Tandem’s Blog

CLIENT PROFILE: CONTRACT / TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 15:34:15 -0800

Great opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. I just heard from a client, Mike, who was nervous about entering the job market in pursuit of a job in Finance. With so many people out of work in the field, he was convinced that finding a great job would be a Herculean task.

He sent me an e-mail to let me know that – based on a conversation we had – he decided to throw the net wider. Rather than looking for only full-time, permanent work, he decided to pursue different avenues as well.

Mike reported that he found a great opportunity as a contracted Senior Analyst. If all works as planned, he’ll move from one short term assignment to another every 3 – 6 months. He’s getting placed by a firm, so he won’t have benefits attached to each assignment. That doesn’t bother him, though, because his pay is significantly higher, and he plans to get insurance on his own.

The world of work as we know it is changing drastically and quickly. I encourage you to consider all sorts of opportunities that might meet your needs. Temporary and contract positions aren’t just outstanding opportunities for support employees any longer. Consider options that just might offer a level of freedom / flexibility that works for you and – at the same time – better suit the evolving landscape of the workplace.

TANDEM’S TIPS: A STRONG OPENING FOR YOUR RESUME

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:34:09 -0800

Q: I’ve been hearing a lot about how important it is for a resume to lead with information about what you can do for an employer. How does that work?

A: Yes, it’s true. A resume - like most anything else - is most engaging when you start strong. One of the best ways to do that is to firmly plant yourself as an achiever in the reader’s mind. Compel them to read more.

That being the goal, Objective Statements are - for the most part - a bad idea because they don’t allow you to get out of “I want” mode. As nice as it is to know that a candidate has a firm grasp on her goals, it should be assumed that she wants the kind of role she is applying for.

As is the case with a References section, an Objective Statement takes up valuable space on a resume.

Use the opening of your resume to clearly communicate what you bring to the table. In many situations, it’s best to speak to your track record. Since most resume reviewers and interviewers are trained to believe that past behavior is a great predictor of future performance, this is a smart approach.

Don’t, however, make the mistake of being too wordy and don’t make the bigger mistake of assuming too much knowledge about the position you are applying for. Many candidates know that it’s effective to have a strong lead-in. They take it too far, though, by making impossible assumptions regarding what they’ll accomplish within the position. This is a turn-off off for recruiters and hiring managers because it’s unrealistically aggressive.

Feel free to send off an e-mail if you have questions.

TANDEM’S TIPS: TARGETING A RESUME

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:39:02 -0800

A lot of people are paralyzed at the thought of having to target a "completed" resume. More specifically, many job-seekers don't want to have to deal with a resume that needs to be adjusted in any way because it seems overwhelming and tedious.

While that might be OK in certain, rare situations, you really have to get comfortable with the idea of targeting your resume for each specific position that you apply for. This economy demands it.

The good news is that this is reasonably easy to do with a good resume. With a well constructed resume in hand, you can quickly make a few tweaks to the introductory sections before sending it off. The problem is that most resumes aren’t user friendly for readers or owners. That’s why it can seem so daunting to make any adjustments.

The same holds true for cover letters. In this economy, in particular, you are at a distinct disadvantage if you don't personalize and direct all of your job-search documents in some manner.

My advice is this... First, ensure that you have a core resume that is easily adjusted; this is best accomplished within well constructed introductory sections. Once that’s in place, it won’t seem impossible to make adjustments as you apply for various positions.

Do you have a question for Tandem? Click here to send an email.

ACHIEVING CAREER SATISFACTION

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 06:57:39 -0800

I am noticing a pattern. This is the time of the year when Tandem gets a rush of e-mails. These first-of-the-year inquiries tend to be quite different from those received during the rest of the year. Throughout most of the year, potential clients fall into one of the "camps" detailed in the entry found here. Every January and February, though, a larger theme tends to emerge - many potential clients tend to write about career dissatisfaction.

My "Happy New Year" blog inspired a lot of people to get in touch. And, clearly, the tradition of examining goals at the beginning of the year has a lot to do with this. Many people - having taken the time to get really honest - realize that their career is off track. They own up to the fact that, in most cases, their discontent stems from something deeper than an ineffective resume. Take a look at this snippet from an e-mail that I recently received:

Here are the facts: I am currently employed at a great job. Great for most people. But I need a change, I'm drowning here but ironically I am on a fast growth track. I need to make a change before I get so entrenched in this company and on this career track that changing paths becomes impossible.

