Most interviewers won’t come out and directly ask "What's your top strength?" so as you prepare and practice your answers for standard interview questions, it’s important to remember that a number of questions are designed to assess what differentiates you from other candidates — in other words, what are your strengths. These can include:

• Tell me about yourself. 
• Why should we hire you?
• What would an old boss say about you?
• How would you add value to this department? 

With this in mind, as you prepare for an interview, identify your top two or three strengths as they relate to the job position and aim to convey these points to the interviewer before the interview concludes. That way, 20 minutes into the interview, when you're asked "What makes you different from our other three candidates?" you can pull from a short list of key strengths that haven’t been discussed yet.

Also remember to personalize the strengths you plan to highlight as your leading qualities. Telling the interviewer that you're hard working, a quick learner, or a people person is boorrrrinnng. These phrases do very little (if anything) to differentiate yourself from other candidates. These concepts have become so overused that you are wasting an opportunity to show a potential employer what you bring to the table, be it analytical abilities, negotiating skills or the ability to lead fractured groups.

It’s also important to beef up your answer up with an example that conveys your strength — a time or a situation where your strength was of particular value. Offering an example does three things: (1) distinguishes your answer, (2) makes the answer more memorable, and (3) provides concrete "proof" of your strength. You’re not just telling someone you have exceptional time management skills, you are providing an example. 

So there you have it — three ways to avoid getting tripped up on routine questions: (1) strategize to work your top strengths into other  questions that differentiate you from others, (2) customize your strengths for the position, and (3) incorporate stories to solidify answers - and make them memorable.

        

                                                

Here are three bookmark-worthy blog posts from the past week.  Enjoy!

1. Nick Corcodilos of Ask the Headhunter wrote another entertaining post about The Ladders' questionable business practices. Read it and decide for yourself.  All I'll say is, "Buyer:  Beware."
2. Heather Eagar has a great post on JobDig about how numbers can enhance your resume. I am always, always, always trying to pull more numbers out of my clients. They can make a huge difference on a resume in helping your story, as Heather writes, "become that much more vivid."
3. A guest post by Nikki Ruth at Sweet Careers has a great list of the top 10 worst and most common interview mistakes. These are very helpful to review if you're in the job market and actively interviewing.

 

        

The New Year is about starting off on the right foot and establishing new traditions.  In the spirit of the New Year (and I can technically say that since it's still January!), I'm introducing a new feature on my blog - Three for Friday.  

                                                    

I subscribe to many (too many!) career, recruiting, and HR-related blogs, and I'm constantly bookmarking and flagging entries to share with colleagues, clients, and friends.  In Three for Friday, I will share three blog posts from the past week that were particularly compelling, insightful, or value-added. Consider it your Cliff Notes for the past week's careers blog space. My gift to you.

So, to get us started:

1. J2B Marketing blog - Marci Reynolds wrote about how to effectively combine LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogging for a successful job search. I could not have written about the topic any better. Utilizing just one or two of these online tools is okay, but marrying your efforts across all three platforms is exponentially more effective and worth the investment of time.
2. Meg Guiseppi on her Executive Career Brand blog wrote an excellent post about reconnecting with and reviving your existing network. She shares tips on how to break the ice at networking events and ways to nurture your contacts. I find Meg's posts to always be packed with ready-to-use tips and resources.
3. and last but not least, Tim Tyrell-Smith of Tim's Strategy - Ideas for Job Search, Career and Life wrote about job seekers' frustrations while waiting for the elusive "more positions" to become available.  I particularly like his list of five tips on how to remain visible and attractive to hiring managers for when positions do become available.

Enjoy! 

        

The following are important points to keep in mind while preparing for your next interview. The first three apply before you even shake hands with the interviewer since from the moment you arrive, you are making an impression on your prospective employer. The second set of three kick into gear once the interview gets started and you develop a dialogue and rapport with the interviewer.

