20 Job Search Answers You Need To Know | Second Quarter Review (#6-10)

We’re halfway home and making the turn towards the clubhouse with the first #10 questions in the bag (let’s sing song of 10).  Before we start the 2010 work week (whether

you are heading back to work – or hitting it hard on your next opportunity),  let’s look back the last 5 Questions:

 

Question #6: What should be in a resume?
A: Why what you did mattered.

Don’t make it an Easter Egg Hunt or one of those dumb puzzles (that I mentioned I hate) for the person reviewing your resume. In short - metrics and what they mean and why they mattered (and please please me by skipping the Objective – nobody cares)

As mentioned in the original post as well - the judges would also have accepted smart and get stuff done to advance to the bonus round of our game.

 

Question #7: What is the purpose (or goal) of the interview?
A: To get the offer

That’s the quick answer (to get the offer). There are of course many other purposes (as we talk about in the forthcoming coming questions).  But - this is an important reminder to you to not start negotiating too early and worrying about things too soon that won’t matter (e.g. benefits) if you don’t get the offer.

 

Question #8: How do I prepare for an interview
A: By doing your homework

I hope you didn’t answer “down a handful of OxyContin”. Your homework involves getting to know all that you can about the company. Not only will you appear to be interested in the job you are applying for, but it allows you to fine tune your pitch.

Also if you haven’t interviewed a lot (or since Clinton was in office), you will also want to practice concise answers. For example, when asked open-ended questions (e.g. “what is the most significant thing you did at your former job?”), you want these answers to illustrate a problem (or opportunity) you discovered, the solution you devised (and how you came about that) and what was the result (how much did you save or did they throw you a parade?).

 

Question #9 What questions do I avoid early in the interview process?
A: Questions that make you sound desperate (or clueless)

If your first inquiry when the interviewer yields their time for you to ask him or a question is, “Can I wear my Green Bay Packers Zubazs on Fridays?” – then you’re probably not painting the self-portrait that you want out of the gate (or in your case, on first down).

Folks try to avoid hiring desperate or clueless employees (although for some of you – that might seem contrary to actual practice).

 

Question #10 What questions do I avoid early in the interview process?
A: Questions that show interest and understanding as well those that give you answers you need to make a decision

You want to show them you are invested in this opportunity (more than just visiting their website) and that you understand them – and their market (and therefore how you can be a rainmaker for them)

Additionally – as I always tell the people I interview – this is just as an important of a time for you. You want to determine if this is a good fit for your talents and personality (and therefore know that you can be a rainmaker for them)

 

Related Content: 20 Job Search Answers You Need To Know | First Quarter Review (#1-5)

20 Job Search Answers You Need To Know | #10 What questions should I ask the interviewer?

A: Questions that show interest and understanding as well those that give you answers you need to make a descison

Before we get to the meat of this post – a little rant: I friggin’ hate stupid interview questions (I know - going way out on limb with a controversial take on topic) and the big, red-floppy-shoes-wearing-bozos that ask them.

You know the kind I am talking about- when a knucklehead hiring manager or some HR neophyte asks you, “Why are manhole covers round?”. The (only) correct answer to give to that obtuse exercise is, “Because you are a douchebag!”.   However, I would not recommend that answer if you still want the job after that question.

I’m not talking about analytic or problem-solving questions so the interviewer can see how smart you are (although – I am not a big fan of those either – like a variation of the worn-out Duel question one of my former peers was so fond of). If you can’t tell if someone is smart during an interview without a quiz – then you are a slappy, too.  The questions I speak of are those “no wrong answers”, “just want to see how you handle being thrown a curve-ball” type of question (as if interviewing with a douchebag like you wasn’t enough stress).

Not only is it the douchebagity (if I may make up a word) of the question, but the real problem is your answer doesn’t give the douchebag asking it any useful data. If I answer “Manhole covers are round because rhombus ones would just be wrong” – are you going to screen me out?

