Looking for that new job?  Or just curious to know what else is out there?

Social Networking websites have taken on a storm the past couple of years.  From the well known Myspace.com and Facebook.com to the many others that pop up daily.

Finally, there is a job seekers social networking website that is taking the recruiting industry by storm: BlueChipExpert.com

However, BlueChipExpert.com is by invitation only.  If you would like an invitation, please email me at damon [@] ceoconsultant.com

BlueChipExpert.com is unique in that it is not only looking for top notch consultants, software engineers, and creative directors, but it offers a referral fee to those that introduce these people to BlueChipExpert.com and get placed for a project.

Many high end job seekers do not want to post their resume on Monster.com or CareerLadder.com.  Instead, they like to use their network of collegues and friends to find those positions.  BlueChipExpert.com uses this network to provide high end jobs for those high end job seekers.

It’s a win-win-win situation for everyone involved.

To learn more how BlueChipExpert.com works, visit money.cnn.com

When you’re ready for advancement up the career ladder, all usually goes well when you’re in the same field. You can demonstrate the know-how familiar to those who are interested in promoting or hiring you.

However, changing careers is another matter; marketing your skills for a switch into another industry can be tough. You might fear that employers will only glance at your resume before tossing it aside.

There actually ARE ways to get hiring managers to see the relevance of your skills, believe it or not–and much of it has to do with what you tell them on your resume.

To illustrate, consider the case of Jay Jones, a fictional candidate who is targeting a sales career even though his current position doesn’t reflect this goal. His existing resume looks like this:

OBJECTIVE: Seeking senior sales role that utilizes my closing and prospecting abilities.

WORK HISTORY

Front Range Golf, Operations Assistant, 2007-Present

-Managed customer service, payroll, and accounting for upscale golf community.

ABC Company, Sales Associate, Denver, Colorado, 2005-2007

-Cultivated new account base, with 50% rise in new business, by networking at community events.

-Named to President’s Club for sales achieved through new account growth.

-Consulted with clients to determine best product fit for requirements.

XYZ Corporation, Sales Assistant, Westminster, Colorado, 1997-2005

-Increased revenue by 10% with effective consultative selling strategies targeting business accounts.

-Closed largest percentage of corporate sales from online prospecting activities.

Here are my recommendations for his resume, given his goal of a new position in sales:

1 – Don’t use a functional format.

Many people will tell you to use a functional resume, since this is the supposedly tried-and-true method for a career change.

I have some unfortunate news for anyone trying this idea: it won’t work. Employers often view functional formats with suspicion, as they are used by candidates who are trying to downplay some facet of their career history.

A functional resume, which conveys your achievements within functional, or skill categories, usually saves your work history for last, and then presents each job as a single line. Jay’s resume would look like this if he used a functional format:

OBJECTIVE: Seeking senior sales role that utilizes my closing and prospecting abilities.

SALES LEADERSHIP

-Increased revenue by 10% with effective consultative selling strategies targeting business accounts.

-Closed largest percentage of corporate sales from online prospecting activities.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

-Cultivated new account base, with 50% rise in new business, by networking at community events.

-Named to President’s Club for sales achieved through new account growth.

BENEFIT SELLING STRATEGIES

-Consulted with clients to determine best product fit for requirements.

WORK HISTORY

Front Range Golf, Operations Assistant, 2007-Present

ABC Company, Sales Associate, Denver, Colorado, 2005-2007

XYZ Corporation, Sales Assistant, Westminster, Colorado, 1997-2005

Clearly, this format makes tying the achievements to each job rather difficult. The result? An employer may skip this resume entirely, instead of trying to interpret Jay’s actual experience.

2 – Add an Achievements section.

Since first-page content on a resume grabs the eye and intrigues the reader, this type of format puts the most interesting information first, without resorting to a functional format.

The Achievements is section can give compelling data about you and your RELEVANT qualifications, all while satisfying the employer’s need to know what you’ve done at each job.

Now, let’s look at how Jay would use this strategy:

OBJECTIVE: Seeking senior sales role that utilizes my closing and prospecting abilities.

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

-Increased revenue by 10% with effective consultative selling strategies targeting business accounts.

-Cultivated new account base, with 50% rise in new business, by networking at community events.

