Billie Sucher Blog

Teacher Types

"The mediocre teacher tells.

The good teacher explains.

The superior teacher demonstrates.

The great teacher inspires."

-- William Arthur Ward

 

 

Great Interview Question

Today, my client and I discussed the following quotation by Tom Brokaw: 

"It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference." 

We also talked about this question, asked of her in a recent job interview:

"How have you made a difference?" 

Something to think about before your next interview. 

Know what you will say?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Job Interviewing -- Do You Get To the Point?

We cannot waste time. We can only waste ourselves. ~ George M. Adams

I love working with clients! They are always teaching me something and giving me ideas for yet another blog post. Today, for example, my client was remarking how he liked people to “get to the point” and not dilly-dally around and waste his time, especially at a job interview.

Maybe you are like that; maybe you are not.

Are you interviewing for a job?

Have you been asked the standard “So tell me about yourself?” question to which you replied:

"Well, I am loyal, honest and hardworking.

 

I have a lot of experience. I can do a lot of things.

 

I have a good education and like I said, I am very experienced. 

 

Also, I am a very responsible worker.

 

And finally, I am very dependable.”

 

Imagine that you are the Hiring Manager listening to the above response.

Are you impressed? ___ Yes ___No

Are you falling off your chair because you are so enthralled with this response?  ___Yes ___No

Does the job seeker stand out in your professional opinion? ___Yes ___No

Would you consider this candidate your Number One contender?  ___Yes ___No

As a Hiring Manager, have you heard the above response at least 100  times, if not more?   ___Yes   ___No

If you are a job seeker, I would encourage you to spend some time building your best response to the “Tell Me About Yourself” question. Here’s one way to do so through three simple steps and three pieces of paper:

1. On a sheet of paper, write three facts (no longer than a tweet) about your experience, delivering proof as to why you are a standout candidate for the job of interest. Point 1; Point 2; Point 3. If your three tweets do not deliver compelling evidence, keep writing (and thinking) until you come up with your best, most relevant proof.
2. On the next sheet of paper, write one or two facts (tweets) about your education, certifications and designations – whatever education you have to offer, so the hiring manager doesn’t have to drag this information out of you. Point 4, Point 5.
3. On another sheet of paper, state five qualities that make you stand out in a positive manner, citing words that a Hiring Manager hasn’t heard 100 times before and words that support your target goal. Point 6.

Do not make the hiring manager work and work and work to get to know you. In short, get to the point. No wishy-washy. No dilly-dally. No shilly-shally. No time to waste. To the point.

Prepare well.

Be distinct.

Educate and train your listener about you, your brand and your value.

Make the process of getting to know you as simple as one, two, three.

Every second is of infinite value. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

That Was Easy

The client sat pondering the best words to describe herself. Our session that day focused on job interviewing. After a few minutes, “Jane” spoke:

I’d say the best words to describe me are:

Loyal

Honest 

Hard-working.

As a job seeker, are you routinely using such words to describe yourself? If you are, let’s pretend for a moment. Let’s pretend that you are a tired, overworked hiring manager and that you have interviewed 1,000+ candidates in recent years. From those 1,000+ candidates, you have heard the same words -- loyal, honest and hard-working -- time after time after time. How excited, then, are you to hear “loyal, honest and hard-working” from one more candidate?  

The next time you go to a job interview, take some time to find words that best describe the unique, distinct brand of you. Then, when the “what are your best qualities” question (or some derivative thereof) is asked, you will help yourself stand out. You will not come across as the same old, same old candidate. You will stand out because you have taken the time to research words that are music to the hiring manager’s ears – distinctive words that align with your target job. Help yourself shine in the employment interview! And, make it easy for the hiring manager to select you.

P.S. When choosing words to describe your brand, make sure you know how to correctly 
pronounce them, know their definition and how to correctly use them in a sentence. 

Job Seekers: Do You Watch Cry Wolfe?

Recently, a client asked “In your professional opinion, what is the single-most critical skill for a job seeker to possess in order to find new employment?”

If you were to answer my client’s question based upon the five choices shown below, which one would you pick?

