Job Hunting

1
What do I want?
Handout
The Balanced Scorecard of Opportunity Fit
Why we ______ A job
Why we ______ A job
We also ______ if the left side changes
tim.searcy_at_yahoo.com
bryan.klemm_at_axa-advisors.com
2
What do I have to offer?
Handout
tim.searcy_at_yahoo.com
bryan.klemm_at_axa-advisors.com
3
Resume
Handout
1 or 2 pages with white space signposts
It is about them, and a little about you
Job reference Simple, clear and easy to read
Job co. description no more than 1-2 sentences
Numerical accomplishments only
Be careful about age
4
Cover Letter
Handout
1 page with white space, indents and not
justified
Relevance, phone call reference, or referral
Understanding of firm, mild flattery, and
attachment
Call to Action with alternative communication
method
tim.searcy_at_yahoo.com
bryan.klemm_at_axa-advisors.com
5
Bryan KlemmAXA AdvisorsEmployment Referral
Network
Resources
Handout
tim.searcy_at_yahoo.com
bryan.klemm_at_axa-advisors.com
6
WorkOne Express (www.workonecentral.org)10204
Lantern Road (Delware Park) Fishers, IN
46038317-841-8194
Resources
Handout

• Skill and career assessment
• Personal career counselor
• Computer lab and Internet
• Fax, copier, cubicles with computers and
  telephone
• Job leads
• Job club every Thursday from 9 1030 AM
• Workshops

tim.searcy_at_yahoo.com
bryan.klemm_at_axa-advisors.com
7
Business Professional Exchange
(BPE)www.bpeindy.org
Resources
Handout

• Northside Chapter
• 7 AM Every Monday
• St. Lukes United Methodist Church
• 100 West 86th Street
• Indianapolis, IN 46240
• Making informal networking contacts
• Developing referral opportunities
• Learning effective job search strategies
• Practicing community and business-to-business
  networking techniques
• Learning career transition strategies and support
  techniques presented by guest speakers
• Membership is not required, but ask for 30 for
  first six months and 5/quarter after that

8
Resources
Handout

• Online sources
• www.indeed.com
• www.monster.com
• www.careerbuilders.com
• www.job.com
• www.TheLadders.com
• Job boards

• Offline Sources
• Trade Associations
• Community Networking events
• Headhunters
• Church
• Friends
• Family

Key Point 83 of all management jobs filled come
from a referral
9
Clothing for Women to Interview In
Handout

• http//www.dressforsuccess.org/affiliate.aspx?sisi
  d31pageid18

10
Making Phone Calls
Handout

• Schedule a time
• Prepare a script
• Hello, my name is _____________, I recently
• Read an article
• Spoke to a friend
• Looked into your firm
• I wanted to contact you to discuss . . .
• I can be reached at . . .
• If I do not hear back from you, I will give you a
  call again at ______, tomorrow
• Keep your first Commitment
• Rinse and Repeat 5 times
• Last step is e-mail and follow up call

11
Interview Goals
12
What is a typical first interview?

• 1. Introductory stage   The interviewer will
  establish rapport and create a relaxed, though
  businesslike, atmosphere. This is where the
  interviewer gets the very important first
  impression of you.    
• 2. Review of your background and interests   This
  usually takes the form of "what," "why," "where,"
  and "when" types of questions. Focus on what you
  are like, and what you have accomplished, your
  academic and work background, and your goals. One
  of the interviewer's objectives is to see if your
  qualifications match your declared work
  interests. Give concise but thorough responses to
  questions.    
• 3. Matching begins   Assuming you have the
  necessary qualifications, the interviewer will
  begin the process of determining whether the
  employer's job opening(s) match your interests
  and qualifications. If there seems to be a match,
  the interviewer will probably explain job details
  to see how interested you are in the position.  
   
• 4. Conclusion   In this stage, the interviewer
  should explain what the next steps are in the
  hiring process. Be sure you understand them.
  Promptly provide any additional information
  requested. There should be ample opportunity for
  you at this point to ask any questions you have.

13
Easy Questions to expect
Handout

• Tell me about yourself
• What made you want to apply here?
• Why are you uniquely qualified for this job?
• Why did you leave your last position?
• You seem to have a short tenure at some of your
  positions . . . Why?
• How did you handle _______ type of situations?
• How would you handle _____ type of problem?
• What is your greatest weakness? Strength?

tim.searcy_at_yahoo.com
bryan.klemm_at_axa-advisors.com
14
More difficult questions to expect
Handout

• Have you every had more than one project with the
  same deadline. How did you handle it.
• Tell us a time you failed at a task.
• Tell us about a recent angry customer and how you
  handled her.
• Tell us about a project in which you were
  responsible for the budget. How did you stay
  within budget?
• Tell us about a recent split second decision you
  made at work. How did you do it.
• What's the last thing you and your boss disagreed
  about? How did you settle it.
• What is the most significant presentation you've
  given to clients.
• What was the most frustrating experience in your
  current (or last) job? The most satisfying?.
• When you're asked to make changes at the last
  minute, how do handle that task?
• Tell us about a time you took a risk and failed.
  How did you feel?

