Move Forward With Confidence

We’ve all had those interviews. You know, the ones where your confidence was through the roof, you and the interviewer connected, and your outfit was spot on for the culture. You reached out to me and I got your résumé in tip-top shape, with a cover letter to match. The hiring manager told you to expect a call in the next couple days.

A few days go by but was she talking about business days or days days? A business week goes by and you decide it’s time to reach out to HR. You find out that no news really is good news. Their timeline got thrown off but they’re still considering the candidates. Definitely a relief.

They finally call back on the second date they gave you and, this time, the news isn’t so good. They’ve gone with an internal candidate. But how? You did all the right things. You were genuine, but impressive. Well-dressed but not over-dressed. Articulate but not pompous.

While I interview well a strong majority of the time, I’ve had my share of interviews that didn’t yield the results I expected. For a long time, I thought I’d done something wrong. But, truth be told, I can pull out all my best answers, shirts, and slacks and still be the wrong person for the position.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Rejection doesn’t mean you’re not qualified or a great person for the field. It just means the position isn’t for you.

This post is just as much for me as for you all. Your time is coming. Don’t give up. I won’t either.

 

Make pressing forward a priority.

Practice Makes Perfect

I have a longtime friend who just had her first interview in five years. She hadn’t been in the job market because she didn’t need to be. The thing is, you never know when you’re going to need to have sharp interview skills and, the best way to keep an ax sharp is to sharpen it ever so often. Even if you’re not looking for a job, I strongly recommend going through a couple interview processes a year, from submission of a résumé to the declining (or maybe accepting) of the position.

Whether you’re comfortable with your employer or you are your employer, you know the one thing that happens with all tables? At some point, they turn. Good can go to bad in no time. What do you do when you need to be able to sell your skillset but haven’t had to in half a decade or longer?

Need some interview tips? Check out these posts.

10 Questions You Might Ask In a Job Interview 
Career Coach: Dressing For Successful Interviews

 

Make keeping your skills sharp a priority.

As I Close This Chapter

My two-week vacation officially ends today and tomorrow’s post will speak on returning to the office after a lengthy (1 week or more) holiday (as the British call it).

Today, I announce to the world (or those of it who care) that I am leaving my current position as Assistant Director of Annual Giving within the Development (fundraising) and Alumni Affairs Department of NCCU School of Law.  I have recently accepted an Associate Vice President position at a boutique executive search firm that works specifically to recruit higher-level positions within the field of development.  My last day in my current role: June 23, 2016.

The amazing part is how it all happened.  As you have seen, I’ve been traveling regularly over the past year for work.  From Nashville to Chicago to Atlanta to Washington, D.C. to a number of other cities, I’ve had the opportunity to see parts of the country that I’ve never been to (plus parts of the world via personal travel).  It has been a great year personally and professionally.  At three of the conferences I attended this past year, one of the two owners of this executive search firm was in attendance.  She and I developed a quick, but very impactful professional relationship over the past six months.  After the second conference that we were both in attendance for, I sent her my résumé and she invited me to meet with her over coffee to discuss opportunities within the field of development.  We spent quite a bit of time talking and, after the next conference, she invited me to the firm’s headquarters for an interview with her and the second partner.  It went well and the firm created a position for me.

That’s how it works sometimes folks.  My current position put me in a position to step into my next position and excel.  I gained skills, I had opportunities, and I made connections that, though sometimes tedious in nature, were all part of a greater plan to make me a stronger young professional with an air of excellence.  We don’t always understand why we are where we are in life but, had I not been in this culture that was an ill-fit for me, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to step into a culture that was aligned with my personal, professional, and financial goals.

See it through and know that something better will come.

 

Make professional development a priority.

You’re Doing It Wrong

How many times have you heard “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have?”  That’s only true to an extent these days.  That saying came about when a collared shirt was a staple in casual (and I mean “grocery store shopping” casual) dress.  So there was nowhere to go but up as far as dress went.  But now we live in an era where the only time CEOs in certain industries don a suit is when they are meeting with potential investors.  And, actually, if you walk into certain interviews dressed in impeccable business professional regalia, you will have lost the job from the moment they see you and the interview will become a mere formality so as not to give the appearance of wasting your time.

So, how do you know when to put on your best suit for an interview and when to dress it down?  Glad you asked.

1 – Research the company culture.  Check out their website.  If they have a Facebook group or a Twitter account, see if they have any photos of inside the office posted.  These things will be very telling.  If no one is wearing a suit in the photograph, maybe you shouldn’t either.  If everyone is, guess what? … Yep.  You got it.

2 – Research the position.  If you see in the social media photos that only the CEO and COO are wearing suits and everyone else is in chinos and polos, for the interview, find a nice middle ground.