1. Professional Resume / LinkedIn Profile
2. Interviewing skills
3. Networking savvy
4. Brand-name suit and accessories
5. Detective abilities

Without hesitation, I asked: “Do you watch Cry Wolfe? He’s a private investigator – his name is Brian Wolfe – based in California – Tuesday evenings -- Investigation Discovery. The Cry Wolfe guy is relentless – he is crazy good; talk about mastery. So, in answer to your question, I would say, be an outstanding private investigator, a super sleuth and a really good detective. In my opinion, that’s the most important skill -- all else is expected; the P.I. part can help solve your case of getting from Point A to Point B."

Listed below are a few qualities and traits of a good detective. Perhaps you will use some of these skills to resolve your job search situation:

1. Critical thinking and problem solving
2. Attention to detail
3. Computers and technology
4. Strong written / communication skills
5. Patience
6. Positive attitude
7. Relationship builder
8. Self-disciplined; self-motivated
9. Effective at managing conversations and drawing out information
10. Believable personality
11. Team player / team leader
12. Genuine interest in others
13. Attentive listening skills
14. Sound decision-maker
15. Thinks quickly
16. Acts calmly; collected
17. Can perform in high-stress situations
18. Good at reading body language
19. Inquisitiveness
20. Doesn’t quit
21. Observational skills
22. Curiosity
23. Common sense
24. Resourcefulness
25. Creative thinker; creative thinking
26. Gathers data, information
27. Tracks information, leads, clues
28. Puts together the pieces
29. Adept at conducting research
30. Analyzes data to reach conclusion
31. Readily adapts to personalities and circumstances

How Do You Manage Job Search Rejection?

The subject of “rejection” routinely appears in conversation with clients:

• I can’t believe they didn’t hire me; I was a perfect fit for the job. Rejected.
• The offer was rescinded; unbelievable, especially since I already gave my notice. Rejected. 
• I was the most qualified by far and they gave the job to another candidate. Rejected. 
• They went with someone else and wished me all the best in the future. Rejected. 
• I was told the internal candidate was the one selected for the position, not me. Rejected.

Rejection – it’s everywhere. Here, there and everywhere when you are in job search mode. Do not let rejection distract you, derail you or disenchant you. Keep going. Keep moving. Do not stop until you are the Number One pick!

Realize that brands attract, brands repel. You have preferences; so do hiring managers.

 

Educate yourself on best practices of the job search.

 

Join conversations, meetings and groups, both offline and online to learn, grow and stay current.

 

Enlist the support, guidance and direction of a trusted team to navigate your way forward.

 

Connect with others on a consistent basis. Someone, somewhere knows somebody or something that would be good for you to know.

 

Transition is a process; track your progress to improve performance.

 

Exhibit excellence in all things job-search related.

 

Don’t quit on yourself or the search. Some organization, somewhere needs you.

What do you think? 

Resume Writing Transformation: From Stress to Success

Let’s say your car stalls on the interstate. Know how to fix it?

Let’s say your tooth gets knocked out. Know how to fix it?

Let’s say you are getting sued by your employer for breaking your non-compete. Know what to do next?

Let’s say you want to re-roof your residence? Know how to do that?

Let’s say you want to serve cake on your wedding day? Know how to bake it?

While many tasks are of a do-it-yourself (DIY) variety, for some, trying to write a first-class résumé is akin to shingling your own house, fixing your own tooth, representing yourself in court, repairing your own car, or baking your own wedding cake. Could you possibly do all of these things? Perhaps. Or perhaps it makes more sense in the long run to engage the services of someone who knows what they are doing – be it roofing, résumé writing or whipping up a wedding cake.

Here is a specific story to illustrate how one man’s résumé writing stress was transformed into résumé writing success – just like that. While I could share hundreds of similar stories, the following résumé writing story is one of my favorites. “Benjamin” owned a profitable business here in the Midwest. He decided after 25+ years of business ownership that he wanted to move to a warmer climate. As part of the job search process, he built a résumé from an online template. No problem. His daughter, a bright young college student majoring in English reviewed it, followed by a once-over by a few trusted colleagues. No problem.