So my hope for the coming year (since we weren’t evolved enough to end them in the 20^th Century) is a pact to banish those types of questions in the interview process (let’s call it 21^st Century-10).

Knowing you, Knowing Me

After that aside-like rant, let’s get back to our topic at hand. In the last post, we talked about what questions not to ask (especially early on) in the interview. That begs the question, what (pray tell) should we ask?

There are two categories of questions to ask during an interview:

• Questions that show you’ve done your homework (learning about the company)
• Questions you need answer to decide if you want to work there ($5,000 less a year might be a okay if you’re going from a Dilbert company to a ROWE type of company)

Note: By stating there are two types, I’ve skipped the whole, “Should I ask question during the interview?” (because that should be obvious). You should also come with a list on paper (some folks disagree with that – but again, I think it shows you are invested in this opportunity).

Also – many times when I am interviewing and get to the part where I say “Are there any questions I can answer for you?” – and the answer is “No – you’ve pretty much covered all the questions I have written down”.  That’s a wrong answer (and I know I talk a lot in the interview – so I am sorry if I ate up your list).  You still need to find some things to ask – and perhaps (even better) ask a question on topic that came up during the interview and have the interviewer elaborate on a fact they have already given you (it shows that you can digest information in real time).

Any hot chick in my department?

In this first set of questions, you are really probing for information about the company that you were not able to obtain in your secondary research based on information you were able to ferret out.  And - these are not questions about which floor the break room is on.

These things include:

• How is the company doing?
• What are its growth plans?
• What differentiates it from its competition?
• Does it have good leadership?

Of course – just like when the interviewer asks you “What was the most bonehead thing you ever did at your last job?”, you’re (hopefully) not going to say “I banged the entire mail room”.

But just like when you are asked questions – you’re hoping their answers reveal a truth in them.

However, you do not want to ask simple questions that should have come up in your research (“When were you founded?”, “What is it that you make?”, “Who runs this company, anyways?”). In fact - by marrying your research and your questions (“there a number of companies in your space - Acme Inc, Manufacturing Is Us – what qualities makes your company as unique and competitive as it is?”).

Your hope – in addition to learning more about the company – is that they give you another opening to more specifically drive home why you are the best candidate.  “Oh. That’s exciting about a new branch in the Uzbekistan; I oversaw our factory build-out in Uzbekistan…”.  I know - you’re not always going to be served up a specific hole-in-one like that (but you get what I mean).

Remember also - these are difficult questions to ask (if you are new to all of this) since they do require a modicum of decorum. You need to chose your words and adjust the tenor of the questions based on the level of the person you are asking and their openness. You want to appear interested and informed but not nosy and creepy (ala Slugworth looking for the secret of the Everlasting Gobstopper).

Things that matter

For the second set of questions, we’re looking for things that will help you decide that if offered a job would you take it?  Again – we assume that salary (and other compensation and benefits) will be addressed in negotiations, however we need to ask questions that put a value on that compensation (when we get there).

For me – I’m looking for those environments that I work best in (and therefore will more likely be successful in):

• Level of ROWE vs. Micromanagement
• Collaborative environment (real collaboration – not that they just installed SharePoint)
• Innovation culture (not just a buzzword they do when they brainstorm once a month– but down to the marrow)
• Flexible work options
• Happy colleagues (tour the work space that you will occupy).

That last bullet (happy) is so import. A friend of mine went on an interview for a Senior IT Architecture posistion once and they would not take him around to see his peers or where they worked (“oh – we don’t do that”). What kind of cube horrors were they trying to hide? Needless to say – he skipped the next round of interviews.

Asking questions like “What are qualities employees that have exceed your expectations in this position share?”- you are  hoping to get to those answers (one way or another – as Blondie would say).

Up Next. A short post with a few points on the phone (or video) interview.

Random | Happy New Year and all the jazz – but where’s my jet pack?

Happy New Year everyone!

As another year (and another decade) falls, we’re all getting ready to start our New Year’s resolutions.  Some of us may be reflecting on where we are on our journey through life.  And as you ponder that, didn’t you think you’d be flying around in a jet pack by now?  Two my Facebook friends have asked that questions today.