-Named to President’s Club for sales achieved through new account growth.

WORK HISTORY

Front Range Golf, Operations Assistant, 2007-Present

-Managed customer service, payroll, and accounting for upscale golf community.

ABC Company, Sales Associate, Denver, Colorado, 2005-2007

-Consulted with clients to determine best product fit for requirements.

XYZ Corporation, Sales Assistant, Westminster, Colorado, 1997-2005

-Closed largest percentage of corporate sales from online prospecting activities.

3 – Remove the objective and put your personal brand into a Profile.

All too often, job seekers follow the advice of yesteryear, where they were encouraged to add an Objective statement. In today’s hiring market, you may have already discovered that a resume objective just doesn’t cut it.

Savvy professionals will add a profile that reflects their personal brand and true capabilities–and profiles that gain the most attention will include information that distinguishes you, such as a former military background, a graduate-level degree, and special abilities.

Don’t forget to make your ultimate goal–in this case, a sales role–abundantly clear to the reader.

Jay’s final resume would then read:

SALES PROFESSIONAL

Intensely motivated, articulate sales representative offering strong sales aptitude and outstanding closing skills, with exceptional record of account growth. Talent for building solid client relationships that generate profitability and create generous referral rate. Recent MBA graduate skilled in establishing rapport with decision makers.

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

-Increased revenue by 10% with effective consultative selling strategies targeting business accounts.

-Cultivated new account base, with 50% rise in new business, by networking at community events.

-Named to President’s Club for sales achieved through new account growth.

WORK HISTORY

Front Range Golf, Operations Assistant, 2007-Present

-Managed customer service and food sales within upscale golf community.

ABC Company, Sales Associate, Denver, Colorado, 2005-2007

-Consulted with clients to determine best product fit for requirements.

XYZ Corporation, Sales Assistant, Westminster, Colorado, 1997-2005

-Closed largest percentage of corporate sales from online prospecting activities.

As you can see, Jay can now market himself for a role that differs substantially from his current position, all by using a strong Profile, Achievements section, and classic reverse-chronological resume format.

This approach can also work well for professionals whose experience in the desired role is fairly light, but who want to bring out these skills to their best advantage.

If you’re intent on showing an employer just how qualified you really are–without a current job that shows it–consider altering your resume style in order to get hiring managers to focus on your most relevant credentials.

————————

A unique resume authority and former recruiter, Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CIC, Executive Director of An Expert Resume, has achieved a 98% success rate landing interviews for leadership professionals. Known for her powerful ability to assess unique strengths, Laura has facilitated career transitions for numerous job hunters. Visit An Expert Resume (http://www.anexpertresume.com) to see resume samples and download a free resume e-course.

If you were to sign up with an online dating service the
first task for you to complete would be to describe what
you are looking for. “What you are seeking in a mate?” It
makes sense. How are you going to find your mate if you
haven’t declared what is important to you?

It’s not that different in a job search. The first question
to ask yourself should be: “What are you seeking in a job?”

Taking some time to think about what is important to you
will help you be more selective in where you apply,
interview, and hopefully end up working. This will also be
a great source of energy, enthusiasm and passion for you
when you are asked, “Why do you want this job?”

Using interview questions as your guide, try flushing out
what is important to you and what is not. In the end
hopefully you will have your own “Wish List” of job
requirements.

Interview Question – “When have you been most motivated?”

This is more than an interview question; it is a question
that you should be asking yourself before the interview.

When have you been most satisfied in your work? When did
you feel like you were making a difference or making a
contribution? Basically, what would you like more of in
your next job?

This simple exercise will help you answer this question
will also help you look inside yourself to think about what
you want “more of,” and what you want “less of” in your
next job. People usually perform at a higher level if they
are satisfied with the work that they do – and as a result
are more motivated to give 100% – plus.

Exercise to Find the Answer

Begin by making a list of the tasks at your last job – the
tasks that you were particularly proud of, or were
energized by. In other words, “when your job turned you
on.” Think about the last time you were so involved in a
project or task that you woke up thinking about how you
could improve the situation. Write those experiences down
and try to determine what the factors were that were
satisfying for you.

Let’s say you were a “Project Leader.” The tasks list would
read something like – “Led a team – Coordinated and
monitored project progress – Assured the flow and
completion of work on schedule – Monitored expenditures and
budget.”