He submitted his résumé via U.S. mail to the hiring manager. His qualifications, in his opinion, perfectly matched the employer’s requirements. When he did not hear back from the company, he followed up to see if the job was still open. It was. And to him, that was a problem. A Chamber contact referred him to me for “an opinion” on his résumé. We didn’t do a couple of minor changes – we did a total overhaul of his existing résumé document. He resubmitted the new résumé to the same hiring manager and the very day it was received, Benjamin got a phone call: “When can you be here to interview with us?” He did not mention the prior résumé submission, nor did the hiring manager bring it up. Bottom line, the newly created résumé opened the door just like that and ultimately, Benjamin got the job.  

Can you do your own résumé? Sure. Absolutely. No question about it.

Can your DIY résumé generate results for you? I certainly hope so!  

Perhaps, though, if your DIY résumé is not working for you, maybe you will do what Ben did.  Ask around.  Get a referral. Fix your résumé. Snag an interview. And get hired -- sometimes, just like that! 

Do You Have the Requisite Qualifications To Be An Outstanding Job Seeker?

I love the conversations I have with clients. I love the questions they ask -- questions such as: “So, what are some good qualities of a job seeker?” If you had to create a job description for today’s job seeker, how would you write it? What would you include? Here are some thoughts – what do you think? 

TITLE:  Job Seeker

Position Type:  Full Time, M-F -- frequent wknds.

Job ID/Tracking Code:  URIT24-7

Job Requirements:

• High sense of urgency, focused, goal-driven professional who is unstoppable in exploring opportunities that meet/exceed expectations.

• Superior organizational skills in managing and juggling multiple tasks and priorities.

• Mastery of job search techniques and tactics.

• Prefer candidate who is coachable and willing to assimilate world-class career management strategy.

• Proven knowledge of the career transition process; ideal candidate will be a an open-minded transitioner who readily grasps the nuances of today’s business climate and culture.

• Verification of educational credentials including highest level of education attained to date, as well as certifications, designations, and licensure.  

• Strong time management skills with a disciplined approach to executing day-to-day tasks.

• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainly and willingly embraces change to achieve rigorous goals.

• Problem-solver who can identify unmet needs and provide a myriad of solutions, all of which work equally well regardless of circumstance and objective.

• Intensely competitive and aggressive in pursuing new business in both saturated and untapped local, regional, national and/or global markets.

• Relationship builder who is undeterred by rejection, negativity, general rudeness or lack of professionalism.

• Possess steadfast ability to overcome obstacles and objections/concerns of the hiring manager/recruiter/decision-maker.

• Attentive listener who is inquisitive, curious and asks appropriate questions in a professional manner.

• Mindful, intentional and purposeful in interactions with all levels of personnel.

• Technically savvy / computer literate with multiple software applications.

• Cognizant of social media usage and application.

• Commitment to building and updating a compelling LinkedIn profile.

• Appreciation for brevity in written and verbal communications with emphasis on relevance and essence of the message.

• Knowledge of Twitter with an ability to create a tweet if asked to do so in a job interview.

• Solid negotiation skills in securing the highest price for the sale of multiple KSAs.

• Demonstrates proper levels of patience in waiting to hear something or anything from decision-makers regarding application and/or interview status.

• Demonstrates self-advocacy as needed.

• Must be willing to travel, sometimes with little notice, to demonstrate product features and benefits of value to diverse audiences.

• Must thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, competitive environment with minimal direction, minimal supervision and 100% positivity and hustle.

• Can articulate work experience, be it job loss, job hopping or other job-related transitions in a clear, concise and succinct manner in order to not compromise or jeopardize your candidacy.

• Must be persuasive in convincing listeners that your brand is the single best brand of choice – one worthy of a job offer.

• Professional in interactions and/or presentations: face-to-face, small group or large group presentations in a host of calm or chaotic environments.

• Skilled in creating and delivering PowerPoint presentations, as needed, to illustrate competencies in desired field of employment.

• Expresses thought(s) with humility and confidence: “I need your help.”

• Willingness to build a vibrant career transition team to move forward in your new beginning.

