Interview Etiquette - Before, During & After

There are many factors that leave a good impression in a job interview but It's foolish to think if we have the experience and skills, we've landed the job.  Of course it's important but there are other things that are considered. How you present is everything.  You can look good on paper (resume), but if you're lacking in presentation, personality or character, you won't be leaving the best impression at all.  In recruiter's terms we call these "soft skills".  You can't change your personality but you can always brush up on proper interview etiquette. 

Interview Etiquette Tips (for starters):

• Never keep an interviewer waiting (see earlier post, "Do You Know The Time Of Day?")
• Don't smoke just before the interview.  Lots of people are offended by the smell of smoke
• Turn smart phone off 
• Don't be more than 10 minutes early for an interview.  An interview is scheduled at a specific time for a reason
•  Always bring a resume even if it was sent electronically (bring an extra one in case another person is called into the interview unexpectedly)
• Research company (you'll be asked, "Why do you want to work here?")
• Be prepared (review resume, know your story, and WHY HIRE YOU? answer)
• Dress appropriately (see earlier post, "Dress For Success")
• Send thank you email within 24 hours

"If we could see ourselves as others see us, we would vanish on the spot."

~Emil Cioran

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you have any questions about any of these tips, send me an email directly (lrcareercoach@gmail.com) and we can discuss.  Also, if you have any unusual interview stories you'd like to share with me, I'd love to hear about them.  

   

Common Job Interview Pitfalls

Have  you ever been on an interview and immediately afterward knew that you really botched up?  Did you feel you could have presented yourself so much better had you known the answers to some of those curveball questions?  More than likely, many of us have had one of those "dreaded" interviews.

We can't predict the personality of the interviewer or questions that will be asked but we can go in knowing we've prepared ourselves as best as possible.  Hopefully, the interviewer and you will connect and it will be the career match of the century.

To be at your interview best, there are some common job interview pitfalls that are necessary to address and might be missing from your interview preparation:

COMMON PITFALLS

1.  No clarity of story (paint your picture)

2.  Don't know your value. Why and how are you unique?

3.  Didn't back up convictions with measurables.

4.  Didn't convey transferrable skills

5.  Inappropriate answers/behavior 

6.  Lack of interview preparation (didn’t research, review your resume, etc)

 Ask yourself this: "Am I conveying my transferrable skills?  Do I know my value and what makes me unique?  Can I provide specific and "measurable" examples of my accomplishments?  Is my story clear?

Just some interview food for thought.........

"Fortune favors the prepared mind."

~ Louis Pasteur

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS -  My upcoming blog posts will address the 6 common interview pitfalls in greater detail (see above).  If you can't wait til my next post (that's a joke), please email me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com with any questions.

Looking For A Job? - Make Yourself visible

No, I was not abducted by aliens or sailing around the world in the last two weeks.  Nor was I knocked on the head only to awaken and not know my own identity (although, I have felt that way at times).  Plain truth is I somehow couldn't (didn't) find the time to sit down and write one of my "oh so insightful" blog posts.

Excuses, excuses.  Do you find yourself making a lot of excuses about your lack of career motivation or current job search?  Do you sometimes feel like taking a break from it all and disappearing from view?  If so, I understand but don't agree it's the best way to go.

When we disappear, people make all kinds of assumptions.  If you're in a job search and haven't been  networking or making those obligatory calls, one could assume you're no longer looking.  You could miss out on a great opportunity because of your absence.   Bottom line is this; if you're looking for a job, make yourself visible.  Reach out to your contacts, network when possible and don't allow people to forget about you and your unique talent.

If you assumed I disappeared because I was not committed and passionate about coaching, you were incorrect.  See what I mean?  

"The future depends on what we do in the present"
~ Mahatma Gandi

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - This past Monday I conducted a mentoring meeting, "How To Ace The Interview" for the NAPW (National Association of Professional Women).  Please look for upcoming posts on interview tips, common interview pitfalls, frequently asked interview questions, etc.

Got Mentor, Anyone?

It must be an OCD thing with me.  For several posts, I was on my "network, network" kick.  But I meant every word when I so emphatically expressed the importance of networking.  Well, it seems I've moved on to my "mentor, mentor" kick.  Trust me, I mean every word here, too.  Finding your mentor or being a mentor  has great rewards.    Now you're thinking, "Oh no, there goes Laura again with her obligatory ranting and raving about some career topic."  You can't say I'm not passionate about my work (is mentoring work?).

Last night I met my mentee at a midtown Starbucks for our monthly get together.  We had a great time talking about her trip to Spain and her mishaps in Tangier.  I also learned she's great at giving manicure/pedicures.  Lucky me!!  We even managed to talk about career stuff!!  It felt great to connect with someone so bright, engaging and ambitious (did I mention funny?).  The thought of making a difference in her life and career is invaluable.  I learned a thing or two from her last night as well.

Did I mention I have another mentee?  He couldn't make it last night but I'm sure we'll find a way to catch up.  Hmmm, I wonder if he gives manicures/pedicures?