                    

1. Arrive at the receptionist’s desk approximately 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time. Not much earlier and preferably not later than that. With a smile, give your name to the receptionist. Make a strong initial impression by speaking clearly and distinctly and maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor. The expression “you’ll never get a second chance to make a good first impression” rings true in the interview process – including receptionists, assistants, and secretaries.
2. As you wait in the lobby, envision a great interview happening. Visualize being a strong candidate for the job. Picture yourself as a contributing member of the company’s team. Achieving success is easier once you have it firmly implanted in your mind. This is the power behind visualization.
3. Keep cool under pressure. If you are kept waiting or encounter any stress before the interview, maintain your composure and self control. It may be a unavoidable schedule delay or it may be a test. Either way, remain calm and flexible to changes.
4. Speak in a rich, self-confident manner. Answer questions with energy and conviction. Vary the tone of your voice during the conversation. Don't be afraid to show emotion and enthusiasm.
5. Eye contact is a powerful form of communication. It demonstrates confidence, trust, and power. Employment personnel are wary of the honesty of someone who cannot make direct eye contact. You don’t want to ‘stare down’ the interviewer, but good, consistent eye contact indicates self assurance and poise. 
6. Determine and adapt to the interviewer’s communication style by listening and observing how he/she walks, uses body language, and dresses. Observe overall mannerisms and behavior and do your best to mimic that style. In the final analysis, most people hire people they like and job candidates who are similar to them.

Keep in mind, the employer is hoping to like you, that your skills and strengths are a match with the job's needs, that you will fit in with the existing personality of the group.  No one wants to have to interview a long stream of candidates to find the right one. With that in mind, prepare thoroughly and present yourself well to put your best foot forward and ace that interview!

        

Job searching is one of those topics where everyone thinks they're an expert and likes to toss in their opinion, which means many misconceptions get circulated and unfortunately perpetuated.  I wanted to take a few minutes to discuss some common misconceptions making the rounds among job seekers. 

                                                    

1. I’m currently employed. If I put a profile up on LinkedIn, it’ll look like I’m looking for a job. FALSE.  LinkedIn has become the default online business networking site for professionals, without regard to employment status. There are slight nuances to well-written profiles that help convey to the reader whether you are happily employed or open to opportunities. When you are happily employed and not using LinkedIn for a job search, your profile can read like a bio to position you as an industry expert.
2. My resume should be one page.  FALSE.  So false.... Your resume needs to be only as long as to effectively sell yourself for the position you're considering. If I were to generalize, one-page resumes are most appropriate for new or recent graduates or young professionals. Beyond that, most resumes for mid- to senior-level professionals tend to be two pages, but even that is just a benchmark. The only “rule” when it comes to resume writing is to treat the space on a resume page as expensive real estate. Use words sparingly and carefully. Write tight. Edit and consolidate every sentence. Each line or phrase should add value. If an item does not further your brand or message, then consider removing it. A resume is not a personal history, but rather a marketing document to win interviews.
3. Yeah! I got called for an interview. I can't wait to see if the position will be a good next step for me.  FALSE.  Are you scratching your head?  This is one is tricky. I know that's what you're thinking when you get an interview, but when it comes to strategy, your goal needs to be to impress upon the employer why you are the right candidate for them, how you can solve their problems, make them more money, or do things better. Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes. Who will seem like a stronger candidate to you?  Candidate A who sells himself as excited to join their team, who asked a series of thoughtful questions, and sounds ready to hit the ground running on day one or Candidate B who couldn’t stop asking questions about what’s in it for him – the hours, the vacation time, the benefits, the bonus structure? Trust me. I know these factors are important, and there will be an opportunity to review all of that, but make them fall in love with you first.
4. I will find a new job in 2010.  TRUE.  Did you really think I'd be Negative Nellie and walk you through only false concepts? I didn't have the heart to do that to you. My glass is always half full.  If you are active in your networking and targeting efforts, you will develop new contacts and learn about the companies in your space. If you are consistent and thorough in your efforts, you will see results. If you set daily and weekly goals in your job search efforts, the diligence will pay off.  For inspiration, read this post from Tim Tyrell-Smith from last week that’s worthy of being printed out and posted on your refrigerator or mirror.  

 

        

                                                      

The next two weeks are a hectic time of the year for nearly everyone, but the expectations and events of the season can easily place extra stress on jobseekers. Penelope Trunk wrote an excellent post yesterday on how to deal with unemployment in the face of holiday cheer where she shared five morale-boosting tips to help jobseekers make the most of the holiday season. Based on the comments section, her encouraging points comforted and resonated with jobseekers. As Penelope admits, answering the simplest of questions, "How are you doing?" can be a land mine for someone wrestling with a period of unemployment. 

What stood out (for me, at least) was Penelope's 4th point addressing how December and January are strong hiring months. So true!  And so easily forgotten!  A recent post of my own offered several suggestions on how to effectively job search during the holidays, and the Career Collective, of which I'm a member, did an awesome job earlier this month of addressing the same topic. I urge you to read through the advice of my esteemed colleagues as well.  

