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LifeHope Ministry

Job Readiness Guide

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Contents

Encouragement for the Unemployed pg. 4

Job Readiness Checklist pg. 9

Effective Job Search pg. 12

Interview Prep Kit pg. 23

Additional Resources pg. 40

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Promises for Those Struggling with Unemployment By Steve Fuller http://livingbyfaithblog.com

Promises are crucial

Faith means trusting all that God promises to be to us in Christ Jesus.

Which means faith needs to focus on specific promises.

So if you are unemployed — what promises does God have for you?

Because of Jesus God will provide everything you need.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and

find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Unemployment is not sin. But all of us, employed and unemployed, have sinned. And yet, because of

Jesus’ death, we can all turn to God by faith, and He will give us everything we need.

And I mean everything — stronger faith, encouragement, wisdom, steadfastness, money, a job —

everything we need.

God will deliver you from problems you caused yourself.

You can do everything right and still get laid off. But what if you caused your unemployment? What if

you didn’t work hard, were caught lying, or made mistakes? Look at God’s promise in Psalm 50:15 –

Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.

If you genuinely confess any wrongdoing, humble yourself before the Lord, and call upon Him, He will

deliver you. There may be consequences from what you’ve done. But God won’t turn from us because

of sin or mistakes.

Remember how Abraham’s lie caused his wife Sarah to be taken into Pharaoh’s harem? God had mercy

on them and delivered Sarah. He will also deliver you.

God will bless you through wrongs others have done.

What if you lost your job because of an unjust boss, someone’s slander, or foolish politicians? It would be

easy to see yourself as a victim. But you are not. Even the wrongs done to you by others are part of

God’s plan to bring you great good.

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery resulting in years in a dungeon. But look at how he describes this

–

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As for you [brothers], you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that

many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20

No one can do anything to you that will cause you ultimate loss. God has planned every loss as a way to

bring you great and glorious good.

God is in complete control.

God is not worried about GDP growth, unemployment figures, or manufacturing indexes. He controls

everything, including the heart of every business owner in your city –

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he

will. Proverbs 21:1

When I worked in real estate, and had slow times, I remember thinking that God controlled all the real

estate transactions in Santa Clara County — and that He could give me 100 sales tomorrow if he wanted

to.

In the same way — God is in complete control of your employment. Not that you can skip networking,

interviewing, and sending out resumes. God will work through these. But He is in complete control.

God will provide the job and income you need.

That’s what Jesus promises in Matthew 6:33 –

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to

you.

There is a condition — we must seek first His kingdom and righteousness. That doesn’t mean seeking

Him perfectly — this side of heaven none of us seeks God perfectly. But it means seeking Him

genuinely, earnestly, and confessing when we fail.

If that’s your heart — then the God who has always been, who created the heavens and the earth, and

who has never broken a promise swears that He will provide the job and income you need.

Not necessarily the job and income you want. But the job and the income you need to fulfill His call and

find your heart-satisfaction in Him.

God has a perfect plan for each day you are unemployed.

… in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet

there was none of them. Psalm 139:16

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Since God is in complete control, each day you are unemployed is a day He has chosen to have you be

unemployed. And God has meaningful activity for you during each of those days.

So what does He want you to do? He will give you wisdom (James 1:5). Obviously you will be

networking, sending out resumes, and job-searching.

But also spend extra time in the Word and prayer. Take time each day to set your heart more strongly

on the Super-Piling. Encourage and pray with others who are unemployed. One of my friends got a job

at Target to make some money and stay productive during his unemployment.

Don’t just spend your days waiting for a job. God has a perfect plan for each day you are unemployed.

God will give you full joy in Himself without a job.

That’s in Habakkuk 3:17-18 –

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail

and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

This will not be easy. You will be tempted to think your joy depends on a job. But it doesn’t.

So ask Him to pour His Spirit upon you. Plead with Him to free you from trusting a job for your joy. Set

your heart upon Scriptures describing Him. And pray over those Scriptures until you see — and feel —

that Jesus is all you need.

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Promises for Those Struggling with Unemployment

Worksheet

1. If you are unemployed, what promises does God have for you? List 3-5 promises below:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. How have you seen God use a loss as a way to bring you great and glorious good?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3. God has meaningful activity for you during each day you are unemployed. What do you

think he wants you to do?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

4. What are three things you could do today?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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5. Spend a few minutes of reflection over everything you have learned today. How is God

speaking to you right now?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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6 Dimensions of Job Readiness: A Checklist

Job readiness includes what a job seeker needs in order to get and keep a job. This checklist is

one way to answer the question: “Am I ready to work?”