What were the stimulating tasks of this job? Was it the
leadership aspect? Or, was it the challenge of coordinating
the details, and people? Was it completing the project on
time or below budget? Were there customers involved
(internal or external) – if so, is that what you found most
challenging?

What didn’t you like, and hope that you will do less of in
your next job?

After you have written this list for your current job, try
doing the same thinking about previous jobs. If you
recently graduated from college, use the classes that were
most stimulating and interesting for you, or the projects
you worked on with teams.

By making lists of motivating experiences from your last
two or three jobs, you will hopefully begin to see patterns
of projects and tasks that stand out. Analyze what you did
before. Do you want more of this type of responsibility in
your next job? The answer to this question will give you
the answer to the motivation question as well as
possibilities for fulfillment in future jobs that have
similar responsibilities.

Take this list of motivating experiences and script an
answer to the question, “What motivates you?”

This is the start of building your “wish list.” It may take
time, but little by little you will begin to see the
picture. Like the job posting written by employers some of
your requirements may be more flexible and some may be
fixed.

This will be your task to determine which factors are of
the highest importance to YOU.

There is no such thing as the “perfect” answer to this
question. Your answer will be individual and based on your
own satisfaction and dissatisfaction. No one can do this
for you. Only you have the answer.

“What is it that you want in your next job?”

Knowing what you want will make you feel more confident
about finding the right job.

—————————————————-
Carole Martin, America’s #1 Interview Coach has specialized
in the subject of “Interviewing” for the past 15 years from
both sides of the desk. She has produced a free practice
interview that shows you where you are going wrong in your
interview. See if your skills pass the test at
http://www.jobinterviewcoachingcenter.com Do you need some
personal coaching? http://www.interviewcoach.com

The best way is to handle a panel of interviewers is to take them on one at a time. The board or panel is not one entity, but several individuals coming together with the common goal of hiring the best candidate for the job. At the same time, each person has his own agenda or department’s interest at heart. For example, the HR manager will be checking to make sure you are a good fit with the culture and people working at this company. The hiring manager will want to know about your technical skills or business know-how. And the person from accounting will want to know if you are savvy enough to operate a business budget.

Board or panel interviews are usually rather formal and organized, using a standard set of questions for all applicants. This type of interview is typically used in academia, government or for high-level executives but can be used for any other type of position in any company.

Another multiple-type interview is the team or “good cop/bad cop” interview. The team is usually made up of two interviewers, one who asks the questions and one who takes notes. The two typically trade roles, which can be confusing if they have different styles. In fact, one person may be kind and gentle and the other more harsh or pushy. Just remember, these inquisitors are working together toward the same end. Treat them equally, not favoring one over the other.

Regardless of the type of interview, the best advice is to prepare and practice beforehand. When you have your script written and rehearsed your answers, you will feel prepared and more confident no matter how many people you have to face.

A good tip is to try to shake hands with each member of the panel before and/or after the interview if at all logistically possible.

Lastly, remember to make sure you get each person’s business card, hopefully at the beginning of the interview, so you can address each person by name. And, when you write your follow-up/thank you note/email you can address each person correctly. When responding to an individual, try to remember what he or she was particularly interested in when they asked questions or received your answer.

Remember each person has an agenda – it is up to you to zero in on that interest and make the most of it.

—————————————————-
Carole Martin is a celebrated author, trainer, and mentor. Carole can give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy of her FREE 9-part “Interview Success Tips” report by visiting Carole on the web at http://www.interviewcoach.com

The days of simply browsing through the Sunday newspaper
and sending out a few resumes in order to win your next
career opportunity are over. The days of retiring after
having worked for just one or two companies are also over.
Downsizings, mergers, offshoring, acquisitions, corporate
reorganizations, consolidation, and other change
initiatives have required rapid adaptation of workers, hard
career decisions, and frequent transitions. These days, the
average worker will hold approximately ten jobs before the
age of 36. The average worker will change careers several
times during his or her lifetime.