If you grew up watching as much of the tube as I did (and that’s the cathode ray tube of a television– not YouTube), surely by 2000 (let alone a decade past that) we all assumed we’d be jetting around town like James Bond or Buck Rogers (the real one – not Gil Gerad)?

Dan Wilson is author of a book Where's My Jetpack?: A Guide to the Amazing Science Fiction Future that Never Arrived. Although many things that science fiction promised us have come true, I still have to drive my Jeep® to work .

"For me the jetpack is a symbol really of all the technology that I thought we should have by now but which we don't seem to," Wilson lamented on CBS Sunday Morning (back in 2007).

So what happened?

So why no jet packs?  In short - some good ideas just aren’t feasible:

• Jet packs are kind of hot (1,300 degrees). If we sue McDonald’s over spilt coffee – I don’t think this won’t fly (as it were).
• They are dang heavy (135 pounds). That might be okay for Ed White in the weightlessness of earth orbit – not so good hoisting out of your Mazda MPV.
• Limited range: how far can you go in 43 seconds (that’s as far as they go today)? I know don’t want to move that close to work.
• Quite simply - they are hard to fly (described as standing on a ball with a fire hose),
• Most people can’t even merge onto the interstate properly or navigate a roundabout (especially here in Minnesota) – I don’t think the FAA is ready to handle all these take-offs and landing.
• Texting while jetting?  That will be the next jihad du jour.

But if you really want one – there is a company (Jet Pack International) that claims to have some ready to go for sale to qualified folks (although soft-pedaled with “more details” to be coming).  No prices are mentioned on their website.

For me – I would settle for an iPhone battery that would hold a charge for at least half of a day before we ring in 2011.

20 Job Search Answers You Need To Know | #9 What questions do I avoid early in the interview process?

A: Questions that make you sound desperate (or clueless)

You often hear blind date analogies to explain the interview process. Like a blind date, it is a gathering where two parties that don’t know each other spend some time together asking each other questions (sometimes even over coffee or dinner) and then based on that, decide to (or not to) go steady. Even though it is proven not be the best way to determine the success of an employee (most recently in Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior), it is still the most prevalent method used to make hiring decisions (so we’ll go with that).

So like the dating process, you want to be (a little) coy at the start, don’t throw up on your interviewer (“here is everything I have ever done or witnessed from my conception to 10:00 this morning”) and you also do not want to “over bound your steps” (a favorite Stan Laurel malapropism) and jump too far ahead too early (the equivalent of “do you want to meet my parents?” half-way through your first date).

With the assumption that you are not trying to be desperate or clueless, here are two quick things to keep in mind:

• Premature Elicitation After spending 26 minutes illustrating in great detail how smart (and able to get things done) you are, don’t let the first questions you ask when the interviewer yields the remainder of their time to you is, “Do you have dental?”.  Personally, that is probably one of my biggest peeves.

Remember – you don’t have a job offer yet. Your goal (at this stage) is to market ourselves and our abilities. This introduces the what’s in it for me aspect (and start’s the negation phase…and we’re not ready for that).  I also think it makes you sound clueless. Is that the first and most important thing you want to know about your perspective job?  Really?  You don’t want to know what projects your team is working on, or what your typically day will look like, or what exciting new products it that company planning?

Further, if the first question you ask is “How many days vacation do I get?” –  what perception of you do you I think I will conjure?  Perhaps slacker?   Remember if you don’t like them or they don’t like you – whether they serve Coke or Pepsi in the break room won’t matter (so save the banal semantics for the final round).

• Sharing too much too soon We all have (perceived) negatives when we are applying for a job. Maybe I am currently obligated to give 41 days notice at my current job, or you’ve already booked a 3 week vacation to Aruba with your wife and her Aunt Gladys (that would start on your third day on the job). Unless asked about these matters (and you then do need to answer and answer truthfully), there’s no reason to give someone a reason to put someone else ahead of you in their pile of interviewees.  Again - wait until the offer/negotiation stage of the process (when they’ve told you that already like you and want you).