Identify during Intake/Assessment

1. Meets hiring qualifications of the particular job (some apply only to some jobs)

Literacy

English language skills

Educational attainment

Immigration status

Credit check

Has necessary items (Birth Certificate/Valid ID/SS Card)

Work and/or volunteer experience

Credentials (licenses, certificates required for a job)

2. Home/life supports are in place to meet the demands of a working person

Has childcare in place

Has reliable transportation in place

Has appropriate clothing for the job

Adapts family/life to meet the day-to-day work requirements and schedule

Has a “Plan B” in place for emergencies

Understands ripple effect of earning an income (reduced public housing subsidy or other

benefits)

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3. Understands “soft skills” and will be able to use them on the job

Has communication skills

Has interpersonal skills

Has problem solving skills

Participates as a member of a team

Takes responsibility

Has a positive attitude

Has cross-cultural awareness

Acts with integrity and honesty

Acts professionally

Exercises leadership

4. Has self-knowledge about her/his interests/skills/feelings about work

Has completed a career interest inventory

Has completed a skill inventory

Has realistic expectations about work

Is confident about her/his ability to work and succeed

Has an understanding about her/his own work style

Knows what type of working environment is a good fit for them (“I could never work in a

place like that” or “This is my ideal job” )

Understands her/his values about work (work ethic = hard work and diligence)

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5. Understands workplace roles, responsibilities, and rights

Knows the roles of supervisors and managers

Knows with whom to speak about workplace issues (supervisor, union steward, etc.)

Is familiar with basic workers’ rights (overtime pay, breaks, etc.)

Is aware of workplace laws (wage and hour, discrimination, sexual harassment)

6. Possesses the tools necessary for job search

Resume

Cover letters

Email account / working telephone

Interview preparedness (has done mock interviews, has clear answers, makes an effective

“elevator pitch” about her/himself)

Knows how to complete on-line and paper applications

Has 3 reliable references

Is a member of at least one career center and knows how to use career center services

(workshops, career resource library, job postings)

Is aware of key elements of each job applied for (the hours/shift, pay and benefits, location,

dress code, job requirements and responsibilities, etc.)

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The Secrets to an Effective Job Search

Developing a Job Search Strategy | SLA | June 16, 2009 A program by Marshall Brown | www.mbrownassociates.com

Understanding what you offer to your target audience

Using a well-thought-out and diversified approach to reach your audience in as many ways as possible

There is a logical and systematic way to succeed – takes organization, acumen, a bit of mental toughness

Using your time and resources wisely – establish a routine and fine-tune your plan

Market your value

Stick with it

Most people fail to truly maximize their search. Posting your resume on Monster.com

and waiting for the phone to ring is not a viable strategy!

The Process

DEFINE YOUR TIMELINE

Short-term (i.e. need a job now) Long-term (looking for the right job…willing/able to invest the time)

DEFINE YOUR OBJECTIVE

What do you want to do, specifically (what does it look like) What type of company? What industry? What type of product or service? Full-time, part-time, contract Create the clearest picture possible of what you want One of the keys to any strategy is narrowing the focus as much as possible

IDENTIFY THE POSSIBILITIES

Brainstorm…where might you find the work detailed in above? (what market, industries, etc?)

Identify specific companies, industries, etc.

RESEARCH

Networking - friends, colleagues, family, etc. Internet

THE SEARCH STRATEGY

Think of it, and approach it, as a PROJECT – start with your goal, define action steps, identify resources, establish timelines, and monitor your progress

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Do something every day – review newspapers, wants ads, trade magazines, company websites, write a letter, contact 5 people, get a referral, buy your target company’s product, go to a trade show, etc.

Divide your time and energy properly

Job Search Killers

#1: LACKING A STRUCTURE

Without a well thought-out plan of action behind your job search, you'll end up wasting a lot of valuable time on minor or unproductive tasks

Get yourself a dedicated space to work, set yourself a schedule, do your research, set your goals, focus your efforts, and stick to it!

Remember: structure leads to consistency, consistency leads to persistence, and persistence leads to success!

#2: TRYING TO DO IT ENTIRELY ON YOUR OWN

Somewhere along the line we assumed that we had to do by ourselves…not true!

There are countless professional coaches and career consultants out there who can help you succeed

#3: NOT BEING ACCOUNTABLE

Get others involved in your plan and have them hold you accountable for it

On your own, it's too easy to get discouraged, get distracted, spin your wheels, and waste precious time

Best choice is a professional coach, someone who is trained to keep you focused, keep you moving forward, or get you back on track if you to

Fellow job searchers and networking groups can be helpful, but ONLY if they have a consistently positive attitude – otherwise they are poison!

