Randy Wooden from The Wooden Group discusses how to handle some tough interview scenarios and how something you might say could harm your chances. He also discusses some of the things you should NOT ask in the interview.
Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.
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Come to our free workshop, get all your questions answered and receive a complimentary resume critique!
The Wooden Group’s one-hour “Get Hired” workshop is every Thursday at noon where we’ll discuss how you can improve your marketability, make your resume stand out, figure out the best way to network, improve your interviewing skills…and more!
We cover all aspects of a job search. Workshop content is largely driven by you – the attendee. So, bring your questions!
The Wooden Group’s office is located in the Broyhill Office Suites on Clemmons Road next to the Clemmons Public Library.
Seating is limited, so call 336.793.8040 or email randy@woodengroup.com to confirm your spot.
Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.
STAY CONNECTED!
By: Randy Wooden
www.WoodenGroup.com
During my career I’ve not only provided private and corporate outplacement, but I’ve also spent years as a headhunter (executive search) and have worked inside corporations as an in-house recruiter. And I’ve been a job seeker myself. So I bring a diverse experience when assisting someone’s job hunt.
I’m often told, “I’ll hold off on contracting with you because I want to have a recruiter place me for free.” The reality is that recruiters are in the “round peg – round hole” business. They place people who possess very specific industry, functional and educational backgrounds. The fact you might possess transferable skills is all well and good, but put yourself in the shoes of a company paying the fee. Would you pay a hefty fee for someone coming from a different background? Why?
Executive recruiters are commonly referred to as headhunters. If your industry and function are on target… if you have the required education, salary and are in the approximate experience level (age) range, then you MIGHT have a shot.
I say MIGHT, because you also must possess reasonably good interviewing skills. This is, after all, a competitive environment and you must be better than what the company can find on its own for free.
But an even larger hurdle is the economy. With a glut of supply (job seekers) a company often times feels it doesn’t need a recruiter’s help in finding that ideal candidate. Web-based searches can often turn up a wide selection of qualified candidates. So the recruiter is at the mercy of their client company’s willingness to pay fees to begin with.
A very small portion of our workforce is placeable by headhunters at any given time. If client companies aren’t paying fees for someone just like you, your resume becomes inventory on a recruiter’s shelf.
The Wooden Group guides you through each aspect of a job search to increase your effectiveness and, logically, shorten your hunt time. If you’re serious about your career, why not contact us for an initial interview?
To learn more, call us at (336) 793-8040 or visit www.WoodenGroup.com!
Questions about interviewing, networking, how to get the inside track on a position and LinkedIn? Get answers to these questions and much more at our next workshop!
Come to our free workshop and receive a complimentary resume critique!
The Wooden Group’s one-hour “Get Hired” workshop is every Thursday at noon where we’ll discuss how you can improve your marketability, make your resume stand out, figure out the best way to network, improve your interviewing skills…and more!
We cover all aspects of a job search. Workshop content is largely driven by you – the attendee. So, bring your questions!
The Wooden Group’s office is located in the Broyhill Office Suites on Clemmons Road next to the Clemmons Public Library.
Seating is limited, so call 336.793.8040 or email randy@woodengroup.com to confirm your spot.
Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.
STAY CONNECTED!
By: Randy Wooden
Ever heard these? “We’re not sure we can afford you… we’re not sure you’d be challenged in this position… I’m concerned you won’t be happy in this position.”
Failure to overcome those objections will doom your candidacy. And while there is no foolproof way to work through the “you’re overqualified” objection, I have some suggestions which could mitigate the damage and, hopefully, sufficiently overcome the objection in order to land the job.
First, don’t argue with the employer. Admit it’s a valid concern. And don’t counteract their objection by telling them they’ll get a lot of bang for the buck. They’re not arguing that point. The employer’s telling you they won’t be able to keep you… and consequently it doesn’t behoove them to hire someone they perceive will simply continue their job search until something better turns up.
So begin your answer by acknowledging their concerns. Then, share your take on the realities of the job market and how you recognize that the past position was with a different company at a different time. Briefly discuss why you’d want this position and why, despite it being a step back in pay and title, it fits with your longer term career objectives.
You might wrap up your answer with the confession that job hunting is right up there with battling an insurance company or a visit from the IRS. You’d much rather spend your time and energies in a new position.
Conclude by seeking confirmation. “Does that make sense… or… Can you see why I feel that way?”
If your past work history is one of long term stability, then you could also offer that as evidence. I’d suggest not leading with that, however, since it can be perceived as condescending toward the employer.
All that said, for many employers there is no getting around the issue. It’s sad, since statistics demonstrate that people change employers MUCH more frequently than they did a generation ago. So the 25 year old is as likely to remain with the company as long as the 45 year old.
As always, I welcome feedback. Reach me at randy@woodengroup.com. Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.
STAY CONNECTED!
Come to our free workshop and receive a complimentary resume critique!
The Wooden Group’s one-hour “Get Hired” workshop is every Thursday at noon where we’ll discuss how you can improve your marketability, make your resume stand out, figure out the best way to network, improve your interviewing skills…and more!