While the timeframe for your job search will vary with the
specifics of your situation, a commonly cited statistic is
that the average job search will take anywhere from three
to six months from initiation to the day you begin your new
job. The U.S. Department of Labor indicates that the
average length of unemployment in the U.S. is currently 18
weeks (a little over four months), but this figure covers
all professions, all industries, and all professional
levels. Another common job search statistic tells us that
you can expect to spend approximately one month job
searching for each $10,000 in salary you are seeking.

Do you have a job search planned in 2008? If you do, and if
you are looking forward to your next job search with dread,
you are definitely not alone! Job searching can be
incredibly stressful. But, with some planning, genuine
effort, and sincere commitment, you can minimize that
stress and land a new job – one that is personally,
professionally, and financially rewarding – faster than you
may have thought possible.

Here is a checklist to help you achieve a fast, successful
job search in 2008.

_____ Set a clear target. Put yourself in the driver’s seat
of your career by clearly defining your job search focus.
In general, the more precise and focused your job search
is, the better. For most people, the best and strongest job
targets will include a statement of the job function and
professional level paired with other indicators, sometimes
just one and sometimes more than one, to make the job
target more precise and ultimately more effective. These
other indicators may be criteria such as industry, company
size, company culture, or geographic location.

_____ Build your network of support. Don’t underestimate
the importance of having a strong support network to offer
encouragement and advice, to brainstorm and share ideas
with you, to help keep you accountable to the goals you set
for yourself, and to help keep you on track throughout the
emotional roller coaster that a job search can be. Family
and friends are often included in the support network, but
also consider joining a job search group or working with a
career coach, particularly one who is very familiar with
job search mechanics.

_____ Adjust your attitude. An enthusiastic, “can-do”
attitude that exudes self-confidence and a clear
understanding of the value you offer in the workplace will
make all the difference. Always put a smile on your face
when you talk on the phone; it will shine through in your
voice. Make eye contact and watch your body signals and
posture when you meet with contacts in person. Your
positive, confident attitude is one that people will like
to be around and will make it more likely that you will be
hired.

_____ Update and revive your resume. Your resume is your
first introduction to employers. Don’t underestimate the
importance of making a positive first impression with it!
Your resume should be up-to-date, focused for the current
search, employer-centered, and results-oriented. YOU are a
commodity in the job market and your resume is your
advertisement. If your resume needs refreshing, now is the
time to do it. If you need help with your resume, you
should definitely consider hiring a professional resume
writer.

_____ Cultivate and strengthen your professional network.
With more than 80% of available jobs never advertised, it
is essential that you have the ability to access the hidden
job market. Your professional network will be one of your
most effective sources for information and referrals
relating to the hidden job market. Of course, networking is
all about relationships and so you should continuously
nurture your network relationships regardless of whether
you are job searching or not. But, whether you have or
haven’t (If you haven’t, building network relationships
would make a great New Year’s Resolution), now is the time
to reach out to everyone you know to inform them of your
search and to ask for advice and referrals. Consider using
a website like LinkedIn to help with your effort.

_____ Establish and promote your personal branding. At its
essence, personal branding is about the authentic and
unique promise of value you offer. In relation to your
career, it is about the promise of value you offer that
differentiates you from your peers and competitors in the
workplace and job market.  Branding yourself can actually
have such a dramatic effect that you will become hunted
rather than being the hunter for your next job opportunity.

_____ Get organized and create a system for managing your
job search. An organized plan and system will help keep you
motivated, moving forward, and focused on achieving the
ultimate goal. At the very least, you need a calendaring
system, a system of logging inter-related and follow-up
activities, a contact management system, and a filing
system.

_____ Create and follow a written, multi-pronged job search
plan. Answering ads or posting your resume on the Internet
are the easiest, but usually least effective job search
techniques. Your job search plan should include a balance
of techniques to access both the published and unpublished
job market. Further, it should include activities
prioritized and strategically selected to fit in each of
the five major job search approaches: 1) Networking and
referral building; 2) Targeting and contacting employers;
3) Working with recruiters and agencies; 4) Internet job
searching (which also has some overlap with the 5th
technique); 5) Answering advertisements.

—————————————————-
Nationally certified resume writer and career coach,
Michelle Dumas is the director of Distinctive Career
Services LLC. Through Distinctive Documents
http://www.distinctiveweb.com and her Executive VIP
Services http://www.100kcareermarketing.com  Michelle has
empowered thousands of professionals all across the U.S.
and worldwide. Michelle is also the author of Secrets of a
Successful Job Search http://www.job-search-secrets.com

Have you ever negotiated an offer?

