What Should You Ask?
Four Questions That Show How You Think & Help with Your Decision
Most interviews consist of three parts—an introductory chat, an objective evaluation of your experience and skills where your knowledge is evaluated against the requirements of the position. The third phase often begins with the question, “So, do you have any questions for us?”
You can change the languaging a little to accommodate the unique needs of your work.
“Tell me about the project you have in mind for me, what its status is and what my role and responsibilities will be when I come on board. There are two parts to this question. The first part has the employer giving you in their words an idea of what you are walking in to. This invites follow up questions to seek clarification.
The second part is the signal of interest that comes from using the phrase “when I come on board” rather than “if I come on board.” Like being in a relationship and saying, “I love you” first, using this phrase is an indication of interest but it does not bind you or commit you.
How will my performance be evaluated and measured? This is a different question than asking about the frequency of your job review. It asks about assessment criteria for your performance.
Who are the staff leaders, if any, you rely upon? This is a favorite of mine for many reasons. It makes your future boss tell you whether they think of only themselves as being responsible for their success or others. It tells you about the “staff sergeants” who help create the success of the team. It also tells you who you will also need to win over in order to be successful once you join.
Can you please tell me a little bit about the people with whom I'll be working most closely?
This will help you get an idea of your colleagues (or staff) and how they are seen by management.
Asking a few simple questions like these will reveal to a potential employer that you take your work seriously and will also give you an insight into the environment tjhat you could be walking in to, By keeping questions on a professional basis (instead of asking about benefits) you will get important information that will help with your choice.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.sayhi.to/JeffAltman While you’re there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them.
To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s Search e-zine, send an email to jeffaltmansearch@gmail.com and write EZINE on the subject line.If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Thursday, December 22, 2005
The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do Before Sending Your Resume
The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do Before Sending Your Resume
Avoid the Mistake that Will Sabotage Your Search
I probably read more resumes in a day than many of you will in a lifetime. When I tell you that most are a waste of my time and the sender’s time I am not exaggerating. Most resumes I read are useless. I often ask myself the question, “What were they thinking when they sent this to me.”
So, in an effort to help you AND ME, I want to offer you the single most important question you can ask yourself before you forward your resume to someone.
Ready?
How does my resume demonstrate that I fit the job that I am applying for?
You are not sending a resume in a vacuum. You are competing with other people who have experience and skills, too. In order to get an interview, you cannot send the same generic resume to every single job you apply for because it is very unlikely that that resume will demonstrate that you have the experience required for every job you apply for.
Instead, by make small customizations to each and every resume you submit, you will make to obvious to the reader what your experience is that relates to their job and get far more interviews.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.sayhi.to/JeffAltman While you’re there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them.
To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s Search e-zine, send an email to jeffmansearch@gmail.com and write FREE EZINE on the subject line.
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
Avoid the Mistake that Will Sabotage Your Search
I probably read more resumes in a day than many of you will in a lifetime. When I tell you that most are a waste of my time and the sender’s time I am not exaggerating. Most resumes I read are useless. I often ask myself the question, “What were they thinking when they sent this to me.”
So, in an effort to help you AND ME, I want to offer you the single most important question you can ask yourself before you forward your resume to someone.
Ready?
How does my resume demonstrate that I fit the job that I am applying for?
You are not sending a resume in a vacuum. You are competing with other people who have experience and skills, too. In order to get an interview, you cannot send the same generic resume to every single job you apply for because it is very unlikely that that resume will demonstrate that you have the experience required for every job you apply for.
Instead, by make small customizations to each and every resume you submit, you will make to obvious to the reader what your experience is that relates to their job and get far more interviews.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.sayhi.to/JeffAltman While you’re there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them.
To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s Search e-zine, send an email to jeffmansearch@gmail.com and write FREE EZINE on the subject line.
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
Monday, December 19, 2005
Interviews over Lunch
Interviews over Lunch
Manners Matter
In some careers, organizations like to meet their potential employees in a “less formal setting.” Before deciding whether to hire them, the leader will generally conduct themselves with the belief that they want to “really get to know” you without the formality of the in-office interview.
If this happens to you, I want to remind you of the obvious—there is nothing informal about an interview. Everything that you do and say is used to evaluate and assess you.
If the restaurant is not one that you are familiar with, consider traveling their in advance of the interview in order to insure that you know how to get there. Carry the phone number with you, call and ask that a message be conveyed to your host(ess) if you’ll be late. Often you can look at a menu on the restaurant’s website so that you can be familiar with it.