We cover all aspects of a job search. Workshop content is largely driven by you – the attendee. So, bring your questions!
The Wooden Group’s office is located in the Broyhill Office Suites on Clemmons Road next to the Clemmons Public Library.
Seating is limited, so call 336.793.8040 or email randy@woodengroup.com to confirm your spot.
Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.
STAY CONNECTED!
By: Randy Wooden
www.WoodenGroup.com
Everyone has made mistakes in interviews. One of the things we do is train and coach you on how to master the interview process. Here is a list of some common mistakes made during interviews.
1. Not asking for the job. While not a literal question, asking for the job means restating your interest in the position.
2. Failing to ask appropriate questions. A lack of relevant questions shows a lack of adequate preparedness.
3. Failing to ask any questions. This shows not only your lack of preparedness, but that you just don’t care.
4. Failing to adequately provide examples from your work history to illustrate you have the skills to perform the job. This is especially important when you’re attempting to transfer your skills to a different industry.
5. Talking too long. Most candidates are nervous and seek to do an information dump on the employer. Too much information, particularly when you’re not a compelling speaker, leads to boredom and rejection.
6. Resume issues. Typos, length, lack of key words.
7. Thank you note. Didn’t your mom tell you to say “thank you” when you were little? Why stop just because you’re older? It’s another way to “touch” the employer and a good way to correct a statement you made in the interview.
8. Failing to “keep control.” This means making sure you understand what will be the next step in the hiring process and when that’ll likely occur.
To learn more, call us at (336) 793-8040 or visit www.WoodenGroup.com!
By: Randy Wooden
www.WoodenGroup.com
Here are 8 great ways to make a good first impression in an interview.
1. Preparation. This takes many forms, but make sure you understand what the employer’s looking for and cite examples from your past to show you meet their needs.
2. Resume. No typos, one or two pages in length, include key words which match with those listed in the requirements or qualifications.
3. Stand up in the lobby. Make sure you’re standing when the employer pops his head into the lobby. Why? People first look to other people at eye level. By standing you appear enthusiastic and ready for business.
4. Dress appropriately. This can mean different clothing for different jobs, but always err on the dressier side when in doubt.
5. Appearance. Don’t detract from your message of being a competent professional by exhibiting poor hygiene or inappropriate hairstyles.
6. Body language. This includes everything from maintaining good eye contact to a firm handshake to sitting up to avoiding nervous fidgeting.
7. Ask good, open ended questions.
8. Relax. The interview is an exchange of information. It’s a chance to convey why you’re a fit for the position. The employer’s not simply hiring a robot with skills, they’re hiring a personality. Let yours be one of enthusiasm and confidence.
To learn more, call us at (336) 793-8040 or visit www.WoodenGroup.com!
How long have you been looking? Long enough to stop and ask yourself, “Am I doing everything right?”
Come to our free workshop, find out how to do everything right…and receive a complimentary resume critique!
The Wooden Group’s one-hour “Get Hired” workshop is every Thursday at noon where we’ll discuss how you can improve your marketability, make your resume stand out, figure out the best way to network, improve your interviewing skills…and more!
We cover all aspects of a job search. Workshop content is largely driven by you – the attendee. So bring your questions!
The Wooden Group’s office is located in the Broyhill Office Suites on Clemmons Road next to the Clemmons Public Library.
Seating is limited, so call 336.793.8040 or email randy@woodengroup.com to confirm your spot.
Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.
STAY CONNECTED!
By: Randy Wooden
As I take on new clients, one of their most common concerns deals with networking. Sure, there’s the “how to” part of networking most people fail to effectively master, but it’s the “I’ve burned through my network and have no where else to turn” issue I’ll address today.
If you feel you’ve burned through your entire network you have, essentially, three options. The first is to revert to answering online job postings and forego networking for the most part. Don’t do that.
The other two options include expanding your network and revisiting those with whom you’ve already made contact.
Let’s talk about that last option. First, why are we hesitant to “go to the well” again? Fear? Embarrassment? Uncertainty about what to say?
I suspect it’s all those things, yet I find the hesitation can be largely overcome if we feel confident about our approach. Fear and embarrassment tend to diminish once we’ve arrived at a realistic process.
Consider yourself not as a beggar with your hands outstretched, hoping for someone’s kindness. Rather, look at yourself as a solutions provider… a giver, not a taker. Seek to help others first.
Next time you want to recontact John Doe to see whether he’s “heard of anything new,” why not instead present John with a link to an article of interest to him? Or, find his company mentioned in an article and bring it to his attention. Find something of value or interest to your contact. I wouldn’t necessarily mention I’m still looking.
In fact, if you avoid mentioning your job search it’s likely your contact will ask you about it. Then you can feel free to share your status and ask for additional input.
I find people feel more comfortable and, possibly, compelled to help you when you try to help them first. Look to be a resource first, a job hunter second.
Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.
STAY CONNECTED!