If not, you are not alone. Most people DO NOT negotiate salary. They accept what is offered.

Whether you negotiate a salary or not is secondary to doing your homework before accepting an offer. It is always best to take some time before signing on the dotted line so that you understand exactly what you are gaining – or losing.

Here’s an example of someone who jumped at an offer before doing his homework.

Nicholas received an on-the-spot offer and was thrilled. This was the job he wanted and he was anxious to get started. He was going to get more money, and a bonus. What more could he ask for?

When he got home that evening, he sat down with pencil and paper and began to evaluate the offer, and what he was getting overall. He was not only shocked by what he discovered, but wished that he could go back and talk about some of the issues. But, he had signed on the “dotted line” that afternoon.

Once you sign the offer letter, you have essentially signed a contract. It is too late to go back and negotiate. Never accept an on-the-spot offer, unless it is absolutely out-of-this-world. It is generally wise to evaluate what you are gaining and losing. Let’s look at what Nicholas found out by doing some simple calculations.

Nicholas was offered $55,000 per year, with a hiring bonus of $5,000 paid in two payments over the next six months. This was a $5,000 a year increase from what he was making on his last job, and a bonus to boot. An extra $10,000.00.

When he and his wife looked over the benefits package they discovered that he would now have to pay the insurance premiums for his dependents. His last employer had paid the premiums for the entire family.   -$350.00/per month – $4200 per year His new vacation package offered two weeks time off, accrued over the next twelve months. His former package included three weeks vacation. -$962.00 one week’s vacation pay

Nicholas was receiving a 6.5% yearly bonus, based on company earnings in his last position. His new company does not have a planned bonus as part of the salary. Bonuses are earned based on performance, and given as judged appropriate.  -$3250.00 per year – lost bonus

His former employer matched 50 cents for every dollar contributed up to 6% on his 401K account. This company does not match funds. -$1500.00 per year (based on 6% contribution)

His calculations showed a minus of $10,000 a year from his new offer, based on cost of insurance premiums, lost bonus, and lost matching 401K contributions. He wasn’t quite so thrilled with the offer anymore.

At least he got that $5000 hiring bonus, which will cushion the fall. But even that will be affected – he didn’t anticipate the higher tax rate on “special” checks that was deducted from the bonus money. These higher rate taxes can run as high as 41.5%.

Nicholas got the job he wanted, and maybe that is worth more to him than the money difference. But, it would have been wise to make the decision with all the facts before signing the offer letter. He may have been able to negotiate another $5,000 to compensate for the benefits differences. Or, given the higher tax rate he could have negotiated for an increase in the hiring bonus.

It is always best to take some time to reflect on the “total package.” Benefits can be worth another 20-50% of your salary. There are other factors to consider besides money – more challenging work, better company, a greater opportunity. It may be worth giving up dollars now to invest in your future. However, the decision should be thought through before rushing ahead.

If pressed to give your answer to an offer on-the-spot, always stall for time. Tell them that you need to do some calculations and think about it. There is only one window of opportunity to negotiate your terms of employment.. Once you say “Yes!” – the window closes.

Make sure you take the time to consider all your options. It’s not always as good as it looks.

—————————————————-
Carole Martin, America’s #1 Interview Expert and Coach, can give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy of her FREE 9-part “Interview Success Tips” report by visiting Carole on the web at http://www.interviewcoach.com

The motto “Be prepared,” isn’t just great advice for Boy
Scouts; it’s also great career advice.  You never know when
the perfect career opportunity will present itself.  If a
recruiter called you today with your dream job, are you
prepared to send out an up-to-date resume right away?

There are four critical times to update your resume:

* At least once a year

* Any time your career focus changes

* When you anticipate layoffs with your company

* When you begin to feel dissatisfied with your current
position

1.  Update your resume every year.

This is where many people fall short.  When that recruiter
calls with the perfect job, you may suddenly find your
resume is years out of date, and you’ll have to scramble to
catch up.