Arrive five minutes before your reservation in order to take a few minutes to primp (yes, guys, check the mirror in the men’s room for surprises) and to get your focus on your objective for the meeting—winning the interview by creating a favorable impression.
You are under no obligation to drink, even if your host(ess) is doing so. What does it say about your new employer if you are hired based upon your ability to hold your liquor, rather than because of your experience and competence?
Some people suggest eating before lunch in order to insure that you do not have an enormous appetite. I find it far more important for you to be conscious of how your blood sugar levels cause you to act and manage your metabolism.
For example, most mornings I am up before 5:00 AM, have breakfast before leaving for work and eat lunch in the area of noon. If I am asked to meet someone for lunch at 1:30, I know that I will struggle with being focused on my client because a 1:30 reservation really means eating at 2:00 PM.
Would you be eating on-schedule, way early or way late for you? What foods cause you to be sluggish? To deliver a peak performance?
If lunch is at a steakhouse, do you really need to eat the two pound prime rib with salad with blue cheese dressing, an enormous baked potato and a huge dessert that will sit in your stomach like lead? Can you eat something a little lighter that will help you keep your concentration?
Manners should go without mention but I will mention it. When you answer a question, put your knife and fork down. Answer the question even if your food gets cold—or order something cold on gthe menu. What’s wrong with ordering a cold seafood plate for lunch? Cold poached salmon. Steak tartare? Skip the finger food like lobster, crab, spare ribs and concentrate on items that you can be well-mannered with.
Often, the real purpose of a lunch interview is to see what you will be like when you are away from the watchful gaze of the office. By conducting yourself professionally, you will maintain and probably enhance the good feelings about you that caused you to get the interview and help you win the job you want.
Jeff AltmanConcepts in Staffingjeffaltman@cisny.com© 2005 all rights reserved.Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.sayhi.to/JeffAltman While you’re there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them.
To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s Search e-zine, send an email to jeffmansearch@gmail.com and write EZINE on the subject line.If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
Manners Matter
In some careers, organizations like to meet their potential employees in a “less formal setting.” Before deciding whether to hire them, the leader will generally conduct themselves with the belief that they want to “really get to know” you without the formality of the in-office interview.
If this happens to you, I want to remind you of the obvious—there is nothing informal about an interview. Everything that you do and say is used to evaluate and assess you.
If the restaurant is not one that you are familiar with, consider traveling their in advance of the interview in order to insure that you know how to get there. Carry the phone number with you, call and ask that a message be conveyed to your host(ess) if you’ll be late. Often you can look at a menu on the restaurant’s website so that you can be familiar with it.
Arrive five minutes before your reservation in order to take a few minutes to primp (yes, guys, check the mirror in the men’s room for surprises) and to get your focus on your objective for the meeting—winning the interview by creating a favorable impression.
You are under no obligation to drink, even if your host(ess) is doing so. What does it say about your new employer if you are hired based upon your ability to hold your liquor, rather than because of your experience and competence?
Some people suggest eating before lunch in order to insure that you do not have an enormous appetite. I find it far more important for you to be conscious of how your blood sugar levels cause you to act and manage your metabolism.
For example, most mornings I am up before 5:00 AM, have breakfast before leaving for work and eat lunch in the area of noon. If I am asked to meet someone for lunch at 1:30, I know that I will struggle with being focused on my client because a 1:30 reservation really means eating at 2:00 PM.
Would you be eating on-schedule, way early or way late for you? What foods cause you to be sluggish? To deliver a peak performance?
If lunch is at a steakhouse, do you really need to eat the two pound prime rib with salad with blue cheese dressing, an enormous baked potato and a huge dessert that will sit in your stomach like lead? Can you eat something a little lighter that will help you keep your concentration?
Manners should go without mention but I will mention it. When you answer a question, put your knife and fork down. Answer the question even if your food gets cold—or order something cold on gthe menu. What’s wrong with ordering a cold seafood plate for lunch? Cold poached salmon. Steak tartare? Skip the finger food like lobster, crab, spare ribs and concentrate on items that you can be well-mannered with.
Often, the real purpose of a lunch interview is to see what you will be like when you are away from the watchful gaze of the office. By conducting yourself professionally, you will maintain and probably enhance the good feelings about you that caused you to get the interview and help you win the job you want.
Jeff AltmanConcepts in Staffingjeffaltman@cisny.com© 2005 all rights reserved.Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.sayhi.to/JeffAltman While you’re there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them.
