Don’t Arrange the Furniture Before the Sale is Final

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livingroom-1032733_1280Realtors will tell prospective buyers, “Don’t arrange the furniture before the sale is final”.

As a career coach, I tell my clients the same thing. Let me explain.

What it means, in real estate terms, is never fall so in love with a house that you are mentally arranging your furniture before you own the place.

If you’ve ever searched for a new house or apartment, you understand the feeling you get when you find what appears to be the perfect new home.

It’s fun to think of putting the TV on this wall, artwork over here, the couch over there. Closing your eyes, you imagine all the parties you’ll throw. It’s so exciting to think of your future in the new house!

What harm is there, really, with getting so pumped about a new house?

For one, the deal could fall through. You need to have your game face on and be prepared to walk away. If you’re too caught up in the fantasy, you may end up paying more than you should.

Negotiating a job offer is similar to buying a new house. When we find an opportunity that we think is “the one” we start to “arrange the furniture”.

We envision ourselves in the job, driving to the office, sitting at the desk, engaging in projects and being part of the team. We think so far ahead that we fantasize about paychecks and vacation time. There may even be feelings of relief that the job search is over.

It’s good to be excited about a job opportunity. Yet we need to keep our minds sharp, take a giant step back and remember that we don’t actually have the job yet. Nothing is signed.

Humbling as it is, the company may offer the job to another candidate.

If we do get an offer, things can change and it may not be exactly what we hoped for, or at all like the opportunity first presented to us. We should maintain complete objectivity while negotiating the best possible agreement. And be prepared to walk away in the rare instance that it’s really not right.

When we mentally “arrange the furniture”, becoming so engaged that we see ourselves sitting at the desk, we tend to lose our negotiating edge. We may agree to points that otherwise would give us reason to pause, such as salary or vacation, or even the job responsibilities itself, simply out of fear that we may lose the opportunity if we don’t acquiesce to their demands.

Keep your game face on until the ink is dry and you are happy with the terms of the agreement.

Then – and only then – start arranging the furniture, mentally hanging pictures in your new office.

Is The Job You Interviewed For Right For You?

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How do you know if the job you interview for is right for you? I get asked this question a lot.

The short answer is: you don’t. Without a crystal ball, none of us knows with certainty whether or not a job is the “right” one.

But there are clues we can pick up during the interview process that provide valuable insight.

  • Is the interview process organized?
  • Does HR call you back in a timely manner with information about the decision making process or do they leave you hanging?
  • How about the hiring manager; does he/she seem open and engaging or are they closed off, as if they are reading questions from a script?
  • When observing employees in the office, what is the vibe? Is it general work or is it stress and chaos?
  • Above all, did any of the people you met, especially the hiring manager, set off any alarms? Is the little voice inside your head telling you to heed those alarms; that something isn’t quite right?

One time I made the mistake of not paying attention to the red flags that popped up as I interviewed for a new job.

That little voice inside my head tried to tell me that something was not quite right as I was being wooed and courted with all kinds of promises. Sensing a dark side, I politely turned the job down. Yet their force was stronger and upped the ante with more money. It was an offer that seemed too good to pass up.

Thinking I had totally misread the cues during the interview process, I pushed my inner voice aside and accepted the offer. After all, I could not pinpoint exactly what was wrong with the opportunity. What did I have to lose?

Within the first two weeks I realized my mistake. That little voice inside my head had been right and all of those red flags meant “stop” and take serious notice. No amount of money could make up for the fact that this was not the right fit for me, yet now I was committed.

Ultimately, after staying for awhile, I left the company for something that was a much better match.

Word of caution: Remember, no job is perfect. Do not use your “inner voice” as an excuse to find fault with every interview or job opportunity that comes up.

Back to the original question: How do you know if the job you interview for is a good fit? Again, there are no guarantees. One thing is for certain: listen to your inner voice and look for any red flags.

When it’s right you’ll know it. And when it’s wrong, you’ll know it too.

Always Put Your Best Foot Forward

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dog-633562_1920There are times when it’s okay to just throw in the towel, right? Especially when it comes to interview preparation.  Whether it’s an interview for a job, an internship or possibly grad school, you can cut yourself some slack on occasion.

After all, you’ve applied to dozens of places. Even though you’ve scored an interview with a great company, it’s not your first choice and there’s still time for “number one” to give you a call.

Sure, you do the basics such as getting an interview outfit and telling a few trusted friends about this new development. Without putting forth much effort you convince yourself that you’re prepared, you’ve done this before, you are ready for any question and that this interview is really more of an opportunity for you to take a look at them.

