Somewhere at some point, we've all heard, "Make a good first impression." Did you ever think that the first impression you make could be the last impression that someone will want to see?
While the first impression is usually a visual, how you speak and deal with the interviewer over the phone or in person is just as important. Think about this, when watching TV, what makes you buy one product over another? What makes you go to McDonald's over Wendy's, or buy a Toyota over Ford? In a lot of cases, it's the commercial that sways us one way or the other. In an interview setting, you are the product versus other products and how you sell yourself is no different than how it's done on TV.
When the interviewer starts the conversation, normally they say, "Tell me a little about yourself." This is your "PC" moment. Your time to shine and open the door (or have it closed on you). As an interviewer, 75% of people give the same answer. "I'm hard working, honest, reliable and dependable." Let's be real, if you had all those qualities, you'd be employed, and they would pay you not to leave. So the task becomes breaking it down to a more realistic (and honest) view of who you are. Even if it's not far from the truth, let your work speak for itself, find words that set you apart from others.
For the interviewer, seeing a more realistic view of what they are purchasing (you) will give them a better sense of what you can do, will do and how you can be used within the company. With an interesting opening or first impression, it can actually help the interviewer buy into who you are and ask questions that allow you to better showcase your skills.
What am I suggesting? I suggest that everyone have a PC (Personal Commercial). This is about ten to fifteen seconds to effectively sell yourself to someone else. What makes you interesting enough to hold someone's attention and want to find out more about you and what you have to offer. How do you pull it off? Some easy steps to get you started. 1. What spark quality do you have that will make someone want to hear what you've got to say? 2. What makes you different than the person who was interviewed before you, or after you? 3. What makes you a stand out in your field of expertise?
Putting together a well thought and yes rehearsed PC will take you above the ordinary to become extra-ordinary and memorable.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Facebook - It can hurt you more than you think.
In today's market of social media, more and more companies are utilizing FB, Twitter and MySpace for ways of looking into who you are (or portray online). "So what?" you may say, however, please know that many employers and colleges will look you up, view your pictures as well as your words and form an opinion that may be hard to break. Harsh reality? Yes, but it's true.
As I flip through endless thousands of pictures of potential employees - there is one who has too little clothing, or the young lady who has a bong hanging out of her mouth. How about the young man who didn't know the camera was on him when he ad all those ladies.... and men hanging on him in the buff.
Not to sound "dated" but, businesses, schools and people do pay attention to detail, even though you may not. If you've been tagged in a pic that is less than flattering, and something you wouldn't want your mother, boss or God to see, un-tag it. Many people fail to realize, once you put a pic out there... it STAYS out there in cyberspace and can bite you in the butt later in life! Think Vanessa Williams, Madonna and some other notable people who have been hurt by things they (thoughtlessly) did in their youth.
Have fun, but make sure it's responsible fun. Take pride in who you are, not just your pics but your posts.
Lisa Raymond 2011
Your Phone Voice Sets The Tone in Your Job Search
It's amazing the power a voice has in determining the response you'll recieve in your job search. I personally answer the phone much of the time in the office and from vocal style I can determine very quickly why the person is calling and how they should be handled. Voices should be memorable in a positive way.
My favorite caller is someone I'll refer to as Xavier. He calls maybe once a week but out of dozens of calls he's easy to remember because of his speech pattern. Although he does have a Barry White quality to his voice, but I digress. He's a perfect example of how a call should be made.
1. He's speaks slowly and clearly annunciating his words.
2. He waits for a response before he continues to speak.
3. His manners are thoughtful and deliberate showing he respects my time and gets straight to the reason for his call.
For these reasons he gets through to the person he needs to reach. Because of his good phone manners I will go out of my way to be even more helpful to him to the point of physically going to look for his office contact if they don't answer their phone.
Be memorable with good phone etiquette but people will remember poor etiquette just as easily. Here's an bad example call. In a technical meeting yesterday sitting in the head job recruiter's office the phone rang and she picked it up. I could hear the caller on the other end from across the desk. He was loud and demanding and it left a negative expression on the recruiter's face. It was easy to see she was not in the mood to entertain his inquiry because of his poor manners and she will be the one who determines who gets hired.
Remember the person who answers the phone may not be the receptionist gatekeeper that you'll try to get by but the contact with which you need to speak to. Most American companies are small companies and staff members support each other in their work so the chances are good you may be speaking with the very person who would choose to hire you.
When you make calls to perspective employers here's some tips to help you out:
1. Make sure you have pen and paper at hand to take notes.
2. Make sure you are in an area that will not have background noise. That means no barking dogs, kids, radio or tv in the background. And please don't call from the street, car sounds are distracting.
3. Please be brief and to the point. If you need to write your intro down to read while you're speaking to the initial contact then do it if it helps you stay focused on what questions you need to ask.
Once you get the information or are about to be transfered to someone's phone make sure you say thank you for help. Remember acknowledgement goes a long way.
