We are pleased to have Bill Dennis speaking at the next ExecuNet Meeting, June 23rd, 2010, presenting:

“ Understanding and Succeeding With Interviewers of Different Cultures, Generations, and Personalities”

During career transition, today’s executive experiences a world of widely different types of interviewers and these differences can significantly affect your ability to connect and successfully work with this array of interviewers.

“Understanding and Succeeding With Interviewers of Different Cultures, Generations, and Personalities” is a practical, research-based presentation that will provide you valuable insights into understanding and successfully connecting with interviewers of different cultures, generations, and personalities.

Bill Dennis is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.

Over the past 35 years, Bill has held significant sales and marketing positions at major companies including KPMG, Canadian General Electric, Bell Mobility, and Westinghouse Canada.

Bill also held key management positions at medium-sized firms which were leaders in their industry.

Bill has provided over 4,500 hours of training to Continuing Education students at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. He is their most experienced Continuing Education instructor in professional selling skills and strategic marketing.

His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) and MBA (Strategic Marketing and Finance).

Bill also recently passed with distinction the “Certified Sales Professional” set of examinations from the Canadian Professional Sales Association.

 Bill Dennis & Associates,

Oakville, Ontario,

905-599-6365,

www.billdennisandassociates.com

bill@billdennisandassociates.com

Networking events, research, resumes, cover letters, thank you notes, phone calls, coaching, educational courses,……let’s face it, the time and effort that is necessary to secure a job interview can be at times, overwhelming! The majority of executives today are in career transition for longer than ever so when the opportunity arises for a job interview it is critical to be ready!

Here are ten tips that will help you get ready to get interviewed:

1. Conduct a thorough investigation of the company or organization, current and past employees and the position you have been invited to interview for. Your time may be limited but with the wealth of information available online, it should be manageable.
2. Keep notes on any questions that you may have in case there is an opportunity to bring them up during the interview. Take a copy of your resume as well as it will allow you to be on the same page as the interviewer. If the interviewer is not using your resume as a reference you have the opportunity to leave your copy with them.
3. If the position noted a preferred educational requirement, be prepared to share your desire and ability to achieve the required designation.
4. If you are not completely familiar with the location of the interview, take a test drive. Yes, you can google it but it won’t show the closure of a street due to construction and this is not an appointment you want to be late for.
5. Look in the mirror. If you had planned to get to the hairdresser last week but didn’t get around to it, do it now. Being well groomed, donning professional attire and shined shoes are not options, it is expected. Inspect the suit and shoes you are planning to wear before the day of the interview just in case you forgot about the broken shoe lace or the blouse you just got back from the cleaners has a stain on it!
6. The opportunity for a job interview is likely a result of extensive networking, a professional resume and a significant online profile. Be sure to google your name to be sure of the results as you can be assured the potential employer has done the same.
7. Introduce yourself at reception upon your arrival and confirm the name of the individual who will be interviewing you in case there has been a change and to ensure you have the correct pronunciation of their name.
8. Being prepared and knowledgeable will increase your confidence and comfort level entering into the interview and a firm handshake, eye contact and a smile will ensure the best first impression and set a positive tone for the meeting.
9. Your attention, interest, enthusiasm, knowledge and general preparedness will all be critical factors during your interview. Avoid talking too much which is often a common nervous reaction. By listening closely you will discover the most influential factors in their decision making process.  
10. At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for their time, for answering your questions and if it was a pleasure to meet them, say so. Again, a firm handshake, eye contact and a smile.

Qualifying for the position you are preparing to interview for was established prior to the opportunity for a job interview and although an interview will include some elaboration of skills, it is the impression you leave with the interviewer which will be influenced by your appearance, demeanour and level of confidence that will most strongly impact the success of your job interview. If you believe salary could be a make or break issue seek out available resources to assist you in a successful negotiation including Jack Chapman’s book, “Negotiating Your Salary: How to make a $1000 a minute”.

Get ready to get interviewed and your chances of receiving a firm offer will increase substantially!

