those characteristics in the past. Show enthusiasm in your tone—raise it up a few levels! Be expressive and show excitement. Show you care about the work by giving examples. Show how you always put forth your best effort in everything you do by giving clear examples of excellence in past jobs (quantify your accomplishments). Show ways you went above and beyond and express why excellence is important to you.

However, there is one critical question that plays the biggest part in making this work for you: Are you that person?

Most people know they should present themselves in this way but many just say who they are and don’t show it. Some are people who don’t even have positive attitudes. And many of these people go into interviews and try to fake it. Some people are really good at it. Many others are not so good. But for the most part, a lot of hiring managers can see right through it.

By far, the most effective way to express positivity, enthusiasm, and excellence is having it in you to express—it has to be real to have a significant impact. And that only happens when you truly feel connected to the company and its mission. (What companies are on your interview bucket list?) If that’s what hiring managers want to see in you, then it should go without saying that they also expect it from you on the job. If those words don’t describe you, taking some time to work on your own personal development in this area should be a top priority on your to-do list.

When it’s all said and done, hiring managers need to be wowed by you! While your skills and expertise matter, companies actually hire for three things: personality, aptitude, and experience (in that order). If you want to stand out and get job offers, then show up at the interview and give them your best self so that when you leave, they already know they want you to come back.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Read More
What Your Interview Body Language Reveals About You

What Your Interview Body Language Reveals About You
  • February 27th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on What Your Interview Body Language Reveals About You
  • -

Poor body language can derail an interview regardless of how confident and well-spoken you are. Body language is as much a part of your communication style as what you say verbally—it’s really about how you say it. Impressions are made within seconds of reviewing body language.

Consider the first step to entering an interview—the handshake. While it may take less than 10 seconds to complete a handshake, in that time, the interviewer has already developed an impression of your character based on eye contact and the firmness of your shake. A weak handshake and lack of eye contact can leave the impression you are timid and insecure. A sincere and firm handshake with eye contact expresses professionalism and confidence. An overpowering handshake with a fixed gaze may come across as overconfident and arrogant. So, be cautious with your next handshake and start the interview off with a positive impression.

In an interview, body language is present from head to toe. Consider the following…

Posture

Whether you are sitting or standing, your posture projects a level of confidence and engagement in the conversation. When one slumps, it implies to the interviewer a lack of confidence and interest. Sitting stiff as a rock implies nervousness and it creates an uncomfortable situation for building rapport. Sitting at the tip of the chair implies you don’t want to be there. Lying back on the chair with your ankle on top of your other knee may appear unprofessional and too relaxed. In general, crossing your arms and legs may be interpreted as building a barrier.

To project professionalism, confidence, and engagement, consider sitting on the chair with your lower back touching or close to the back panel while leaning 10 degrees forward. Keep your hands relaxed in your lap or on the table, and your feet grounded on the floor. When standing, avoid crossing your arms or placing them in your pockets. The point is to project a balanced posture that is not limp or overly stiff.

Eye Contact

Woman maintains good eye contact during a job interview

Eye contact allows you and the interviewer to connect beyond words alone. However, there is a fine balance between good eye contact and when eye contact becomes a weird gaze or stare that can make the other person feel uncomfortable. When you stare without having breaks in between, a casual conversation can come across as a lecture.

Whether you are listening or speaking, maintain eye contact with your interviewer for a couple of seconds at a time (no more than 7 to 10 seconds) and then glance away before returning eye contact again. If you are looking down to take notes, look up occasionally, especially when it appears a special point is being made or when you are asked a question.

Voice

Woman attends a virtual job interview

Speed, tone, and pitch combined make an impression. Talking too fast can be hard to understand and appear as nervousness. When your tone projects apology or defense, you can come across as unconfident and insecure. When you don’t make changes between your tone and pitch, you can sound monotone, making it more difficult for the other person to stay engaged.

Learn to take control of your voice. If you are nervous, it can come across in your pitch, so take a breath to help you relax before speaking. Be conscious of your tone and pitch to offer variation and to help emphasize certain points.

