How long do you sit and wait for an interviewer who is late? Last week, I friend of mine went for an interview. He was politely greeted and escorted into a conference room, isolated from the main work area and unable to see what was going on outside. After fifteen minutes, the interviewer’s admin popped her head in to say that the boss had been delayed but would be right in. After another ten minutes (my friend had decided to leave on the thirty minute mark), the interviewer arrived, apologizing profusely and explaining that a client emergency had tied him up. My friend said he seemed sincere and the interview went well.

I’m sure we’re all struggled with the question of how long to wait for someone who’s late – a client, a colleague, friend. It’s a particular hot button for me since I made a point to arrive on time for appointments. I always factor in time to deal with the unexpected traffic or other things that can cause derailments (I even take the flight earlier than the one that should me there in plenty of time!). Of course, there is no right answer, it all depends on the situation. Yet, the “rule” that sticks with me is the one left over from college – that students only had to wait fifteen minutes for the tardy professor before the class was considered canceled. I think that the question of how long to wait for an interviewer can be handled the same way you’d handle anyone who keeps you waiting.

Some guidelines that may be helpful:

• Is nature throwing curve-balls? While people can (and should) mange bad weather, they often don’t. I tend to cut them some slack when the weather is inclement.
• Did she get you a message? It’s smart to include your cell phone/blackberry/voicemail contact information when you are confirming the meeting so that the other person is able to get you a message advising you of the delay. If you’ve done that and she hasn’t communicated with you, it might be that the delay is a test of your patience or a power tactic.
• How long is the delay? Each of us has to decide how long is long enough. I tend tie my decision to the purpose of the meeting and my schedule for the rest of the day.
• When he gets there, does he apologize? The apology is obligatory, if he doesn’t offer one, it is a red flag – here’s someone who doesn’t value your time.
• How sincere is the apology? The other red flag is a poor apology; it speaks to the person’s character.

Readers, what would you add?

TAGS: Interview skills, Job hunting, Job Search, LinkedIn

Several clients recently told me about their experiences interviewing via webcams.  It makes sense.  With the economy the way it is webcam interviews are an efficient and economic way to manage the process.

Then I came across an interesting article in Time magazine with tips for how to ace webcam interviews.   I just had to share them with you in case you – or someone you know — has one coming up soon.  I took the liberty of adding a few of my own tips as well.

•  Check the equipment in advance — two or three times.  You don’t want to come across unprepared and technical difficulties that could have been precluded if you just practiced ahead of time will put you into that category.
• Clean up the interview space.  While you’re checking out the equipment take a good look at what will appear in the periphery.  Get rid of the clutter and replace it with a few books or family photos.
• Create a quiet space free from distractions.   This means get a sitter for the kids, bring barking dogs to the neighbor’s house for the duration of the interview, tell the housekeeper not to vacuum and the gardener to avoid using the blower. 
• Work on lighting.  Make sure there are no bright lights behind you that will darken your face or directly in front of you that will wash you out.
• Choose your wardrobe carefully.  Experts suggest that you avoid wearing white and patterns.  Again, while you’re practicing make sure the eye is drawn to your face and eyes first. 
• Don’t lean in for emphasis.  No one needs to see a close up of your nose.  Instead, try to keep centered in the frame with the equivalent of the first top three buttons of a blouse or shirt visible. 
• Remember to smile.  Nothing boosts your LQ (likeability quotient) like a genuine smile. 

TAGS: Interview skills, long-distance interviews, remote interviews, webcam interviews

First, a shout out to our new bloggers from Network of Executive Women / Consumer Retail Products and NBC Universal who I met last week at keynote engagements.  You were great!

Now I want to talk about likeability.  I recently read an article that talked about the “airport test.”  It’s something that people who are interviewing you consider when deciding whether or not to make you an offer.  It goes like this… are you someone the interviewer would like to be stuck with in an airport for six hours if a flight gets cancelled?  Think about it.  During the interview do you convey the impression that you are friendly, interested in others, have the capability of carrying on a conversation?  If not, you might have to kiss that job offer good-bye. 

