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How to Blow an Interview

The goal of every job seeker is to have job interviews – interviews that allow them to have the opportunity to work with the types of companies where they want to work. The more quality interviews, the better. Getting a job interview takes a lot of time and effort and each interview should be treated as “the one” that will lead the candidate into a new and rewarding career.

Interestingly, 80% of job seekers blow their chance of having the most productive interview possible because, after all the work they have put into getting the interview, they don’t spend any, or much, time researching the companies they have targeted, or endeavor to find any information about the person with whom they will be interviewing. Researching just makes sense and has become an easy task.

There are a number of ways to learn more about the company before an interview. Almost all companies have a web presence that contains information about their mission, goals, culture, products or services, locations, and job openings within the organization. Spend some time looking at these websites to learn specifics and to ensure that you have some talking points to discuss during your interview.

After you have gone to the company’s website and gathered information, then go to other online resources that can be helpful in learning about salaries, hiring practices and expectations for employment. One resources where you can find a great deal of information is LinkedIn, where you can engage with people who are already employed by companies with which you are interviewing. Both Indeed.com and Glassdoor.com will provide you with additional information including salary ranges.

Don’t waste your time setting up interviews, only to blow the interview by not preparing!

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Job Searching During the Holidays

It’s the holiday season, and that’s the wrong time to look for a new job, right? No one is at work, people are thinking of other things, and a job search just won’t be successful.

Nothing could be farther from the truth!

FACT: Because things tend to slow down during this period, decision makers that were previously unavailable may have time to meet with you. Additionally, the end of the year is when organizations part ways with employees who failed to perform, making room for new employees with more promise. In a word… You.

This season is filled with social activities such as company and customer appreciation parties. These gatherings provide the perfect opportunity to reconnect with people that you haven’t seen in a while, or to expand your contacts through networking with people who will likely have roles to fill early in the new year. Also, because other people have suspended their job search during the holidays, there isn’t as much competition.

Organized companies have completed their budgets for 2016, and are either hiring now or are making plans to hire early in the new year. Don’t lose momentum or focus. Now is the perfect time to charge ahead full steam!

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5 Reasons Your Company Should Offer Career Transition Services

CMI shares a few industry secrets.

1. Getting fired is hard.
Let’s face it. Even if a layoff expected, actually receiving walking papers is a difficult experience. It’s a blow to the ego, the confidence, and the pocketbook. Meeting with a trained counselor immediately after notification is the single biggest benefit of professional career transition services.

2. Firing someone else is hard, too.
Sitting on the other side of the desk can be as hard as being let go. Many notifying managers have worked closely with the people they are firing, and have known that the dreaded day is approaching. Without preparation and guidance, notifications are usually a distressing and daunting task. In order to reduce as much stress as possible and ensure that the outplacement process is conducted seamlessly, CMI provides training for all notifying managers as part of our service.

3. It affects your hiring power.
Potential hires are more educated and savvy than ever before. They expect outplacement services to be included in their benefits package. Companies with a strong severance offering are more competitive when attracting sought-after employees.

4. To avoid potential litigation.
It’s rarely discussed, but often the price of providing quality outplacement services is less costly than a settlement or going to court, to say nothing of the loss of reputation. In our almost 40 years in the business, none of CMI’s clients have ever initiated litigation due to termination.

5. Maintain higher morale for surviving employees.
Guilt, fear and anger are common reactions to being left behind after a layoff. CMI offers a seminar specifically designed to address the feelings of surviving employees that helps them remain productive and positive contributors to the organization. A successful transition program should take all these factors into account.

CMI has assisted over 80,000 clients through the outplacement process and holds the highest resolution rate in the industry.

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The 80-20% rule highlights how job seekers should be using job search time

Spend 80% of your job search time, energy and thought on networking. The other 20% can be spent on “traditional” job search methods like online job boards.
It is a fact that many of the best career opportunities are quietly filled through the intricate mechanisms of the grapevine.

It only makes sense to pursue every avenue, but the frustration that can arise from sending resumes, scouring job openings and trying to fit yourself into the “job description box” can slow down even the most optimistic job seeker. This is because trying to reach a decision maker when responding to general job postings is next to impossible.

Regardless of where you search for opportunities, you will ultimately gain a position only by coming face to face with the people who know about that position. The more people you network with, are referred to, and interview with, the better your chances. If you don’t go out and meet people face to face, your chances are greatly decreased.

When networking, it’s important to remember that everyone knows something that you do not know. Often, beginning networkers think that they are wasting their time by talking to people who may have nothing to offer them. After all, you want to get a new position, and perhaps you need to do so quickly! Veteran networkers know that every person you talk with is valuable to you or knows someone else who could be.

4 networking tips to remember:

  1. When networking, persistence pays. Many of us tend to believe a “no reply” indicates the person we are contacting has no interest in responding to us and we don’t feel comfortable continuing to follow up. Don’t forget – everyone gets busy. Don’t give up; try again, but be respectful of others’ time as well.
  2. If you are interested in talking with someone, there is a reason why. When you approach that person remember to pay a genuine compliment about something specific that person has done. It also goes a long way when you have your face to face meeting or phone conversation to efficiently bridge between your accomplishments and what you appreciate about the other person’s achievements.
  3. After you visit be sure to send a thank you note. Include some specifics that were discussed in your meeting. If appropriate, include that you will follow up to get referrals.
  4. Always include your email and phone number in all of your written communication.

NOTE TO CMI CLIENTS: Remember to stay positive and reach out to any of us at CMI when you need help!

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More than 1 in 10 working Americans are looking for new job opportunities

Most job seekers are using traditional means to find reemployment, so educated networking that leads to informational meetings is clearly essential to every successful job search.
Recent surveys show that 12.1% of full-time employed U.S. workers are currently exploring or actively seeking new employment opportunities. With that number of people looking for positions in the marketplace, your search efforts must be consistent and persistent.

Networking is the way for you to connect with recent co-workers, customers, bosses, those you’ve met at conferences or events and colleagues and friends who you may not have been in contact with since you left your last position, or even before you separated.

FACT: Decision makers are more likely to talk to people who have been recommended by someone they know and trust. The more you concentrate on building and using your network, the more opportunities you will be aware of and the more you can expand your network.

Networking should not be a one-way street. Keep these networking basics in mind:
1. You must have a good reason for talking to a person
2. Offer to assist others and return the favor whenever possible
3. Ask for advice but not for a job
4. Don’t pressure others to get involved in your job search by sending your resume around

It is a good idea to have a presence on LinkedIn or other appropriate professional online forums. Create a profile and make sure it includes your most recent measurable accomplishments that you worked on with your CMI counselor. Industry and alumni groups are good places to make connections and uncover leads and jobs. Responding to a position posted by a group is often more effective than applying for the same position on a job board.

NOTE TO CMI CLIENTS: If you are networking and have had 15 networking meetings without getting a referral, be sure that you and your CMI counselor are analyzing your meetings to determine how to improve your results. We are here for you. Your success is our success!

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Founded in 1976, Career Management International, Inc. is a certified Woman Owned Small Business. CMI is a leader in the fields of outplacement, career development, and special purpose training. CMI is headquartered in Houston, with offices throughout the United States and affiliates worldwide.

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