You don’t need to put much effort into preparing for an interview that you’re not 100% sure about anyway.

SAID NO CAREER COACH, EVER.

Yet I’ve heard this before, watched it play out and then seen the results. It should be no surprise that they aren’t pretty.

Always put your best foot forward. Approach every interview as though this is THE ONE; the job or internship that you really want.

Here are a few reasons why you should always put your best foot forward:

Personal Brand – Remember: you represent the brand of YOU.  And you always want to present your brand in the best possible way.  Prepare, smile and shine during the interview!

Six Degrees of Separation – It’s a small world. The hiring manager you interview with today may be best friends with the hiring manager you interview with tomorrow. Or they could be connected to some other key individual that may be instrumental in your career.  Give them every reason to praise you.

You Can’t Turn It Down Till They Make You An Offer – Many times I hear clients say, “Based on what I heard during the phone interview, I’m going to turn the company down”. Turn what down?  They haven’t made you a job offer yet!  In most cases it’s in your best interest to continue with the process to see where it leads.  Job location may be a concern for you, yet if the company likes you they may be willing to accommodate a telecommuting situation.  Who knows?  If you pass an opportunity too early you’ll never find out.

Always Go for the Win – Sports teams always approach a game with a winning mind-set. So should you when you go into an interview.   The goal is to receive a job offer – a win.  It allows you to make the decision about employment rather than having it made for you.  Go in to each interview as though it were the only job you want.

Practice Makes Perfect – If nothing else, every interview is an opportunity to practice your interviewing skills. Always look for improvement over your last interview. Grade yourself and afterwards note additional ways to improve.

 

3 Tips For Successfully Answering Interview Questions

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practice-615644_1920What is it about interviewing for a job that can make otherwise intelligent people get tongue-tied? After all, we are at a job interview to discuss how we might help the company achieve its goals and who knows our career story, with all of our successes, better than we do?

Preparation is the key to a successful interview. Here are 3 tips to help you successfully answer interview questions.

1.Write Your Answers Ahead of Time

You have a good idea of the questions the hiring manager will ask, right? “Why do you want to work here?” “Give me an example of a successful project you managed” “What is your biggest strength/weakness?” and the all-important, “Tell me about yourself”.

Rather than “wing it” during the interview, think about what you want to say and type out your answers ahead of time.

Go back and review your answers, making sure they are succinct and convey the best part of you and your career. Place yourself in the hiring manager’s position: Are your answers what you would want to hear from a candidate?

2. Answer the Hiring Manager’s Question: WIFM?

The hiring manager is looking for someone to solve her problems. She’s silently asking the question, “What’s In It For Me?”

To answer this question, you need to “show”, not “tell”.

It also means using examples to show why she should hire you, NOT using fluffy words or generic information that isn’t specific to the position for which you are applying.

For example: “Tell me about yourself”. Your answer: “I’m passionate about analytics and am a dedicated, hard worker.  I really enjoy working in finance and would love to work here at XYZ Company.”

That’s awesome that you want to work for the company but the hiring manager doesn’t care about your needs/desires. I’m sure you are dedicated and hard-working, but how do you prove that in an interview? Besides, isn’t every candidate going to say that?

A better answer is, “I’m a financial analyst with more than ten years experience helping companies such as yours strategize and plan for the future. My career includes both corporate experience as well as consulting, for both domestic and global organizations. Recently my team completed a project that allowed our company to increase revenue by 8%. I believe my experience has prepared me to take the next step, and I’m ready to make a positive contribution to your organization.”

State who you are and show you can do for the hiring manager and the company.

3. Practice!

Just like being in a play, practice saying your answers out loud until they roll off your tongue naturally. Do not wait until the interview before you speak these words!

Trust me when I tell you that practice makes you sound perfectly unrehearsed.

Remember: Write. Show. Practice. These three tips will take you from tongue-tied to eloquent.

Think Like an Athlete to Recover From a Bad Interview

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football field

The day starts out great. You have prepared for this moment, practicing your answers as if your life depended on it. Your outfit is perfect. Smiling at everyone you meet, you are gracious and relaxed.

You know you’ve got this interview nailed.

Then, out of the blue, the hiring manager asks a question that you should have been prepared for. In fact, you were prepared for it but for some reason your tongue got twisted in your mouth and you stumbled. Big Time.

It was like a slow-motion train-wreck happening as the wrong words came out into a mish-mash of an answer.

Not one of your finer moments.

To your credit, you recovered and kept going with the next question, yet it was a bit too late.

You could sense it – even see it – in the hiring managers’ eyes.

Game over.