#4: FORGETTING THAT IT'S ALL ABOUT "MARKETING"

You market yourself in every piece of documentation you send out, in every personal contact that you have, in every phone call that you make, and every interview that you go to, and in every single chance that you get

In the job search game, the winner is very often the one who out-markets everybody else

Use your plan as the basis to get your name, your face, and the value you can add in front of everyone who needs to know

#5: OVER-RELIANCE ON OTHERS (I.E. TAKING A PASSIVE APPROACH)

Relying on "others" refers to both people and technologies

If you are going to be successful, you have to recognize that YOU and you alone are responsible for your success – YOU have to be the one in control

Any job search tactic that sounds too convenient, takes little effort, and does not require you to stretch a little outside of your comfort zone, is probably not going to reap the kind of results you want

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Active vs. Passive Job Searching

Key Factors to Job

Search Success Active Passive

Your Attitude You feel in control and confident

You are willing to take up the challenge

You are willing to try new approaches and techniques

You are open to feedback and suggestions

You are enthusiastic and highly motivated

You feel victimized and/or tend to blame others

Generally unwilling and inflexible

You are defensive and /or despondent

You feel nervous and/or worried

Your Focus You seek external contact

You are involved and engaged

Your focus is on the job search

You are interested in people

You have a strategy in place

Your focus is turned inward

You feel and remain isolated

Your energy is scattered

You remain interested only in inanimate resources

You are willing to take any job

The scope of your

search

You look at various industries

You seek out unfamiliar organizations

You think creatively about roles

You actively go out looking for new possibilities

You stay with known industries and have a limited list of organizations

You seek to stay only with known roles

You are generally closed to (or haven’t considered) new possibilities

Hours invested You work at the job search full-time

You spend 30-40 hours per week on dedicated job search activities

You maintain a sustained effort

You spend 10-20 hours or less each week on the job search

Your job search efforts are sporadic at best

Methods employed You spend 75-85% of time actively networking

You follow up on leads regardless of how unlikely they seem

You create and follow a plan for using agencies or search firms

You answers ads and Internet postings

You post your resume on Internet job boards…and re-post regularly

You plan time for self-care to keep energy and spirits high

You primarily answer ads and Internet postings

You post your resume on Internet job boards…once

You contact a few agencies or search firms without follow-up

You send out broadcast letters with resume attached

You send out networking letters without personal follow-up

You “network” with only a few close and well-known colleagues and friends

Your Resilience You manage to depersonalize rejection

You generate activity on many fronts

You are persistent

You take rejection personally

You put all eggs in one basket

You stop trying after setbacks

How You Measure

Success

Every plan implemented and every short-goal goal attained is counted as a success and celebrated

You find the work that you want

Use only one measure of success– landing a job…any job

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Your Job Search Plan

A structured and methodical plan to identify opportunities and get your name and

expertise in front of the right people

Schedule activities in your Daytimer, Palm Pilot, etc.

Set goals with timelines (“I’ll contact 5 people today”; “I’ll identify 10 target companies by the end of the week”) – consider a point system

Treat it like a project and you are the Project Manager

Everyone’s job search plan is different

Will include a combination some or all the following…

Networking

Without question the most effective job search technique

Studies suggest we all know an average of 250 people

Who do you want/need to meet in order to get your network going?

Consider creating your own Board of Directors or Mastermind group

Build relationships…and never let your network end, always ask for another name

THOSE YOU KNOW:

You need to get as many people in your corner as possible

Involve ALL of your friends and relatives in your job search, along with your doctor, dentist, lawyer, banker, neighbors, hairstylist, everyone

THOSE YOU DON’T KNOW:

Make a list of those you need/want to talk to?

Who are the movers and shakers in your industry?

Try to get in front of them, pick their brains, and sell yourself

Effective job searching is a contact sport . . . you need to make contacts!

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The Internet

Recognize its limitations:

75% - 85% of job searchers use the internet as their #1 source

Less than 10% of available jobs are posted online, and those tend to be for larger companies

Less than 3% of jobs are actually filled online

Best practices:

Spend no more than 10% of your job search efforts on job boards

Post and re-post your resume regularly

Take advantage of Job Agents – those services that email postings of jobs that match your criteria

Great for doing company and industry research

LinkedIn.com

“MONSTER” JOB BOARDS

List tens of thousands of jobs at all levels across all industries

Great variety but huge competition for jobs

NICHE JOB BOARDS

Specialize by industry or geography

Some cities have their own sites that include a job posting page (often a good place to find smaller companies)

NEWSGROUPS & USER GROUPS

Online newsgroups and user groups are designed to allow people of a common interest to communicate

many are industry-specific (ex. supply chain), skill-specific (ex. Java), or interest-specific (ex Opera)

Recruiters love to use newsgroups since 1) they’re free, and 2) they can quickly access people with specific skills and expertise

User Groups are similar to newsgroups and tend to be more technology focused (although there are exceptions) – try GoogleGroups (http://groups.google.com).

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Recruiters

Can be a vital resource in your job search strategy, but you have to understand how they work (and therefore, how YOU need to work with THEM)

Recruiters are not there to find you a job – they work for the company that hired them, not for you

Your job is to be on their radar when they have a position for which you’re a good fit

Other Sources

NEWSPAPERS

Many companies and recruiters still use the major dailies to advertise openings, so you need

to look regularly

Check the newspaper’s website – they often have online classified sections that archive job postings (you’d be surprised how many have not been filled yet)

Check the Appointments in the Business section (lists recent executive promotions and appointments) – you now have the name of a key decision maker who may be looking for good people

Be sure to check the Career section AND the regular classifieds section of the newspaper

Companies and recruiters both advertise in the classifieds sections too because it’s cheaper

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY PUBLICATIONS

Local and national business and industry publications are a great source since many include at

least a page or two of job postings (typically for the higher level executives since this avenue

can be expensive)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

There are professional associations for everything!

