Posts Tagged ‘Communication Skills’
No Job Interviews? Avoid These 3 Fatal Mistakes
Correct these 3 fatal flaws to dramatically improve your chances of winning job interviews…and getting job offers:
1. An ordinary resume without a good Look and Feel.
2. Weak communication skills.
3. A below average personal appearance.
If anything I say rubs you the wrong way…this might be a good thing. Pain often awakens something deep inside us, making it easier for us to see true reality instead of our limited perception of it.
Your shortcoming could be something simple to overcome…or a little more complex to solve. Either way, any problem can be solved if you simply park your ego, open your mind, and learn to see yourself in a new way.
Ok…ready? Let’s go over each of these areas. Examples and detailed instruction is provided via the link at the end of this article:
An ordinary resume:
More than ever, companies today are making the decision to interview you not only from the content of your resume, but its overall Look and Feel. It is one of the most important things you can do to improve your odds of getting an interview.
Yet, most people let their egos take over and create a resume that basically screens them out. And, by the way, it doesn’t make any difference if your resume was done by a professional resume writer. Some of those resumes don’t work very well either.
How do I know this?
Because for years I made my living by placing people with companies who gladly paid me a hefty fee to find qualified people for them. I grew sick and tired of seeing outstanding people rejected all because someone at the company didn’t like their resume.
So, if I didn’t fix this problem, I didn’t eat. Simple as that.
Special Tip: Your resume is a work in progress. It can be updated and tailored frequently. But, the do’s and don’ts of creating content and developing a good Look and Feel do not change.
Weak Communication skills:
Ok…once your resume is up to snuff and starting to turn a few heads, you can expect a couple of calls to set up a phone interview. This is the next critical hurdle you need to get over to be invited in for a face-to-face interview.
No face-to-face interview…no chance of an offer.
The only purpose of your resume and phone interview is to win an on-site interview. Period.
The telephone is a cold instrument and it is difficult to get a warm and fuzzy feeling for someone over the phone. So, you need to communicate well over the phone in order to make a positive impression.
Below Average Personal Appearance:
Ok…your resume is starting to work for you. And, you nailed your phone interview. Your greatest challenge now lies ahead…making a good first impression at your on-site interview.
Fact: People will judge you by your appearance. This is unfair, but it’s an unavoidable reality. Human beings are visual creatures.
During your job search, your appearance needs to be on the conservative side and your body language positive. I’ve seen a lot of bright, talented people rejected because of a poor personal appearance.
On the other hand, I’ve seen some pretty average folks hired because they looked sharp and interviewed well. More often than not, the best prepared candidate is hired over the best qualified candidate.
You may not have the money right now, but if your clothing is old and out of style, you might want to consider it. Also, work with a good clothing consultant at the store. Tell him/her that you are looking for a job and want to look your best.
My April newsletter, Job Brick Wall, contains detailed examples of what works best to overcome these 3 fatal flaws.
All the best to you with your job search.
Mike
Michael Petras is a veteran Executive Recruiter of 14 years and also spent 20 years in the Recreational Vehicle Industry as a Regional Sales Director. He hired and trained over 50 sales professionals. Many have since gone on to become Directors, Executives, and Presidents of companies both inside and outside the RV Industry. Mike conducts community workshops for job seekers and career changers on a volunteer basis. He also publishes a daily blog and a monthly newsletter available through his website: http://www.job-interview-wisdom.com.
How to be invited for Interviews
Once the application has been sent and the resume has been received the next thing that would possibly happen is that the employer will be
calling to test communication skills by means of an interview. Allowing oneself to be given the option on which employer is best fitting the
applicant is one characteristic of being pro-active. Consider being called by multiple employers for a job interview in a day a good sign.
This only means that they were really impressed with the documents submitted, therefore, deserving a personal communication on how
most likely an applicant would land on the job.
Resumes can present an individual very well. Seventy-five per cent of employers say that applicants with resumes passing their standards
would definitely be invited for a job interview. Allow two or more interviews.
How to be invited for Interviews
Once the application has been sent and the resume has been received the next thing that would possibly happen is that the employer will be
calling to test communication skills by means of an interview. Allowing oneself to be given the option on which employer is best fitting the
applicant is one characteristic of being pro-active. Consider being called by multiple employers for a job interview in a day a good sign.
This only means that they were really impressed with the documents submitted, therefore, deserving a personal communication on how
most likely an applicant would land on the job.
Resumes can present an individual very well. Seventy-five per cent of employers say that applicants with resumes passing their standards
would definitely be invited for a job interview. Allow two or more interviews.