How many of us have made a mistake during an interview, blowing the answer to a question that we should have answered correctly?

It happens. What we need to remember is not to wallow in defeat. We need to have a very short memory when it comes to our interview mistakes. We need to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and get back in the game.

Take a lesson from athletes. They have to get up and get back in the game literally seconds after making a potentially game-changing mistake, with large crowds of people watching their every move.

My nephew is learning how to master this skill, which will serve him well in the future.

In his first college football game he faced almost every obstacle possible, from wind, to losing his deep snapper (the guy who holds the football while nephew kicks), to penalties that forced him to attempt a field goal from a distance that many pros won’t make.
The style of kicking that his high school coach loved is different from what the college coach wants. His first two kick-off attempts failed, yet by number three he found his groove.

My nephew showed determination and a commitment to succeed. He let his short-term memory take over during those moments, forgetting his mistakes so he could focus on succeeding the next time he was on the field.

Next time you have an interview that doesn’t go as planned, think like an athlete.  Learn from your mistake, engage your short term memory so you don’t wallow in pity, and move on to success next time.

Lesson from The Bachelorette: The Follow-Up

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rose

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Job hunting is a lot like dating.

There really should be a reality show about this. Wait, there is – The Bachelorette.  It’s the ultimate interview experience.

What a train wreck. I can’t imagine putting myself through such a dating fiasco in front of millions. Yet there are so many lessons to be learned from this show that relate to the job search.

Yes, I’m serious. 

Everything from first impressions to thirty-second “Tell me about yourself” speeches to dress-for-success stories to having questions to ask the hiring manager.

Or in this case the bachelorette.

This week’s lesson from The Bachelorette is called The Follow Up.  It’s something many of us struggle with after we apply for a job.

Let’s say we have a great interview; we feel good about our conversation with the hiring manager; we had a real “connection” and we think we’re going to get an offer. Suffice it to say we leave the interview feeling pumped.

How or when do we follow-up with the hiring manager after an interview? 

Hopefully we do not take our cue from one of the current Bachelorette contestants, an overly confident bachelor who does not understand the rules when it comes to dating on the reality show.

This particular gentleman, having made a connection during an earlier date with the Bachelorette, decided that during the group date he no longer needed to pursue the young lady.  He reasoned that if she really liked him, she could “make an effort to find him”.

Unfortunately for him, that’s not how the game works.

The show is about courting the Bachelorette.  She holds all of the power to “hire” or “fire” the participants. The men are supposed to be in constant pursuit, proclaiming their intentions, while she is not allowed to proclaim her intentions until she chooses (hires) a winner.

No way was she going say “You’re hired” with the customary red rose given to the bachelors who advance to the next round.

Doesn’t this sound a lot like the interview process? 

In the real world, the hiring manager holds all the power.  As candidates we are in constant pursuit, proclaiming our desire to work for the company and touting our capabilities until a candidate is selected.

No matter how great you feel about the interview, no matter what kind of electric vibes you may have received from the hiring manager, it is always up to the candidate to continue to pursue the job opportunity.

Never take the attitude, “They liked me, so now they can call me”.

Unless you don’t want the job.

The day of the interview send thank-you emails to everyone you’ve met, followed by hand-written thank-you notes post-marked that night.

Wait a few days and if you haven’t heard anything, contact the hiring manager again with a friendly email or call reiterating your desire to work for her and the company.

After another week, try again.  Just remember that too much communication is as bad as too little. It’s a fine line between showing interest and being a pest.

True, you can have the best interview and feel a great connection with the hiring manager and still not get the job.  If that happens, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you gave it your best shot.

Who knows? You may demonstrate the kind of attitude that will get you an offer. And maybe a rose.

Always Bring Your A-Game to Every Interview

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keep-calm-and-bring-your-a-game

What would you do if you knew, for certain, that you had a shot at a job that would pay you seven figures?  That you were a shoe-in for an opportunity that would make you an instant millionaire?

All you had to do was get through the final interview without screwing up.  Basically, the job was yours to lose.

Most of us, I assume, would do everything in our power to bring our A-game.  We would prepare like never before. We would know our thirty-second “Tell me about yourself,” elevator speech. We would practice our answers to interview questions.  We might even hire a coach to review basics like eye-contact, body language, conversation and dressing for success.

Personally, I would purchase a new outfit, get my hair cut and have a manicure. This would definitely be a legitimate reason to shop.

Yes, most of us would go “all-out” for such an opportunity, knowing that getting hired would be the ultimate achievement and would cover any expenses we incurred to put our best foot forward.

