Revisiting An Old Topic

Sometimes, old topics are worthy of additional discussion and I am covering one of those topics, how to address your past experience during interviews, today.  Countless times, hiring managers have shared with me that were very high on a particular candidate until they asked questions about how they liked their previous employer.  This proved to be the interview killer in several cases.

We have all had less than desirable experiences with companies who were not overly concerned about making their employees happy, about building staff loyalty, or rewarding outstanding performances.  Most likely, we have all endured at least one manager who we did not get along with and who made life difficult.  Hiring managers do not want to hear about this but most are realistic enough to know we all have stories stored up in our heads and they will try to pry them out.

This is where creativity comes into play.  Rather than saying that your former company never gave out bonuses or service awards even though you deserved them, point out that they held their staff to very high standards and it took a lot to get recognition for your efforts.  Instead of saying that your boss criticized you constantly and ridiculed you for not working long enough hours even though you worked an extra hour most days, turn it around and say that your boss liked to challenge you to strive for higher goals each day.

Hiring managers do not really care about your past problems   What is important to them is how much positive energy and talents you can bring to their organization.  it is up to you to demonstrate this in a positive way!

Silver Linings

For the past few weeks, life got in the way of my regular blogging routine.  While keeping busy on many fronts, I chatted with a lot of people from different walks of life and one constant theme kept popping up.  The economy and the job market, to be specific, has everyone on edge.  Most folks I spoke with have been impacted on a very personal level over the past few years and are extremely uneasy right now.

Stories ranged from households where both wage earners were out of work simultaneously to having adult children with advanced degrees who can not find any type of work in their chosen fields to relatives moving in together in cramped quarters to make ends meet.  This is starting to sound too much like the 1930's and I am feeling very uneasy about this.

My advice is simple and should not be misconstrued as anything more than one person's opinion.  Now is not the time to be selective or proud.  If you need income, find a job, any job, and give it your best effort.  Sometimes, the job that looks to be insignificant can open doors.  I have heard stories of folks taking jobs in mall security who have grown into mall director roles for example.  A few years back, a computer analyst who was out of work took a job as a night supervisor for the local franchise company of a fast food chain. He got to know his district manager and eventually was transferred into their home office as a systems manager.

Sometimes, silver linings appear in strange places.  Right now, I suggest doing whatever is needed to pay your bills and approach any job you obtain with an exceptionally open mind.  The eventual rewards might be very surprising!