Elite Resumes provides exective career management services. Contact us today for a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

For further information in preparing for your job interview review the following professional advice from other members of the Career Collective, Collaboratively Helping Job Seekers:

Sit Down and Panic. The Interview is Yours @GayleHoward

How to Stand Out in a Job Interview @heathermundell

Avoid These Reference Mistakes @DawnBugni

Unspoken Secrets of Job Interviewing Prep: How Your Nonverbal Presentation and Behaviors Impact the Impression You Make @KatCareerGal

Prep for Interviews Now: Snuff out the Elephant in the Room Later! @chandlee

What Should Job Seekers Do Now to Prepare for an Interview @erinkennedycprw

Take a Ride in the Elevator Before You Interview @barbarasafani

Are You Ready for the Elephant in the Room? @WorkWithIllness

“Tell Me About Yourself” (Oh, Yikes!), @KCCareerCoach

The job interview as a shared narrative @WalterAkana

Prepare your references for job search success @Keppie_Careers

No Pain No Gain In Job Search and Interview Prep @ValueIntoWords

Job searching? Take a cue from the Boy Scouts @LaurieBerenson

Preparing for Career Success Starts with Interviewing the Employers @JobHuntOrg

The Interview: A Well Rehearsed Performance or Hacked Improv? @careersherpa

If there is one piece of advice you need to follow in your job interview it is to avoid the thought of what is in it for you and concentrate on informing the Interviewer what is in it for them.   

If you’ve made it to the job interview, you have successfully sold yourself in your resume, impressing upon a potential employer that you are a valuable candidate worth interviewing. So don’t stop there! You could just as easily be eliminated in the interview process as in the resume process. Both systems are based on elimination and the goal to find the right candidate is no less important than finding a reason to eliminate you to establish a manageable number of candidates for consideration.

Every aspect of your job interview must be taken into consideration and taken seriously right down to your arrival time! Don’t be too early, as the Interviewer may not welcome the interruption especially if they scheduled a task to complete prior to beginning interviews. Of course if you are late and keep the Interviewer waiting you will probably put yourself at the top of the elimination list. Your appearance and your handshake will create the first impression. If you do not look professional or are unable to put forth a confident handshake, how will you represent their organization? Prepare yourself well. The more knowledge you have about the organization the more confident you will feel. It will also show the Interviewer that you have done your homework and will lend credibility to your assertion that given the opportunity you will exceed their expectations as their new Senior Sales Manager!

What is in it for you does require your consideration but if you want to be considered by the employer, you must convince the interviewer what is in it for them!

Whether you are in a job interview or composing your resume,  Do Not Offer Personal Information! There are those who would like to believe otherwise, wanting to believe the decision maker actually cares but the professional advice offered by experts and decision makers confirms, be professional not personal. 

Jessica Holbrook, a former Executive Hiring Manager for Fortune 500 companies and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast has an excellent article posted on the Happen Blog sitecourtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, So Tell Me About Yourself – STOP! It’s a Trick Question. Included are many reasons you do not offer personal information in a job interview.

A Hiring Professional has a long list of requirements necessary to fill a position and you can be assured that their list will not include sexual orientation, how many children you have, if you are single, married or divorced, which sports interest you or if you prefer red or white wine. And everyone knows to avoid religious and political affiliations! While reviewing professional resumes, the objective is to look for any reason to reject it in an effort to reduce the list of resumes from potential candidates to a manageable number of qualified individuals. A reference to irrelevant, personal information may be reason enough to discard your resume. Beyond lacking professionalism, the potential employer may have some concerns regarding your inclination to take days off work to go to the golf course because you have said you are an avid golfer.

A professional resume and job interview should include your qualifications and notable accomplishments throughout your work history. The HR Manager has a responsibility to hire a professional with the ability to fulfill the needs of the company and those needs will not include your personal interests! Offering personal information will likely leave the same impression as showing up for an job interview in blue jeans and running shoes.

Rarely is it in your best interest when seeking a job to be a follower rather than a leader unless, you are in a job interview. In this case, be a follower, not a leader! Allowing the interviewer to lead the interview will provide you with the opportunity to follow their lead to provide the information they require and to discover the person they want to see in you.

