| Research, Research, Research | | | | they had not even gotten to "the good stuff" yet. |
| If you are ready to make a change from your current | | | | Now more than ever, you will instantly show respect |
| position or need to find a new job, start preparing now. | | | | for the interviewer's time by not asking basic questions |
| A great first step is to compile a target list of | | | | about the company that you should already know the |
| companies you would love to work for and start | | | | answers to through your research. And you should not |
| researching them. Get to know them inside and out. | | | | waste time talking about work experience from 5-10 |
| Use tools like LinkedIn and Hoovers to research the | | | | years ago when the most important and relevant |
| backgrounds of key management. Find out how you | | | | things happened in the last 2 years. |
| can get connected to them through your own | | | | A common interview mistake happens when |
| network. Where did they go to school? Where did | | | | interviewers ask you to walk them through everything |
| they previously work? You may find some | | | | they see on the resume leading up to your most |
| commonalities with your own background, which could | | | | recent position. Countless folks will take 20 minutes |
| be very valuable. | | | | talking about how they began their career 15 years |
| Next, review the company websites thoroughly | | | | ago. Unfortunately by the end of their monologue, they |
| understand their history, products or services, clients, | | | | probably will not have sold themselves on why they |
| Executive Team, mission, charities, etc. Read through | | | | are the right person for the job today. |
| their press releases. Ask your network what they | | | | A well prepared candidate will hit 1 highlight at each |
| know about the company. Read current and back | | | | position that directly relates to the role they are |
| issues of industry specific magazines and check their | | | | interviewing for, quickly explain why they moved on |
| online content. You may find some interesting trend | | | | from each role, and be done in 5 minutes. Practice this |
| articles that could be relevant to your experience or a | | | | at home until you have got it down. When someone |
| position you are interviewing for. | | | | does this correctly it shows that they took the time to |
| Once you have a good handle on the target | | | | think about their background and relevant experience, |
| companies, make sure to activate your trusted | | | | instead of overwhelming the interviewer with |
| network. Let them know who you are targeting how | | | | information that is not pertinent to the current need. |
| they can help you you stay ahead of the job postings. | | | | Also, prepare your KEY STRENGTHS & |
| If you do not have a connection at a company, then | | | | ACCOMPLISHMENTS and continually weave them |
| frequently review the website and job boards for | | | | into the interview. Focus on the things that have made |
| updated job postings. Speed to apply is definitely a | | | | you stand out, preferably stories from the last 2-3 |
| factor in this type of job market. | | | | years. These have been tough times for most |
| The research possibilities and resources are endless. | | | | companies and people, so do not use that as an |
| So take a proactive approach to land that ideal next | | | | excuse to only talk about the BIG successes and wins |
| step in your career. | | | | from 5 years ago. Instead, talk about how you have |
| Interview Preparation is KEY | | | | creatively won new business, or cut costs to do more |
| Once you land an interview, it is vitally important to | | | | with less money, or got really hands on with things you |
| thoroughly prepare. With many companies running lean | | | | have not had to do in a while. Again, the possibilities |
| these days, everyone's time is compressed. We have | | | | are endless, so stay positive! The work you do ahead |
| had any number of candidates tell us they were | | | | of time will certainly pay off in landing that right next |
| surprised to get only a 30 minute interview with a | | | | step in your career. |
| decision maker instead of an hour. And unfortunately, | | | | |