Interview Tip: Know Your Value & Personal Brand

How many interview tips have you stored in your memory only to forget them during an interview?  There's so much information out there about interviewing it can be overwhelming and confusing.
Not to mention that one career expert often contradicts another.  Have you experienced this?  When I was a recruiter, my candidates would complain about this constantly.

The best question to ask is this: "If I were interviewing a potential employee, what would be important to me when hiring?  What would I like to see conveyed in the interview?"

INTERVIEW TIP 101 - Know Your Value & Personal Brand

If you don't know why you should be hired over the next guy, don't expect the interviewer to know either.  If you convey one thing only in a job interview, know what makes you unique and how you can add to their bottom line.  It's no longer good enough to say, "you want to hire me because I'm hardworking."  Truth is, you're expected to be hardworking when you're getting paid to do a job.  Nowadays, you have to stand out (see blog: "Common Job Interview Pitfalls")

So, next interview be prepared to answer the "Why Hire You?" question.  A good way to do this is to:

• convey your unique traits, strengths, talents
• talk about your work accomplishments
• back everything up with specific measurables

Knowing your value is something you should be prepared to discuss without pause and with total conviction.

"Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are."

~ Malcolm Forbes

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you're having trouble figuring out your special uniqueness, please email at lrcareercoach@gmail.com, and I can help point you in the right direction.  

What Does An Employer Really Want to Know In A Job Interview?

In today's competitive job market, it's no longer good enough to just show up at a job interview looking spiffy with a nicely written resume and an enthusiastic attitude.  Actually, that was never good enough.  Most of us liked to fool ourselves into thinking it was (or maybe I did).  In the small window of opportunity of the average interview, we have to demonstrate how we're more unique than the 100 people who are waiting to be interviewed for the same job.

Ask yourself, "what does an employer really want to know about me"?  In my previous posts I've talked about the importance of knowing one's accomplishments, transferrable skills and how you can add to a potential employers' bottom line.  Obviously, one has to  convey that during the interview (even if not asked!).  A job interview is not the best place to be shy about tooting your own horn (of course don't be obnoxious either.  That could be another post).


So, where am I going with all this?  While it's crucial to know your unique value, you also have to be prepared for some classic (and unoriginal) questions that will be hurled your way.  As a former recruiter, I've heard of interviews that went south because the most basic questions were poorly or inappropriately answered.  The question in question is, "why are you interested in this position"?  I have typically heard, "I'm interested in this position because it's an opportunity to learn a new skill and I enjoy learning."  No one ever got hired because they enjoy learning.  They get hired because of what they can bring to the table from day one with the transferrable skills they have developed.  Of course it's important to be interested in learning.  You don't keep your job or get promoted if you don't learn.  But it's not enough reason for a potential employer to hire you.

The next time you're asked the obligatory question, "why are you interested in this position"? the answer that's likely to impress is, "this position seems to be aligned with my capabilities and it gives me opportunity to utilize the skills I've developed in an impactful way."

No one ever said the interview process was easy but it's less likely to be intimidating the better you're prepared.

"Fortune favors the prepared mind."
- Louis Pasteur

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Make Your Career Goals Work For You

If you're like me (and millions of others), ringing in a new year brings mixed emotions.  I've always felt a sense of sadness and could never put my finger on why I felt that way.  Nonetheless, the feeling of melancholy taps me on the shoulder every January 1st  and hangs with me for the entire day.  Do these feelings sound somewhat familiar?

For many of us, the new year represents a second chance, a new beginning, renewed energy and an opportunity to look at life through a different lens.  We tend to get caught up on our own expectations that we often miss the pleasure of the dream, aspiration or goal we set for ourselves.  If we stop dreaming or striving, parts of us dry up and die.  As a coach, I believe working toward a goal (and reaching it) is life affirming and can put a person on the path to a more joyful and fulfilling life.

Working on goals can be very challenging but extremely rewarding with the right attitude.  So enjoy the ride with all it's bumps and setbacks, keep your eyes on the intention, rejoice in the smallest of your successes and share them with those who care about you.   No matter how small, do something every day to get a little closer toward your goal.  After all, Rome wasn't built in a day (who said that?).


"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you've imagined!"
~ Henry David Thoreau ~

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - To learn about my coaching program on how to set goals and ACHIEVE them, contact me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com.

Time To Leave Your Job If....

Have you found yourself running out of excuses when calling in sick because you've used up all the believable ones already?  Do you feel dread on Friday that you have to go back to work on Monday only to sit near a colleague you can't stand and a boss who is unappreciative and demeaning?  Does putting in another day at the office feel worse than having a tooth pulled?  Do you feel depressed, angry or sad a lot of the time?

If you "suffer" from any of these feelings, it might be time to think about dusting off the 'ole resume, buying a new interview suit and hitting the pavement for a new job.  There's nothing worse than being in a job where you are unfulfilled, unchallenged, underpaid, overqualified, undervalued, etc. etc.  Got the point?  I'm not saying you should go out and just quit your job without a safety net, particularly in this shaky economy.  What I am saying is that being in a place that has such negative impact, ultimately takes it's toll on your entire life (not to mention the people around you).