Great place to meet movers and shakers in your industry, and one of the best ways to research an industry and network with people on the inside

Many have professional development courses, monthly meetings, events with high-powered speakers, online member lists and open job exchanges

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TRADE SHOWS

At Trade Shows, you can get in front of emerging and established industry leaders, where you

are one of the only job seekers there

Objective is to learn, network, show genuine interest, casually express an interest in their company, and then ask who you should talk to (get the name of the person you spoke with so that you can mention in your letter that you spoke with them)

Go early and stay late…it’s the best and only time you should be talking to them (during the busy periods they’ll be wanting to conduct business).

JOB FAIRS

They can work, but the downside is that you are among hundreds of others with the same

agenda

Generally best for the entry to mid-level positions only

Check your local and major newspapers for advertisements.

JOB SEARCH CLUBS

Check with local recruiters and search firms to see if they know of any not-for-profit

organizations or networking clubs that bring job searchers together

A great place to meet others, network, stay motivated, and hear speakers on job search techniques.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / BOARD OF TRADE

Like your lawyer and your banker, your local chamber of commerce knows who’s opening and

who’s expanding

Call, ask, join, and attend their networking events (great place to meet the local industry leaders).

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Staying Motivated

Put a structure in place for your job search – set business hours for yourself just as if you were expected to report to the office

Don’t let hobbies, volunteer commitments, household chores, etc., take over your schedule

Have a plan with daily goals and objectives – make them reasonable so that you can end each day by congratulating yourself for a job well done

Build stress-reducing activities into your daily schedule – go for a walk or a workout every day after you’ve made your tough calls.

Organize your day to accommodate your energy levels and mood swings – make your toughest calls when your energy is highest

If you’re feeling down, cut yourself some slack and seek out those things that you know will help restore your equilibrium

Keep weekends off for you and your loved ones

Build some volunteer time into your weekly schedule – helping someone whose needs are different from yours can be an excellent way to keep things in perspective

Celebrate every success – give yourself a reward for accomplishing your daily or weekly goals. Make the reward something that is healthy, fun, or vitally interesting to you

Keep the active job search going full speed ahead even when you are in the final stages of negotiation with an organization – you don’t want to have an opportunity that you really want fall through and have nothing else on the go

Remind yourself that your family and friends like you because you are YOU – not because you were the Director of Whatever at Previous Co.

* Adapted from It’s Your Move – Watters & O’Conner

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Job Search Worksheet 1. What is your timeline in finding a job? (circle one) Short Term or Long Term

2. What do you want to do? Create the clearest picture possible of what you want.

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

3. Where would you find the work you detailed above?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

4. What is your search strategy? What will you do each day to achieve your goal?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

5. Review the Job Search Killers on page 12. Which one will you focus on this week?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

6. Thinking back before today, do you feel your job searching has been Active or Passive?

If passive, what areas do you want to work on? (page 13)

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

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List the names of people in each category, who you could add to your networking

strategy for your job search

People you know:

Family Friends Professional Acquaintances

Non-Professional Acquaintances

People you don’t know:

Name Organization Where to meet them How to contact them

Review page 18 and list 5 ways you will stay motivated in your job search this week

1._____________________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________

3._____________________________________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________________________________

5.____________________________________________________________________

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Interview Prep Kit

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Some people can go an entire career without finding their “dream job.” So, when you have the

opportunity to land the perfect position, you have to be sure you’re ready. You must excel at

presenting your marketable skills and experience to potential employers. In other words, you

have to be an effective interviewee. There are proven ways to get beyond the typical interview

and make yourself stand out from all the other candidates.

Preparation is KEY

Interviews can be tough — even for seasoned veterans. The interview is, however, your best

opportunity to gain insight into the position and company and to determine how your

experience and talent can contribute to the company’s growth and profitability. On these pages,

we have included a list of things you can do to make your interview as successful as possible. No

tricks or gimmicks — just good, solid information to help you prepare and win the job!

Do your homework —on the company

Find out as much about the company — its

history, its current situation and its future —

as you can. Sources to use include:

Your recruiter

The Internet

Periodicals and trade journals

Annual reports and 10K reports

Friends and business associates

Do your homework —

on the position

Have a thorough understanding of the

position, its key duties and primary

responsibilities, and what is expected. Be

prepared to ask good questions:

Who has been successful and why?

Who has failed and why?

Who does the position report to?

Do your homework —on yourself

Review your career history thoroughly:

Review all dates, positions, duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments.