Keep your resume current by including your best
accomplishments each year.  Don’t count on your memory to
recall everything you achieved in years past!  You are
likely to overlook critical achievements and contributions.
If you need assistance, a resume coach may be able to help
you through the process with some targeted questions on
your most recent jobs.

2. Update your resume when your career focus changes.

If you want to change your career path, then you also need
to change your resume.  There are several ways to shift the
focus away from your current job and toward your new career.

By focusing on the skills that will be useful in your new
career, you can position yourself as a stronger candidate
for the job.  Highlight those transferable skills in your
new resume, bringing them front and center.

In addition to highlighting your transferable skills, shift
your list of accomplishments to support those skills.
Accomplishment statements give credibility to transferable
skills and prove your ability to cross industry or
occupational lines.  Well-crafted accomplishments make a
big difference in whether you win the interview or are
passed over.

Finally, be sure you understand your audience.  As you
shift career focus, it is critical to understand the hiring
motives of your target market.  Use your resume as an
effective selling tool by correctly anticipating the
recruiter’s “wish list” for great job candidates.

3.  Update your resume when you anticipate layoffs within
your company.

A harsh reality of today’s economy is the need for
corporate downsizing.  Layoffs and losses are becoming more
and more common.  But you can prepare for any worst-case
scenario by keeping your resume up-to-date.

Don’t make the mistake of being overly optimistic.  It’s
safer to assume that you are on the “out” list.  Most
people who get caught unexpectedly in a layoff thought they
were indispensable to their employers.  You might be
important or well-liked, but remember that the bottom line
always has a louder voice than you do.  Get your resume
ready as soon as you see any indications that downsizing is
on the way.

Don’t mistake company loyalty for a fear of change.  Often
employees would rather take their chances with a potential
layoff than make proactive steps toward finding a new job.
Once they’re laid off, it’s already too late.  Remember, as
a candidate, you are always more marketable while still
employed.  Avoid this trap and start your job search early
with self-marketing tools (resume and cover letter) that
are up-to-date and top quality.

4.  Update your resume when you are dissatisfied with your
current position.

Job dissatisfaction leads to feelings of frustration,
worthlessness, and often hopelessness.  But there is no
reason to stay in a job you hate.  Being prepared with an
updated resume can help you feel better in your current
job.  When you have a really terrible day at work, you can
respond to job opportunities that same evening with
confidence in your up-to-the-minute resume. Taking
proactive steps toward a new career will give you back your
optimism and self worth.

If it’s time for you to update your resume, first decide
whether your resume requires a simple update or a complete
rewrite.  If you have been using the same resume format
throughout your career, it’s possible that you have
outgrown the old look.  What your resume promoted ten years
ago may not be appropriate or significant for your career
choices today.  And if you’ve simply been “tacking on” to
your old resume, it may start to resemble a house with too
many additions, with little sense or direction.

A professional resume critique can help you decide exactly
what you need to move forward.  A well-written resume can
make an incredible difference in:

* The length of time it takes to make your career move

* The quality of your next position

* The income potential of your next position

Your resume is your best sales tool in finding a new job,
and it deserves the investment of your time and commitment.
With a little extra effort now, you’ll be prepared for
anything that comes your way-and be well on the path to
your next great job.

—————————————————-
Deborah Walker, Career and Resume Coach, provides job
seekers up-to-the-minute advice on all phases of resume and
job-search effectiveness. Find more career-expert tips and
see sample resumes at:
http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com

Changing careers could be one of the best decisions you
make in your life. It may also be one of the more difficult
things you will do. Creating a self-inventory and doing
some basic preparation can make a big difference in the way
you view yourself and as a result how others see you. Here
are five tips to help you weave your way through your
transition.

1. Focus on your “transferable skills.”

When you change careers the focus will be on the “soft”
skills – referred to as “transferable” or “portable”
skills. These are skills you have used at any and every job
or situation you have been in, including volunteer work and
school.

Examples of transferable skills are: communication skills,
ability to work with a diversity of people, ability to plan
and organize, time management, analytical problem solving,
customer service skills, etc.

Make a list of your transferable skills, keeping in mind
that these are the skills you could use regardless of what
company you worked at, or what position you are applying
for. A good source of desirable transferable skills can be
found in job postings. Print out several postings and
highlight words that reoccur. These are “key traits” that
the employer is seeking – don’t underestimate them.

