What message does your email send?

by K B , updated on November 8, 2020

Just in case I hadn’t worried you enough already on this blog, here comes another job hunting alert. I am just kidding. This is amusing.

Apparently your email address can send wrong message. And I’m not talking about the ones that start with “pinkfluffyfairyfloss@hotmail.com” (I kid you not – that one belonged to a friend of mine).

This  US survey came from the Hunch Blog. They found people with certain email  addresses appear to have defining characteristics. For example:

  • AOL users are most likely to be overweight women ages 35-64 who have a high school diploma and are spiritual, but not religious. They tend to be politically middle of the road, in a relationship of 10+ years, and have children. AOL users live in the suburbs and haven’t travelled outside their own country. Family is their first priority. AOL users mostly read magazines, have a desktop computer, listen to the radio, and watch TV on 1-3 DVRs in their home. At home, they lounge around in sweats. AOL users are optimistic extroverts who prefer sweet snacks and like working on a team.
  • Gmail users are most likely to be thin young men ages 18-34 who are college-educated and not religious. Like other young Hunch users, they tend to be politically liberal, single (and ready to mingle), and childless. Gmail users live in cities and have travelled to five or more countries. They’re career-focused and plugged in, they mostly read blogs, have an iPhone and laptop, and listen to music via MP3s and computers (but they don’t have a DVR). At home, they lounge around in a t-shirt and jeans. Gmail users prefer salty snacks and are introverted and entrepreneurial. They are optimistic or pessimistic, depending on the situation.
  • Hotmail users are most likely to be young women of average build ages 18-34 (and younger) who have a high school diploma and are not religious. They tend to be politically middle of the road, single, and childless. Hotmail users live in the suburbs, perhaps still with their parents, and have travelled to up to five countries. They mostly read magazines and contemporary fiction, have a laptop, and listen to music via MP3s and computers (but they don’t have a DVR). At home, Hotmail users lounge around in a t-shirt and jeans. They’re introverts who prefer sweet snacks and like working on a team. They consider themselves more pessimistic, but sometimes it depends on the situation.
  • Yahoo! users are most likely to be overweight women ages 18-49 who have a high school diploma and are spiritual, but not religious. They tend to be politically middle of the road, in a relationship of 1-5 years, and have children. Yahoo! users live in the suburbs or in rural areas and haven’t travelled outside their own country. Family is their first priority. They mostly read magazines, are almost equally likely to have a laptop or desktop computer, listen to the radio and cds, and watch TV on 1-2 DVRs in their home. At home, Yahoo! users lounge around in pajamas. They’re extroverts who prefer sweet snacks and like working on a team. Yahoo! users are optimistic or pessimistic, depending on the situation.

The blog’s author suggested that if you’re job hunting with an AOL address, you’re sending the wrong message.

True or not? Personally I’d be more worried about ones that include horoscopes, crystals, dungeon and dragons references or cutsie name variations.

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What to do if you can’t stop preparing for job interviews!

by K B , updated on November 8, 2020

Top job interview tips from around the globe

I previously wrote a blog post about a dilemma I had with a client.

He was a highly intelligent job seeker who came to me for interview training ,trouble was he’d done too much already, and was way too over prepared. The more I worked with him, the more I seemed to compound the problem, as he seemed to want to memorise each tip I gave him.

So, I thought I’d use social media to help me help him.

I reached out to several people around the globe who write on careers and whose views I greatly respect.

Here’s a summary of the amazing interviewing advice they gave me about helping my client.

How to stop sounding over prepared in interview…..

Melissa Cooley who blogs at The Job Quest wrote:

“Perhaps taking a notepad with him to the interview would help. If he writes down a few notes on what they are saying, it could slow his mind down just a bit and be easier to blend what he already knows into an answer that will be more what the interviewers would be looking for.

Another thing is to remind him that pauses after a question aren’t necessarily bad. Though they may seem like an eternity from the candidate’s end, they convey to the interviewers an ability to be thoughtful and to weigh the choices, not just have a knee-jerk reaction.”

Jorgen Sundberg who set up The Undercover Recruiter said:

“If I were the interviewer in this situation I would want to find ‘human’ candidates. I would expect they get lots of clever clogs and professor types, which is great but they will want to pick someone that can work with a team and well with patients. Everyone that gets picked to the interview has the potential of doing this but it will come down to personal traits methinks.