This is a common feeling - one that you may be able to identify with.

As I said in that blog entry, few things are as rewarding as tapping into your natural talents and skill set. Are you doing that? Are you in touch with your strengths?

Right now - due to the economy and whatever you may have going on in your life - you may need to remain laser-focused on shaping up your resume and getting a job. Any job. That's completely understandable, and I can help with that.

Challenge yourself, though, to have a look at the bigger picture just as soon as you are able. Break the cycle of moving through a series of jobs that are only moderately rewarding.

Get in touch if you are ready to explore how to put some vitality back into your world. Send off an e-mail and/or check out my Development page in order to get a little more information.

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A RESUME?

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 07:15:34 -0800

Many people e-mail, expressing an interest in giving a resume as a gift. Traditionally, this has been a frequent request during graduation season. There's no better way to send a graduate off on the right foot than to help in setting him/her up for success with a sharp new resume. These requests usually come from parents who are very motivated to help the graduate to start earning money as soon as possible. Smart thinking!

Now, with our out-of-control unemployment rate, many people think it's a perfect year round gift. Over the last several months, especially, I have received many inquiries from people who want to give something meaningful - something that a struggling friend or family member will find useful in these tough times. What better way to help a discouraged job-seeker than to bolster confidence with an outstanding resume.

Starting today, Tandem wants to help out. If you've been thinking about treating a friend or family member to a resume that works more effectively, get in touch.

To kick off the program with a bang, it's only fair that Tandem honors your generosity with some extras. When you purchase a resume / cover letter package for someone, Tandem will throw in two extremely helpful documents: a resume follow-up letter and a post-interview thank you letter. Your recipient gets Tandem's Toolkit and you only pay for a resume and letter.

Getting things set up is easy. Send off an e-mail, and we'll work out all of the logistics. Then your recipient will be notified of the gift via a great e-card, and we’ll embark on the resume building process from there.

TANDEM’S TIPS: YOUR IDEAS AND TALENT MATTER

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:30:37 -0800

Q: I enjoyed your last entry on the reality of resumes and searching for a job. As frustrating as I know it all is, I think the entry is very true. I just can’t get past the fact that I have an impressive work history, and I bring a lot of talent and ideas to the table. Why won't the hiring system work in my favor?!

A: I think it's very interesting that you mention bringing "a lot of talent and ideas to the table" because you've tapped into something that is a source of great frustration for not only job candidates but also those on the other side of the table, including me...

How to meaningfully communicate and capture - beyond a static resume - the real value that a candidate brings.

As social networking becomes an even more profound reality in our personal and professional lives, I predict that job candidates and companies will further capitalize on how this can improve the entire scope of the hiring process. More specifically, I think social networking venues will make it easier for job candidates to communicate (and for companies to recognize) the value they bring.

Refreshingly, with the way that social networking works, connecting will be accomplished in a much more fluid manner than is currently the case in the job hunting arena. Meaning that your talent will always be sort of "out there" and available for others to see, rather than limited to a resume, which is much less likely to be noticed. Make sense? Think about what's going on with, say, LinkedIn. That gives you a better idea - just a small idea, actually - of the direction I think we are ultimately heading.

So, as a follow up to my last post... Yes, the job-search landscape is changing, and it will be exciting to see how things unfold as social networking nudges corporate/organizational hiring practices into something more relevant for all involved.

Good stuff.

TANDEM’S TIPS: FOR THE FRUSTRATED JOB-SEEKER

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:10:01 -0800

Q: I have been looking for work Since April of 2009. Given the bad economy, I gave myself until the end of 2009 to get a job (thinking that was allowing more than enough time). Here it is, January, and I don't have a job. I haven't even had more than a few responses to my resume. Based on some research, I'd like to have you help me out..... Before we get started, I need a pep talk because I'm angry and I think today's hiring process and the whole resume game is a mess...

A: First off, take a look at my entry on why an outstanding resume matters. It doesn't answer all of your questions, but it can help in making sense of something that is mad-making to many people.

I feel your pain. I got into the resume writing / career development arena because being on the other side of the table can be a very frustrating experience. Seeing so many worthwhile candidates that weren't given any attention, I was inspired to look into what's wrong with the system. Believe me, there's plenty wrong with the nuts and bolts of a typical company's hiring process; it's often ineffective, clunky, inconsistent and biased.