3 – If you’re wearing a tie, know what it says.  I save my knit ties for interviews with start-ups, my repp ties for higher ed, and my solids/lightly-patterned ties for corporate.  And the color of the tie is HUGE so be certain that you know what feelings the tie you’re wearing evokes in people.

4 – Always dress a step up for the interview.  Ok, the goal is not to out-dress anyone but it is to show that you have a range of articles within your wardrobe.  If they want to move you up in 6 months, you can do it without being put in a fiscally-irresponsible situation. Now, a step up doesn’t mean you wear a tuxedo if a suit is the norm there.  It just means that, if a suit is the norm, you put on your absolute best suit, shirt, and tie combo.  If a polo is the norm, put on a button down shirt.  And, if a button down is the norm, toss a blazer on top if it.  Just enough to show that you respect the position without saying “Hey, you… Yeah, you, there interviewing me.  Know that I’m coming for your job after a year.”

5 – In the event that you don’t have the clothes you need, thrift them.  That’s pretty self-explanatory.  Don’t go breaking the bank to interview for a job that you may not get (I would like to hope you’d get it but you never know).  I’ve found some of my best professional clothes in immaculate condition on the racks of thrift stores, consignment shops, and discount retailers. You don’t have to spend big bucks to look like big bucks.

In life, always know where you are and what you are there to do.  I don’t go to church wearing a preacher’s robe because, guess what?  I’m not going to be the one delivering a sermon that Sunday and, doing such would confuse both the actual preacher and the congregation.  People don’t like being confused.  So do your best not to confuse the person who is interviewing you.  That’s an easy way to eliminate yourself from the second round of interviews.

 

Make professional development a priority.

When You Forget Your Answer…

… try the truth.

Make professional development a priority.

It’s the Small Things

Yesterday morning, I met with a human resources professional for coffee.  Being that I’m in the field of professional development, I have to stay abreast of changes in hiring practices so she and I discussed the impact that small things make.  So, here are a few jewels that I picked up from her to share with you all.

1 – Arrive at an interview early enough to step into the men’s or ladies’ room and freshen up.  And actually freshen up.  If your hair is long enough to comb, comb it.  The wind may have hit it in an unflattering way.  Make sure you have chapstick on so that people are more focused on what is coming out of your mouth than on how chapped your lips are.  Pop a mint real quick.  You only have one chance to make a first impression.  Do all you can to make it great.

2 – Polish your shoes ahead of time.  Nothing takes away from your appearance like a nice outfit with terribly scuffed shoes.  Sure, you might brush up on the sidewalk when walking into the building but one scuff isn’t so bad.  People can tell when your shoes haven’t been polished in years though.  That could be the difference in you getting or not getting the job.

3 – Wear clothes that are made for your body type.  That is a whole post in itself but that is what professional development consultants (like myself) are for.  You need someone who is going to tell you the truth if you don’t know it.  For instance, I cannot wear every brand of shirt or suit right off the rack.  Actually, I had to go get a suit tailored just yesterday because my arms are longer than my torso and I always purchase a 40 Regular and get it tailored when I really  need a 40 Short based on my height (but if I buy a 40 Short, my sleeves are too short. #VerticallyChallengedPeopleProblems).  But you don’t know what you don’t know, right?  Which is why, before I learned, I was wearing jackets that were coming down to my mid-thigh.

4 (my addition) – Always follow up after an interview.  Even if you find out that you’re not as interested in the position as you thought you were at the time you applied, drop off a Thank You card or, if you can’t drop off a card for some reason, at least send a Thank You e-mail the following business day.  And personalize it.  It is imperative that they remember you, even if you don’t want the job.  You never know when you may need to be remembered by that person again.  It’s a small world and the internet makes it even smaller.

Are there any other small things that make a big difference that you want to remind people of?  Toss it in the comments section.

 

Make professional development a priority.

Why Aren’t You Reading More?

Folks!  Why aren’t we reading more?  Too many of us know too little about our professional field.  Things are changing weekly, if not daily.  Degrees have coaxed us into superficial slumbers and we need to wake up.  There are new terms being introduced into jargon with every article written.  New best practices are being developed and we need to know what works best for our fields.  Being great at what you do isn’t always about coming up with a new way to do it.  Sometimes it’s about finding the way someone else did it and improving upon their methods.  Easiest way to find their methods?  Reading.  Plus reading helps you become a better writer. Too many of us mis-punctuate sentences, misspell words, and misuse terms because we don’t have a solid understanding of them.  You’ll gain a better understanding by seeing more words.  Plus you’ll feel more comfortable using them in conversation.  And you’ll have an easier time impressing your supervisor/peers when they ask for input or (better yet) impressing the interviewer when you’re trying to get a job.  If you don’t have time to read, while you’re at work pounding away at the keyboard, find a podcast or e-book that that will enhance your knowledge of the field.

