Interview Doctor
You are missing a big opportunity if you just stick them in your drawer. In this video, Katherine Burik shares how she uses business cards to build relationships in social media.
These days it is conventional wisdom that it is not what you know but who you know that matters when finding a job. I say it all the time. I wrote a book about networking with a structured job search, “The Job Search Marketing Plan“. But does it really work?
That ZAPPO you heard last week wasn’t a snow storm. It was NETWORKING MAGIC at work again!
Kim is a friend from church. She is a high energy bubbly HR leader with an expertise in training and development looking for a new opportunity. This isn’t her first job search. Kim saw a job opportunity posted online for a very large employer in our region. She put in the several hours required and submitted her application for the job. But she didn’t stop there.
Kim dove into my LinkedIn data pool and discovered that I am 1st connections with Tamara in HR at that very large company. Knowing Kim, she probably reached out to other people too. She sent me a note requesting an introduction to Tamara as part of her pursuit of that posted opportunity.
I refreshed my memory about Tamara by checking out Tamara’s LinkedIn profile then sent Tamara a note reminding her where and how we met and introducing her to Kim who is networking into that company about a particular job.
Tamara responded to us both that same day enthusiastically. She remembered hearing me speak last year at NOHRC, a large regional HR conference where we met. She copied in Laura, the HR person who knows about the opportunity Kim is pursuing. In this way, Tamara moved Kim down the line closer to her goal.
Laura responded enthusiastically to us all welcoming a conversation with Kim and a further introduction to the hiring manager.
I responded to Tamara with an invitation to coffee at the 2015 NOHRC conference coming up in March.
Smiles and (virtual) handshakes all around! It was magic.
This entire process took a matter of minutes over a two day period. It wasn’t hard.
Let’s summarize what happened in that short period of magic:
Networking IS magic. THAT is how it is done!
Ahhh….. um…. Let’s see. I am shy… I like to read…
Think I am kidding? That is the real answer overheard at an interview. Seriously, you would be shocked how many people have trouble with that question.
Katherine’s five words are: smart, pretty well organized, high energy, problem solver and likes to work with teams. Everyone’s words are different. What are your words?
Join Katherine as she explores this interesting idea in this video:
Your five words are actually your strengths. You might not think of it that way but they are. For example, Katherine describes herself as high energy. Her energy helps her get an unbelievable amount of work done every day and absorb a great deal of information. When you meet Katherine you can’t help but see the energy. It is visible. It is a strength.
This frequently asked interview question might come your way so you need to be prepared. Plus, knowing the answer to this question will give you an insight into the kind of people you want to work with, a handy bit of information to know when evaluating job offers.
Marissa wants to go to a full time MBA program next year. Remember back to your experience applying to college and you can appreciate what she is going through. Grad school is the same drill. Study for the GMAT. Take the GMAT. Study some more and take it again to bring up that math score. Research schools to see which schools have the programs and teaching style she wants. Write essays conveying how her experience translates into business school material. Submit applications. Now it is time to visit the schools.
Marissa knows the drills about interviewing. She hears it from me often enough. But she insists these school visits are NOT interviews. All she will be doing is visiting some classes, taking a tour and talking to the Admissions Director. NOT AN INTERVIEW, she says repeatedly as she tries on clothes that walk a fine line between dressy business interview clothes and clothes she would wear to class. She wants to fit in with the students after all. And it is NOT AN INTERVIEW.
She finally selects a black blazer with a nice white blouse over brand new dark jeans and her pretty heels. And lipstick. Don’t forget the lipstick. She is charmingly dressy casual. Perfect she thinks.
On her drive home after visiting the school she calls and sheepishly admits that the meeting with the Admissions Director and several people on her team went well. But it was an interview, not just a casual meeting. The Admissions Director even called it an interview when Marissa arrived at the school.
Uh oh… “I wish I wore the black pants instead of the jeans.” You think?
Every interaction with someone in authority when you want something is an interview. Always be prepared to interview on the spot. That means knowing what you want to say, being nice to everyone you meet including the janitor and receptionist and dressing the part. Even if there is only a slight chance that the meet-up will turn into an interview.
When does this advice apply? On Friday morning when you go to that “casual” networking event, your local professional association, a church business meeting or a volunteer event. Dress to impress. Just because it is Friday does not make it “jeans day” for job seekers or career people who want to make an impression.
It doesn’t cost much. Put a little extra effort into your clothes and grooming whenever you go out of the house. You never know who you will meet. You never know when that casual meeting will turn into an interview when you least expect it. But if you look the part you will be more attentive to the opportunities.
Marissa is visiting another school this week. You can bet she will be dressed in “interview clothes” designed to impress. She might even wear make-up!
In this video blog, Katherine talks about using resumes as a good place to start your job search. But resumes are not the most important tool in your job search tool kit. Move beyond the resume to use LinkedIn to make a bigger, broader statement about your experiences, skills and abilities.
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