That's a mess that forward-thinking HR professionals, like myself, are grappling with.

That end of things is outside of your control. Job seekers need to stay focused on the reality of the current hiring environment, as flawed as it might be. For starters, you need an outstanding resume, a network and polished interviewing skills. That's just for starters.

Most resume are crummy and some are average. That's a kind version of the truth. I believe that most people struggle with resumes because everything starts to be a big blur. Questions such as “What do I say?” and “What do I put where?” start to boggle the mind.

Why is everything a blur? Well, it's tough to write about ourselves in the best light possible. More than that, though, people aren't encouraged to be introspective - to know themselves. Therefore, many people don't have a handle on their strengths and their natural talents - those things that make living life as awesome as it should be. As I tell clients over and over, many people just go through the motions day after day with very little authentic career satisfaction. That's not the way it should be.

So, that's why everything can be a big blur, making an already irritating process even more so. It's also the reason why a professionally crafted resume is a good idea. Remember, if a great resume is a critical piece in our current (broken) job-search reality, then you need one. Period. It's non-negotiable so If you need help, you need help.

This reality is also how I've come to be very passionate about the career development work that I do. It is very gratifying to get clients thinking about things people typically put on the back-burner, such as striving to be more of the person you ARE as opposed to wasting energy in pursuit of others’ definitions of success and happiness.

When I hear people say that resume writing and career enhancement activities are a joke, I correct them. Many people need help with resumes and with what's going on behind the resume. It's our job search / hiring system that's a bit of a joke, but it's all we have for now. By arming yourself with the tools and support necessary to navigate it, you can make an imperfect system work for you.

Need help building a great resume or a more fulfilling career? Send off an e-mail.

TANDEM EMPOWERS: HELP FOR HAITI

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:17:43 -0800

***UPDATE 1 February 2010

A portion of the proceeds from every resume project in January went to support people in Haiti via Mercy Corps (see below). Thank you for your support!
_____________

Many people here in the United States - and, more so, around the world - have to endure a lot of hardship. About 2 of 3 people lack access to clean drinking water and about 1 of 3 people live on less than $1 a day. In a world with so much wealth, it really is unimaginable.

On top of these already disquieting statistics, many of these same people have to endure colossal tragedies. The Asian tsunami, Katrina - to name a couple - and now the earthquake in Haiti.

Oftentimes, when I get into these topics, I have to resist the urge to feel as though I am getting “off topic” from the core purpose of Tandem. During those moments, though, I’m quickly reminded that this, too, is what Tandem is all about.

Tandem is, of course, about resume writing and career development. Essentially, inspiring people to get more aligned with their authentic selves and, therefore, closer and closer to career (and life!) satisfaction. If you’ve used Tandem’s services or have spent some time here on the website, you likely know that it goes deeper than that.

Tandem’s desire to empower people and communities transcends career development activities. In fact, Tandem got off the ground emboldened by the belief that we are all connected as world citizens. What’s good for you is good for me.

The support will go to Tandem’s Charity of Choice for the year, Mercy Corps. They are doing a lot of good work there during this tough time. Check them out here.

Back to resumes!

MORE THAN A RESUME OVERHAUL

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:53:21 -0800

This is an entry that I've been meaning to write for some time now because it addresses a point that clients say I don't make clear enough...

Quite often, at the end of a project, a client will write to tell me how fulfilling and thorough they thought the process was. Those who have used other resume writers in the past, comment on how much more rewarding their Tandem experience was. This is from an e-mail that I recently received:

...As you know, I had my resume done professionally a couple of years ago. That person was a good writer and I was pleased with the outcome. Working with you was a much better and different experience. Your process goes FAR deeper than a typical resume overhaul. I was amazed by how much your professional background and insight play into the entire process. Your detailed approach, the questions you ask, and the explanations you provide make the experience about more than just a better resume. I think you should emphasize this fact more on your website because it differentiates you from the competition in a big way. Thanks again! I'll keep you posted.

My process does go well beyond simply writing well, or having extensive experience in HR, or knowing what makes an outstanding resume etc. Rather, it's ALL of those elements – and more – coming together as I strive to maximize individuals potential via my Resume/Career Development work. You can find more details on Tandem’s FAQ page.