2. Find your uniqueness.

Each candidate is unique. What makes you unique? Think
about your personality and your personal traits. One of the
things that the interviewer is looking for is “someone to
fit in” – who is likeable with the ability to work well
with other team members. Your personal traits could be the
tie-breaker between you and an equally qualified candidate.
Think of at least five personal traits that make you
unique. Some examples are: friendly, flexible, quick
learner, reliable, responsible, easy to get along with,
detail-oriented, loyal, etc.

3. Believe in yourself.

Once you have established what you have to offer, you will
begin to see the value you can bring to the job. When you
believe in yourself and the fact that you have something of
value to offer, it will be easier to show confidence and to
convince the employer that you can do the job. Any sales
person will tell you that when you believe in your product
and its reliability it is far easier to sell and influence
someone to buy.

4. Listen and read between the lines.

Prepare five to ten questions to ask about the company. The
best questions will come from your ears. It is also
important to listen to what is said as a way of formulating
questions. For example, if several of the questions they
asked you centered around a certain topic, for instance
“databases,” be sure to ask questions about the database
and the challenges and the problems with the database.
Showing an interest by asking questions demonstrates your
interest in the company.

5. Prepare stories about your past experiences.

When you can show examples of past successes, you will have
a better chance of showing the interviewer that you have
used similar skills in past jobs, even if the job duties
are different.

Changing careers is not easy to do in any market, but in a
tight job market it will take that extra step to
differentiate yourself from the next candidate. Remember,
the employer has a problem – there is work to be done. It
is your job to listen to what the interviewer is looking
for and then to sell yourself as the solution to the
problem. Letting the interviewer know you heard and
understand the job will make you appear more interested in
what is going on at the company, and in turn will make you
appear to be a more viable choice as the best person for
the job.

—————————————————-
Carole Martin, America’s #1 Interview Coach, is a
celebrated author, trainer, and mentor. Carole can give you
interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy of her
FREE 9-part “Interview Success Tips” report by visiting
Carole on the web at The Interview Coach
http://www.interviewcoach.com

Interviewing for a job is in many ways comparable to a
sales person making a sale. If you were a sales person and
were about to sell a product to a customer you would do
some homework or research so that you could convince your
customers that your product was the best product on the
market to fill their needs.

If you think of this scenario and apply it to the job
interview process you will find that it is a powerful tool
to use for your interview preparation. What do you have to
offer (as a product), to the customer (the employer)? What
do you have that will fill their needs (the requirements of
the job)? What can you bring that is unique or added value
to the position/company? (that sets you apart from the
pack)?

Let’s begin with “what you have to offer.” Think of ways to
present your key qualities throughout the interview. An
example of this technique is when interviewing for a
position that requires “strong organizational skills.” You
will want to let the interviewer know you are not only
organized, but that your organizational skills have made a
significant difference in your performance. If you can give
an example of a particular event that you organized and how
your organizational skills made a difference in a past job
you will make an even stronger sell. Anyone can say that
they have “strong organizational skills,” but not everyone
can give specific examples of a time when they had a
success using those skills. Don’t tell them – sell them -
with proof of a past experience or success.

Next, begin to think about what the employer’s needs are
and how your product can fill those needs. You can
accomplish this by studying the job description or posting.
Read through the posting or job description once for
content. Then, read it a second time for specific words
that are emphasized. There will be specific words used
according to the job or industry that you are applying for.
Make a list of these words to use as “key factors” needed.
Now, return to the job posting and read it once more. This
time read “between the lines.” What would it take to do
this job? If for instance, there is a statement such as,
“Position will require frequent collaboration and
interaction on all levels of staff and management,” you can
gather that “strong interpersonal” and “communication”
skills will be needed to do this job. By making a list of
“key requirements” you can match them against what you have
to offer.

The last factor to prepare for your sale is to let the
employer know that you have the ability to “fit in.” and be
a “team player.” The interviewer will not only be looking
to see if you can do the job, but they will also be
checking to see if you will be a good addition to the team.
Don’t dismiss your personal traits in your sales “pitch”
preparation. Identify skills that make you unique such as
“interpersonal skills,” “attitude,” and “willingness to do
whatever it takes to get the job done.” These skills could
make the difference between yourself and an equally
qualified candidate getting the job offer.