The bottom line:  It is all too tempting to take a break during the holidays with your job search efforts, but the smarter move is to recharge and revitalize your search and continue forward. Let your competition take a break while you continue to network and connect with decision makers at your target companies.

To your career success in 2010!

        

As a member of the Career Collective community of resume writers and career coaches, this post is one of many offering specific tips to help job seekers ramp up their efforts during the holiday season and the new year. I encourage you to visit other members' responses linked at the end of my post and follow our hashtag on Twitter: #careercollective.

                                  

Do you make New Year's resolutions? I do, but I think it's important to make them realistic. Maybe it's just because I love all things career-related, but I happen to think that job search efforts lend themself well to resolutions. So in the spirit of the holidays, my gift to you is three actionable New Year's resolutions to jump start your job search. Print them out, work them into your daily and weekly activity plans, and check back with yourself 6-7 weeks into the New Year to see how you're doing.

1. Tweak, Edit & Revitalize.  Read through your resume. Have someone you trust review it with a fresh eye. Should anything be added or removed?  Consider a different opening for your cover letter.  Add more selling points to your LinkedIn profile.  It's easy to create these documents, get comfortable, and not think about them again.  If a period of time has passed, take an afternoon to sharpen your documents.They're the cornerstone of your search.
2. The Power of One.  I can't take credit for this, but it is very effective when it comes to job searching. Make one more cold call. Send one more follow up email. Mail one more cover letter. Stay at the networking event long enough to make one more connection. Just when you're at the point of calling it a day, push yourself to do one more thing and you'll see results - improved productivity and better odds.
3. Pick 3.  No, I'm not suggesting you play the lottery - though if luck is on your side, that might help your job search as well!  What I'm recommending is that you identify three target companies to research and network. Use your own network, tap into your college alumni network, and branch out through sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Plaxo. Make a commitment to network your way to the decision maker or conduct informational interviews with relevant professionals. Don't just sit back waiting for a job posting. Get in there and put yourself in front of opportunities. This won't happen overnight, but it's worth the investment of time and energy.

PS - Anxious to get started now? Don't want to wait til January? Check out my recent post with job search tips for the holiday season and my comments here on how to make the best use of the holidays in your job search.


Read more holiday-themed career advice here from my colleagues in the Career Collective:

@MartinBuckland, Elite Resumes, “Season’s Greetings and your Job Search”

@GayleHoward, The Executive Brand, "It's Christmas time and a ho-ho-ho-hum?"

@KCCareerCoach, Career Chaos, “The Gift Every Laid Off Job Seeker Needs”

@resumeservice, Resume Writing Blog, "Holiday Resume Sparkle: Outshine the New Year Job-Search Mob"

@heathermundell, life@work, “Have a Holly Jolly Job Search”

@sweetcareers,Sweet Careers, “Holiday Job Search Tips for College Students 2009″

@careersherpa, Hannah Morgan: Career Sherpa, “Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Cheers”

@careerealism, CAREEREALISM.com, "Holiday Tip for Job Seekers: 4 Ways to Impress Others with Your Professionalism"

@heatherhuhman, HeatherHuhman.com, “4 Tips for Making the Most of Holiday Job Hunting”

@KatCareerGal, Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters Tips Blog, “Avoiding the Holiday Blues in Your Job Search”

@WorkWithIllness, WorkingWithillness.com, “Avoid this Minefield: Drive Your Bus”

@DawnBugni, The Write Solution, "Could that sound really be opportunity? During the Holidays?" 

@andyinnaples, “Shift Your Focus to the Highest Impact Job Search Activities During the Holidays to Leverage Your Time”

@erinkennedycprw, Professional Resume Services, "How to keep up the Job Hunt during the Holidays"

@keppie_careers, Keppie Careers, “Four tips for effective networking follow-up for the holidays and the rest of the year”

@ValueIntoWords, Career Trend, “Navigating the Mistle Toe of Job Search”

@GLHoffman, What Would Dad Say, “Merry Christmas! Can I Buy You Coffee to Talk About Me?”

