Top 10 Job-Search & Interview Mistakes

Portland, OR - June 18, 2009 - With the national unemployment rate at 9.4% and in the double digits in more than 100 U.S. metropolitan areas, it's important not to make a job-search or interview mistake, according to OI Partners-Pathways (Portland), a global career transition and coaching firm.

"Employers are being inundated with resumes and applicants, and competition for jobs is fierce. You only get one chance to make a good first impression in a normal job market. But in today's economy, you need to be certain you are doing everything perfectly - from the beginning of your job search to the interview and through to following up," said Jean Erickson Walker, Executive Vice President of OI Partners-Pathways (Portland). http://www.oipartners.net/

OI Partners-Pathways cautions job-seekers to beware of committing any of the following Top 10 Job Search & Interview Mistakes:

Mistake #1: Not answering the question, "Why should I hire YOU?," in enough detail. In cover letters, and during personal and telephone interviews, you need to make the strongest case possible why YOU should be hired. Thoroughly research each prospective employer and specifically address what value you can add, particularly within the first three to six months on the job.

Mistake #2: Not "going the extra mile" to stand out from others. During an interview, offer detailed recommendations on how to improve sales, marketing, productivity, quality, management - whatever your field of expertise - and then document them. Send a plan afterward that will showcase what you can do if hired.

Mistake #3: Not showing enough excitement for a job and employer. Companies are looking for people who are enthusiastic about working with them, and can motivate and inspire their co-workers and direct reports. You need to demonstrate you are this type of person from your earliest communication as well as during interviews and following up.

Mistake #4: Not making enough eye contact during interviews. A good rule of thumb is to make eye contact about two-thirds of the time during an interview. Frequent eye contact signals that you are comfortable with, and sure of, yourself. Proper eye contact expresses confidence, sincerity, and interest, while looking away can be interpreted as discomfort, disinterest, and insincerity.

Mistake #5: Under-estimating the influence of receptionists, secretaries, and interns, as well as prospective co-workers, on the decision-making process. The cost of a bad hire can run as high as three times the salary of someone who doesn’t work out, when counting recruiting costs, severance, and lost productivity. Companies want to be sure that new hires fit into their organizations. They are increasingly asking everyone who comes into contact with applicants for their impressions.

Mistake #6: Not knowing in advance what your references will say about you, and not updating them on the outcome. Only use references who can address your most recent and relevant skills and accomplishments, and determine in advance exactly what they will say about you. Update them on the outcome of the position for which they provided a reference, whether successful or not, so they will want to help you in the future.

Mistake #7: Not memorizing a 90-second "verbal resume." Job-seekers need to get to the point quickly during interviews, networking meetings, and when meeting new people. Your verbal resume should briefly outline what you are looking for, your background and experience, two or three major accomplishments, and what you can bring to a job. Practice your verbal resume until it fits the recommended 90-second time frame.

Mistake #8: Not asking enough questions. The questions you ask during an interview may be given as much weight as your answers. Focus your questions on business-related matters and not compensation and benefits. If the position has become vacant, ask what happened to the person who held it previously. Failure to ask any questions, or asking irrelevant questions, can be costly.

Mistake #9: Over-relying on e-mail and the Internet and not enough face-to-face and telephone contact. Many people spend more time building their resumes than they do developing a contact network. Join groups of others who are jobless, attend professional association meetings, and work the phones. It's important that people be able to attach a face, or at least a voice, with a name.

Mistake #10: Not following up after a personal or telephone interview or networking meeting. You need to follow up on every interview and networking meeting with thank-you letters and e-mails. Use your follow-up to reinforce why you are the right person for a job.

OI Partners Newsletter: Effective Workplace Communication

Effective Workplace Communication

June 2009

In this issue:
• Resource Guide: Effectively Communicating and Receiving Feedback
• Effectively Communicating in the Workplace
• Layoff Announcement Writing: 4 Steps to Say Goodbye with Class
• Management's Role in Workplace Communication
• 7 Keys to Open the Door to Effective Face-to-Face Workplace Communications

Workplace communication. Nearly all conflicts or problems in the workplace can be traced to communication breakdowns: misunderstandings, assumptions, vague speak, poor listening abilities, and the list goes on. In this issue, we cover several areas where effective communication is critical: giving and receiving feedback, communicating about layoffs and participating in face-to-face meetings. We discuss how communication is both a bottom-up and top-down function ("Management's Role in Workplace Communication") and detail some components of good communication ("Effectively Communicating in the Workplace").

Knowing that communication works best when it's a two-way street, please share with us your thoughts on this issue. We will post them in next month's issue (anonymously, if you prefer).

Sincerely,
Ronald F. Ennis, Ph.D., CMF
Jean Erickson Walker, Ed.D., CMF

OI Partners Newsletter: Effective Workplace Communications Summary

Resource Guide: Effectively Communicating and Receiving Feedback
Feedback is critical to measuring performance. However, the way feedback is given or received can have a significant impact on effective communication. This short resource guide includes several tips for ensuring feedback is most effectively communicated and received.

Effectively Communicating in the Workplace
When an organization perpetuates good communication, it demonstrates an investment in employees. Here are insights into what makes workplace communication effective.

Layoff Announcement Writing: 4 Steps to Say Goodbye with Class
When written communication is the only option for relaying the fact that employees have departed your organization, be sure to follow these critical steps to make sure your message is received well by remaining employees.

Management's Role in Workplace Communication
Effective workplace communication is only possible when mechanisms exist to move information both up and down within the organization. Only management can establish and maintain those mechanisms. Here is insight on ways that can happen.

7 Keys to Open the Door to Effective Face-to-Face Workplace Communications
Improve your face-to-face contact with colleagues by following these 7 tips.

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