Bobblehead

Man with good body language answers a question during a job interview

Some people have a tendency to bobble their heads as a gesture of agreement, but when you nod in excess during a conversation, it becomes a distraction and can be interpreted as though you are agreeing on everything for the sake of wanting to please. You can lose credibility in such instances.

To avoid appearing like a bobblehead, nod occasionally to show you are still engaged and have control over how you nod. You can also tilt your head slightly to the side as though you are trying to listen more carefully as another way to show you are engaged.

Extremities

Woman with good body language smiles during a job interview

There are people who do certain things out of habit, such as flaring their arms while talking, twirling their hair, playing with a pen in hand, rocking back and forth on a chair, and shaking or thumping their feet. Many of these actions occur unconsciously; however, these are distractions to the person you are speaking to and may be perceived as signs you are bored or have trouble focusing. Some people also touch their nose or face frequently when they are nervous. An interviewer may perceive this as a sign you are not being totally honest.

Be conscious of what you do with your hands, legs, and feet and that will help you take control of your movements. Be aware of your own body language and also read your interviewer’s body language to give you hints about how they are responding to you.

The interview may start very formal, but as you both become acquainted with one another, the mood may relax and you may adapt your body language to reflect what you sense from the interviewer. There is no absolute rule around body language, but it would be wise to avoid any chance of being misinterpreted.

You can properly prepare your body language before heading into an interview by watching yourself in the mirror act out how you introduce yourself and speak. Another helpful way is to have a friend or colleague interview you and record the entire session. Review how you present yourself and become aware of problem areas to adjust before your interview.

Need more help preparing for your next job interview?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Read More
4 Things Interviewers Rate You On

4 Things Interviewers Rate You On
  • February 23rd, 2024
  • - Comments Off on 4 Things Interviewers Rate You On
  • -

4 Things Interviewers Rate You On

You want to demonstrate you have the experience and skills for the job. But what makes one candidate more favorable than the other when they both have the same type of experience and skills?

When this is the case, it often comes down to a job seeker’s performance during the interview.

As a job seeker, it’s important to understand what other areas interviewers consider when reviewing each candidate as a total package. Here are four areas interviewers rate you on…

Enthusiasm

A job seeker shows enthusiasm while answering a question during a job interview

Employers want a job candidate with a “can-do” attitude and who has a strong desire to work for the company. Make sure that comes through in your communication, from your cover letter, phone interview, and in-person interview to the thank-you note.

Throughout the entire process, you want to make it known that you remain highly interested in the position. When you are meeting in person, you can also use your body language to help demonstrate engagement and interest.

Communication Skills

A recruiter/hiring manager has an engaging conversation with a job candidate during an interview

A top trait that employers seek for every position is strong communication skills. Your ability to articulate what experience and skills you have to offer and how they can contribute to your future employer’s success has to come through if you want to impress the interviewer.

People hire people they like so your job in the interview is to turn it into a conversation and be prepared to ask questions during the process. Keep in mind that a key part of communicating effectively has to do with intonation and body language. When your voice exhibits excitement and you’re leaning forward and making eye contact, that is stressing to the interviewer you’re communicating something of importance.

Technical Skills

The first thing an employer will do is determine if you have the requisite skills and experience for the position. Make sure you have studied the job posting, researched people at the company on LinkedIn, and know what they are looking for and how you can contribute.

When answering interview questions, use the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model to give examples of your key skill sets in action. This includes outlining a professional experience related to the question, talking about what you learned from the experience, and how you grew from it professionally.

Overall Fit For The Position

Professional man working in a casual environment attends a meeting

You need to demonstrate that you are a “good fit” for their organization. This is measured in two ways: your skill and competencies and your demeanor and personality. Once you have shown that your technical skills are there, they want to see if people will want to work with you. Don’t be afraid to let some of your personality come out.

The interviewer wants to see your sense of humor, confidence level, and whether you come across as honest or fake. The right combination of all those qualities will inform the interviewer if you’re the right fit for the job, and also for the company’s culture.

So, while you prepare for your interview to demonstrate you have what it takes to do the job, don’t forget to impress the interviewer with these other factors that will differentiate you from the other job candidates who may have similar experience and skills. The more prepared you are for the job interview, the more confident you will be, and the more likely you’ll make a great impression on the hiring manager.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Read More