With jobs at a premium these days, try following these suggestions for enhancing your likeability during an interview:

• Express an interest in the interviewer.  As much as it might seem like it, it’s not all about you.  Look around the interviewer’s office and comment on something that appears personal.  It could be a picture of children, a trophy or award, or anything else personal in nature.  Ask about it and what it means to the interviewer.  If he or she gives you a terse answer simply move on.  It was a risk worth taking. 
• Pay attention to body language.  Sometimes an interviewer is preoccupied with something that happened before you even arrived.  Women tend to pick up on these subtle clues more than men, but often inappropriately personalize meta-messages.  If you notice body language that gives you the message that the interviewer is distracted or not fully present, the safest response is to remain warm and friendly but keep it simple.  Answer questions thoroughly but don’t be put off if you don’t get a lot in return.  Again, it probably has nothing to do with you. 
• Don’t be all business.  Yes, it’s important that you convey professionalism, but you also have to exhibit your human side.  This can be achieved by being self-deprecating, sharing a short personal anecdote appropriate to a question that’s been asked, or showing a sense of humor.  Of course you don’t want to go to the extreme, but in balance these behaviors will humanize you — and that’s precisely who we want to be stuck with in an airport… a genuine human being. 

TAGS: Interview skills, Likeability, Likeability Quotient

The theme song for the quirky television show Monk,  It’s a Jungle Out There, applies equally well to the current job search climate.  With unemployment on the rise there’s significantly more competition for each vacancy.  But not to despair!  Here are some simple tips for how you can distinguish yourself from the pack:

1.  Never send a generic broadcast letter.  Even when applying to a blind ad, tailor your cover letter and resume to the job for which you’re applying.  It takes just a few more minutes and is the kind of thing employers notice.

2.  Your cover letter and resume must be flawless.  No typos, grammatical mistakes or errors in format are acceptable in this climate.  Given two apparently equal candidates the employer will go for the one who took the time to ensure her documentation was perfect.

3.  Always have an objective on the resume and keep the rest focused on key accomplishments related to the job at hand.  Don’t make the reviewer guess what job you want or how your background complements the job requirements.  Make it easy to see a direct correlation between your experience and the employer’s needs.

4.   Look better than everyone else.  Nearly 60% of your credibility comes from how you look, so it’s worth taking the time to make sure you’re maximizing that advantage.  Regardless of the job for which you’re applying, dress as if you’re being interviewed for the CEO position with  make-up, outfit, and hair to match. 

5.  Be prepared.  Learn something about the company before the interview so that you can demonstrate you went the exta mile.  If you can’t find information on the internet, go to their offices and ask the receptionist for brochures, annual reports, or other information they use with customer or clients.  You’d be surprised how few people do this.

6.  Be likeable.  You’re not only being assessed for the ability to do the job, you’re being assessed for how well you’ll fit into the company culture.  The easiest way to boost your likeability is to relax, smile, look people in the eye, and show an interest in others and the company. 

7.  Ask for the job.  If, after being interviewed, you believe you’re a good fit and it’s the kind of place you’d like to be employed, say so.  Saying something like, “After speaking with you I’m even more certain I can add value and would like the opportunity to prove it.  I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”  This demonstrates confidence and a positive outlook.

TAGS: Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters, Interview skills, Job Search, Monk

We’ve all interviewed for jobs.  There are certain guidelines, some of which we’ve blogged about on The Thin Pink Line, that you observe to increase the likelihood of being considered a viable hire for the job.  Well, last night you may have tuned into a unique type of interview called a debate, where one candidate broke all the rules we commonly coach people to follow.

1.  State up front you’re not going to answer the questions.  This will let the interviewer know not to expect responses to what’s important to him, her, the company — or in this case — the country.  It will also emphasize that you’re a real maverick. 

2.  Wink and smile.  If you can’t dazzle them with your experience, wow ‘em with your personality.  They may not notice you’re about as deep as a cookie sheet. 

3.  Change the subject.  This variation on #1 lets you focus exclusively on what you know and avoid gaps in your knowledge. 

4.  Stick to your notes.  Ah, yes. Interview preparation is very important.  Why waste a word you’ve practiced — even if it doesn’t apply to what you’ve just been asked.