To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s Search e-zine, send an email to jeffmansearch@gmail.com and write EZINE on the subject line.If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Modern Resumes
Modern Resumes
Make Yours Work for You
Resumes haven’t changed much over the years. Originally, interviews were offered after a word of mouth introduction by a friend or trusted business associate. Once the need to expand the circle of sources expanded to people who were strangers, resumes became the way that a potential employer knew something of your experience before meeting with you.
When I began in the agency business in the early 70’s, resumes were mailed or messengered to companies on parchment paper with matching envelops. People fussed over the watermark of the paper, thinking that having a watermark denoted class.
Then, someone came up with the idea of using colored paper to stand out in the pile of resumes (I used canary yellow).. Eventually, this was replaced by the fax machine which made everything either plain paper or slick/slippery fax paper.
Now with technology, we no longer look at resumes. We see screen shots that show approximately a third of a page at a time. This is what a typical resume looks like: whe you open it (it is a fictitious resume):
Edwin Williams
1222 Ocean Avenue
New York, NY, 10023
Mobile: 646-xxx-xxxx
Email: atinky@yahoo.com
EDUCATION: New York University, Medford, MA, B.A. ‘03
Economics major, Entrepreneurial Leadership minor
GPA 3.5, Major GPA 3.62
Honors
Cum Laude, Deans List
Inducted into National Society of Collegiate Scholars, top 1% of Class selected
Invited to participate in International Economics Program in Hong Kong
Selected to Participate in MIT’s 10k Competition for Entrepreneurial Leadership
EXPERIENCE: Global Fund Services
Full Time Position as Hedge Fund Accountant (6/2004-current)
Accurately research and resolve reconciliation inquiries for various onshore and offshore hedge funds
Produce supporting documentation for calculation of the general ledger Calculate expense/interest accruals, charge and book all legal, admin, performance and incentive fees. Reconcile trade, dividend, redemption and subscription activity through share series or equalization format outlined by fund’s sub documents
Provide accurate NAVs for each fund to client/transfer agent on a weekly/monthly basis
This is the first screen that you would see when opening the resume. In this first screen, the job applicant gets across what his relevant experience is that pertains to the job that he would be pursuing (hedge fund account) and the specific experiences he has. Does yours do that?
It is essential that you get your resume to show the experience that matters to the reader within two page downs (or screen shots).
Like this person, always provide a cell phone number to facilitate ease of contact. Remember, the person who doesn’t offer ease of contact (only the home number) will probably get to interview for the job a lot later in the queue than someone who does offer their cell.
Do not use an immature email address. What does it tell you about this person when their address is stinky@yahoo.com?
Make sure the fonts in your resume bring a reader’s eye to what you want them to read. Many resumes are a messy hodgepodge.
I have been telling people for years, “Make it obvious, as though a 6 year old were reading your resume, that you are a fit for the job.”
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.sayhi.to/JeffAltman While you’re there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them.
To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s Search e-zine, send an email to jeffmansearch@gmail.com and write EZINE on the subject line.If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
Make Yours Work for You
Resumes haven’t changed much over the years. Originally, interviews were offered after a word of mouth introduction by a friend or trusted business associate. Once the need to expand the circle of sources expanded to people who were strangers, resumes became the way that a potential employer knew something of your experience before meeting with you.
When I began in the agency business in the early 70’s, resumes were mailed or messengered to companies on parchment paper with matching envelops. People fussed over the watermark of the paper, thinking that having a watermark denoted class.
Then, someone came up with the idea of using colored paper to stand out in the pile of resumes (I used canary yellow).. Eventually, this was replaced by the fax machine which made everything either plain paper or slick/slippery fax paper.
Now with technology, we no longer look at resumes. We see screen shots that show approximately a third of a page at a time. This is what a typical resume looks like: whe you open it (it is a fictitious resume):
Edwin Williams
1222 Ocean Avenue
New York, NY, 10023
Mobile: 646-xxx-xxxx
Email: atinky@yahoo.com
EDUCATION: New York University, Medford, MA, B.A. ‘03
Economics major, Entrepreneurial Leadership minor
GPA 3.5, Major GPA 3.62
Honors
Cum Laude, Deans List
Inducted into National Society of Collegiate Scholars, top 1% of Class selected
Invited to participate in International Economics Program in Hong Kong
Selected to Participate in MIT’s 10k Competition for Entrepreneurial Leadership
EXPERIENCE: Global Fund Services
Full Time Position as Hedge Fund Accountant (6/2004-current)
Accurately research and resolve reconciliation inquiries for various onshore and offshore hedge funds
Produce supporting documentation for calculation of the general ledger Calculate expense/interest accruals, charge and book all legal, admin, performance and incentive fees. Reconcile trade, dividend, redemption and subscription activity through share series or equalization format outlined by fund’s sub documents
Provide accurate NAVs for each fund to client/transfer agent on a weekly/monthly basis
This is the first screen that you would see when opening the resume. In this first screen, the job applicant gets across what his relevant experience is that pertains to the job that he would be pursuing (hedge fund account) and the specific experiences he has. Does yours do that?
