Stay Focused

When searching out opportunities you have to be detailed and thorough to be successful.
Stay focused and  leave no stone unturned!!!

Leave No Stone Unturned

Leave No Stone Unturned

Many of us go about our daily lives not realizing the number of opportunities that are passing us by each day.  Allow me to explain by first sharing an event that occurred this week in our office.  Let me give you a bit more background.  Our company sends “Spirit of Encouragement” postcards each week to student athletes that have demonstrated excellence on the field/court.  Also, there are times when we receive a thank you email from the athlete.  My partner received a thank you email from an athlete this past week.  My partner responded with you’re welcome, offered more words of encouragement and explained the reason why we send the cards.  In turn, the Athlete responded to his email again in a very polite and professional tone. He explained that he had an interest in our company and wondered if we had any employment opportunities.  Unfortunately at this time we do not but my point is he took advantage of the opportunity and asked.  Honestly…if we were hiring I would have given him the opportunity to interview because he took the initiative to ask.

After that encounter, it made me think about how many opportunities are missed because we don’t ask.  Here’s what I mean.  We encounter people in the grocery store, the mall, gas station, the bus station, the list can go on and on naming all the places we encounter people.  Many of these people are managers, business owner, and employees that can possibly help us get to our next stage in life.  The person standing in front/in back of you in a grocery line, or the person that’s standing or sitting next to you on the bus could be your next employer, colleague or client.  Next time you’re in the store, standing waiting for the bus, or seated next to someone, strike up a conversation.  Who knows you could be talking to your next employer. J

Go out and make it happen!!!!

Millicent G. Callahan
The Look Of An Executive

Hey Interns This One’s For You!!!!!

After Winter break most of you (if not all) are going to begin preparing for the internship season. You must thoroughly prepare. Regardless of the economic climate, competition is always stiff. They are a lot of student vying for those positions. I know… you’re probably saying I’m stating the obvious again, but hear me out.

I’ve been in your shoes before. I’ve been the intern being interviewed and I’ve been the interviewer. I know there’s a lot going on in your mind. There is a lot you have to communicate within the allotted 15 to 20 minutes. There’s a lot you have to remember to do and say to put yourself ahead of the competition. During the interview, your thoughts can be all over the place… sit up straight, don’t forget eye contact, no slang, articulate, and don’t forget to demonstrate company and field knowledge. The mental check list can go on and don’t forget to add nerves to the equation. Well, guess what?…When you’re doing your mental check list it really does show in the interview. To the interviewer you can come across as stiff and not sure of yourself.

To obtain a more natural you in an interview the best technique you can use to prepare yourself is role playing. Some business classes are currently conducting role play exercises but I recommend that you take it a step further. Get a study partner who is just as serious as you are about being successful and set up role playing sessions. I recommend at least 4 times a week. Record and critique each session. Once you and your study partner critique the video, invite someone else to do the same on your best session, someone who will offer excellent constructive criticism. This is valuable practice will develop a more natural interview for you. Those things that I mentioned in the beginning of the article are no longer an issue because you’ve practiced interviewing so many times it’s now a part of who you are as a candidate. This will free your mind up to focus your attention on selling yourself and make it a more engaging interview.

I wish you the best during interviewing season and feel free to comment. Join me on Twitter.

Take care!
Millicent G. Callahan

www.twitter.com/interview1on1

A Good Time To Volunteer

Judging by what I hear in the news and other sources there are upwards to 50% of employees who are unhappy with their job. During this time of high unemployment there’s probably a high number of people that were laid off from jobs they were unhappy with anyway. If you are in that number, this could be a great opportunity to transition into your dream career. I know that it may not be easy because of lack of experience. Well…here’s a helpful tip! Search for companies in the career field that you enjoy and volunteer as an apprentice. Now…before you yell “Volunteer? I have bills to pay!“, know that volunteering can be the gateway to opportunity. Seriously…think about it. It can provide on the job training for the field that you’ve always wanted to be a part of. This translates into the experience that you’ll need. It offers excellent networking opportunities with company employees and management. It also places you in an excellent position to know when the company is hiring, which by the way, can result in employment and a successful career transfer.

For those who are currently implementing this strategy, this blog can serve as confirmation that it’s a great idea and you‘re on the right track. Those who haven’t thought about it…try it! It can lead to something good. Also, when using this strategy you are going to have to exercise patience because it can take time to produce results. This strategy can produce the best results when you work as if you’re getting paid to work. I encourage you to show up on time and take the scheduled breaks and lunch at the proper time. Also, demonstrate that you can complete the assignment/project correctly and on time. These are the same qualities that get you noticed and promoted in a paid position.

A good time to implement a strategy like this is while you’re receiving unemployment benefits. At least you are receiving some income while you’re in job transition. However, I would advise you to check with your unemployment agent first to make sure you are operating within the unemployment benefits rules and guidelines.

Best wishes to finding a job that will put a smile back on your face!!

Millicent

Join me on: www.twitter.com/interview1on1

Follow up is important

During the time of increased competition for jobs, job hunters keep searching don’t give up. I encourage you to keep going!

An effective tip: Follow up!

Don’t forget to follow up with a simple “Thank you” card or email after the interview. I know some of you may be saying, “yeah been there done that.” But… you’d be surprised at how narrow the playing field becomes just by following up. The number of people that follow up after the interview is far less than the number of people that are interviewed. Something as simple as a follow up can set you apart from the pack. It doesn’t take much time to do it. Statistics has it that upwards to 85%- 90% of job applicants do not follow up with a thank you after the interview. Wow! Amazing! So yes, you may hear that there are 15 maybe 20 people (or more) interviewing for the position, but out of that number how many of the candidates are following up? Set yourself apart and narrow the competition by following up with a thank you.

follow up thank you from the prospect always caught my attention. If that candidate did not make the cut, a follow up thank you got them into the revisit stack, a re-evaluation and in many cases a second interview. Following up says a lot and taking the time to do so can set you apart and demonstrate initiative and desire for the position. If a follow up caused me to rethink an applicant, I’m sure there are many others out there that have done the same!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
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Join me on twitter @ www.twitter.com/interview1on1