Randy Wooden from The Wooden Group explains how to make a great impression at the end of the interview.
To learn more, call us at (336) 793-8040 or visit www.WoodenGroup.com!
By: Randy Wooden
www.WoodenGroup.com
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
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!
By: Randy Wooden
www.WoodenGroup.com
Most of us have heard of informational interviewing. It means different things to different people, but to me it refers to your interaction with another person with the intent of learning about what that person does and learning about their industry. It is NOT simply trying to get new contact names.
It also means obtaining advice on whether you might want to pursue that person’s line of work. Typical questions to ask might include:
“Tell me what you do. What does your company do/make? What do you find most challenging? How did you get into this work? What do you like most/least about what you do? What upcoming industry changes might impact you and your company? Does your company/industry typically hire people from outside the industry? Why?
What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing this field? What is a realistic income range for someone like me entering your field? Who else could you point me to for more information about your field?”
To learn more, call us at (336) 793-8040 or visit www.WoodenGroup.com!
By: Randy Wooden
www.WoodenGroup.com
The other day someone asked me what was the biggest mistake I’d ever made during an interview. Well, as a human we live and learn, but one thing stood out.
I’d failed to ask for the job. Not once, but twice. Let me explain.
Years ago I’d interviewed for a sales position selling textbooks to colleges. The interview occurred in Ohio during January, so I kept thinking of lugging a suitcase on rollers up some hill during the snow and slush of a mid western winter.
As the interview wrapped up, there was the perfect opportunity for me to share my enthusiasm for the position. To “ask for the job,” so to speak. But I failed to do that. I didn’t ask for the job because I truly didn’t want it, but that’s not my point.
The employer told me the next step. I was to phone her the next day for the result. My pride wanted her to want me, but my honesty couldn’t bring me to ask for a job I really didn’t want.
I called the following day. She said, “Randy, you were by far the best candidate I spoke with, but you never asked me for the job and I’ll never offer a job to someone who doesn’t ask for it.”
That’s been over 20 years ago, but I recall those words clearly. They came up a second time, but in that case it was a foregone conclusion I would get the job. Still, when my future boss said, “Well, Randy. Do you want this position?” It brought back memories of a previous mistake – a mistake I will never make again.
If you have a reasonable amount of interest in a position, NEVER leave an interview without reaffirming, in no uncertain terms, your interest in the position. I’d also add that you should leave with an understanding of the next step in the hiring process.
It’s not enough to merely show up for the interview. Employers have many candidates to pick from. The hiring decision largely rests on two factors. First, do you have the skills to perform the job? And second, does the employer “like” you? Do they like your attitude, enthusiasm, etc? Asking for the job can go a long way toward showing a positive attitude and enthusiasm. Try it next time!
To learn more, call us at (336) 793-8040 or visit www.WoodenGroup.com!
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Watch as Randy Wooden from The Wooden Group explains how to make the most of job fairs in your area.
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By: Randy Wooden
Be careful where you conduct your final grooming prior to entering the interview. Years ago a recruiter told me of an engineering candidate who drove up to the manufacturing facility and parked, face in, to a visitor space.
Before exiting his vehicle, the candidate tilted his rear view mirror downward and proceeded to do a “once over” on his tie, his teeth, his breath, his underarms and last, but certainly not least, his nose. Knuckle-deep with his right hand.
Unbeknownst to the candidate his vehicle pointed directly into the plant manager’s office. The manager happened to see the car pull up and naturally paused a moment to see whether he knew who was driving. After a disgusting laugh the manager went about his business.
About 15 minutes later his admin let him know his interview was waiting in the lobby. Imagine the manager’s feeling as he turned the corner, only to see that smiling candidate with his right hand extended. The man never had a chance at that job and it had nothing to do with his skills or experience.
I instruct clients to bring along an extra shirt as well as a lint brush and dental floss. Find a nearby restaurant or the company bathroom to do your personal grooming. Just remember, whenever you’re on company property you may be being watched, so be careful of what you say and your actions.
To learn more, call us at (336) 793-8040 or visit www.WoodenGroup.com!
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Watch this funny video on how to make a good first impression in an interview…
Call the Wooden Group for more information. (336) 793-8040.
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