It is essential that you get your resume to show the experience that matters to the reader within two page downs (or screen shots).
Like this person, always provide a cell phone number to facilitate ease of contact. Remember, the person who doesn’t offer ease of contact (only the home number) will probably get to interview for the job a lot later in the queue than someone who does offer their cell.
Do not use an immature email address. What does it tell you about this person when their address is stinky@yahoo.com?
Make sure the fonts in your resume bring a reader’s eye to what you want them to read. Many resumes are a messy hodgepodge.
I have been telling people for years, “Make it obvious, as though a 6 year old were reading your resume, that you are a fit for the job.”
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.sayhi.to/JeffAltman While you’re there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them.
To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s Search e-zine, send an email to jeffmansearch@gmail.com and write EZINE on the subject line.If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
Thursday, December 08, 2005
I Made a Mistake! What Should I Do Now?
I Made a Mistake! What Do I Do Now?
3 Things to Do When Your Dream Job Becomes a Nightmare
Yesterday, I received a call from someone I was representing a few months ago. At that time, she was about to go on her final interview through me when she called and told me that she had another offer for a dream job and decided to take it.
The dream is now a nightmare for reasons that are not necessary to describe. The real question is what to you do if you ever find yourself in a situation where the job you’ve worked so hard to get seems to be a lot less than what you’ve bargained for.
The first thing you need to do is see from your colleagues whether the circumstances you find yourself in are normal or unusual. Every job has surprises and shocks to it. If this is just one of those shock periods decide for yourself whether this is something you can ride out or whether you should get out (I encourage ride out).
From there, meet with your boss and speak with them about the circumstances you’re in and that you wanted to get an idea of how long they would be going on. Sometimes the change is permanent; sometimes it will be for a few weeks. Better to get a straight answer (or as straight an answer as possible)..
If your boss tells you that the unpleasant change will be permanent or go on longer than you hope, DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB. It is always better to look for a job when you are still working.
Finally, dust off the old resume and start looking for a new position. Don’t lie about where you’re working or speak so bitterly about the circumstances you are in that you present yourself as a bitter complainer. Speak in a matter of fact manner about what has happened. You will scare off some employers who operate under similar conditions and cause others to become empathetic to your circumstances.
Employers sometimes exaggerate the good qualities of a job without doing a good enough job of describing the difficult parts of it. The result is that employees are often shocked when they discover the rough edges.
If you find yourself in this situation, take a little time and make sure you do the first two steps before the third.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.newyorkmetrotechnologyjobs.com/. While you’re there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them.
To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s free Search e-zine, send an email to jeffaltmansearch@gmail.com and write EZINE on the subject line. When you sign up, you'll receive a free list of job sites.
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
3 Things to Do When Your Dream Job Becomes a Nightmare
Yesterday, I received a call from someone I was representing a few months ago. At that time, she was about to go on her final interview through me when she called and told me that she had another offer for a dream job and decided to take it.
The dream is now a nightmare for reasons that are not necessary to describe. The real question is what to you do if you ever find yourself in a situation where the job you’ve worked so hard to get seems to be a lot less than what you’ve bargained for.
The first thing you need to do is see from your colleagues whether the circumstances you find yourself in are normal or unusual. Every job has surprises and shocks to it. If this is just one of those shock periods decide for yourself whether this is something you can ride out or whether you should get out (I encourage ride out).
From there, meet with your boss and speak with them about the circumstances you’re in and that you wanted to get an idea of how long they would be going on. Sometimes the change is permanent; sometimes it will be for a few weeks. Better to get a straight answer (or as straight an answer as possible)..
If your boss tells you that the unpleasant change will be permanent or go on longer than you hope, DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB. It is always better to look for a job when you are still working.