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction."
~ John Crosby

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you're curious about what you can learn from a mentee and how they can make a difference in your life, please email me directly at lrcareercoach@gmail.com.  I'd love to share some of my life changing insights on these very special relationships.

Looking For A Job? - Know Your Self Worth

In the past couple of weeks I've been working at Rutgers University with their Undergraduate Business School students on a "Mock Interview Program."  The purpose of this program is to set up  a "dress rehearsal" for the real deal.  It's an excellent opportunity for the students to see where their interview skills strengths and weaknesses lie and receive feedback from coaches (me).  Wouldn't it be great if all of us had such an opportunity?  Wouldn't you rather mess up in a mock interview with me than in front of a potential employer?

Working with these students has been a wonderful experience.  They're bright, ambitious, and hungry to learn.  What has become evident, however, is that so many of the students have a tough time relating their uniqueness.  If you've ever been to a job interview, more than likely you've been asked, "Why would I want to hire you?  What makes you unique?"  And you can't say, "I don't know."  What you really are being asked to do is "sell yourself" (branding).  Most of us have a tough time selling ourselves thinking we sound arrogant or obnoxious.  One of the most important things you need to know if you're looking for a job is your self worth and uniqueness.  

If you're one of those people who "doesn't know" your uniqueness than start by making a list of all your strengths and accomplishments.  We all have them.  Most things are right in front of us but we're too close to see them.  If you're having trouble, ask someone you trust and who knows you well.  More than likely, they see these qualities and traits in you.  These are exercises I've done myse lf.  And they work.

Going to a job interview is worse than having a tooth pulled but it doesn't have to be as painful if you are prepared to talk about your unique values and why YOU are the best candidate.

"Self-worth comes from one thing - thinking that you are worthy."
~ Wayne Dyer

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - Please join me Wed, March 28 from 10am to 2pm at the FREE Women For Hire career expo. Resume Reviews, Perfect Pitch, The Interview, Power Seminars, Leading Employers -- and me!   I'll be offering advice and feedback on interviewing. Visit http://bit.ly/wforhire.com.

Finding Your Mentor

This weekend, I decided to pack my bags, get out of the Big Apple and head for Maine where my beloved sister and brother-in-law live.  I consider myself extremely lucky to actually enjoy spending time with my family.  I probably have more fun with my sisters (I have an older even bossier one who lives in Florida) than I do most people.  Making a trip to  beautiful coastal Maine is no hardship but it's certainly a plus that lots of attention, support and great eating awaits me on the other end.

My sister and I share the love of the beach, the picturesque Maine landscape, TJ Maxx and Marshall's.  Don't laugh.  There are plenty of ways to bond in sisterly love.  It just so happens my sister and I are jewelry freaks and can spend hours looking through cases of jewelry.  Well, she can.  Her ability to zone in and focus is nothing short of miraculous.  The problem is, she doesn't zone out.  She goes into a trance and forgets about life (i.e. her hungry husband, visiting family, son she hasn't seen in weeks).

My sister isn't just my jewelry partner in crime but my confidente, biggest cheerleader and mentor.  Without her unconditional support, business savvy, and general life knowledge, I probably wouldn't be writing this blog.  She has encouraged me to "plod on" when the professional odds were stacked against me and taught me  how to trust myself and be patient.  Everyone who has enjoyed professional success has had support and mentoring along the way.  No one can go it alone.

If you don't have a loving, wise sister as I do, then find that person in your life who is YOUR mentor.    You never know, that person could be right in front of you.    Finding your mentor surprisingly can come in all shapes and forms (they may even be your jewelry partner in crime).

"Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind."
~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge


"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

P.S. - If you'd like to learn more about finding your mentor, where to look and how to develop this special relationship, email me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com.  I'm the Director of the Mentoring Committee for the NYC Chapter of The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) so "mentor" is my mantra.
PSS - I also give great jewelry advice!

Positive Thinking Attracts Positive Results

Do you know the expression, "You are what you think"?  Did you ever read the book, The Power of Positive Thinking?  Positive thinking and attitude can change and improve our lives so we can be successful and happier.    So, if positive thinking can turn our lives around in a positive way, then, the opposite holds true if we think negatively.  I often wonder why so many of us focus on the negative aspects of ourselves and seem to forget all of our good traits and qualities.  Do you do this?  

I'm no expert on this subject but I can tell you this; it takes just as much energy to think positively as it does to think negatively.  Actually, it probably takes more energy to be negative.   I know.  Been there, done that.  When you're in job search mode, it's important to remain positive.  No one wants to hire someone who seems downbeat and down trodden.  

CAREER TIP:

Do whatever it takes to feel positive about yourself particularly before you have an interview.  Meditate, read affirmation cards, do creative visualization, anything that floats your boat to feel good.  Then go out and knock 'em dead! 

"The power of your thoughts can open any door and you can set yourself free."

~ Lucy MacDonald

"Good Night, And Good Luck

Laura Rivchun

P.S. - If you have any thoughts, suggestions or concerns about being positive, I invite you to get in touch with me directly at lrcareercoach@gmail.com.  I'm available for one on one discussions.