• Has a forgiving heart for the person(s) who terminated, downsized or fired you.

• Passion for learning and applying job search content as quickly as possible.

• Practices interview skills prior to attending a formal job interview, networking interview or informational interview.

• Can distill incoming information, integrating what makes sense and dismissing what doesn’t to expedite job search success.

• Proficient in letting go of thoughts/things holding you back or keeping you stuck.

• Ability to name that which keeps you awake at night and identify a coping mechanism to better manage it.

• Remains calm under pressure and appears comfortable in responding to behavioral types of questions and/or random questions such as “If you were a horse, what kind would you be and why” and/or “If a computer forensic expert investigated your laptop, what is the worst thing she will uncover?”

• Performs timely follow-up with employers and remains in contact throughout the duration of the interview cycle, inception to completion.

• Must be confident, collaborative and affable in conversations with boards, hiring managers, human resources, recruiters, owners, key decision makers, stakeholders, partners and all other levels of personnel, entry to executive level.

• Must be a quick, agile, analytical and decisive thinker in responding to a broad array of comments/questions from multiple individuals and sources.

• Establishes a brand/brand message to optimize brand awareness and open new doors of opportunity.

• Possesses an in-depth knowledge of today’s resume writing success strategy.

• Can readily grasp the concept of Applicant Tracking systems used in the hiring process.

• Remains in a constant state of preparedness and readiness to discuss your personal brand and value proposition to maximize opportunities and offers.

• Maintains job search equipment: mobile devices, landlines, computers, and tablets in pristine working condition. Will also employ the use of writing instruments, notepads, and personally branded business cards as needed.

• Must possess professional attire suitable for multiple interviews with the same organization.

• Will identify a work area in which to conduct job search activities, free of interruptions and distractions, to afford peak performance on a daily basis.

• Must avoid smoking / drinking alcoholic beverages before and during an interview.

• Well-versed and authentic in delivering a genuine response to FAQs such as “Tell Me About Yourself.”

• Will track and record information/data regarding leads, ideas and networking connections.

• Can work independently to achieve desired results and interact as a team member with networks, connections, and contacts.

• High tolerance for submitting applications with limited or no response/feedback unless otherwise indicated while preserving a positive demeanor. 

• Self-directed, self-motivator with a clear sense of self and 100% commitment to the job search process.

• Skilled in planning, organizing and executing a state-of-the-art job search campaign to generate opportunities of interest.

• Strong work ethic in innovating, initiating and implementing a results-driven career management program which will add value to target organizations.

• Constantly reviews and monitors job search activities and accountabilities to identify areas for continuous improvement.

• Wildly passionate and energetic with limitless initiative; impeccable character; flawless integrity.

• Refrains from lying, cheating or embellishing credentials on paper and/or in person.

• Credible and competent in the eyes of competition, customers, clients, co-workers and citizens in your community.

• Proven record of giving, serving and helping others succeed during both upswings and downturns in the market place.

• Exhibits consistency and perseverance in performing job search tasks on a daily basis until acceptance of a formal job offer.

• Consistently conveys thanks, appreciation and gratitude to those who play a part in your job search journey to success.

Start Date: Immediate

Next Steps: UP2U2DeCiDe

Brands, Bling and Job Interview Things

Suppose that you have been invited to a face-to-face interview after doing a superb job in your phone interview. Suppose that a 15-member selection committee will be present to witness your 60-minute PowerPoint presentation. Suppose that someone you trust suggests removing your large wedding ring that contains two carats of fabulous bling. Suppose that you did, though you wondered why.

Suppose that you are a trial lawyer who has retired. Suppose that you cannot stand the “monotony of doing nothing” (trial lawyer’s words) and that you pursue a job that will get you out of the house and make a few bucks to boot. Suppose that you are wearing a monogrammed shirt and cuff links to an interview for a job paying about $35,000. Suppose that a trusted confidante suggests that you wear a dress shirt minus the monogram and cuff links. Suppose you heed her counsel and immediately snag the job.