This is just one piece of advice from Challenger, Gray & Christmas in their recent report, “How to find a job in a Jobless Recovery”. Although qualifications are important, the report states you won’t be hired because you are the most qualified, you will be hired because the interviewer likes you the best. 

Most people, whether the job interviewer or a new acquaintance will decide within the first few minutes whether or not they like you. So remember, first impressions count! Dress appropriately, listen and learn and follow the lead.  

The days of a paper resume are gone! If you were considering stuffing your resume in an envelope and affixing postage, think again. HR professionals and recruiters alike expect a properly formatted, professionally written resume with an accompanying cover letter to be submitted online. Your online proficiency doesn’t stop there. You must also have a significant personal and professional online presence. The best way to find out what the majority of recruiters will discover about you is to google yourself.

Maintaining a consistent and professional name for each of your online profiles is important. Unless you have a very unusual name, it may not be in your best interest to use only one initial with your last name as you could end up lost in a sea of people with the same handle or possibly mistaken for someone with a less than stellar reputation. Consider establishing your online presence using your full name, Harold J Smith, rather than H Smith to differentiate yourself. Eliminate all of the dots and dashes and numbers that are often automatically generated and use your proper name. Most online networking sites give you the option to customize your URL and generate one based on the user name you choose. How does this relate to your resume? A resume written in 2009 must contain your Linkedin address with your contact details.

Also included in your resume is your email address. The question to ask in 2009 is not whether or not you have an email address on your resume, but how old is your email address and is it professional? Today there is no excuse! Email addresses are easily acquired and they’re free. If you haven’t updated yours in years or you’re still using the one you created using a nickname, create a new one that can be used professionally. Recruiters are interested in forward thinking individuals who stay current. An AOL address is perceived as outdated and a Hotmail address lacks professionalism so update your resume with an appropriate email address.

First impressions are key to your success and the contact information you provide on your resume is your first impression on paper, or rather, on the computer! Without an impressive resume it is unlikely you will be given the opportunity for a job interview. If you want to be taken seriously in your pursuit of an executive position and increase your chances of a job interview, submit a professionally written resume with at least one online address and a professional email address.

Not sure if you have a resume that will get your foot in the door? Don’t take any chances! Contact us for a free resume critique today!

Job searching is challenging, emotional, time consuming, stressful and depressing. It can be a rocky road that plays out within the family environment and all persons in the house can be affected in some way or another. It’s a time for active support and guidance to open up new job search channels and travel from unemployed to hired in the fastest time.

As a Certified Job Search Strategist, a major component of my work with a client is emotional support, keeping them active and exploring all options in a competitive environment with checks and balances. It’s a turbulent time, well up there on the stress scale and made even worse if you have been terminated. Here are some suggestions:

• Don’t hunker down in your house all the time. Get outside, come rain or shine, for at least 30 minutes each day. Fresh air helps to re-energize you.
• Look for volunteering opportunities, preferably not political, or not religious. Although time consuming, you can gain valuable knowledge. It also shows a potential employer that you are willing to give your time for free, that you are caring, sharing and willing to assist others in need. Also, you never know who you will meet, perhaps a person who can be influential in your career. Networking is an integral element of a job search. Your contributions for free are always appreciated.
• Stay clear of alcohol and other depressants. If in need of some psychological help, seek it fast! If you feel tired, angry or lonely give yourself permission to take a break from the arduous job search.
• Return to college or university; life is one continuous learning exercise. Develop new skills, something that a future employer will applaud. The more trained and knowledgeable you are, the more opportunities for employment. Continuous education is great to show on a resume.
• Celebrate triumphs. After each interview, invite your friends to a party and have fun. With each party you host, you are closer to the big job success celebration where you can really relax.
• Bypass miserable, negative, pessimistic people. Instead, connect with positive, supportive, driven and energetic people who strive for success and are willing to provide proactive guidance and support throughout the job search process.
• Network, network, network. This should be a prime focus. Get out there and introduce yourself to others within your defined area and with other unemployed professionals.
• Do inspirational and energetic things: join a gym, play sports, participate in your community.
• Ask your friends to provide some inspirational things about you; these will inspire you to pursue the job search through thick and thin.