I really believe that the integration of all of those elements adds a lot of value to each project. It's that multi-faceted approach that also leads me to relentlessly fine-tune my process day after day. For instance, my questionnaire and strengths survey have proven to be fantastic tools for uncovering the necessary information to ensure that clients walk away with stellar job-search documents. Plus, it's always about far more than the resume, letter etc. If you decide to move forward, the process will likely jump-start your job search and inspire you to look at your background and career endeavors in a new light.

I guess there's not much more that I can add other than it's a clear reflection of what I love doing.

TANDEM EMPOWERS: THANKS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:45:11 -0800

Thanks to everyone who showed a big interest in Tandem’s “Give Back – Get a Deal” promotion; it was a hit. Clients got a great deal on a package of stellar job search documents AND gave back at the same time (without having to do any extra work!).

It’s great for me as well... I get to do the Resume Writing, Career Development and HR Consulting work that I love, and – equally as gratifying – I am able to direct time/attention to the importance of empowering others. You can’t beat that!

By the way... Many people got back with great feedback on Tandem’s Charity of Choice for the year, Mercy Corps. Click here to learn more about their work bolstering the potential of people in need and building strong communities.

Here’s wishing you a great 2010. May your year ahead be more fulfilling than the last. Whatever you have on your wish list for the year, I hope that the months ahead find you leaning into professional and personal pursuits that energize and excite you – those things that make you a more authentic person.

Goals and resolutions can, at times, seem overwhelming. Like many people who have contacted me lately, you may be trying to find your footing in terms of what makes sense for your career (and/or life) in the year ahead. I encourage you to make it as easy as possible by tapping into your natural talents and skill set. Strive to be more of the person you ARE as opposed to wasting energy in pursuit of others’ definitions of success and happiness. It can be difficult, but it’s very rewarding.

Watch for an exciting year ahead here at Tandem. In the coming weeks, I’ll be rolling out a promotion that people have been repeatedly asking for. Stay tuned for details.

Again, a sincere thanks to all of you!

POSTING YOUR RESUME ON WEBSITES AND JOB BOARDS

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:13:02 -0800

I just had an e-mail from a perspective client. He said that his number one goal was ending up with a resume that got more “hits” on job oriented websites. Upon inquiring further, I learned that - as part of his job search - he was doing nothing other than posting his resume. He has been operating under the belief that one only has to post his resume to multiple sites before sitting back and waiting for companies to call.

For many of you it goes with out saying that, especially in this tight job market, you have to play an active role in your job search. In most cases, you can’t simply put your resume out there and expect something to happen.

As I regularly delve into here on this blog, a fantastic resume is a key component of a successful job search - but only one component. Check out more on that, here.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can take any sort of passive role when it comes to finding work. With the unemployment rate as high as it is, companies (recruiters / hiring managers) aren’t going to go out of their way to find you. You need to get a top-notch resume into their hands, and you need to follow up diligently.

Are you taking steps to ensure that you have a comprehensive job search plan? Are you set up for success?

Send off an e-mail if you need help getting on track. I am happy to help.

WHAT’S BEEN ON YOUR MIND IN 2009

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:12:07 -0800

I am a big fan of year-end “best of” lists and things that sum up what’s been going on during the last 12 months. So, I thought why not do something similar here at Tandem.

Each week, I get a lot of questions about resumes, career development and the world of work. As part of this blog, I try to address the most common themes so that readers can use the blog as a resource and learn from what other people have been asking about.

So, for this post, I thought I’d point you back to the three posts that address the inquiries I have received most often this year. If you’re an ongoing reader, thanks; hopefully you can use this post to refresh your memory. If you’re a new visitor, use these links to get to the information that will likely be most useful for you.

Here goes...

• More than anything, a lot of readers wonder what makes the “best” resume. If that’s something you’ve pondered, click here for some helpful thoughts.

• Increasingly, short-term jobs are common. Here is a post that addresses how you might speak to the appearance of job hopping.

• With the economy in a rough state, many people are reevaluating work and want to get into a job/career that they have a passion for. To many, money isn’t all that matters. Read some thoughts on loving what you do here.

Also, I have to take a moment to mention that I received a lot of great feedback about my post on why an outstanding resume matters. You can check that entry out here.

What’s on your mind as we head into 2010? Send off an email so that I can address your question in upcoming posts.