Know your strengths and weaknesses.

Be prepared to cite specific examples of achievements and how these experiences can help the company solve some of its problems.

Concentrate on your most recent positions, but don’t neglect your early career.

Reflect on your successes so you can adequately impart your strengths when given the chance! Remember, the prospective employer will make his or her hiring decision based on these key factors:

o Attitude and business poise o Image presentation and

communication skills o Experience and skill set o Education and certifications o Transferable industry and

technical background

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Interviewing Tips to Secure Your Success

Selling yourself to a prospective employer in 45 minutes is enough to make anyone a bit nervous.

There’s a simple way to overcome nerves: just practice interviewing. Ask your recruiter, a spouse, a

relative, a friend — anyone you trust — to conduct realistic interviews and to provide constructive

criticism.

Tell the employer why you are interested in the

opportunity/company.

(Use this space to formulate your thoughts and

capture your best attributes.)

a)

______________________________________________________________

b)

______________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________________

Tell the employer why you are the most qualified

person for the position.

(Highlight your areas of expertise and major

accomplishments.)

a)

________________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________________

e)

_______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BE PREPARED & CONFIDENT

Arrive early to the interview. We recommend you get there at least 15

minutes early.

Fill out all applications neatly and completely. Do not write “see resume” on the

application. Write “negotiable” in the

desired salary section.

Be enthusiastic about the position and the company.

Ask good, specific questions. Respond positively to the interviewer’s

questions whenever possible.

Do not discuss salary or benefit packages. Remain open. Let your recruiter handle

these sensitive negotiations.

Sell your attitude during the interview. Ask for the position — be proactive at the

end of the interview.

When meeting the interviewer, mirror their demeanor.

Do not answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no.” Sell yourself by using examples and paint a clear picture of where, when, how, what, and why you did it.

Call your recruiter immediately after the interview.

Stress your achievements, records and accomplishments.

Answer all questions clearly and succinctly. Do not ramble on. Role play some responses before the interview. Practice makes perfect!

Do not make derogatory remarks about previous or present employers.

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Sample Interview Questions & Answers

Answer the question that’s asked. You should not intentionally ignore a question by answering a different question or asking a question yourself. If you are unsure about the question, ask the interviewer to repeat it.

Answer questions honestly and directly. Interviewers want candidates they can trust. Honest and direct answers are extremely disarming and, because they’re relatively rare, are very effective. Remember to play up your strengths. If you have to discuss negative experiences, point out what you learned from them and why you won’t make the same mistakes again.

Organize your answers. Consider ways to give your answer structure, either by organizing your response chronologically or organizing your points in order of their importance.

Be brief. An interview is supposed to be a dialogue, not a diatribe. If you think you’re going on too long, cut your answer short.

Be energetic. If you are not interested in or energized by your response, how can you expect the interviewer to be?

Be positive about your reason for leaving your current job or any previous jobs. The key word to remember is “more.” You want more challenges, more responsibility, more opportunity, etc. If you’ve been fired or laid off, stress how much you learned from the experience and how it has helped you become even better at what you do.

Quantify the confidence other employers have placed in you. Do this by stressing specific facts, figures and measurable accomplishments.

Never speak poorly of past supervisors or employers.

Make the job you’re interviewing for your chief objective. Frame your answers so that you let the interviewer know that you see this job as a means to achieving your ultimate career goals.

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Sample Questions

The following is a list of typical stress questions, followed by some examples of how they might

be answered (see recommended answers below). Make notes as to how you will answers these

questions:

What are your short-term objectives? Long-

term objectives?

What do you look for in a job?

What is the difference between a good

position and an excellent one?

Why are you leaving? Why did your

business fail?

Why did you choose to interview with my

organization?

What can you do for us that someone else

cannot do?

Why should we hire you?

Do you work well under pressure, deadlines,

etc.?

How are you best managed?

How has your early career or background

influenced your progression and/or current

management style?

How has your management style changed

over the years?

What kind of salary are you seeking and

why?

What are the most important rewards you

expect in your career?

What are your five biggest accomplishments

in your present or last job? In your career?

What is your biggest strength?

Weakness?

What business, credit or character

references can you give us?

What qualifications do you have that make

you think you will be successful in this

business?

In what ways do you think you can make a

contribution to our firm?

How long would it take you to make a

contribution to our firm?

How long would you stay with us?

If you could start again, what would you do

differently?

How do you rate yourself as a professional?

As an executive?

What new goals or objectives have you

established recently?

Why?

How have you changed the nature of your

job?

What qualities have you liked or disliked in

your boss?

What was the most difficult ethical decision

you ever had to make?

What was the result?

Why have you not obtained a job so far?

What features of your previous jobs have

you disliked?

Would you describe a few situations in

which your work was criticized?

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As we indicated earlier, there are no “pat” answers to these questions. Review the questions and

your responses. While some of the questions seem difficult, the keys to answering effectively are

to be direct, truthful, positive and succinct!