When you take the time to prepare for the sale of the
product – YOU – you will have a better chance of convincing
the customer or buyer that you are just what they are
looking for. By the time you leave the interview the
interviewer should have a strong sense of what you have to
offer and why they should hire you – why you are the best
person for the job to fill their needs.

—————————————————-
Carole Martin, America’s #1 Interview Expert and Coach, can
give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy
of her FREE 9-part “Interview Success Tips” report by
visiting Carole on the web at http://www.interviewcoach.com

Every new job, be it a promotion, a transfer, or a move to
a new organization brings with it a new set of challenges
and opportunities. The one constant every new position
brings is change – change in your Universe of People;
change in the skills required to do the job; change in
relationships with former peers, bosses, subordinates;
change in accountabilities; and change in how the
assumptions and behaviors you have developed will work in
this new situation.

Here are five Keys that successful leaders have told us are
essential to success in new jobs. Use them to create your
own success.

Key  One – How you establish your relationship with your
boss is critical – don’t leave it to chance, or
circumstances, or to your boss. Be proactive, and do not
assume you and your boss are on the same wavelength –
chances are you are not – and chances are neither of you
are aware of that!
Solution: Write down the top three to five measurable
things that you believe will create success in your
position – then ask your boss to do the same – then compare
notes. Hint: agreement on two out of five when you first
compare notes is fairly typical!

Key  Two – Never assume the people that are working with
you, for you or above you see things the same way you do –
because they don’t. Every single person brings a set of
skills, attitudes and behaviors different from every other
person, and they will see everything through their lens,
and it is different from yours. Perhaps not a lot
different, but even little differences can result in big
misunderstandings.
Solution: Changing the way people see things is very
difficult. Creating a commonly understood set of results
creates a sense of unity and purpose and direction and
alignment of effort that overcomes perception differences.
Goals create understanding and direction and expectations.

Key  Three – Your expectations are different from the
expectations of your boss, your staff, and the people that
provide advice, counsel and support.
Solution: Express your expectations and be ready to modify
and negotiate them – clear expectations between you and
your “Universe At Work” are critical to success. The best
way to express expectations is as goals that are consistent
with and aligned with your organization’s goals. No more
than three to five at a time! And if your organization does
not have goals to align with, then set them up in your area
of responsibility with visibility to your boss, peers and
the people who report to you.

Key  Four – You expect people to behave in certain ways,
based on your attitudes, behaviors and values. They expect
you to behave in certain ways – based on their attitudes,
behaviors and values. You will all be frustrated to find
that the behavior you get is not what you expected.
Solution: Deal with results; every time you see a behavior
that is not consistent with your own, reserve judgment and
ask if it meets the needs and the goals of your
organization. Remember, solutions can come in lots of
different wrappers, if you let them.

Key Five – The only behavior you can control is your own –
if you think you can control the behavior of others you’re
either kidding yourself or spending so much time looking
over their shoulders that you cannot do your job! Since you
can only control your own behavior, you can only influence
the behavior of others through how you act. People tend to
return what they observe they are getting.
Solution: Realize that you will be treated the way you are
perceived as treating others – in 95% of the cases. There
is an old saying ” How you act shouts so loudly I cannot
hear what you are saying.” Take advantage of the tools that
are available that can give you a better understanding of
yourself as the first step toward more effective
interactions with others.

A Bonus Key: When you start your new position, ask around
and find out what problems need to be fixed. If you ask,
you will be amazed how quickly you will find an opportunity
to fix a problem of long standing while developing the
trust and credibility that you need to succeed. And
remember, the highest form of personal security comes
through your accomplishments.

People relationship issues are the most challenging issues
you will face in your career. They are also the issues that
can provide the highest leverage and the most opportunity
to succeed. Work on building personal excellence in the
people part of your work – it has universal application for
you!

—————————————————-
Andy Cox is President of Cox Consulting Group LLC. He
founded his firm in 1995 after extensive experience in
leadership positions in Fortune 500 corporations. His focus
is on helping clients select, develop, retain and enhance
the performance of leaders and emerging leaders. He can be
reached at http://www.coxconsultgroup.com . Visit his blog
at http://multiplysuccess.blogspot.com