Now that you know what not to ask – we’ll cover what you should ask in our next episode.

Next Up| What questions should I ask the interviewer?

20 Job Search Answers You Need To Know | #8 How do I prepare for an interview?

A: By doing your homework

Time to roll out the cliché wagon and drop the chestnut that the job search process is a marathon (not a sprint). Have you heard that one before (maybe 13-14 times)? But using that hook, I would like to tag on a quote by runner Lauren Fessenden that is a perfect fit for those beating their feet on the job hunt street:

This is not about instant gratification. You have to work hard for it, sweat for it, give up sleeping in on Sunday morning

The work needed to lap your competition for your next job is not about running fartleks at the indoor track at your neighborhood YMCA, but the workout is just as strenuous and just as crucial to your success (although you can do so without strapping on Under Armour® compression gear) .

Your job search workout is broken into two main categories:

1. Getting to know the company better
2. Getting to know (or re-know) yourself

What is it you guys do again?

You want to learn as much about the company and the specific job you are interviewing for.  This is not only so you can determine if it is a good fit for you, but it also gives you the ability to speak intelligently about the company (and their markets).  It also shows interest (as in when you care enough to spend at least 5 minutes on their company website before you walk in the door). 

This is going to be easier for public companies than it is for private companies, but trust me, the information you need is out there for both.  Here are a few areas to spend your time:

• What is their market? Things in this category include what products/services do they sell (and/or make), who they sell them to, what are their differentiators in the marketplace, have they been a part of any big deals lately (acquisitions, landing a major client). The degree to which you need to know this does depend on the job your applying for (VP of Global Sales vs. PT Mail Room Clerk) - but regardless you should know what they do (as in “everyone is in sales”) .
• Who is their competition? Simply - who and where do they compete with folks. This is for two primary reasons:
  • I have been asked directly in an interview “who is our competition”?. “Gee, I don’t know” really sounds painful coming out of your mouth an interview. Again – regardless of level, this is important stuff. If you you want to work at Burger King, you need to know McDonald’s is right ahead of them and Wendy’s is right behind.
  • I certainly did not walk into the interview for my current gig wearing Merrell shoes.  Trust me – that stuff matters
• Work your network One mistaken assumption about the whole networking process is it just to help you find the job. No sir. It can also help you close the deal. Your contacts can be crucial in many ways. They can provide intelligence about the industry (so – as we mentioned- you can talk smart about the space during the interview), about the company (is their press true?), or about the hiring manager specifically (what does she or he look for in a candidate – or are they such a bozo that I wouldn’t want to work there?).  Also – specifically about the job (i.e. not everyone does Project Management the same way).

What I am is what I am (but let’s focus on what will get you the job)

Now that you have done all this research on the company (including the specific hiring manger if you can get it) – it is time to get working on you.

Here are the areas to focus on:

• Fit yourself to the company (and the job) Knowing what you now know about the company – start thinking of things you have done that fit into that puzzle. Remember – we’re looking for smart/get stuff done anecdotes during the interview, so start a (or tweak an existing) list of the items.
• Practice Concise Answers This is a biggie. A long rambling answer to a question in an interview is truly a road to nowhere. I kid you not – I have been on the receiving end of 10+ minute answers to simple questions on so many occasions. About 3 minutes in, not only have I lost interest in your answer (and like you – probably have forgotten my original question) but you’ve just flunked the get stuff done portion of the test.  Remember - to leave the irreverent, specific details (I know the project team worked on the 6th floor of the Arlington office…but that probably is not germane to your answer or my understanding of your greatness).  The more questions you are prepared for the better answers you’ll have at the ready.
• A beginning, a middle and an end Part of the way to be concise is to skinny down your anecdotes. The best stories (as Leonard Nimoy once said in reference to Star Trek V  which did not) have a beginning, middle and end. In the context of an interview questions answers, that translates to a problem (or opportunity), the solution you devised (and how you came about that) and what was the result (how much did we save or did they throw you a parade?).