Recommended Answers

The following are key points you may want to consider when faced with some common interview

questions:

What is wrong with your present firm?

Be sure to not come across as negative if asked this question. Explain how you have enjoyed

working there and that there are good people in management. Express that you are looking to

handle additional responsibilities and those opportunities do not exist in your present position

— you are looking for an opportunity that provides more career growth. The key is to come

across as positive and upbeat.

How long would it take you to make a contribution?

You want to sound motivated and determined, but be sure to not over-promise. Explain to the

interviewer that once you understand the operating environment and the personnel, you have

the proven skills and experience to make a contribution in a very short time. Consider asking a

question like: “What do you feel will be the main focus of the position for the first six months?”

Why are you leaving your present position?

Again, you do not want to discuss any negative aspects about your past or present employer.

Consider including something like this in your answer: “I enjoy my work, but I am anxious to

expand my knowledge and take on more. Frankly, these opportunities do not exist in my present

position.”

If you are interested in the position, ask for it, or ask for the next interview. If you want this job,

you may want to say this: “I am very interested in your company. I am confident that I can do

an excellent job for you. What is the next step in your hiring process?”

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Questions to Ask

An interview involves an exchange of information. Here are some questions you can ask that will

help you learn more about the position and the company, and help you better gauge the interest

and objectives of the interviewer:

Who are your major competitors and how do they stack up against you in terms of product, market share, methods of marketing, strengths and weaknesses?

Tell me about the history/growth of the company.

In the recent history of the company, what has been the biggest advance and what has been the biggest setback?

What is your highest priority in the next six months and how could someone like me help?

Tell me about a typical day.

Tell me about your training program.

What are the characteristics of your top people?

Where do you see your company going in the next several years?

What are three main qualities you are looking for in a candidate?

How do you see me fitting in with your company?

If I were to ask your top person what he/she likes most/least about the company, what type of response would I get?

How do I compare with other qualified applicants?

Do you have any hesitations about me being successful with your company?

What does your interview process entail?

When may I return and meet some of the people with whom I would be working?

What are your personal satisfactions and disappointments since you have been with the firm?

__________________________________________________________

Closing the Interview

If the interviewer has failed to elicit some important information about you, make that

information known before you leave.

Lastly, always find out what the next steps will be and when they are likely to occur.

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How to Handle the Money Issue

The question of compensation can be very sensitive and often requires extended negotiations to

reach a figure that is fair and acceptable to both the company and the individual.

Some points to remember:

Most companies want to make a fair offer. They want to bring new employees on board at a salary level that provides incentive to change jobs — and one that is also consistent with the company’s existing salary structure for that position.

The days of 20% and 25% increases in compensation are gone. Inflation rates are down. All corporations are more conscious of maintaining consistency in existing salary structure. The economic growth in many industries has leveled off and the competition for better positions has increased. So be realistic in your expectations.

The position/opportunity is the single most important element of your decision. No amount of money will make a poor position or company a good one. A quality position and the opportunity to work with quality people in a dynamic work environment offers many rewards that money cannot buy.

Be flexible! Compensation packages are a combination of salary, reviews, titles and perks. These elements can be arranged/re-arranged — sometimes very creatively — to satisfy both the individual and the company.

Keep your recruiter involved. Part of our job is to handle sensitive negotiations and move both parties to a fair and

acceptable compensation package. We do this for a living and can often offer alternatives

that will satisfy both parties. We are also a good buffer. We are able to keep sensitive

negotiations on a professional level.

Salary discussions. If you are asked what salary you are looking for, try to avoid quoting a specific figure. Attempt something like this: “I am very interested in the opportunity and I feel I can make a meaningful contribution. I am currently earning $ per year. I would be open to a competitive offer.” It is best not to name a figure if at all possible. You don’t want to over-price/under-price yourself, so remember to discuss all relevant salary and benefits issues with your recruiter.

If you are asked again later in the process, you may want to restate what you are earning and ask

what a person with your experience level is worth in their company.

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Dress for Success

Men:

A conservative suit in dark blue or dark gray with a long-sleeved white shirt. The tie should be conservative, but stylish. Dark socks (over-the-calf) with dark, freshly-shined shoes. We recommend that you do not deviate from this unless specifically discussed with your recruiter!

Jewelry should be limited to no more than a wristwatch and wedding ring.

Fingernails should be clean and trimmed.

Facial hair should be clean-shaven and/or neatly groomed.

Women:

A business suit in a subdued color is best for first interviews. Natural fibers work best. Dress in today’s styles, but keep the hemline close to knee-length and keep blouses modest. We recommend that you do not deviate from this unless specifically discussed with your recruiter!

Hosiery should be worn at all times, regardless of weather conditions. Shoe heel height should be moderate and comfortable — shoes should be freshly polished. If heel tips are worn, get them replaced so you do not click as you walk.