Though books are the greatest invention since heated food (if you ask me), if you’re not big on heavy reads, at least set a goal to read one article related to your profession every day of the work week.  It’ll give you something to talk about.  Easiest way to find them?  Set up a Google Alert or follow a Twitter account related to your profession.  But don’t stop learning.  The conferring of degrees doesn’t mean the completion of learning.  It only means now your learning ought to be self-guided for the most part.  This isn’t 1847.  This is the day and age where knowledge really is power.  How strong do you want to be?

Make professional development a priority.

Don’t Be Afraid to Invest

Too many folks want new jobs but don’t want to invest in a résumé or cover letter or professional development and I just don’t understand it.  We will quickly spend money on a night on the town or a six-pack of beer or anything else that won’t help us grow but when it comes to putting a few dollars toward something that will help increase our chances at success, the motivation is lacking.  It’s not that there’s anything wrong with hanging out or having a cold beer.  We all need to relax sometimes but you have to earn that relaxation.  You have to put in the time, effort, and sometimes capital to really appreciate the relaxation that will come.  So let me know how I can help you get to where you need to be?  Need a résumé?  I build those.  Need a cover letter or interview preparation session?  I’m more than glad to set up a time to connect with you either face to face or via technological means.  What about an upgraded wardrobe that works with your budget?  I’ve got a ton of great opportunities to develop that fashion sense that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.  I want to invest in your success.  But do you want that for yourself?  If so, reach out to me at dadanielsjr@gmail.com or 919-943-3902 add let’s figure out how we can make you a more well-rounded young professional.

10 Job Interview Questions You Should Ask

Great article that I came across as I was helping a client with her interview prep.  I strongly recommend using some of these when the interviewer asks you what questions you have about the position.

By Joe Konop, Next Avenue Contributor

Many job seekers focus so hard on answering interview questions well that they forget something very important: You are there to ask questions, too.

Asking the right questions at an interview is important for two reasons:

First, when done correctly, the questions you ask confirm your qualifications as a candidate for the position.

Second, you are interviewing the employer just as much as the employer is interviewing you. This is your opportunity to find out if this is an organization where you want to work.

3 Things You Want to Achieve

When you ask the right questions, you want to achieve three things:

• Make sure the interviewer has no reservations about you.
• Demonstrate your interest in the employer.
• Find out if you feel the employer is the right fit for you.

There are an infinite number of questions you could ask during a job interview, but if you stay focused on those three goals, the questions should come easy to you.

I recommend preparing three to five questions for each interview, and actually ask three of them. (I like to have more prepared than is needed because some of my questions might be answered in the course of the interview.)

10 Questions You Might Ask In a Job Interview

Here are 10 interview questions you could ask, and why:

1. What skills and experiences would make an ideal candidate? This is a great open-ended question that will have the interviewer put his or her cards on the table and state exactly what the employer is looking for. If the interviewer mentions something you didn’t cover yet, now is your chance.

2. What is the single largest problem facing your staff and would I be in a position to help you solve this problem? This question not only shows that you are immediately thinking about how you can help the team, it also encourages the interviewer to envision you working at the position.

3. What have you enjoyed most about working here? This question allows the interviewer to connect with you on a more personal level, sharing his or her feelings. The answer will also give you unique insight into how satisfied people are with their jobs there. If the interviewer is pained to come up with an answer to your question, it’s a big red flag.

4. What constitutes success at this position and this firm or nonprofit? This question shows your interest in being successful there, and the answer will show you both how to get ahead and whether it is a good fit for you.

5. Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications? I love this question because it’s gutsy. Also, you’ll show that you’re confident in your skills and abilities.

6. Do you offer continuing education and professional training? This is a great positioning question, showing that you are interested in expanding your knowledge and ultimately growing with the employer.

7. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with? Notice how the question is phrased; it assumes you will get the job. This question also tells you about the people you will interact with on a daily basis, so listen to the answer closely.

8. What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth? This question should be customized for your particular needs. Do your homework on the employer’s site beforehand and mention a new product or service it’s launching to demonstrate your research and interest. The answer to the question will give you a good idea of where the employer is headed.

9. Who previously held this position? This seemingly straightforward question will tell you whether that person was promoted or fired or if he/she quit or retired. That, in turn, will provide a clue to whether: there’s a chance for advancement, employees are unhappy, the place is in turmoil or the employer has workers around your age.

10. What is the next step in the process? This is the essential last question and one you should definitely ask. It shows that you’re interested in moving along in the process and invites the interviewer to tell you how many people are in the running for the position.

With luck, the answer you’ll hear will be: There is no next step, you’re hired!

Source: Forbes

Ties & Pocket Squares

Gents, pocket squares are the new go to accessory but many of us don’t know how to pair them w/ a tie. Well, this cheat sheet I found will most certainly help with that.