TANDEM EMPOWERS: GIVE BACK & GET A DEAL - LAST CHANCE

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 14:51:18 -0800

Tandem believes in giving back. A few months ago, I introduced Mercy Corps as Tandem's charity of choice for the year (here). I have a lot of respect for Mercy Corps because they are big believers in helping people to build productive lives.

Last month (here), I mentioned wanting to pass along the extra jolt of inspiration I got from visiting Mercy Corps’ Action Center. I introduced a great deal that is running until 2010 hits.

Here are the details again...

New customers who provide proof of any kind of recent charitable donation will receive Tandem's Toolkit (a resume along with customizable templates for the following: cover letter, thank-you letter, resume follow-up letter) for the price of Tandem's Essentials (resume and cover letter template). That represents two extra documents and a heck of a deal.

For clients who don't go for that option, I'll be donating a portion of each project fee to Mercy Corps.

So, as a new client, you'll get outstanding new job search documents AND the great feeling that comes with giving back. You can't beat that. Just be sure to mention this blog entry when you make your initial contact.

Take a moment to check out Mercy Corps and/or make a donation to them.

Send off an email if you have any questions about Tandem's services and/or this promotion.

TANDEM’S TIPS: HOBBIES & INTERESTS - PART 2

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 07:35:33 -0800

Q: I just read your post on “Hobbies” and “Interests” sections on resumes. When would you include such a section?

A: I received a lot of e-mails asking this question because I didn’t entirely rule out using a section like this on a resume.

To further clarify... Sometimes, you’ll find that companies - Google, for example - ask that you include information about what interests you outside of work. I think that’s great. Also, individuals in industries that require lengthier resumes and CVs (Education, for example) may benefit from the inclusion of a section that addresses outside interests. Employers in those arenas are accustomed to seeing such information.

For the most part, though, it’s best to leave that sort of information off to help in warding off potential discrimination and to keep your resume focused on what employers are most interested in - accomplishments.

Send off an email if you have any questions

TANDEM’S TIPS: HOBBIES, INTERESTS AND RESUMES

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:50:36 -0800

Q: You recently discussed how to handle references on a resume. What about hobbies/interests?

A: In most cases, I recommend that a “Hobbies” or “Interests” section be left off of a resume. Most employers like candidates to stick to elements that relate directly to the professional arena.

Even more reason to leave such a section off is the fact that some employers won’t look at resumes that display interests. Also, I have worked with companies that require HR to black out those sections. The thinking behind this trend is really quite sound. Too many candidates mention things that can be the basis for discrimination, which ultimately turns out to be a negative thing for everyone involved.

Save yourself the risk of attracting the wrong kind of attention. Share your extracurricular pursuits with your boss after you’re safely settled into your dream job!

Click here for the post that addresses references on a resume.

TANDEM’S TIPS: QUANTIFIABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:04:58 -0800

You've probably heard it said before, that quantifiable achievements are an important component of a solid resume. They lend credibility to claims that otherwise might fall flat and – at the very least – fail to separate you from the competition.

People, in general, struggle to speak about their work history in these measurable terms. Many others simply feel that quantifiable achievements don't apply to their work; they move through their professional careers with the belief that only people in, say, Sales need to think about including such metrics. Nearly every position – with very few exceptions – has an impact on the organization/company in a measurable way. The problem is that professionals in many positions aren't really programed to look at their work in terms of how it boosts success.

Quantifiable achievements are difficult for many people to wrap their minds around. Agreed. We need to back up a bit though.

Most people struggle to speak in terms of accomplishments – never mind quantifiable accomplishments – on their resumes. So, the first step is to get out of task/responsibility mode when thinking of your world of work.

Don't make the mistake of turning your job descriptions into your resume entries. Look at your resume as valuable real estate. Your first goal should be to minimize the valuable space that you dedicate to responsibilities. "But I want them to know that I XXX," I hear time and time again. Don't worry... There are very efficient ways to speak to responsibilities without making them the basis of your entire resume. Ideally, you'll have such powerful achievement-centric bullets that the associated responsibility will be inferred.

So, when you can't get out of responsibility mode, ask yourself: "To what end did I do XXX?" If you absolutely can't pull something quantifiable out of the responsibility, at least speak to the end result – the accomplishment.