I recently read an article written by Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News about a young man who did the opposite. He had an opportunity to be an instant millionaire and let it go up in smoke. Literally.

The article had to do with the NFL draft, something that I don’t usually watch.  Hubby brought the article to my attention about the story of Randy Gregory, apparently one of the nation’s top players and at one time expected to be a first round draft pick; probably top ten.

It’s my understanding that “first round” means millions of dollars, much more than if you languish until a later round.

But Mr. Gregory blew the biggest job interview of his life at the NFL combine.  He tested positive for marijuana.  I like how Mr. Gosselin put it best:

“By testing positive for marijuana, Gregory failed that simple intelligence test. How can you be that stupid as to risk a  lifetime of financial security for a few tokes off a joint?”

Seriously, did this young man really think his talent was so special that he was immune from the rules that all other draft hopefuls had to follow?  That coaches were going to ignore bad interview performance and pay him millions anyway?

The Cowboys had him as a first round pick, yet passed him up.  So did the other teams.  Mr. Gregory sat waiting for an offer.  I hope he was nervous; he should have been.

Something similar could happen to anyone during a job interview.  Inappropriate remarks, unable to answer interview questions, appearing unprepared in general, appearing cocky, inappropriate interview attire, etc. – any number of things.  We could just be so nervous that we lose our ability to think clearly.

Every time we interview, whether it’s the first phone-screen or the final-round in-person interview, we simply must bring our A-game. Always be on your toes.  Always show the company the best you have to offer. Your goal is to get the offer, not to leave a lucrative deal on the table because of a mistake.

As for Mr. Gregory, eventually he was selected, yet his value had diminished.  Trust had been lost, the team was wary of what he could do on the field as well as if hiring him could damage their brand.

I hope it works out for him.  And I hope we can all remember the lesson he inadvertently shared: Always bring your A-game to every interview. It could mean big bucks.

When It Comes To Interviewing, Just Be Yourself

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bruce-jenner

Bruce Jenner.  Unless you’ve been living in a cave, no doubt you’ve heard or seen or read about his decision to start living the life he has always wanted to live.

He’s finally going to start being true to himself rather than trying to simply fit in.  

While his case is an extreme, really don’t we all play a little bit of a game when it comes to being true to ourselves?

Especially at interview time.  Sometimes we paint a picture or act in ways that might be just a tad bit different from the person we actually are, instead of simply being ourselves.

Maybe we’ve been out of work for quite some time and we need the money that comes with the job.  Maybe it’s our “dream” company and we would do anything to get our foot in the door.  Maybe we are super excited about the actual work that comes with this particular job.

Whatever the case, we may do our best to fit in; to act a certain way during the interview process to secure an offer.

Nothing bad, mind you, it’s just that we may say or do things that are not exactly in line with our personality.  Or we may ignore little “red flags” that say “Your personality would not fit in with this corporate culture”.

Take me, for example.  I’m a very straight-forward, get-the-job-done kind of person.  I succeed in an environment that allows me to lead my team, to make decisions and to move the work forward.  An assertive leader, it’s my opinion that the best way to succeed is to understand the situation, set goals, formulate a strategy to achieve those goals and execute the tactics, knowing that there will be changes along the way.  I enjoy working with a strong, assertive leader as well; someone who will not hide from tough decisions or conversations.  And they’ve got to have a good sense of humor; I love to have fun at work too.

What if I ignored these known facts about myself during an interview?  What if pretended that instead, I was a bit more laid back and was okay with not having answers?  Or if I somehow knew that my assertive leadership capabilities would not be appreciated, and the corporate culture preferred a more easy-come, easy-go approach? Or any sense of humor would fall on deaf ears?

At best I would sit in silent frustration.  At worst, both the company and I would realize that while we both desired to do good work, our methods of achieving the outcome would be dramatically different.

It would mean that I was not being true to myself from the beginning, just to get the job.

I’ve said before that job hunting is a lot like dating.  And successful dating means being yourself; allowing the other person to see the real you in order to make an informed decision.

Same thing for accepting a job.  Just because it’s your “dream company”, if you have to suppress your personality during the interview or when you arrive for work, it probably is not a good fit long-term.

Right now, if you haven’t done this already, think about who you are.  The real you; your good qualities and bad; how you interact with people and how you work.  List them out.  Think about how this fits into a corporation’s culture.  (This is not to say we can’t include areas for self-improvement – I’ve got a list of those too.  Yet for this moment, know where you stand.)

When it comes to interviewing, just be yourself.  You owe it to yourself and to your employer.  Your success depends on it.

Interview Musts

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There are certain things that are considered “musts” when it comes to interviews.  An early arrival, manners and basic hygiene top the list, followed closely by breath mints.

