The Wooden Group

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!

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!

By: Randy Wooden

I typically ask workshop attendees and my clients which questions tend to give them trouble. The two I hear most often center around compensation and ‘tell me about yourself.’ Both are difficult, but for different reasons.

Let’s tackle the most common and, likely, the most difficult question of all because it’s somewhat vague and is usually the first question asked in a typically nerve-wracking setting: Tell me about yourself.

Keep your answer to under one minute, remembering the question is merely an ice breaker and not the time to unload your entire life story. The employer is as often less interested in what you say than how you say it. How do you come across? Concise, professional? Or rambling?

Thank them for having you in for an interview, then give a brief summary of your education and relevant experience, then transition to asking the interviewer to tell you more about the position.

Asking them a question keeps you from rambling and directs the conversation to where the employer wanted it to go anyway - him discussing the company and describing the opening.

Also, by asking a question early on you establish the freedom to ask questions throughout the interview. That’s important in establishing somewhat of a peer-to-peer relationship and also doesn’t leave you hanging when they ask, “do you have any questions for me” at the end of the interview.

Call our office at 336.793.8040 or visit www.woodengroup.com.

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Randy Wooden from The Wooden Group discusses the issue of age and dates on a resume. Should you hide your age, etc.?

Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.

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When you’re out of work there’s no such thing as “giving up.” It’s not in the cards. You have to find a job. Maybe you’re unhappy in your current situation and tired of looking for something else.  Did you ever stop to think that perhaps you’re doing something wrong? Got questions? We have the answers…

Come to The Wooden Group’s one-hour “Get Hired” workshop 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!

              

Looking for a job? Looking for a better job? Maybe you’ve tried everything you know to try, but you’re not getting anywhere. Let us help you try something new!

Come to The Wooden Group’s one-hour “Get Hired” workshop 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

From time to time I’m asked about how someone should dress for an interview.  In this era of a more casual work environment it has become more difficult for many to determine how “dressy” they should be.

My general rule of thumb is this:  if you err, err on the dressy side.  Or, another way of looking at it… dress as though you are interviewing for a position above the one you’re applying for.

Certainly for most salaried positions I’d recommend professional dress.  For hourly positions in a blue collar environment I’d at least recommend business casual.  In no case would I advocate t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops.

We dress as we want others to perceive us.  By dressing appropriately we convey our professionalism.  Remember, the hiring process is largely a subjective one.  People form opinions about us based on a variety of factors, including our appearance. 

If you have piercings and tattoos, my suggestion would be to remove the piercings and attempt to cover the tattoos until you know the company’s policy regarding them.  Positions dealing with the public often come with restrictions in those areas.  Just as with someone wearing excessive cologne or perfume… or a female with too much skin showing, I think it’s important not to let clothing or appearance present a distraction.  I want to come across as a dependable professional.

As is often said, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.

STAY CONNECTED!

              

Unemployed?  Underemployed and concerned about your future? 

How can you improve your marketability?

Come to The Wooden Group’s one-hour “Get Hired” workshop every Thursday at noon.

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!

              

The Wooden Group will holds one hour “Get Hired” Workshops every Thursday at 12:00pm, eastern time.

If you can’t make it to the workshop in person we’ll be streaming it live on Ustream. Please check our Facebook Page or Twitter Profile on Thursday morning for the link!

In recent weeks they’ve covered tips on resume development, networking, utilizing LinkedIn, and ways of handling several difficult interview questions.

Since the workshops are independent, there’s no problem if you’ve missed prior ones.  Simply come or log on with your resume and 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!