Where do I start my research?

For companies, thanks to the online world, there’s a bevy of lost cost sources of downlo you can comb:

• Have you heard of Google? Had you not known, type Top Fast Food Chains into Google and you’ll get the ranking I mentioned before (#1 McDonald’s, #2 Burger King, #3 Wendy’s…).  This is the best place to start.
• Company Website/Social Media I think by now, most people hit the company website before an interview (if not simply because you had to go there to apply). In addition to the that website, check other social sites (Facebook, Linked In, Twitter) for other places companies talk about themselves and what they do (and what other people say as well).
• As mentioned, your network can be very helpful to you as well. Use them.
• Journals/Professional Associations Publications and groups in the industry of the company you are targeting can be very helpful.
• Libraries A great place to get access to the publications mentioned above. Especially business/reference library (like that James J Hill Reference Library here locally). But if cost and access are an issue for you – your local public library can help as well.

For resaerch on you:,

• Your past resumes and job descriptions. This should provide talking points on what you have done that you can cull for this specific interview.  It easy to forget some things you have done that you currently aren’t using but would be relevant to your job.
• Previous Performance Reviews What have your other bosses said about you? That’s often a direct question during an interview and can also give you more examples of what have done well
• Your portfolio Review samples of your work you’ve done before and have them ready to go in the interview. A great recent story: one of my clients was in any interview recently and asked how she would explain project management to non-IT folks. She whipped out a PPT of a presentation she had done for just that purpose at her current job.  Gooooooooooooooooalllllllllllllllll!
• Work your network. Call up a former peers, clients or managers and tell them about the job you’re applying for and have them think of a story or two about you that would be good to use. Also seek out people in your network that have the same job as the hiring manager. They often can provide great insight into what they might be looking for
• Your own previous interviews Remember bad experiences from previous interviews where you did not perform to your expectations. How would you do it differently?
• Drill  There are a ton of sample tough interview questions online (e.g Commonly Asked Tough Interview Questions ).  Drill yourself over and over on these (you can never be too prepared).  When I was interviewing at a previous job, I printed out the aforementioned tough questions and reviewed them on the plane ride down to the interview.  I can tell you (1) that I was not asked any of the tough questions on the list but (2) but I used some of the answers I had just practiced in the interview and changed softball questions into fantastic answers.  

So sharpen your #2 pencils, purge your job search Chicken Fat, and get ready to cram for an exam (that is the interview).

Next Up: What questions do I avoid early in the interview process?

Random | Merry Christmas Everyone (and let’s hope it is a good 2010)

For whatever reason (judging by the playlist count on my Nano), I have been tracking a lot of John Lennon music lately. I find this happens more prevalently when I am in a reflective state of mind (as many of us are this time of year).

For my grown up Christmas list this year, I wish everyone a wonderful Christmastime (giving equal time to Sir Paul).  Special thoughts go out to those on the front lines that are in harm’s way (be that in our armed forces or on the job transition front – both of which feature men and women fighting for the betterment of us all).

But back to John, I also wish you a happy New Year.  Let's hope it's a good one - without any fear.

I’ve got a feeling, it will be.

Job Search Extra Point: Christmas Cards (The Most Networking Time of the Year)

I hope the reports of the death of Christmas cards have been greatly exaggerated (Are Christmas cards still relevant in a digital world?). There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a waxing gibbous mailbox this time of year with missives of good tidings from family, friends, colleagues, classmates, your local (authorized) Jeep dealer, and folks you can’t believe you ever dated from Christmas Pasts (or in some cases, Christmases Passed Out).

According to the aforementioned report, folks are going digital for the annual family update in a large part to be green and to a larger (more honest part) to save money. Not the kind of news that causes sugar plums to dance in the head of the US Postmaster.