To me these are all part of SOP – standard operating procedure.

It’s been brought to my attention that the younger crowd is not up on all of the SOP’s.  They may get the manners and hygiene, but I’ve noticed that many fail to bring copies of their resume to interviews.

I guess they think hiring managers are mind readers.

Since college students are in full interview mode right now, for either internships or full-time jobs, here is a brief list of Interview Musts:

  • Bring plenty of copies of your resume. Never assume that everyone you meet will have received a copy. In fact, some managers may have only been given five minutes’ notice that they will conduct an interview.  So make it easy for them and present a copy of your resume.  They will appreciate it.
  • Bring your business cards. This is a nice addition to your resume.  Also helps if you meet so many people that you run out of resumes.
  • Dress for success. Even if the firm is casual, you should be dressed for business.  Shoes should be clean and polished. Clothes ironed. Ladies, don’t carry too many bags.  If you carry a tote, then have a small handbag.  No need to look like you’re moving in with so much luggage.
  • Be prepared! Have your quick “About Me” speech with a memorable story ready to go so that it rolls off your tongue in a conversational manner.
  • Show them how you are the best candidate for the job and that you can solve their problems.  If you could only tell the hiring manager three things about yourself, what would they be?  Avoid things like, “I’m dedicated, hard-working, passionate and I’ve always wanted to work here”.  Use succinct stories that show examples of who you are instead of fluffy words.
  • Always be “on”. From the time you walk in the building to the time you get back to your car, be in “interview mode”.  Everyone you meet is judging you as a potential candidate.  If they take you to lunch, they are interviewing you whether it seems like it or not. They will watch to see if you speak about relevant topics, if you are too quiet or talk too much, if you talk with your mouth full, etc.  I’m not kidding.
  • Thank Them.  Thank each person after each interview.  And follow up with hand-written thank-you notes mailed either the same night or the following morning at the latest.

This list of “interview musts”, while not all-encompassing, is a great reminder for all of us to be prepared for interviews. Now go get ‘em!

Show Don’t Tell: Interview Advice for Students

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Despite the snow and ice from the Siberian Express, technically its spring and college students are in full interview mode. Some are looking for summer internships while those ready for graduation are seeking full-time employment.

Because of this my phone and email are buzzing constantly with students seeking interview advice.

Biggest question I’ve gotten so far involves responding to the inevitable, “Tell me about yourself.”

So simple, yet complex at the same time, and something that so many stumble on.

The solution? We practice as if I was the interviewer. I ask the students to show me what they’ve got.

Responses include a variety of descriptive words that, in the students’ mind, give the interviewer a good picture of who they are.   I call them “fluffy” words. 

Fluffy words include “Determined”, “dedicated”, “detail-oriented”, “leader”, “passionate”, “risk-taker”, and “driven”.  The list is endless.

While these words may actually be true about the candidate, they don’t really help.  The interview needs to see the concept in action, not just hear the words.

What the interviewer needs is a good old-fashioned grade-school style “show and tell”.

I’m sure you remember show-and-tell.  It was fun to hear about Billy’s vacation to SeaWorld and that he was chosen to feed the dolphins.  But it became more impressive when he pulled out the framed photo of him standing on a platform with the trainer in front of the entire crowd with the dolphin in mid-air grabbing the fish from his hand.

The conviction or proof of your words is in the story that surrounds them. 

My favorite uncle was a real character (doesn’t everyone have such a relative?) who was the ultimate salesman.  He could sell ice to an Eskimo living in an igloo.

He was also a charmer who never met a stranger.  He would tell people that he was the Lone Ranger; it was his opening line.  Once he had their attention, he would prove his identity by pulling a silver bullet out of his pocket.  That was the Lone Ranger’s calling card; he always carried a silver bullet.

Just to be clear, my uncle was not the “real” Lone Ranger, despite carrying a silver bullet in his pocket.  In the world of sales, where building an honest relationship is important, this was his way of proving that he could be trusted.  “I told you I could prove I was the Lone Ranger with a silver bullet and I did”.

My advice to the students is to show the interviewer what they are capable of through short stories about their work.

Show how they are leaders: “As president of the engineering society, I managed an annual budget of $10,000 and led the direction of the student-run board, including decisions on fund raising, social activities, and hiring speakers.”

Sounds much better than “I am a proven leader on campus”.

The interviewer needs to understand what we’ve done; they want to see our fun vacation photos or see the proof that we’re the Lone Ranger.

Remember to show your experience to the interview. Don’t just tell it with fluffy words.