5.  Use jargon and a style common to your family or community.  As Martha Stewart commented, “The home spun homilies have to go and words do have consonant endings.”  Oy vey, I’m feeling so fermished by this meshugas. 

Did changing the interview rules work?  It’s up to you to decide.

TAGS: Interview skills, Joe Biden, Sarah Palin, Vice presidential debates

A blogger in her mid-50s wrote about the challenge she’s been having with finding a job.  “I’ve been to several interviews and was never chosen for the position,” she writes. ”I’m feeling now that, between my age and having gained a little weight, that most companies want younger, prettier girls regardless of experience.”  Many women find themselves in the same position, but I do believe that age and wisdom can triumph over youth and beauty.  Here are a few things to try:

• Go to the cosmetics department of your local department store and ask for a free make-over.  Learn how to present yourself in the best light possible.  Looking good makes us feel better about ourselves and when we feel better we perform better. 
• Spring for a good “interview” outfit.  Although you wouldn’t want something too youthful, do purchase a dress or suit that’s in style and in a color that best complements your coloring and hair. 
• Go to the interview prepared to tell the interviewer 2 – 3 specific strengths that you bring to the party.  Practice saying them with confidence. 
• Research companies before the interview.  Be prepared to talk about how you can help them achieve their goals with your specific experiences and skills.
• Be upbeat and positive.  People hire candidates they would like to be around.  Smile, have a firm handshake, show interest in the company.  Don’t just answer questions and walk out the door.
• And as I write in my book Stop Sabotaging Your Career, if something about yourself makes you so uncomfortable that it diminished your self-confidence, have it cut, colored, lifted, suctioned, or otherwise surgically altered!

TAGS: Getting a Job Over 50, Interview skills, Women and Aging

I gave an interview the other day to Daryl Hannah of Diversity Inc with some advice for those negotiating a job offer.  Here’s the piece he wrote.

TAGS: Interview skills, negotiating pay, Women and Money

Cynthia Shapiro sent me a copy of her latest book, What Does Somebody Have to Do to Get a Job Around Here? 44 Insider Secrets that Will Get You Hired. Much like her last book, Corporate Confidential, it provides practical advice to help you get the job of your dreams.  Here are just a few of her tips:

• Cover letters can cause immediate exclusion.  If they’re not well-written the hiring manager won’t even look at the resume.
• Professional references are a waste of time.  The law prevents previous bosses or employers from revealing much about you.
• There is a “type” who always gets the offer.  That type is usually someone most like the hiring manager. 

If you’re in the market for a new job I’d say this book is more than worth the $14.95 cover price (less on amazon.com)  and definitely worth taking the time to read. 

TAGS: Cynthia Shapiro, Interview skills, Job Search

I’ve just spent the last month recruiting, screening and interviewing for a key position on my staff.  We received over 150 resumes, invited 15 people for interviews, and hired one great person.  In the process I realized how much people don’t know about interviewing — including how to get the interview. Here are some of the biggest mistakes we saw — and how you can avoid them.

• Not following the instructions.  If the ad says supply a letter of interest and resume, then provide exactly that.  Many of our applicants only sent a resume, which told us they couldn’t follow instructions.
• Grammatical and typographical errors.  If there was even one error, we excluded the candidate from consideration.  How hard is it to proof your work or ask a friend to do it for you?
• No show/no call.  Believe it or not, some people who were scheduled for interviews never even showed up or let us know they wouldn’t be coming.  That’s one way to create bad Karma.
• Failure to prepare.  You can count on the fact that you’re going to be asked if you have any questions.  Do a little research on the company and come prepared to ask specific questions based on what you learned.  Exhibit some curiosity. In our office, no questions – no job.
• Lack of follow through.  If I ask a multi-part question, I expect all parts to be answered.  And I when I intentionally interrupt, it’s because I want to see if the candidate can go back and pick up where he or she left off.  If you don’t do these things in the interview, you’ll be less likely to do them on the job.
• Brutal honesty.  If you’re asked for a suggestion on how to improve the company’s website, don’t tell the company President to change her picture to a more recent one.  Find a more neutral and politically correct suggestion. 

TAGS: Interview skills