My favorite caller is someone I'll refer to as Xavier. He calls maybe once a week but out of dozens of calls he's easy to remember because of his speech pattern. Although he does have a Barry White quality to his voice, but I digress. He's a perfect example of how a call should be made.
1. He's speaks slowly and clearly annunciating his words.
2. He waits for a response before he continues to speak.
3. His manners are thoughtful and deliberate showing he respects my time and gets straight to the reason for his call.
For these reasons he gets through to the person he needs to reach. Because of his good phone manners I will go out of my way to be even more helpful to him to the point of physically going to look for his office contact if they don't answer their phone.
Be memorable with good phone etiquette but people will remember poor etiquette just as easily. Here's an bad example call. In a technical meeting yesterday sitting in the head job recruiter's office the phone rang and she picked it up. I could hear the caller on the other end from across the desk. He was loud and demanding and it left a negative expression on the recruiter's face. It was easy to see she was not in the mood to entertain his inquiry because of his poor manners and she will be the one who determines who gets hired.
Remember the person who answers the phone may not be the receptionist gatekeeper that you'll try to get by but the contact with which you need to speak to. Most American companies are small companies and staff members support each other in their work so the chances are good you may be speaking with the very person who would choose to hire you.
When you make calls to perspective employers here's some tips to help you out:
1. Make sure you have pen and paper at hand to take notes.
2. Make sure you are in an area that will not have background noise. That means no barking dogs, kids, radio or tv in the background. And please don't call from the street, car sounds are distracting.
3. Please be brief and to the point. If you need to write your intro down to read while you're speaking to the initial contact then do it if it helps you stay focused on what questions you need to ask.
Once you get the information or are about to be transfered to someone's phone make sure you say thank you for help. Remember acknowledgement goes a long way.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
How to dress for an interview
- By Lisa Raymond, 2008
An interview is basically a platform to sell yourself for the job. Many people talk about first appearances, but very few follow protocol. Almost everyone wants to be noticed! But there is a way of carrying it off so that you come out winning, not losing. These suggestions cover the detailed part of you that employers are looking for. Taking care of you, and how you look, will reflect on the type of employee you'll be.
Do clean up prior to the interview: While this seems basic, it sometimes gets over looked. Take a shower, brush your teeth, etc. Lack of general basic hygiene can stop an interview before it starts.
Do wear clean, pressed clothes. Remember you are selling you! Spotted, dirty, or wrinkled clothes isn't putting your best foot forward. If you notice wrinkles right before you leave, try squirting a little fabric softener mixed with water on the piece of clothing.
Choose something classy to wear for the interview, earthy warm colors work best and are less distracting. If you have a loud personality tone it down by wearing a dark suit coat with a "pop" of color for accent.
If your interview is something that you may wear out to a club, you may want to rethink your choice. If funds are low, look for non-profit organizations who donate clothes in your state.
Do make sure your shoes are neat as well. No need to buy a new pair, just make easy fixes by removing mud/salt or smudges with polish. High heels should be kept to a maximum of 1 1/2 inches so that walking in/out is not a distraction.
Be sure that your hands and nails are neat and clean. While most people over look this detail, interviewers do not.
Don't over do perfumes or cologne. While you may enjoy the scent, your interviewer may not, or worse be allergic to it.
Tattoos and piercings are fashion statements that say a lot about you. While it works in some offices, it does not in others. Make an attempt to find out if there is protocol about tattoos and piercings and follow it.
Remember to dress for the position that you're applying.
Good luck!
An interview is basically a platform to sell yourself for the job. Many people talk about first appearances, but very few follow protocol. Almost everyone wants to be noticed! But there is a way of carrying it off so that you come out winning, not losing. These suggestions cover the detailed part of you that employers are looking for. Taking care of you, and how you look, will reflect on the type of employee you'll be.
Do clean up prior to the interview: While this seems basic, it sometimes gets over looked. Take a shower, brush your teeth, etc. Lack of general basic hygiene can stop an interview before it starts.
Do wear clean, pressed clothes. Remember you are selling you! Spotted, dirty, or wrinkled clothes isn't putting your best foot forward. If you notice wrinkles right before you leave, try squirting a little fabric softener mixed with water on the piece of clothing.
Choose something classy to wear for the interview, earthy warm colors work best and are less distracting. If you have a loud personality tone it down by wearing a dark suit coat with a "pop" of color for accent.
If your interview is something that you may wear out to a club, you may want to rethink your choice. If funds are low, look for non-profit organizations who donate clothes in your state.
Do make sure your shoes are neat as well. No need to buy a new pair, just make easy fixes by removing mud/salt or smudges with polish. High heels should be kept to a maximum of 1 1/2 inches so that walking in/out is not a distraction.
Be sure that your hands and nails are neat and clean. While most people over look this detail, interviewers do not.
Don't over do perfumes or cologne. While you may enjoy the scent, your interviewer may not, or worse be allergic to it.
Tattoos and piercings are fashion statements that say a lot about you. While it works in some offices, it does not in others. Make an attempt to find out if there is protocol about tattoos and piercings and follow it.
Remember to dress for the position that you're applying.
Good luck!
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