Showing posts with label Wrong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wrong. Show all posts
1/17/13
The Five-Step Recovery for an Interview Gone Wrong
Ever got that frustrated feeling after blowing up an important conversation? Forgive yourself; it does happen even to the best people in their fields.
For job applicants, they so often find themselves unable to move on after an interview has gone wrong. It bugs you, and drowns your spirit every time you remember the things you said. Just thinking of the foolish things you said makes you want to bang your head on the wall. But hey, whichever makes you look stupid.
After screwing up the chance of your life, the best thing to do is not to screw up the second one by walking out with such a sourly look. No, you may not get another shot for the same company again, but at least you maintained the professional poise as you say bye-bye.
If you're ready to move on from the embarrassing memory, then you might start taking these baby steps to recovering from a bad interview:
1. Segregate the good from the bad
You may be as sure as hell that you blew up, but that doesn't mean that every word and every gesture you made is bad, bad, and bad. Assessing what happened should not be an enumeration of everything that has been horrible. Make two columns: one for the things you've messed up and another for the things you've done great. In that way, you will know what to keep up in the next opportunity, and know by heart what you should avoid. Rewind what happened in your mind and this time, picture yourself talking the way you should have done it.
2. Evaluate the Interviewer too
If you really felt uneasy during the conversation, chances are, you're not the only one with the problem. Does the hiring officer take you professionally? Aren't there any intimidating questions or very long awkward pauses after you answered? Your employers are also humans, or you might have encountered a clueless newbie HR. Don't completely put the blame to yourself. If you found some faults on the other side, rethink if you can deal with those if we suppose that you got hired by the company.
3. List the questions tossed to you
Of course, you will clearly remember the details during the conversation. Now it's your turn to remember the queries and list them. In that way, you are well prepared whenever it pops up in the future again. The biggest consolation you can have after the nightmare is that you will be able to know what to correct the next time it happens.
4. Send a thank-you letter and mention aside your apologies
Did we say, mention aside? That's the secret trick, make a brief apology for a thing that has obviously gone wrong during the interview, but don't get it detailed and don't make excuses. Simply say it, and then put everything in a positive light. Express your appreciation for their time, highlight in the letter your key strengths and lastly, tell that you will definitely appreciate if you would be given a second chance.
5. Keep in touch
Who cares about the clumsy past? If you cut the story right after you messed up, then there will be no chance of recovering your reputation. But if you keep the communication alive with the company by e-mails and LinkedIn, they might see that you weren't so awful and will have more time knowing about you as a professional. It's not the end of the world when an interview has gone wrong, it only meant that you started with the wrong foot.
Melinda Edwards works as a career consultant and has been invited in many forums and events on human resource management. She is also a time management expert who effectively performs her roles both as a career woman and a mother.
12/6/11
My CV's Fine - There's Nothing Wrong With It So Why Should I Change It?
If I had a pound for every time I was told "there's nothing wrong with my CV!" I would probably not be writing this article.
Having worked as an Employment Advisor, Job Search Tutor/Trainer and Careers Coach with a vastly differing set of clients ranging from school leavers to executives; one of the hardest things to do is to get a cynic to change or listen.
For some people a CV is a necessary evil that they have never needed or rarely had cause to use. The classic example of this is the tradesman who has previously gained employment either by word of mouth or by demonstrating his skills as part of a work trial. You cannot dispute that this is true. Let's face it if your great CV states you have certain skills; sooner or later you are going to have to demonstrate them. However the reality is that in the current economic climate, the employer holds the cards in more ways than one. Gone are the days when as a tradesman you could leave a job one day and find a new one the next. Employers can now pick from an ever increasing pool of talent and a CV is a useful tool many are now using to shortlist their candidates. A good CV will not guarantee you a job, but a bad CV will almost certainly cost you one.
Sometimes the reluctance to change can be put down to the fact that the CV was recently constructed by a professional or an agency. This can be very demoralising; especially if you have been charged a hefty fee.
Many recruitment agencies will have a set CV template or include information that many professional career coaches or advisors tell you not to include. The reason for this is very simple. An agency usually has clients that they have consulted with and agreed the quality of CV required. A CV is the agency equivalent of an application form.
There is no one way to create a great CV. If someone is offering you advice that will improve the quality of your CV, it is just that. You are free not to take it, but I would suggest you always listen. The bottom line is that it is your CV and you are the one who will have to explain it to prospective employers.
Here are some examples of things that you might consider to make your CV/resume more effective.
Length. I cannot underline how important the length of a CV can be. Whilst you may have a great deal of information to convey to the reader, their time is usually limited. If your CV can interest them in 2 pages, you will more than likely be given the opportunity to either submit a more in-depth /longer version or even better - get invited to an interview.
Too fancy. Unless you are in an artistic field/profession, there is no need to use fancy fonts, borders or images on your CV. Impress the reader with the content, not with tricks that have little relevance to your ability to do the job.
Not enough information If the reader cannot gain the information they require to make a decision about you from your CV then they are less likely to contact you. Make sure your CV sells you and your skills.
Blandness. This is my personal pet hate. I have been helping people into work for over 10 years. I have seen and helped write thousands of CVs. If you start your personal profile with: "I am a hard working, trustworthy individual who is able to work well in a team or on my own.." please do not expect the reader to jump off their chair in excitement. I am sure they might have read that exact statement a few times and might not be as impressed as they were the first time they read it.
There is no such thing as a perfect CV. If you are getting interviews, then your CV is doing its job; if not get another opinion and change it. However regularly updating your CV /resume to make sure it is accurate is strongly recommended.
Harry James has over 10 years experience of designing and delivering Personal Development courses, offering career advice and guidance, team building and helping people into work. Further useful careers advice and personal development articles can be found on http://www.thepersonaldevelopmentcafe.com/. He is also the owner of http://www.nlplifecoachdirectory.com/ - a website that lists NLP Practitioners, life coaches and hypnotherapists.
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