So my advice for him would be to do a check of how he likes to help people, what he is passionate about, what he does in his spare time, family stuff etc and then project that in the interview. If he still doesn’t get the gig, forgetta bout it as I wouldn’t want it in that case!”

Hannah Morgan aka  The Career Sherpa suggested:

“I’ve seen this happen before as well. I think there are several things you may want to suggest your client try.

First, I agree with Jorgen’s point about focusing on the interpersonal skills and highlighting his passion. That’s hard to practice with someone you know. Perhaps having him practice the relationship building skills of asking questions about the interviewer would be a good tactic.

Also, I am sure you’ve coached him to use STAR/PAR/accomplishment stories when he answers question. When he tells these stories, you should see his ‘eyes twinkle’ and he should be smiling from pride or self-worth. If that’s not happening, could it be he doesn’t love what he does?

Second, you want him to use spoken language, not resume-ese. Ask him to re-script his answers using the spoken language.

And third, if he has over practiced, then changing up his scripting might make him sound less stale. You might ask him to tell totally different stories, use a different introduction, and have different answers to the typical questions.”

Steven Solodky a career coach in Melbourne said:

“He could be projecting what he thinks the interviewer wants to hear. I work on challenging this assumption by discussing what is actually assessed. I want to know what you really think and feel, not what you think I want to hear.

It could also be a cover for nerves. I point out that nervousness is normal and that I become concerned if a candidate is not nervous, as it could point to a lack of self awareness or an underlying personality distortion such as inflated confidence, lack of empathy or aggression.

I then would work on how to express nervousness in an interview and how this is very normal and nothing that requires a great deal of attention, who wouldn’t be nervous and it only shows how much you care about the role. Nerves pass in their own time and they arise as a normal human function when one is exposed to a new situation.

I encourage the client to bring awareness to their thoughts and feelings. What are you thinking right now? What feelings are arising right now? I ask them to bring in a job they want to apply for and go through the same process, what do you think about this role? What do you feel about it? It’s subtle, but hopefully they start to relax by this point and can talk more openly by by-passing conceptual thought.

I will also challenge if needed, you say this, but what do you really think? That’s funny, the last candidate told me that, give me something new? That’s nice, tell me something that I don’t know etc (supportive of course). Who is talking now, you or your mind again?”

This suggestion comes from Deborah Barit of Impressive Interviews:

“I would suggest your client takes a step back and considers the following:

If he was on the interview panel what would he want the candidate to say for the panel to go YES and formulate the answers accordingly.

This is not a competition. He needs to focus on their qualifications, experience and personal attributes which makes him stand out in the crowd. The most important part of preparing is to focus only on what he has to offer.

It is essential not to memorise answers but focus on the key points for each answer and prepare examples from experience to demonstrate the point.

Expect the unexpected and hence stop worrying about it.”

Mary Goldsmith, Founder of Career Sheila recommends:

“Is your candidate already using a formula such as CAR or STAR to present examples of his best achievements during the interview? Has he seen a recording of himself in action? If not, that may be a wake up call!”

Phyllis Mufson found at Phyllis Mufson wrote:

“Just jotting down a few notes of what has helped clients who don’t sound like themselves, they come across overscripted, or sounding like a role rather than a person, too authoritarian or conversely sounding like a scared rabbit, to name a few.

The person is usually scared. So start out what they’re afraid of and address that. The goal here is to get them to the point where they are willing to be authentic even if nervous.

Point out that the purpose of rehearsal is to make sure that if they are nervous at the interview they will still remember some of their points, and not to sound like a TV newscaster (unless that’s the job they are interviewing for.

Focus prep on choosing their strongest points and illustrating their points with stories – more memorable than a string of facts.

Record them answering questions and give feedback. They can hear the difference between an over-scripted (or whatever the initial problem was) manner and being genuine. They have much more impact when they are being themselves and telling compelling stories.

Give them the assignment that first priority in the interview is to connect with the interviewer.”