A conservative dress or suit is fine for additional interviews.

Jewelry should be minimal and in good taste.

Nails should be well manicured and polished in clear or light, conservative colors. If long nails are a part of a personal fashion statement, avoid bright colors and glittered accents for interviewing.

Hairstyles will vary with each individual. Long hair — pull back; short hair — keep neat.

Makeup should be tastefully and lightly applied.

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Resignations & Counter-offers

While resigning from your current position can be emotional and sometimes stressful, there are

several things you can do to make the process go smoothly and quickly.

Put it in writing. Handing your boss a resignation letter is the most effective way to handle an uncomfortable situation.

o It is formal and will become a part of your permanent record. It is for your own protection. o It will help you keep the focus on the positive aspects of your career move rather than any

negative aspects of your old situation. o It relieves the pressure of having to speak first. (On the next page you will find a sample

resignation letter.)

The sooner you leave the company, the better. Give fair notice, but ask to be relieved as soon as possible. You are in a lame duck position. The company will get by without you, and you owe your energies and loyalty to yourself and to your new opportunity!

Do not talk about counter-offers; it is the single worst thing you can do during the resignation process. On the next page you will find some excerpts from a Wall Street Journal article on counteroffers. We have been through this hundreds of times and everything they describe in the article is true.

Talk to your recruiter. Keep us updated. We can help keep this process as smooth and painless as possible.

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______________________________________________

Sample Resignation Letter

Date

Former Manager’s Name

Title

Company

Dear (Former Manager’s Name):

It is with mixed emotions, yet with firm conviction, that I write this letter of resignation from

(Company Name).

My association during the past (#) years with this excellent firm and its many fine people has

been a wonderful part of my professional and personal life. Please understand that I have made

my decision after considerable deliberation. An outstanding opportunity presented itself that

will significantly enhance my career and assist me in achieving my goals.

I am therefore resigning from (Company Name) effective (date). This will allow sufficient time

to complete current commitments prior to commencing with my new employer on (date). In the

interim, I will work with you and the staff to provide a smooth transfer of my current duties.

I hope that you will understand and accept my decision. I will support you in making this

change as easy as possible for the staff and department.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

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10 Reasons for NOT Accepting a Counter-offer

Excerpts from a Wall Street Journal article:

What kind of company are you working for if you have to threaten to resign before they pay you what you are worth?

Where is the money for the counter-offer coming from? Is it your next raise early? All companies have strict wage and salary guidelines which must be followed. Are they going to make your increase retroactive in order to compensate for underpaying you over the last several years?

Your company may immediately start looking for a new person at a cheaper price. In many cases, you could be training your replacement.

You now have made your employer aware that you are unhappy. From this day on, your loyalty will always be in question.

When promotion time comes around, your employer will remember who was loyal and who was not.

When times get rough, your employer will begin the cutback with you.

The same circumstances that now cause you to consider a change will repeat themselves in the future even if you accept a counter-offer. Things about your position and company rarely change.

Statistics show that if you accept a counter-offer, the probability of voluntarily leaving in six months, or being let go within one year, is extremely high — 85% of people who accept a counter-offer are gone in six months, and 90% of people who accept are gone in twelve months.

Accepting a counter-offer is an insult to your intelligence and a blow to your personal pride knowing that you were bought.

Once the word gets out, the relationship that you now enjoy with your co-workers will never be the same. You will lose the personal satisfaction of peer group acceptance.

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The Phone Interview

Phone interviews are frequently a first step in the interviewing process. In these times of

corporate frugality, companies often opt for an initial phone interview for the screening of

potential candidates. These phone conversations are normally your first contact with a

company, and therefore your first impression. Make your impact a strong one!

Here are a few useful hints to help you through the process:

Work with your recruiter to set up a specific time for the call. This will allow you to be fully prepared to conduct an effective interview.

Treat the phone interview just as you would a personal, face-to-face interview. Just because it is over the phone does not mean that you should take it lightly.

Make sure the phone you plan to use for the call is of high quality. Avoid using cellular phones.

If you have an answering machine/voice mail, please make sure your recording is both courteous and professional.

Make sure family members know how to answer the phone and take messages in your absence. Keep a notepad by the phone for messages and reinforce how important their cooperation is to your search success.

Be aware of any potential distractions (i.e., radio, television, background conversations, etc). Plan to sit in a quiet room or area where you can speak and think in a productive manner.

If you have the “call-waiting” feature on your phone, it is best not to interrupt your conversation to answer a call.

If you have a bad connection and/or have difficulty hearing the other person, offer to call them back.

Be fully prepared with your notes in regards to: 1) the company, 2) the position, and 3) yourself (resume). You will come across as an organized and articulate interviewee.

Again, do not take this step in the interview process lightly. This is a great opportunity to sell

yourself and to find out more about the position.

Last, but certainly not least, the phone interview is the opportune time to set up your face-to-

face meeting. Don’t be afraid to ask for the appointment! Have your calendar at hand so you

may suggest dates that would be convenient to interview.