15
More typical questions to practice
Handout

• How would you describe yourself?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• What are your long range and short range goals
  and objectives?
• What specific goals other than those related to
  your occupation, have you established for
  yourself for the next ten years?
• What do you see yourself doing five years from
  now? Ten years from now?
• What do you really want to do in life?
• What are your long range career objectives?
• How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
• What are the most important rewards you expect in
  your career?
• What do you expect to be earning in five years?
• Why did you choose this career?
• Can you explain this gap in your employment
  history?
• How well do you work with people? Do you prefer
  working alone or in teams?
• How would you evaluate your ability to deal with
  conflict?
• Have you ever had difficulty with a supervisor?
  How did you resolve the conflict?
• What's more important to you -- the work itself
  or how much you're paid for doing it.
• What do you consider to be your greatest
  strengths and weaknesses?
• How would a good friend describe you?
• Describe the best job you've ever had.

• What qualities should a successful manager
  possess?
• Do you consider yourself a leader?
• What are the attributes of a good leader?
• Describe the workload in your current (or most
  recent) job.
• Which is more important creativity or
  efficiency? Why?
• What's the most recent book you've read?
• Describe the relationship that should exist
  between the supervisor and those reporting to him
  or her?
• What two or three accomplishments have given you
  the most satisfaction? Why?
• Describe the most rewarding experience of your
  career thus far.
• If you were hiring a job-seeker for this
  position, what qualities would you look for?
• Do you have plans for continued study? An
  advanced degree?
• In what kind of work environment are you most
  comfortable?
• How do you work under pressure?
• Are you good at delegating tasks?
• What's one of the hardest decisions you've ever
  had to make?
• How well do you adapt to new situations?
• Why did you decide to seek a position in this
  company?
• What can you tell us about our company?
• What interests you about our products?

16
Tips for Answering
Handout

• Make sure you understand the question
• Organize your thoughts
• Straight answer with a question from you on the
  end for the easy ones
• List answers for the more difficult examples or
  process questions
• History lessons
• Brief but meaningful
• Practice!

17
Murder Board

• Questions we dont want asked

• Questions we need to have asked

• ___________________
• ___________________
• ___________________
• ___________________
• Answers we will give
• ___________________
• ___________________
• ___________________
• ___________________

• ___________________
• ___________________
• ___________________
• ___________________
• Answers we will give
• ___________________
• ___________________
• ___________________
• ___________________

Handout
18
Tracking
Handout
19
Robert Half Organization
Handout

• Interview Don'ts

• Interview Dos

• Arrive on time or a few minutes early.
• If presented with an application, fill it out
  neatly and completely. Don't attach your resume
  unless you're told to do so.
• Greet the interviewer by last name if you are
  sure of the pronunciation. If not, ask the
  employer to repeat it.
• Project energy and enthusiasm. Smile and shake
  hands firmly.
• Wait until you're offered a chair before sitting.
  Sit upright, look alert and interested at all
  times.
• Listen carefully and respond succinctly and
  articulately. Look the hiring manager in the eye
  while speaking.
• Early in the meeting, try to get the interviewer
  to describe the job and the duties to you so you
  can focus your responses on your background,
  skills and accomplishments that relate to the
  position.
• Be sincere and truthful while focusing on
  communicating your specific professional
  achievements that relate to the accounting or
  finance job opening.

• Don't answer with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain
  whenever possible.
• If you don't understand a question - or need a
  moment to think about it - say so. Never pretend
  to know something or someone when you don't.
• Don't rely on your application or resume to do
  the selling for you. Interviewers will want you
  to be convincing.
• Don't make negative remarks about present or
  former employers. When explaining your reasons
  for leaving, communicate your rationale
  professionally.
• Don't over-answer questions. If the interviewer
  steers the conversation into controversial - or
  even illegal - topics, try to do more listening
  than speaking. Keep your responses non-committal.
  
• Don't inquire about salary, vacations, benefits,
  bonuses or retirement on the initial interview
  unless you are sure the employer is interested in
  hiring you. If the interviewer asks what salary
  you want, give a range based on your research of
  the job market, but indicate that you're more
  interested in the opportunity for continued
  learning and professional development than in a
  specific salary.

20
Questions to ask the employer
Handout

• What are the company's strengths and weaknesses
  compared to its competition?
• How important does upper management consider the
  function of this department/position?
• What is the organization's plan for the next five
  years, and how does this department fit in?
• Could you explain your organizational structure?
• How will my leadership responsibilities and
  performance be measured? By whom?
• What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this
  job?
• Could you describe your company's management
  style and the type of employee who fits well with
  it?
• What are some of the skills and abilities
  necessary for someone to succeed in this job?

• What is the company's policy on providing
  seminars, workshops, and training so employees
  can keep up their skills or acquire new ones?
• What particular computer equipment and software
  do you use?
• What kind of work can I expect to be doing the
  first year?
• What percentage of routine, detailed work will I
  encounter? How much opportunity is there to see
  the end result of my efforts?
• Who will review my performance? How often?
• How much guidance or assistance is made available
  to individuals in developing career goals?
• How much opportunity will I have for
  decision-making in my first assignment?
• Can you describe an ideal employee?
• What is your organization's policy on transfers
  to other cities?