Tim Tyrell Smith from Tim’s Strategy suggested:

“In the end, I think it is about learning to relax and be yourself. I think if you can do those two things, the fit (or non-fit) will become obvious. It allows you as the candidate to be more conscious in the conversation. And you’ll get more of Hannah’s eye-twinkling” (great phrase).

As an interviewer, I always liked to watch someone think – to pause before an answer. Too quick and it feels rehearsed (like you mentioned). Too long and it seems selfish. My advice is to prepare as best you can then relax and let go. Give short/crisp answers and be ready with longer, more interesting ones as interest from the interviewer is apparent.

Focus on a more conversational interview. An exchange of ideas . . .

Need to get ahead of the pack for your next interview?

Get our free e-book The 7 Deadly Sins to Avoid at Job Interview!

Deborah Barit wrote this book. She is one of Australia’s leading interview coaches.

To get your free e-book and some of our best interview tips direct to your inbox, simply click on this link.

Here’s what happy readers said about the e-book and interview tips:

“Deborah Barit is a very smart lady…She is good at figuring out what an employer is looking for. It’s like she has ESP, with her help in preparing, I found no surprises in a recent interview and I was prepared for every question….” Cathy, Leichhardt, NSW

“Because I read so many of your posts, I feel as if you were my personal employment coach. I start my new position in two weeks. I had so many obstacles to overcome and each day you posted a solution to my dilemma and how to improve my search. Thank you so much for your input and PLEASE continue to do what you do!

Click here to get access to the e-book.

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Executives start to get social

by K B , updated on November 8, 2020

Destination Talent has just released their 2011 Executive Monitor. It shows that executives will use recruiters to find a new role, but are reluctant to recommend them to their peers.

More executives (27.1%) used their networks to find a job, compared to 26.5% who used recruiters and search firms.

890 respondents were asked:  “Based on your experience working with recruitment firms, how likely is it that you would recommend their services to a friend or colleague?”  Sixty two percent gave a rating of six or below out of ten.

Despite my online nagging to anyone who’ll listen, the survey found that social media was still under-utilised to find jobs, however the uptake has increased. Fifty three percent of executives registered on networking sites in the last 12 months.

With more and more data being readily available on the internet about clients and job seekers alike, the strength of the recruitment industry will lie in the strength of their relationships with clients and candidates, alike – plus their ability to curate and interpret that data.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again – there are interesting recruitment times ahead.

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Can you over-prep for job interviews?

by K B , updated on November 8, 2020

Job interview Preparation – how much is too much?

I coach many people on interview skills. People come to me if they freeze up, lack structure, do not project confidence or are uncertain of how to answer questions – and that’s just the start. The other day, however, I came across a different kind of problem – one of my clients was way too over-prepared.

We started with a mock interview. He knew his stuff. He’d practiced his stuff. It rolled off his tongue seamlessly. After the first question he answered I said – “have you practiced that answer?” He said “how did you know?”

If you are over-rehearsed, or have learned your lines, here’s how I know:

– you don’t watch to see if I understand you. You can tell if I understand you by looking into my eyes at my reaction. Often if you over-rehearse, you just keep talking, focusing on what you want to say, and missing my cues with my body language and expression.

– you use words you wouldn’t normally use in everyday conversation.

– you tend to paraphrase with text-book descriptions of actions you should take. For example, if you are talking about how you have resolved a conflict with other people, you may say: “I acknowledged their concerns.” If you were simply describing what you did, you would talk more about what you said to the other person to “acknowledge their concerns.”

–  you kind of answer the question but  your answer flows too quickly and doesn’t quite hit the mark. Many questions are nuanced. You may, for example, answer the question: “why do you want this job?” with a response that tells me how great you are. “Why do you want this job?” and “why should we hire you?” are not quite the same question.

– you do not sound anything like the person who walked in with me and made casual conversation as we sat down. Your speech is too quick, or too mannered. You are in interview mode.

– I just don’t get a sense that we are talking together. I feel like I am at a lecture, or that you are presenting to a large audience.

My client’s underlying issue could be around a lack of confidence. Perhaps he thinks his experience was not good enough, or he thought each answer needed to be perfect. However in this case more practice with what we were doing was not going to help.

He told me wanted to do whatever it took to stand out. For the moment I have stopped working with him as  I suspected the more we worked on his answers the deeper the problem would become.

