Tag Archives: Interview Advice

THE CHALLENGE

BY: Adam Gavriel

Nearly a month into the New Year many have already abandoned their New Year’s Resolutions.With the New York Giants continuing to roll into the Super Bowl mine is still alive and well, watching one of my favorite sports teams win a championship.

If your New Year’s Resolution was like the one discussed here just before the end of 2011, with a  focus on getting a job, we hope you’re closing in on your goal. For some, this same New Year’s resolution may be frustrating you as your goals have not been met. For some, you may not have even gotten your foot in the door.

So we’re offering you “The Challenge” this year to rise up and find that employment by any means necessary…and we want to help.

There are employers out there looking to fill vacancies. We speak with them all the time and hope for more new clients to work with.

Conversely, if you’re a prospective employee, look at all the angles. Don’t just look at big corporations, but look at small businesses and even Not-For-Profit organizations too. A job is a job. It’s better than the alternative. Remember that small businesses account for some of the nation’s most abundant employment opportunities and should not be ignored by anyone looking for work.

We understand this sounds insensitive to some of you and maybe a bit naïve to others, but we believe finding these opportunities may be hard, (remember that anything worth having isn’t something found on any street corner). When you do find an opportunity it can be frustrating if you feel that you haven’t been considered for the best of your abilities.

No employer wants to see that after you got laid off, or quit your previous job that you didn’t do anything. Constant work will always out-weigh the other option. Though, try not to jump from career to career as employers might be hesitant to give you a full chance if they see that your job loyalty has faltered in the past.

Spend your time building a new skill to add to your employment. Want to continue building up your work experience? Look for possible volunteering venues. Anything is better than an empty slot in your resume where employers would feel the need to ask you, “Well sir/ma’am, tell me, ‘What did you do from 2008-2009?’” When you don’t have an answer, it’ll create an awkward situation for you as well and an easier decision for the interviewer.

At Crossroads Consulting we challenge you to take a look at our job openings and utilize our incredibly affordable resume and interview service. For the small amount you’re investing in yourself, getting that job that you so desperately want would make it worth it.

We want to be with you every step of the way in your route back to the employment spectrum.

Keep working your connections; keep your eyes and ears open for opportunity. It’s just around the corner.

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INTERVIEWING TIPS

Here at Crossroads Consulting, we’re always here to offer as much help to you in getting ready for an interview as possible. Whether it’s Resume Preparation, or  custom individualized Interview Preparation, we offer it all.

But we also offer a lot of non-paid help to those coming to us.

Here, Amy Schlubach offers some tips on preparing for your next big job interview.

Continue reading

THE INTERVIEW PROCESS (PART DEUX)

We started off our discussion of interview prepartaion and talked about the Six P’s and bringing your resume as well as turning the tables on the interviewer. We’ll look at the last two key elements to the preparation side of things and then talk a little bit about the interview itself.

DON’T BE A POLITICIAN… WHEN ASKED, STAY ON TOPIC…

It is important not to ask questions on ANY topic that’s already been addressed in your meeting – unless you’re looking for clarification. Then simply state that “we spoke about (whatever) earlier and I was looking for a little more information about…” 

ALWAYS REMEMBER AND NEVER FORGET…I FORGOT…

Remember to bring your notepad, resumes and questions into the interview with you.

Those are some pretty simple tips to add to your repetoire.

Now let’s talk a little about the interview itself.

STYL’IN & PROFIL’IN…

For Men: Wear a professional, conservative business suit and tie (NO jacket and dress slacks) Please be clean shaven and go easy on the cologne if you use it, no earrings or other distracting jewelry.

For Women: Wear a professional conservative business suit, or appropriate length skirt or dress (knee length or lower) or dress slacks and blouse…nothing exposing too much flesh. Use Conservative Make-Up and go easy on the perfume and no distracting jewelry. 

YOU’VE GOT SOME NERVE…

FIRST, remember there is no need to be nervous. You are simply two people talking and you are not there to beg. Remember, they need to sell you on being with their company as much as you need to sell them on hiring you

YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH”…

Be honest and truthful in the interview at all times. You won’t have any nervousness because you will always say the same thing. It also establishes what you would hope would be an honest relationship with the company. Have the attitude that if you are forthright and honest and then you do not get the job, it’s their loss. 

AGAIN, always answer questions honestly and truthfully. If they ask you a question that you don’t know the answer to, do not try to make something up. Companies will often ask you something they already know the answer to and are trying to see if you will answer honestly or not. If you don’t know the answer, simply say “I DON’T KNOW.”  Never leave that hanging  alone though. Follow it up with either: “I only need to be shown things once…”or better yet, in your own words tell the interviewer how and what steps you will take to obtain and provide them the answer.

-OR-

“I will have that answer for you by (fill in the blank)” and then make sure you do!

There are more elements coming in our next report… In the meantime, tell your friends about our site and feel free to leave us questions that you might be having regarding your job search and perhaps we can help…

Should you wish to contact us or discuss anything feel free to give us a call at 203-459-9969 or email us at info at crossroadsconsulting dot com (sorry that we have to have you spell it out…we’re tired of spam…aren’t you? :)