Finally, be realistic about a job search; it takes patience and determination. Make it fun!

If you have received specific instructions and rules related to a company’s hiring process, do not deviate from them.  Choosing to make up your own rules will most likely result in a lost job opportunity and a tarnished reputation.  You may even put the reputation of others at risk so follow the rules.

Recently, I learned of an individual who had an inside track on a great job opportunity within his company and chose to share it with an organization giving them very specific instructions how to apply for the position.  Three of four candidates applying followed the instructions as given, however, the fourth candidate chose to ignore the instructions and contacted the principal of the company directly.  Not only did that person violate the trust that had been extended to him, the individual’s reputation was put on the line and the professionalism of the organization was called into question.  Needless to say, only those candidates who chose to follow the rules were contacted for an interview.

Following the rules or specific instructions established by a company regarding their employment processes is not something to be questioned if you are interested in obtaining a job with them.  Do you recall your grade school days when tests were given with clear, “read first” instructions?  If you didn’t follow them, you failed!

Innovation, persistence, determination and creativity are all wonderful personality traits and may lead you away from a common path in your job search but if you are provided with specific instructions from a potential employer, I recommend you follow their rules if you want to succeed in obtaining a job interview.

In The Wall Street Journal, “The Power of Nonverbal Communication”, provides some very interesting information regarding the unconscious and nonverbal ways that humans communicate with one another.

Dr. Alex “Sandy” Pentland, a professor at the MIT Media Lab, has written the book “Honest Signals”, based on studies related to unconscious social signals and patterns in how we interact with other people offering insight into our intentions, goals and values.  He claims we can accurately predict the outcomes of situations ranging from job interviews to first dates!

Specific areas of communication included monitoring the levels of nervous energy using a “sociometer“, which indicated excitement, anticipating responses in conversation indicating levels of interest, evidence of mimicry of gestures, correlating with feelings of trust and empathy and finally fluency or consistency in tone or motion, suggesting a level of expertise or of being well practiced.

In studying job interviews, Dr. Pentland says, “We found that if job candidates show confidence and practice, if they’re mirroring the inteviewer’s gestures, if they’re active and helpful, if they act the right way, they’ll get the thumbs up.”

The MIT Press, Honest Signals, How They Shape Our World, says scientific background is presented in this book providing an understanding of this form of communication and shows that by “reading” our social networks we can become more successsful at pitching an idea, getting a job, or closing a deal.

Some of us are firm believers in what goes around, comes around and as professionals, we spend a great deal of our time networking. Successful networking involves sharing information, experiences, and most importantly, our needs. Understanding what we can do for others and what they can do for us and then following through will sooner or later result in what goes around, comes around.

Promoting my expertise online as well as my relentless networking generates many calls to my business line and I do speak directly to all potential clients and associates.  Yesterday I received a call from a potential client that I had never spoken to or knew of prior to the call.  He was rude, disrespectful, abrupt and was quick to relay his needs, “I don’t need a resume, I need a job”, just prior to disconnecting the call.  Although my expertise includes that of a Master Resume Writer, I also hold other credentials, including that of Branding Strategist, Career Transition Coach and Employment Interview Professional.  If this person had had the foresight to listen to what information I required from him, it would have been possible for me to address his needs.

Who you know, is likely to be a key factor in advancing your career, or not!  There is a reason that we are being overloaded with information on personal branding.  First impressions are critical.  It sets the stage and is very likely the only impression that anyone is left with.  Did you leave them with a positive impression?  Did you have a positive impression of them?  Would they recommend you?  Would you recommend them?

Did you know that most hiring professionals have a standard practice after a job interview to ask the individual at reception what they thought of the potential candidate?  The next time you are face to face with someone or the next time you pick up the phone you may want to think about the impression you want to leave with that person.  Someday, that person could be a very influential force in your future because, what goes around comes around.