I am going to ask a few career experts for a few tips on how to work through this problem.

I’m looking forward to their answers.

Stay with me.

Need to get ahead of the pack for your next interview?

Get our free e-book The 7 Deadly Sins to Avoid at Job Interview!

Deborah Barit wrote this book. She is one of Australia’s leading interview coaches.

To get your free e-book and some of our best interview tips direct to your inbox, simply click on this link.

Here’s what happy readers said about the e-book and interview tips:

“Deborah Barit is a very smart lady…She is good at figuring out what an employer is looking for. It’s like she has ESP, with her help in preparing, I found no surprises in a recent interview and I was prepared for every question….” Cathy, Leichhardt, NSW

“Because I read so many of your posts, I feel as if you were my personal employment coach. I start my new position in two weeks. I had so many obstacles to overcome and each day you posted a solution to my dilemma and how to improve my search. Thank you so much for your input and PLEASE continue to do what you do!”

Click here to get access to the e-book.

{ 12 comments }

Five Twitter basics to get you found by employers

by K B , updated on November 8, 2020

How important is Twitter to you? Chances are you have more followers on Twitter than any other social media network, mainly because it’s less personal and acceptable to follow complete strangers. I would venture to say Twitter is as important to you as your LinkedIn and Facebook accounts. Some tech recruiters even say they won’t deal with candidates with little or no Twitter presence.

Yet for some reason we tend to neglect what our profile looks like, perhaps because we think nobody really cares or don’t have the time. I believe that’s a mistake for a number of reasons.

Why you need to do it

First off, if you are tweeting in your own name, your Twitter will come up very high in your Google results. Anyone (that’s including employers, recruiters and headhunters) will be able to find your Twitter profile and it should be consistent with your personal brand across other platforms. Second, some tweeters are really particular about who they follow back. Unless you have a credible profile, they might take you for a spammer and you stand to lose followers.

Third, you will want to be searchable for what you do and how you can help others. Imagine a customer searching the net for your type of services, your Twitter account is one channel that you must make the most of.

Here are five simple steps to boost your Twitter profile today:

1. Add a decent photo

The obvious one! Either dig out a nice nice mugshot or see a headshot photographer that can take a few snaps for you. As the photo space is tiny, you will want to get as much of your face in there as possible, the closer up you are the more trustworthy you will come across. Whatever picture you upload, try to keep it the same on your other social media profiles, website and or blog, personal branding is all about consistency. Not having a photo will definitely deter any potential followers, as will your favorite cartoon character.

2. An informative bio please

Right, you only have 160 characters so let’s keep it short and to the point. I would list the main value I am able to add to people starting with the highest value activity. So put your job title, what services you provide and try to inject a little bit of personality at the end. Or if you have it, put your personal brand statement here.

3. Fill in the location field

This field is becoming increasingly important with local Twitter directories such as Twellow listing fellow tweeters in your area. If you are an offline networker, you need to put your correct location on your profile so that you attract the right followers. A final note on location; think what anyone searching for you would enter. If you live in Hoboken, you might want to put Greater New York City – Twitter is a global tool that used correctly will connect you to people from around the globe.

4. Link to your site or blog

This is your free backlink from the good folks at Twitter Inc, don’t waste it by leaving it blank or entering your Facebook or LinkedIn addresses. Always use your own real estate in this field as you will be able to track how many clicks you get from your Twitter profile with the help of analytics software.

5. Set up some lists

By starting to categorize the people you follow in list, you will look like a serious Tweeter. You can have lists broken down to geography, interests, friends or whatever you choose. You will also find that people love getting on to these lists as it adds to their Twitter credibility.

Bottom line

There you have it, five simple steps to pimp your Twitter profile today. Twitter doesn’t give you much space to play with so you have to get it right. Tinker a bit and see what others think of your changes. If you don’t like it, change again. I know from personal experience that whenever I feel like changing my bio I will test it on Twitter first as it’s fast and the updates aren’t sent to any of my friend’s feed’s like on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Tell me what you think, would your Twitter profile impress an employer?

