3 ways that Christmas is good for your job search

1. It's a great time to grow relationships.

The weeks that surround Christmas are a great time to grow relationships. Invite someone out for coffee. Buy someone lunch. Stop by and visit. Take some time to get to know someone better. Turn an acquaintance into a friend.

 

You can never have too many friends, especially as you are in the middle of a job search. There is also a great chance that spending time with friends will lift your spirits.

 

Greetings
 

 

Also, we all have "cheerleaders" in our lives. These are people that truly want to see us be successful. Think about who your "cheerleaders" are and what you can do over the next few weeks to help grow that relationship. They will cheer louder for you, and someone who is  looking for an employee, just may hear that cheer.  

2. It's a natural time to show appreciation.

Most likely, you are surrounded by some folks that do things for you that you may take for granted. A hand written card, a small gift, telling someone that you appreciate them and what they do, are all great ways to show appreciation. Even simply saying "thank you for ________" (you fill in the blank) are simple yet effective ways to show true appreciation. 

3. It's the perfect time to give (and receive).

This time of year is a great time to be good to someone. Give someone something that they may not buy for themselves. You may say, "but I'm unemployed, I don't have the cash to give a gift". No worries, you may not have cash, but you have time or talents. Give someone some of your time or talents.  As you give, you will receive. In fact, the bible teaches that if you give, you will receive a generous helping-all that you can hold.

 

Give it.

 

 

 

 

 

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5 Questions I Would Ask You:

If you were to call me today regarding your interview skills, I would most likely spend some time asking you some pointed questions. Most times, after our discussion, we would decide together if you were truly prepared for your next interview.

 

Often times job seekers are over confident in their ability to interview. They believe they can just "wing it", put on a sharp suit, and let the resume do the talking. That is a big mistake. Here are a few of the questions, if answered honestly, can help determine if you are truly prepared.

 

Question?
 

-How do you prepare for a job interview?
 I could write a guide on this. Oh, I did. 
 Check it out-its free.

 

-How many interviews have you been to in your lifetime?

For most people, its less than 5 -10 in their lifetime.  Its easy to see how your interview skills become rusty.

 

-How did you feel as you walked into your most recent interview?

Most people are nervous. That understandable, its a big opportunity that could change your life. But, with preparation comes confidence. You should walk in prepared and excited to have the opportunity.

 

-How did you feel as you walked out of  your most recent interview?

 Were you relived that it was over or did you feel like your preparation paid off?

-What would you guess is your biggest interview weakness?

Most people tell me they think they talk too much. A lot of people say they get so nervous that they can't think clearly.  A mock interview can verify or debunk your weakness.

 

Free resource
 

-How much are you willing to sacrifice to improve your interview skills?

 Any benefit (a job offer) comes with a sacrifice (preparation). If you are wiling to put in the time to really get prepared, your results will improve.

 

 

 

 

 

 Interview Tutor

Professional Career Services

508.356.0077

www.interview-tutor.com

 

  

 

 

 

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The two most important words.

Thank you.

 

I could end this post right now. That's how simple this is.

 

Thank you.

Two words
 

 

So simple, but yet so overlooked by most job seekers. Those two words can set you apart from the others - in a hurry.

 

When I was recruiting and hiring,  I had a hard and fast rule when it came to “thank you.” If a candidate did not send me an email thank you within 24 hours of an interview, they did not get invited back. That may seem harsh, but that small detail was just so important to me. I've had many great interviews with candidates that I could not wait to hire, but they did not send a “thank you.” For me that was extremely disappointing and puzzling.

 

I wanted to hire great people with great people skills. I could find candidates all day long that had lackluster people skills.  Most often, I was  hiring someone for a sales or customer service position, where customer follow up was critical. Why would I hire a potential sales person or customer service rep that could not be bothered to send a thank you? Regardless of the position you seek, don't shoot yourself in the foot by not sending the "thank you."

 

I believe after your interview, you must send two thank you notes. One should be via e-mail (that gets to their desktop within 24 hours) and one should be a hand written thank you card (this gets to their desk in 3 days). Not only is the hand written thank you note classy and professional, it puts your name in front of the hiring manager 3-4 days after he last saw you.

 

When is the last time you received a hand written thank you note? I got one a few years ago after I bought a couch. It was unexpected, classy, and professional. If I were to need another couch, that place would be my first stop. That particular salesman gets it.

 

 

Keep some in the car

A good practice is to have a box of blank thank you notes and stamps with you in your car. After your interview, while in your car, write the note and drop it in the closest mail box. This practice will set you apart. John C. Maxwell once said “people don’t care what you know; they just want to know that you care.” Show people that you care and appreciate  opportunity offered to you. This practice will help set you apart.

 

 

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Interview Tutor

Professional Career Prep Services

508.365.0077

www.interview-tutor.com