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The Follow Up Letter - Your Chance to Stand Out

The interview is over, you did great, and now you can relax, right? Absolutely dead wrong. You

must continue to sell yourself by following up and reinforcing your qualifications. Effective

follow-up gives you a chance to say things you have forgotten to say, or to correct things you

wish you had said differently. More importantly, it distinguishes you from other candidates. All

too many people do not follow up. This is your chance to stand out.

To gain full advantage of this opportunity, here are a few points to consider:

Send the follow up letter as soon as possible. This allows you to convey a sense of urgency and a high interest level in the opportunity. Ideally, your letter should go out the next day.

Be as brief as possible. It shows respect for others’ time. The body of the letter should address four main points:

1. Thank them for their time. 2. Express interest and enthusiasm in the company and position. 3. Using the manager’s own words from the interview, highlight your experiences and

accomplishments that amplify your qualifications. 4. Ask for the next interview.

Have someone carefully proofread your letter, then email it in MS Word to your recruiter for a final

proof (we ask you to do this in order to avoid a letter being sent out that does not represent you well).

Your recruiter will make any corrections or suggestions. Once you and your recruiter have agreed that the

letter is ready to be sent, sign a hard copy and drop it in the mail.

Sending thank-you letters via e-mail is on the impersonal side, so we recommend avoiding it,

unless it is necessary due to timing or special circumstances. If e-mailing is necessary, always

try to send as an attachment in an MS Word document and always follow up the email with a

printed version sent through the mail.

______________________________________________

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Sample follow up letter:

Date

Mr. John Smith

Vice President

XYZ Company

1234 South Street

Anywhere, XX 12345

Dear Mr. Smith:

I appreciate the time spent with you discussing XYZ Company and the ________ position. It was a

pleasure meeting with you, _________ and _________. I feel my qualifications and skill set in

________, ________ and ___________ reflect those necessary to be successful at XYZ Company.

At ABC Corporation, I successfully installed a state-of-the-art _________ system on-time and under-

budget, as well as managed a staff of up to fifteen professionals and clerks. I am confident that I have the

experience and drive to successfully manage the ________ Department. I feel an even greater

excitement level about the opportunity because it will allow me to attain my goals of _______, _______

and ________.

I look forward to our next meeting to discuss this in greater detail.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

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25 Things to Avoid.

A recent survey of companies who were questioned as to why they did not hire a qualified

applicant resulted in the following answers:

Poor personal appearance

Lack of interest and enthusiasm

Over-emphasis on money

Criticism of past employers

Failure to maintain good eye contact with interviewer

Limp, “dead fish” handshake

Late for the interview

Failure to express appreciation for interviewer’s time

Did not ask enough detailed questions about the position

Lacked sufficient detail when responding to questions asked by the interviewer

Overbearing, over-aggressive, conceited, “know-it-all” complex

Inability to express oneself clearly

Lack of planning for career; no purpose or goals

Lack of confidence; ill at ease

Lack of factual information

Lack of manners, courtesy

Lack of maturity

Lack of vitality

Indecisive

Merely shopping around

Cynical

Lack of a strong work ethic

Intolerant

Inability to take criticism/not open to being mentored

High-pressure type

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Do you have any questions about these interviewing tips and techniques?

Do you want to learn more about being an effective interviewee?

Call your Case Manager or Advocate at LifeHope Ministry, Northland, A Church Distributed.

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Additional Resources

Job Search resources:

Internet

Monster.com & CareerBuilder.com: post your resume

so that you can be found easier (be sure to include all the

keywords that recruiters search for in your niche)

Indeed.com & Simplyhired.com: these two sites are the

google of job postings…one search on each gives you

every job on the internet (monster, CB, 2nd tier job boards,

company websites, etc)

CraigsList.com: Indeed & Simplyhired do not pull from

CraigsList so you need to run a separate search here. Be

careful of scams, MLM. Some smaller companies use

CraigsList since it’s free to post.

Linkedin.com:

• Linkedin is “Business Networking” (Facebook is “social” networking)

• Create a profile, include everything on your resume.

• Include as many key-words as possible that recruiters/hiring

managers may be searching for in your field.

• Connect with as many people as possible (how quickly can you get

to 500+)

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• Get recommendations (best way to get them is to give them first)

• Join 50 groups (geographic and industry specific)

• ‘Follow’ target companies, research who’s who at those

companies.

Job Search resources:

Recruiters and Staffing Agencies

• Temp Staffing Agencies and Recruiting firms are great

resources for getting your foot in the door with a company.

Register with as many as possible while you are actively

looking for a job.

How to find them: yellow pages, online job postings,

linkedin, google.

Follow up once a week (no more, no less) with

each recruiter to let them know you are available for

work…every other week send email and phone call/VM.

Do not get your feelings hurt if they do not return your

VM/emails.