Suppose that you are a teenager or college student who wants a job at your local ice cream shop for the summer. Suppose that you roll up in your Mom’s Mercedes for the 20-minute interview. Suppose that the ice cream shop owner asks you the year of your Mercedes and you tell him it’s new. Suppose that the shop owner says he is going to give the job to someone who doesn’t drive a Mercedes. Suppose that you drive to another ice cream shop in your brother’s beater car and get offered a job on the spot.

Suppose that you are a successful executive waiting in the prospective employer’s lobby for the hiring manager to greet you for a job interview. Suppose that you are finishing up one of your favorite author’s romantic novels. Suppose you are holding the book in your hands when the Hiring Manager calls your name and offers “Ah, I see you like smut” to which you state you don’t consider that particular author a writer of such. Suppose the interview never gets back on track. Suppose that in your next interview you wait patiently for the manager to welcome you – no controversial book in hand.

Suppose that you received a new bottle of the hottest cologne of the season for your birthday. Suppose that you went to a job interview and the corporate recruiter asked “So who are you wearing” to which you replied the name of a clothing line. The recruiter tells you he is not talking about your attire, he is talking about your cologne and oh, by the way, the hiring manager is allergic to a lot of scents – gets a nasty headache.

Before you go to a job interview, ask yourself these two questions:

1. What, if anything, am I wearing, doing, or sharing that could compromise my candidacy?

2. When I exit the interview, how do I wish to be remembered?

35 Questions If You Are In the Midst of a Career Transition

“You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know.

You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

~ Dr. Seuss

Recently, one of my clients asked:  “So are there any specific questions you could give me that would help me think about what career I “should” pursue at this point? Before meeting you, I took some tests/assessments and so far, I am still confused.” I have been thinking about “Jed’s” question since he asked it. Listed below are 35 questions for you to consider if you are in the midst of a career transition:

What do you most like to do in the workplace?

With whom do you prefer to work?

Where do you prefer to live geographically?

What are your best skills?

What type of work interests you?

What have you always wanted to do workwise?

What, if any, additional training would you like to pursue?

Of the many skills you possess, which do you like the best and enjoy the most?

Describe your ideal job in detail.

Describe your ideal “boss.”

What are your salary expectations?

What is the going rate for your skillset (per three reliable resources).

What are your primary interests?

What values define you?

What needs some work as it relates to you and your brand?

How did you get from there to here in your career?

In the 7^th grade, how did you answer this question:  When I grow up, I want to be a ____________.

In high school, how did you answer this question: When I grow up, I want to be a ______________.

If you attended technical school/college/graduate school, how did you answer this question: When I grow up, I want to be a _________________.

And now, as an experienced worker, what is your response to this question: When I grow up, I want to be a _______________________.

Looking back, what, if anything, might you have done differently?

What choices are you struggling with/wresting with now?

If you could “start over” this very minute, what would you do?

What are the biggest concerns an employer will have about your current credentials?

What do you think you were built to do occupationally?

What’s in your DNA as it relates to the world of work?

How are you hardwired?

Who are your biggest fans and supporters right now?

What headline would you most like to see on your LinkedIn Profile?

What are you not interested in doing occupationally?

What are your three to five favorite skills of the hundreds of skills you possess?

Who does a job / occupation that is of interest to you and why?

What is your definition of “career success?”

What keywords would you choose to search for a job on Indeed.com?

If you could wave a magic wand and voilà, do the job of your dreams, what would you be doing and what job title would appear on your new business card?

If an employer asked you to submit a “tweet bio,” what would yours say?

If you attended a 250-person dinner party and presented a speech titled I Need Your Help Finding a New Opportunity as a (an) ___________________(job title) using these skills: 1. ____________  2. ___________ 3.____________4.______________ 5.___________________ in the city/state of _______________________________ with an employer involved in the ___________________ industry, what would attendees hear from you?

Example: I Need Your Helping Finding a New Opportunity as an Outplacement Consultant using skills of 1. Career Counseling 2. Training 3. Resume Writing 4. Public Speaking and 5. Interview Coaching in Houston, Texas with an employer involved in the energy industry.  

With crayons and paper, draw your ideal job and give your drawing a caption/job title.  What, if anything, have you learned about yourself?