@BarbaraSafani, Career Solvers, “Holiday Networking Can Facilitate New Year Opportunities”

@expatcoachmegan, Career By Choice Blog, “Expat Networking: Holidays Are a Great Time to Nurture and Grow Your Network”

@chandlee, The Emerging Professional Blog, “Footprints & Associations: Job Search Tips for the Holidays”

@JobHuntOrg, Job-Hunt.org, "(Holiday) Party Your Way to a New Job"

        

I promised you scam protection and here it is.  This post will be quick and to the point though. I don’t like speaking negatively about anyone professionally, but I feel strongly enough about this trend to alert my readers. There are now at least two large job boards conducting predatory business practices that, in my opinion, are not always in the best interest of job seekers. 

Much has been written online about resume critiques from The Ladders, and now JobFox seems to be running in the same circles. These boards engage in the practice of sending out a free critique that ...

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Resume writing is a value-added professional service. While in a conversation recently, I came up with a great analogy.  If you’re reading this blog or visiting my site because you are considering whether or not to hire a professional resume writer, then the following is something to consider.

Do you hire a tax professional to prepare your tax return?  I do, but you don’t have to. Some people will download the forms and complete them on their own. Others will buy a software program to walk them through it. Then there are those who see the efficiency and value of tapping into the tax professional’s knowledge and skill to complete the forms quickly and maximize their return.

See the parallels to resume writing?  Some people will write their own. Others will use a Microsoft Word template to create the document (oy – my stomach hurts just thinking about it), and then there are those who see the value in hiring a professional to create the document that becomes the cornerstone of their job search process. They may recognize that writing is not their strong point. They may need help identifying their own strengths and accomplishments, or quite frankly, they may liken writing their resume to washing the windows (or preparing their taxes) and know they're better off outsourcing the project.

Those of you who hire a tax professional to maximize your return (or minimize what you owe) can relate to the concept of hiring a professional resume writer to maximize the results of your job search. If the goal of a resume is to secure job interviews, then taking advantage of a writer’s knowledge of industry trends and best practices is one way to shorten the length of your job search. (Interview coaching is another, but that’s a topic I’ll save for another day.)

I will be the first to admit that pairing with a writer is not the right choice for everyone, but when you think of writing your own resume, do you feel stressed, confused or nervous about what to highlight, how to structure or format the document, and how to set yourself apart from your peers? If so, then working with a professional will put your mind at ease, be a more efficient use of your time, and maximize your benefit.

My next post will help you avoid the unfortunate scams that exist within the resume writing space.

Related Post:
How much will my professionally written resume save me?  (March 14, 2009)

        

                                    

When clients mention they're going to put the brakes on their job search now that the holidays are approaching, I jump on my soap box and give them reasons to reconsider.

I recently shared my thoughts with Lee Miller of The Star-Ledger but wanted to spend more time on the subject with you:

1. It can be a great time to pick up some temp work as companies try to complete projects by year-end or need help filling in for staff on vacation - and it goes without saying that getting your foot in the door by temping can be a smart move. They get to meet you, you get to meet them. It's a great introduction!
2. With it being a popular time for vacations, you can get lucky sometimes and the hiring manager may pick up his/her own calls if their assistant is out on vacation. You can increase these odds by calling first thing in the morning since a lot of execs will arrive by 8 or 8:30 and their assistants may not start til 9.
3. There is still hiring during December. There's no rule that says it stops. Sometimes a department or group is at risk for losing the headcount if they don't fill the spot by year-end or sometimes it's budgeted for this year and they don't want to risk losing the funding so they remain focused on filling spots through December.  How do I know this?  I placed multiple candidates during the month of December every year while in executive search. Our office never came to a stand-still.
4. You can make the week between Christmas and New Year's work for you. It can be a very quiet week at many companies so if you take the time to call people that week, if they're in the office, there's a greater chance they'll have time to speak with you. 
5. It's a great time to schedule informational interviews if your contacts are in the office. Take advantage of others' downtime by not turning it into downtime in your own search! People who are relaxed and in good spirits at work will be more amenable to speaking with you and trying to help you out. 
6. And if you believe nothing else, realize the numbers are on your side. Since so many job seekers do slow down their searches at this time of year, so if you stay out there, you're cutting through less chatter and you're giving yourself better odds. Think about it this way:  if someone's going to get through to the hiring manager or make strong strides on scheduling informational interviews, it should be you!

While I admit it can be tempting to take a breather during the holidays, keep it in moderation. The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's is a great time to network, schedule informational interviews, and work on speaking with hiring managers directly.

Now get shopping and get to work!