Finally, dust off the old resume and start looking for a new position. Don’t lie about where you’re working or speak so bitterly about the circumstances you are in that you present yourself as a bitter complainer. Speak in a matter of fact manner about what has happened. You will scare off some employers who operate under similar conditions and cause others to become empathetic to your circumstances.
Employers sometimes exaggerate the good qualities of a job without doing a good enough job of describing the difficult parts of it. The result is that employees are often shocked when they discover the rough edges.
If you find yourself in this situation, take a little time and make sure you do the first two steps before the third.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.newyorkmetrotechnologyjobs.com/. While you’re there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them.
To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s free Search e-zine, send an email to jeffaltmansearch@gmail.com and write EZINE on the subject line. When you sign up, you'll receive a free list of job sites.
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Preparing for Interview Success in Winter
Preparing for Interview Success in Winter
I live outside New York City and not near Phoenix so, when I speak of winter, I am talking to you people who know what it means to check for the wind chill factor when you check the weather forecast. Some of you understand what it is like to go to an interview in subfreezing conditions, ice on the ground and salt stains on your boots.
To me, the first ten minutes of an interview are the most important because, like a first date, that is the time when the interviewer decides whether to pay attention to the rest of the time you spend with one another. Cold and snow are great distracters in that they can keep everyone from focusing on the interview.
I hope you notice that I said everyone—you AND the interviewer. Remember, if you have had to travel in these conditions so has the interviewer.
Guideline (not rule) #1: Try to avoid the first interview of the day and the last interview of the day. Avoid the first interview because when it snows you and they night be late. Avoid the last interview because they may be distracted by their concern for getting home. I refer to this as a guideline because if they want you to interview at thesze times, you do it.
Rule #1: Be warm when you arrive. Your mind may be distracted by the cold ad your “heroic effort”\to arrive on time. Get yourself there on time and don’t make a fuss over what the weather was like or the obstacles.
Rule #2: Wait in the lobby for about five minutes to warm up your hands, settle your mind and regain your focus. I remember listening to someone speak for 20 minutes about their trip to meet me was unbearable! What kind of impression do you think they made upon me?
Warm your hands so that the interviewer doesn’t shake hands with an icicle. Talk about a distraction!
Settling your mind so that you perform well is probably the most important advice I offer. You will have 10 minutes of first impression time to impress someone. Don’t waste a moment.
A few simple steps can make a world of difference in your interview performance on cold winter days. Those few moments of preparation can help you thousands more in a job you loves . . . or not, Invest the time in yourself.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.newyorkmetrotechnologyjobs.com/. To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s free Search e-zine, send an email to jeffaltmansearch@gmail.com and write EZINE on the subject line.
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
I live outside New York City and not near Phoenix so, when I speak of winter, I am talking to you people who know what it means to check for the wind chill factor when you check the weather forecast. Some of you understand what it is like to go to an interview in subfreezing conditions, ice on the ground and salt stains on your boots.
To me, the first ten minutes of an interview are the most important because, like a first date, that is the time when the interviewer decides whether to pay attention to the rest of the time you spend with one another. Cold and snow are great distracters in that they can keep everyone from focusing on the interview.
I hope you notice that I said everyone—you AND the interviewer. Remember, if you have had to travel in these conditions so has the interviewer.
Guideline (not rule) #1: Try to avoid the first interview of the day and the last interview of the day. Avoid the first interview because when it snows you and they night be late. Avoid the last interview because they may be distracted by their concern for getting home. I refer to this as a guideline because if they want you to interview at thesze times, you do it.
Rule #1: Be warm when you arrive. Your mind may be distracted by the cold ad your “heroic effort”\to arrive on time. Get yourself there on time and don’t make a fuss over what the weather was like or the obstacles.
Rule #2: Wait in the lobby for about five minutes to warm up your hands, settle your mind and regain your focus. I remember listening to someone speak for 20 minutes about their trip to meet me was unbearable! What kind of impression do you think they made upon me?
Warm your hands so that the interviewer doesn’t shake hands with an icicle. Talk about a distraction!
Settling your mind so that you perform well is probably the most important advice I offer. You will have 10 minutes of first impression time to impress someone. Don’t waste a moment.
A few simple steps can make a world of difference in your interview performance on cold winter days. Those few moments of preparation can help you thousands more in a job you loves . . . or not, Invest the time in yourself.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.newyorkmetrotechnologyjobs.com/. To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s free Search e-zine, send an email to jeffaltmansearch@gmail.com and write EZINE on the subject line.
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
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