TANDEM EMPOWERS: TSUNAMI VICTIMS IN SAMOA

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:02:56 -0800

Tandem is committed to empowering clients via outstanding job-search documents and career development services. Tandem also believes in giving back with the understanding that we're all connected and should do what we can to help individuals and communities around the world. That's what Tandem Empowers is all about.

Recently, I had the chance to spend some time in Samoa. You may recall that the Samoan Islands were hit hard by a tsunami – and associated earthquakes – late in September. We visited the disaster relief HQ on American Samoa and had the chance to learn a lot about the extent of the damage.

I was happy to make a donation, via Tandem Empowers, in order to assist these warm, welcoming and grateful people with relief efforts. Thanks to all of you for your business. It enables me to keep doing the work that I love and to use a portion of proceeds to help people, like the residents of Samoa, who are in need.

Interested in giving back and/or Tandem's services? Be sure to click here in order to see the deal I have for you. Hurry, though, because it'll only be around until the new year.

TANDEM’S TIPS: REFERENCES ON A RESUME

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:44:33 -0700

Q: How do I handle putting references on my resume?

A: In most cases you don't need to mention references on your resume. In fact, you don't even need to state "References available upon request." Besides... Isn't that sort of an absurd statement to include. Think about it. Your resume is valuable real estate and employers know - and they know that you know - that you'll come up with references if you need to. Don't waste the space.

If an employer chooses to conduct reference checks, they'll ask for this information at some point during the interview process. It doesn't hurt to have a reference sheet prepared, but - in my experience - many employers will ask for the information via e-mail or the telephone.

TANDEM EMPOWERS: GIVE BACK - GET A DEAL

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 09:18:08 -0700

Tandem believes in giving back. A couple of months ago, I introduced Mercy Corps as Tandem's charity of choice for the year (here). I have a lot of respect for Mercy Corps because they are big believers in helping people to build productive lives.

You may also remember that, last month, I was heading off to New York, which provided me the opportunity to check out Mercy Corps' Action Center in Manhattan. This "hands on" space inspires people to be a part of positive change in an effort to squelch poverty. I was impressed by my visit. It made me realize - even more - that we're all connected, and that we have to watch out for one another.

Soon, many of us will start to turn a bit of our attention to the holidays, and the typical season for giving back. I want to pass along the extra jolt of inspiration I got from visiting the Action Center, so I have a deal for you.

New customers who provide proof of any kind of recent charitable donation will receive Tandem's Toolkit (a resume along with customizable templates for the following: cover letter, thank-you letter, resume follow-up letter) for the price of Tandem's Essentials (resume and cover letter template). That represents two extra documents and a heck of a deal.

For clients who don't go for that option, I'll be donating a portion of each project fee to Mercy Corps.

So, as a new client, you'll get outstanding new job search documents AND the great feeling that comes with giving back. You can't beat that. Just be sure to mention this blog entry when you make your initial contact.

Take a moment to check out Mercy Corps and/or make a donation to them.

Send off an email if you have any questions about Tandem's services and/or this promotion.

TANDEM’S TIPS: HOW TO INTERVIEW WELL

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 08:45:01 -0700

Q: I don't do well in interviews because my mind always seems to start racing the minute I get asked a question. I recently received feedback that I seemed unprepared. Any advice?

A: With practice, it is possible to improve your interviewing skills. Many people that I work with are caught off guard by the kinds of questions they are asked when invited in to interview. More specifically, they feel prepared and confident going into the interview, and then find themselves unprepared for the types of questions asked.

As I describe in the entry found here, many employers use a Behavioral Interview style. It's an approach that requires you to answer each question with a "real world" example. So, for example, you might be asked about a time that you had to confront some sort of challenge in the workplace. Rather than speaking vaguely about how you deal with obstacles at work, you would need to provide a specific example. Start by providing a snippet of background information before explaining what you did and the result of your action.

To be successful in a Behavioral interview, you need to come prepared with a range of workplace examples that you can speak to. It's easier than you may think, and it actually makes it quite simple to keep your thoughts organized. Instead of trying to wrap your mind around all sorts of pre-interview thoughts, you can spend your time briefly reviewing the handful of examples that you may speak to, depending on what you are asked.

As is the case with resumes, claims without proof are frowned upon. Bolster your success as an interviewee by becoming comfortable with interviews where you have the opportunity to shine by backing up your words with past experiences.

That’s how to interview well!