But as the late Sonny Bono once told us, the beat does go on. So like the typewriter, phone booth and Oldsmobile before it, the snail mail Christmas card is on the endangered species list. Even me, the traditionalist crank on this topic, broke bad and went 60%/40% digital on the nearly 300 holiday wishes that I sent out this year.

But I come to praise the Christmas card – not bury it (that’s the second time I artistically bludgeoned that Shakespeare quote for my own purposes in a post).

So while they are still relevant, I’d like to share my favorite Christmas card story and of course, there’s job search/networking tie-in.

Do you see what I see (me!)

So if you’ve been reading these posts (or have ever talked to me for more than 15 minutes), you know I am very passionate (bordering on obsessed) when it comes to networking. One of the themes I talk about in my coaching sessions with my clients is you never know where your contacts will take you. To illustrate this point, I tell the “Christmas Card Story”.

A few of years ago (the picture gives a clue to as just when), I sent this Christmas card out. As is my standard MO, in addition to the normal family and friends circle, I sent it to former and current co-workers/clients. So it is always part glad tidings and part direct mail campaign (that decade of CRM consulting sticks with you).  Of course, for the business connections, I also tucked in my business card and a personal note.

This Lycra® heavy (I also have an Under Armour® obsession) Christmas card campaign did well that year:

• One former client who got the card needed some work done and was prompted to call and signed me with my new company (thanks Darren)
• Another former client – the Carolina Panthers - unaware I had moved companies, requested a follow-on bid to a project I had done for them at my former company
• Someone called me and offered me a job opportunity (even though I declined in the end, we had a few lunches and talked about it)
• And – oh yeah - I met my wife

All I Wanted For Christmas Was Not Even on the List

One of the places this aforementioned card ended up was on the refrigerator of a 75 year old, long-time friend of the family (that I have known all my life). Of all the people in the world I had (up until that time) pictured being a Yenta in my life, it was not Lauretta (being a devout Catholic does makes it hard to be a Yenta, I would think).

The story goes that my future wife (Sara) was visiting Lauretta during the Christmas season. Lauretta noticed her looking at my Christmas card on the fridge and hatched the eHarmony like plan. Although she had known both my wife and me for all of our respective lives, it was not until that moment (and opportunity) that the light went on.

Even more shocking was – when my Mother called her long-time bachelor son and started “Lauretta knows someone that…”, I didn’t hang-up the phone. But applying the advice I also give my job search clients (always go on an interview if asked – even if you are not looking) to my dating life, it translated to “take every blind date”.  At the very worst (I thought), it would be a 60 minute dinner and if it wasn’t a fit, no harm done (as my wife will tell you – I can small talk for hours, and hours and hours…)

Sara and I met up a few weeks later (after I returned from a business trip in the Quad Cities – a certain kind of Hell that cannot be explained if you have not experienced it) and the rest is history (not to mention matrimony).

Put one foot in front of another

So – let’s review the object lessons of this Christmas Story:

• Keep people advised of where you are and what you are doing.  In other words – if you are looking for a job, DON’T KEEP IT A SECRET.  Pride don’t pay the bills, Son.
• You want people that know you connecting an opportunity to you. Be that a job they just heard about, a good plumber that can fix the leaky sink or (in my case) even a mate.
• When opportunity knocks – you need to knock back. If someone sends you a job lead, your next steps are clear:
• First - thank them (and I don’t care if you had already seen it on Monster earlier in the day). It so rude to reply “yes – I already saw that”. That motivates people to not help you and it’s just tacky, Jethro.
• Second – if it is fit for you (even if you are happily employed), follow-up with it. Have coffee with the person. At the very worst, you might just have a new contact and peer in your field.  Or who knows, maybe even a date to the Sadie Hawkins Dance.
• And – if it is not a fit for you, pass it on to someone you know who would be a better fit (and is in need of a job).
• Make it your business to connect people to each other in this world. That’s how we get people working (and buying work boots). You never know where it may lead you.
• Birch trees are prone to disease and don’t live long (I had to cut down the one that is pictured).