This post is brought to you by the Undercover Recruiter

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Losing your job because of redundancy..What happens now?

by K B , updated on November 8, 2020

With the recent announcement that Borders will close 38 shops and cut 300 jobs in Australia many people will be thinking redundancy right now; either from the flow on economic effect, being worried about their own jobs, or the impact that this may have on their families. Make no mistake. This can be a very emotional time and period of great uncertainty for those of us who face impending job loss. This article comes via Steven Solodky, a career practitioner who has worked with many people experiencing the impact of their position being made redundant.

Here are his suggestions for what you can do during this difficult time.

1. Be compassionate towards yourself

Similar to the stages of loss, an array of emotions may surface including denial, anger, depression and even isolation. If seen as normal and allowed to pass in their own time, you will eventually process these difficult feelings. This will be in your own time and in your own way. Tell your family and friends what you are feeling whenever difficult emotions arise and make simple requests – such as booking time alone, or making an actual date with friends. Most employers provide access to free confidential counselling via an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Your employer will not know if you access this service. Alternatively, ask your GP for a Medicare or low cost counselling referral.

2. Reconnect with your core values and rediscover what you love to do

Forced change is never pleasant, however over a period of time, it could be seen as a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with what you love doing in life. Many people use redundancy as an opportunity to find a more enjoyable job, change careers, or even start their own business. Others may reconnect or rediscover a lost passion, while learning more about who they are as a unique individual on this planet to bring about positive change. Consider consulting with a career coach or counsellor if you are unsure about potential career options. Ask your employer to pay for these services if a formal outplacement program is not offered (they aren’t required to, but you may be surprised with what the employer may actually do for you).

3. Get a strong foundation

A solid resume and good cover-letter is essential. Once you have a general idea of the types of jobs that you would like to apply for, seek help to write your resume and cover-letter. Your employer will generally offer you an outplacement program, or if not, request your human resources department to read over your resume and provide feedback. Alternatively, find a professional resume writer that you can trust. A good resume writer must have experience in your chosen industry, have a well established reputation, and spend quality time with you to understand your needs. Again, if your employer does not provide a formal outplacement program, ask if they would be willing to pay for a professional resume writer.

4. Proactively manage your finances

Financially it could be very tough, as it could take up to three months or more to find another role – but don’t be afraid to ask for help. Contact Centrelink immediately once you are advised of your role being made redundant. If you suspect you are going to fall behind with bills and repayments, contact the company or financial institution well in advance to negotiate alternative payment arrangements. If you require help negotiating payment arrangements, contact www.moneyhelp.org.au (ask for a referral if you are based outside of Victoria) or find a free financial counsellor in your local area who may act on your behalf.

5. Know your rights and entitlements

Do not leave your employer until you have received a formal letter stating the date your role will become redundant, otherwise you may not be eligible for a redundancy payout. Also check if your employer will offer you an additional financial bonus for staying until the very end. Visit www.fairwork.gov.au/termination/redundancy to know more about your rights. Employers are legally obligated to follow legislative requirements when it comes to redundancy. Contact your human resources department or Fair Work Australia if you are unsure or if think you may have been treated unfairly.

6. Access free training

Free training programs and TAFE courses are often offered to redundant workers. This could be a great way to increase or change your skills. Contact Centrelink or www.deewr.gov.au for more information. Alternatively, ask your employer or human resources department if they would be willing to pay for a short course or TAFE qualification.

7. Let the world know

Redundancy is nothing to be ashamed of. Word of mouth is a very powerful tool and people generally love to help others in need. You never know which friend or stranger could actually connect you with a role. Up to half of positions vacant in Australia are filled through an informal network rather than formally advertised. Remember also to ask your Manager to be a referee – and keep in touch with them so that you can use them as a reference in the future.

Redundancy is not a pleasant experience and potentially will be one of the most challenging experiences in your life. Following the above steps will help reduce the associated stress and hopefully help you discover a very rewarding and exciting new stage of your life. Remember to get lots of support behind you!

Based in Melbourne CBD, Steven Solodky is a Senior HR Consultant specializing in internal recruitment, workplace training, organizational development and outplacement. Outside of this role, Steven works privately as a career practitioner, helping individual clients to grow their professional working life through career, resume and interview coaching services. Visit www.careerontheroad.com for more information.

 

 

 

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