If you can relate to any of this, you might want to see what options are open to you.  Keep your job while you take your time to explore new opportunities.  While it may feel scary to start all over, it's a whole lot scarier being in work hell.

"How can I think outside the box when I work inside a cube?"
~ Quote seen on coffee mugs


"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you're out of work or jumpstarting your career and need some helpful pointers on "Staying Positive While Looking For Work", tune in (live streaming) to the October 17, 2012 Couplespeak Relationship Forum Blog Talk Radio Show (www.blogtalkradio.com/susanlager).  There are plenty of tips that can help you get through the challenges of job hunting.

How To Answer A Tough Interview Question

If you've been interviewing for a job, more than likely you've discovered it can be a hair raising experience.  It feels like a giant test that you had better pass.  In some ways, the interview is a test.  So, you have to be prepared.

One of the toughest interview questions you have to be prepared to answer is, "What is your biggest weakness?"  Everyone dreads this question.  No one likes talking about something that makes them look vulnerable, particularly in a job interview!  The best way to approach this question is to turn your "weakness" into a strength.  Here are some examples:

~ I'm intense and find it hard to let go of my work at times

~ I'm tough on myself - I'm a perfectionist

~ I tend to overanalyze/overthink things

~ I take my work home with me

~ I have high expectations 

These so-called "weaknesses" are really in favor of an employer.  No one ever got fired because they worked too hard at their job.  See my point?  Chose your words wisely to put a positive spin on your weaknesses.

"All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind."

~ kahlil Gibran

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you'd like to enhance your interview skills, please contact me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com to learn about the program I'm offering, "How To Ace The Interview".

What Will You Be Doing When Hurricane Sandy Hits?

Unless you live on another planet (and maybe that wouldn't be so bad), you can't help but be unnerved by the scary anticipation of Hurricane Sandy as she gets ready to impact the Northeast.  Hurricanes in the Northeast?  What's going on here?  Whatever happened to those beautiful autumn days?

If you live in New York City like me, you've more than likely experienced the frantic urgency to stock up on water, food, batteries, candles, etc.  Hopefully, you didn't have to wait on a line that stretched down the block just to get into the supermarket only to find out they were out of supplies!  I guess I've lived in NYC too long because I don't have the patience for lines, not even for food!  I decided to be content with the few snacks and morsels I managed to buy at the local bodega and head back home.

I started thinking how millions of us are going to be hold up at home with no way to get to work (and who would want to go out in the "perfect storm" anyway?).  Hurricane Sandy might provide an opportunity to catch up on some things you've been thinking of doing but haven't had the chance to get to.    Have you been trying to find the time to revamp your resume, edit your profile on Linkedin or send an email to that referral you just met?  Weathering Hurricane Sandy might give you the time to take care of some of these things.  Of course, if you lose power, or get flooded, I don't expect you'll be thinking much about anything except your safety and comfort.  Hopefully, this will not be your concern.

What will you be doing when Hurricane Sandy hits?  You just might feel productive.......

"Time and tide wait for no man."
~ Geoffrey Chaucer

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Staying Positive While Looking For Work

If the name of this post, "Staying Positive While Looking For Work" is beginning to feel like a deja vu, there's a logical explanation.  On October 17th, I participated in a lively discussion with Susan Lager (renowned psychotherapist and relationship coach) on her blog talk radio show, The Couplespeak Relationship Forum.

As a career coach, my clients tell me the most difficult part of being out of work or in career transition is managing their feelings of worry, insecurity, and isolation.  For some, staying positive is easier than others.  Being the worrywart that I am, I   work overtime to stay positive.  It takes effort and mindfulness but it certainly can be done.  When negative thoughts start to control me, I take time out to meditate.  That's what helps me. Doing what's necessary to get to a more positive state of mind is different for everyone.  Whatever works for you, GO FOR IT!!

In the broadcast, Susan and I talked about accountability, setting goals, good self care, acceptance, self-affirming rituals, networking, and surrounding oneself with positive people as some great psychological tools and specific things job seekers can do to manage the job seeking/career transition effectively.  We also discussed how to avoid self-sabotaging behavior like being unprepared for an interview and how inappropriateness is the best way to shoot yourself in the foot.

If you're a current job seeker or in career transition and are struggling to maintain a positive image and attitude but couldn't listen to the live show, go to blogtalkradio.com/susanlager to catch the recorded show at your convenience.  I can also be reached at lrcareercoach@gmail.com if you'd like to learn about  my programs that can help you get on the right track to landing your ideal job.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
~ Winston Churchill

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - Did I mention you can log on to blogtalkradio.com/susan lager to listen to the entire October 17th Couplespeak Relationship Forum blog talk radio show, "Staying Positive While Looking For Work" with Susan Lager and Laura Rivchun?  I did?  Maybe Susan and I should have named the show, "How To Sharpen Your Memory While Looking For Work."