 A Road Map To Your Next Position
Written by: George Best, Contributing Writer
Photo by: Jack Rummel
Define the Right Opportunity:
One of the first things you should do when considering a new position is define what a good opportunity means to you. If you have this understanding, when an offer comes along, you will be ready to accept with confidence. There are many different things to consider when deciding what makes an opportunity the right one.
These items might include:
- Job responsibilities
- Location
- Environment/Culture
- Skill Compatibility
- Opportunities for future growth
- Working in latest technology
- Mentorship
- Salary / benefits
- International assignments
Before you apply for any job, you should do your homework on the company and try to find out as much information as possible about them. The internet is an excellent tool for this, but you can also ask any family or friends who have worked in the same company about their experience. Websites are available to provide you with information about the top companies to work for in terms of salary, conditions, benefits and general work life.
Make A Plan
Your strategy should include some of the following components:
Select and research 10 target companies that you would like to work with, and understand their position in the marketplace.
Create a personal marketing strategy and ask a professional to assist you with developing a strong resume and cover letter.
Develop your online networks, create your personal presence, and present all of your strongest skills in your online profile.
Follow up and follow through on every position that you apply to, be it with recruiter or hiring managers.
The Interview
Preparation for your interview is important. Do your homework by learning about the company with which you will be interviewing. Be on time or early, and be sure to consider time lost to traffic, parking and finding the location. Dress appropriately for the company; first impressions do mean something. Be careful with cologne, perfume, piercing, tattoos etc. Create a "60 second professional self promotion," i.e., be able to describe yourself quickly and succinctly. Know your resume so you can talk about your skills and qualifications clearly. You should make sure to have extra copies of your resume and references.
Information exchange begins when the interviewer describes the requirements or the group's focus, technical qualifications and performance qualifications. You should be thinking ahead as the job requirements are discussed, and be ready to describe how your skills meet the company's needs and what you can bring to the group.
Probing begins when the interviewer asks questions about your resume; this is where creating a "60 second professional self promotion" is important. You should listen carefully to understand the questions. Organize your thoughts quickly and answer all parts of the question. Some companies today use behavioral interviewing questions. These questions are designed around the concept that an individual's past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. The accuracy of the prediction depends upon how similar the past situations are to the future situation. It is used to ensure a more accurate assessment of your skills. This will provide more reliable prediction of your performance capabilities in a job setting.
Think of your experiences and training in terms of stories/examples so that you are prepared during your interviews. Remember that "how" is more important than "what," i.e., how you handled a situation is more important than the situation itself. Also remember that you are not expected to know all the answers, but how you handle questions that you do not know the answers to is important. When in doubt, just be honest.
Example questions
"What important goals have you set in the past, and how successful have you been in working toward their accomplishment?"
"When have you used your creativity to solve a problem?"
"Describe a situation in which you were speedy in deciding what to do."
Wrap-up of the interview begins when the interviewer asks you if you have any questions. You should ask appropriate questions that have not been addressed. Show enthusiasm for the opportunity. Always leave on a positive note.
An example leaving statement is, "This has been an exciting informational meeting for me. I know that I have the skills for this job and would make a contribution to your goals. What are the next steps in the process?"
After Your Interview
Following up after a job interview is crucial. Even if you blow the interview, it pays to get in touch after the fact.
Ideally your interviews will always go smoothly. After each, you should craft an effective note thanking the interviewer for the time, expressing enthusiasm, and making it clear you listened closely to the hirer's requirements. The follow-up letter is almost like a proposal letter, so you should tailor it to the company and suggest specific ways your skills can address the company’s needs.
A follow-up note should always focus on what the hiring manager is looking for. It should indirectly say, “I listened, I understand your needs and your challenges, and here's how I can help you address those issues.” Concisely remind the interviewer of what you've accomplished in the past, and make a couple of concrete suggestions for how you can help the company moving forward.
Send the follow-up note as soon as possible. If you don't, someone else may send a message more quickly, and be looked at more favorably. If you don't have time to craft a longer note, consider sending a short thank-you immediately. Mention that you want to give further thought to the challenges you discussed and promise to send a more in-depth message soon. Be sure to follow up on that promise once it is made.
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