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Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Phone Interview - Make It Work For You


For some, a job interview is enough to make your skin crawl.  I consider an interview like a first date (without the flirtatious looks and kiss).  However, not all interviews are face to face.  Sometimes a preliminary interview is conducted over the phone which has it's good and bad points.  A face to face allows the person being interviewed (interviewee?) the advantage of reading and picking up the interviewer's facial and body cues.  Obviously, this is not something one can do over the phone.  If you're good at "reading" voices, the phone interview might work well for you.  Here's the big HOWEVER:  treat the phone interview as the real deal.  It's still an interview, whatever the format. 

PHONE INTERVIEW TIPS (a few)


  • Be clear who is making the call and at what time
  • If possible, speak from a land line in case of poor reception.  Your focus should be on the conversation, not on phone problems
  • Schedule a time you know you'll have privacy and adequate time to talk
  • Speak where there are no distractions and noise (TV, children, pets)
  • Have your resume in front of you (this is an advantage over the face to face interview)
  • Take notes (only if you're good at multi-tasking) - another advantage over face to face
  • Send thank you via email
So, if you're wondering if a phone interview is considered an interview, the answer is YES.  Consider an interview the most formal date you'll ever have.  


"Proper words in proper places make the true definition of a style"
~ Jonathan Swift

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you have a phone or face to face interview coming up and would like to brush up on your interview skills, get in touch with me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com to learn about my "How To Ace The Interview" program!

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Accept Or Reject A Job Counteroffer?

Congratulations!  That job you've been interviewing for (to the tune of 4 separate interviews over the last several weeks) has come though.  They FINALLY made you an offer. Whoever thought it would take so long to make a decision about one potential new hire?  Everything's looking good.  They offered the salary you requested, benefits are great and you're even getting your own office (with a window!).  Bet you're glad that ordeal is over.  Now you can accept their offer and tell your boss you're quitting and finally get a good night's rest.  What?  Your boss made you a counteroffer?

If you think having a counteroffer is flattering and it might be something you should entertain accepting, think again.  Statistics show that if you accept a counteroffer, the probabilities of voluntarily leaving in six months or being let go within one year are extremely high.  Once you have demonstrated your unhappiness to your employer, your loyalty will always be in question and in tough financial times, the pink slip might start with you.  Keep your focus on why you were looking to leave your present job in the first place.  The same circumstances that are making you think about a change will still be there in the future and will rear their ugly head sooner or later.  Your relationship with your boss (and possibly colleagues) will never be the same.

Accepting or rejecting a counteroffer can be the monkey wrench thrown into your career plans and not something you should take lightly.  Whatever decision you make, think of the consequences of your actions and how it will impact your career down the road.


"Progress always involves risk.  You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."
~ Frederick B. Wilcox

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun