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7/28/2019 Job Hunter

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More than just training More than just training More than just training More than just training

Going for a New JobGoing for a New JobGoing for a New JobGoing for a New Job

A View From Impact FactoryA View From Impact FactoryA View From Impact FactoryA View From Impact Factory

Robin Chandler & Jo Ellen GrzybRobin Chandler & Jo Ellen GrzybRobin Chandler & Jo Ellen GrzybRobin Chandler & Jo Ellen Grzyb

Impact Factory Copyright 2008


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More than just training

http://www.impactfactory.com/+44 (0) 20 7226 1877

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Going for a New Job?Going for a New Job?Going for a New Job?Going for a New Job?

Every once in a while something happens and our lives are shaken up. Sometimes weshake them up deliberately and sometimes outside forces come along and throw ourworld into a bit of a tailspin.

Thats certainly what it feels like at the moment.

You are reading the most visited page on our website, and thats not just because ofthe current economic climate though that certainly has a big impact. Given whatsgoing on right now you may have been made redundant (or to use the irritating jargon,downsized or outplaced; whatever, it still means youre out of a job). Could be thatpeople around you are being made redundant and work doesnt feel a particularlypleasant or inspiring place to be.

When people are fed up, need a new challenge, want more money, want a moreconducive work environment they start reading the want ads, polishing their CVs,pounding the pavements and trawling the internet job updates and helpful sites likeours.

The current situation, however, does tend to mean that a whole lot of other people arealso looking for new jobs, so you need to have a jump on the competition bypresenting yourself in the best possible light, no matter whether youve been maderedundant or are looking for something fresh and motivating.

Even before we created Impact Factory 18 years ago we were helping people developtheir careers, present themselves more effectively, identify their best skills andacknowledge their unique qualities, all with the aim of getting terrific jobs.

With our Impact Factory lives we continue to support individuals in building their

confidence and skills which in turn enable them to go after their next job. We haveInterview, Presentation, Personal Impact, Body Language, Assertiveness and Leadershipcourses as well as individual one to one coaching designed to help stack the jobseeking odds in your favour.

Given our lengthy experience in career and skills development, here are some of ourtop tips for going for a new job.

How do people get jobs?How do people get jobs?How do people get jobs?How do people get jobs?

There are six ways to get a job:

Internal promotion

Applying for an advertised job

Word of mouth

Nepotism (a form of word of mouth, with a familial twist)


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Going through an agency or using head hunters

Identifying a company you want to work for, a career you want to pursue or afantasy job youd like to have and being pro-active about getting through thedoor.

Theyre all valid.

If your brother-in-laws second cousin knows the head of HR at a company you arereally interested in, go for it!

Equally, if you want to go to employment agencies and try your luck that way, go for it!

Jo Ellen: Im a great fan of the sixth way of job hunting. Its one that many peopledont think about and it does take courage. When I decided I wanted to move from theUS to the UK over 25 years ago, I made a list of all the organisations I thought I mightwant to work for and wrote to each of them, told them when Id be in the UK andasked for an interview. Of the 10 letters I sent, I got 5 interviews and one job. Itworks!

Your first opportunity: getting the Interview Your first opportunity: getting the Interview Your first opportunity: getting the Interview Your first opportunity: getting the Interview

If you want the job, chances are so do about a million other eager people, so yourapplication has to stand out from the crowd. The majority of CVs are usually dull andboring, and people create them as historical documents, rather than as marketingtools.

Remember your CV has about seven seconds (yes 7) to make a visual impression. Youcan dramatically boost your chances of getting an interview by making your CV look

and 'sound' special.Use good paperDesign a personal logoFiddle with the layout to make it easy on the eyeEdit it ruthlessly (everyone always puts in too much detail)Highlight the bits that relate to the job you're going forThey don't need to know you went to St Mary's School when you were 12!Put "Who you are now" at the beginning of your CVLeave education and qualifications for the end.

If you don't have what you think are the right educational qualifications, don't worry.

Just leave them off. If you include enough interesting and intriguing material aboutwho you are now, what you didn't do is far less important.

Put a short paragraph at the beginning that says something about your personalqualities and your business skills. A short statement about what you're seeking can alsogo down a treat.

As we know, a job for life is very rare nowadays, that eclectic, unusual and eveninconsistent CVs are OK as long as they're presented well.


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So thSo thSo thSo the CVe CVe CVe CV worked. You've got the Interview; now what?worked. You've got the Interview; now what?worked. You've got the Interview; now what?worked. You've got the Interview; now what?

If you have been invited to an interview it's a given that someone has, however briefly,looked at your CV. Something about you, or the way you have presented yourself hasfelt a good enough 'fit' to get you through the door.

Here's the key and the most important thing to remember before you go through thatdoor.

Unless they are simply going through the motions because they've alreadyUnless they are simply going through the motions because they've alreadyUnless they are simply going through the motions because they've alreadyUnless they are simply going through the motions because they've alreadyappointed someone, they want it to be you.appointed someone, they want it to be you.appointed someone, they want it to be you.appointed someone, they want it to be you.

They want to know their search is over, so for the length of the interview, the job isyours. Something else you need to make the most of.

Having said that, first impressions are incredibly important. People do make up theirminds quickly so be yourself right from the start.

Of course you can turn up the volume on those bits of you that most match the joband turn it down on the bits that don't. This will show you in your best light. However,never ever shut the volume off entirely, as you will then be pretending to be someoneyou're not - people can smell pretence and it is a sure recipe for disaster.

For the same reason it's not a good idea to lie!

You can be judicious with the truth yes, but lies have a tendency to return and bite youin the bum! Even if they don't actually know that you've lied they will sense somethingis not right. When you are under pressure it's virtually impossible not to give out thesignals that tell your interviewer that something is wrong.

Even if you think your current job stinks, present the good points as though you werelooking at the job from the outside in. Most jobs appear much better from the outsidethan they do from the inside (only you know the real truth); so pump up the goodiesand soft-pedal the baddies!

However, we do know that being put on the spot can feel very uncomfortable, and it'seasy to fall into a defensive posture. If you're not sure of the answer or feel boxed intoa corner it's all right to buy time - including saying "I need some time to think aboutthat."

No matter how nervous you are you do need to look after the people interviewing you.They will be looking for signs that you know how to communicate and relate to people.

If you get stuck or tongue-tied ask one or two of the more surprising questions youhave prepared.

Have a stockpile of anecdotes of past triumphs (and even a few disasters, as long astheyre funny or the humorous side is apparent). This is not just a list of what you cando, but some personal examples that paint the whole picture.

For instance, you could say I successfully launched a new product for my company.Nothing wrong with that; it just doesnt tell anyone very much about you.


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Or you could say, Let me tell you about the new product launch I ran earlier this yearwith my colleagues. We had a very tight deadline, the venue was booked, the productwas ready, but it was bringing all the elements together that made it a success. Illexplain my parting all this.... And off you go.

Youre telling a story, not reciting facts. People like stories (as long as they are notlong-winded and either too boastful or too self-deprecating) because they show whoyou are as a person.

So right about now you'll be thinking "That's all very well for you to say, but just howdo I do all this?"

Ok so let's take a pragmatic approach here. Think about it for a second.

You've got through the doorThey want it to be youThe job is yours to lose

So the process you're in now is a test.

Their starting point will be this: "Well, it all looks good on paper, let's get them in andsee how they look in person."

That is, by the way, how you will be viewed. Until they see you in person, until they seeyou walk and talk, until they can smell and hear you, you are an 'it'.

Interestingly, every time Impact Factory pitches for a new piece of work, it's like goingfor a job interview and the same 'rules' apply. Our intention is to bring our brochureand website alive. Your job is to bring your CV to life as well. Thats why we mentioned

stories a few paragraphs back: they will bring your CV to life.Therefore, your first responsibility as the interviewee is to show yourself as a person.

Lets be very clear here. They have information about you. If you've been clever atpresenting your CV and application they will have expectations as to what sort ofperson you are.

Now they want to meet you.

Why? Because they want to know if they will like you, if you're someone they couldspend working time with, if you're a good fit with the other people in the company.

Robin: In the world of theatre, where I have spent a considerable time people don't just interview. They audition; they perform and are judged on their performance andyou would think that the performance was the most important part of an audition.

Nevertheless over and over again casting decisions are made on the basis of Can Iwork with this person? Do I like them well enough to spend time (quite a lot of time)with them? And surprisingly, often it is not the best actor for the part who gets it.


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Presenting yourself isnt an act, nor is it a performance, but they do want to see how you perform. Confusing, isnt it?

Dont worry, theres more advice coming right up.

Being Yourself Under PressureBeing Yourself Under PressureBeing Yourself Under PressureBeing Yourself Under Pressure

Ok so the problem now is how to 'be yourself' whilst under this sort of pressure. It'sworse than a first date.

So here is one of the tricks that successful actors learn (usually after having donehundreds of interview/auditions) that can help take away some of that pressure.

Treat the interview as a job.

The job is the interview , not what you will get if you do a good interview. Simple. Givegood interview.

And here are some other things that will help:

Psychologically it you will feel better if this is not the only egg in your basket, soapply for more jobs than you need. You will find that if you have another interviewlined up there is less pressure.

Wear something you feel good in. It is no good looking good if you feeluncomfortable. If you have an interview outfit wear it to one or two social eventsto bed it in.

Have something to say in answer to an open question. They will ask open

questions.Classic open questions are:

Tell me about yourself.What have you been doing lately?What made you apply for this job?Why should we pick you?

Prepare an answer that allows you to talk about something you've been involved inrecently. Preferably something that has got you feeling really enthusiastic.

Be sure to bring in non-work-related stuff. Remember this is about being a wholeperson. Dont go on at too much length about the excitement of your Saturdaybowls club, but do use anything from your outside life that might illustrate some ofyour skills and qualities.


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Prepare and ResearchPrepare and ResearchPrepare and ResearchPrepare and Research

Prepare to talk about something current, a TV programme, the election, the war, theweather, it doesn't matter what so long as it has affected you and you have a strongopinion about it.

Research - LOOK AT THEIR WEB SITE.

Read our lips: LOOK AT THEIR WEBSITE.

The number of people who have come to Impact Factory for interviews and not readour website is astounding. People care about their websites and they will give youmasses of information (both good and bad) about the organisations you are applyingto.

Think about these things:

What does their website tell you about them?Why do you want to work for them?Think about what they needWho are their competitors?Are they well established?What do you want to know about them?What do you like about them?

TheyTheyTheyThey will will will will ask at least one of the following questionsask at least one of the following questionsask at least one of the following questionsask at least one of the following questions

What attracted you to xxx?Why are you leaving your current job?

Why do you want to work for xxx?What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses?How do you see yourself in xx years time?How do you like to work?What can you bring to xxx?Why should we employ you?What do you do outside work?

Yes, and sometimes they will even ask - What are your hobbies?

Have at least one question to ask them based on something you have seen in theirbrochure or on their website. If you can make it something you are genuinely curious

about and include a compliment about the organisation so much the better.

Leave well.

Never apologise at the end. Even if you were a few minutes late arriving do yourapology at the beginning, no need to remind them of it now.

Do smile at them as you leave even if you feel like a Cheshire cat.


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Act as if it has been a good interview. Say thank you to everyone. Say goodbye toeveryone. Shake hands. Look at people and leave with a spring in your step.

Do all of this even if you think it has been a disaster. How you feel about yourinterview is unlikely to bear any relation to how you have done. Indeed, most peopleare the worst judges of how they actually did.

Take care of them!Take care of them!Take care of them!Take care of them!

You know, interviews are so nerve-wracking and stressful that most people's attentiongoes solely on themselves. In their heads there's an on-going monologue:

How am I doing? Oh, damn, that answer was absolute crap. What did they just ask?I've gone totally blank, now what do I do? Maybe I shouldn't have worn the pink tieafter all. I could really use the loo now. What if they ask me how much salary Iwant? Did I just say that? They're really going to think I'm an idiot.

And so on.

We can't completely shut off those voices, but we can divert our attention away fromthem.

Think about them, notice things in the reception, the office environment. Commentabout what you see.

Jo Ellen: I remember going to meet a client and they had the friendliest most helpfulreceptionist I'd met in a very long time. Not only that, they had the company Valuesplastered all over the reception walls in a very creative, unusual and accessible way.

The first thing I did when I sat down after the introductions was to compliment themon their helpful staff and the way they represented their Values. This wasn't grovelling;this was giving them genuine feedback on my own first impressions.

But what things like this do is to serve as icebreakers. They help to break down some ofthe interviewer-interviewee barriers and are help you to put yourself at ease byengaging with them about something to do with them (it can put them at ease as well).

Of course, if you don't have anything good to say or haven't noticed anythingoutstanding, then don't make it up - then it will sound phoney and indeed, grovelling.

You can take care of 'them' in other ways during the interview. The type of questions

you ask is, of course, important. But you don't just have to limit yourself to questions.It's OK to comment on something they've said; try to get a dialogue going.

Two-way, two-way, two-way: you'll know something is wrong if the interview begins tofeel like a version of the Spanish Inquisition: Question, Answer, Question, Answer,Question, Answer. Dialogue means that both sides are engaged in the process.

Be bold in the questions you ask. Nothing wrong with asking question like:


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What's the most important quality you're looking for?Why do you think people like working here?Is there anything you think I should know that Ive forgotten to ask?

When you make someone do a little extra work themselves, you are taking care ofthem because you're engaging their creative process too.

Phew! Got through that; anything else I can do?Phew! Got through that; anything else I can do?Phew! Got through that; anything else I can do?Phew! Got through that; anything else I can do?

At the end of your interview, if you haven't been advised, ask when they think they'llbe making their decision. At least then you'll know how long you'll have to wait beforeyou hear.

Many places don't automatically let people know if they haven't got the job; so onefollow-up call is allowable. More than that and it can feel like badgering.

No matter how badly you think the interview went, if you want the job, always send afollow-up letter. Since most of us think of clever things to say after the fact, include oneor two of those, referring to something specific from the interview.

Use phrases such as:

1) 'I've given a lot of thought to our interview and'2) 'Something you mentioned got me thinking'3) 'What you said about _______ really struck home'

If you don't get the job and you're curious why not, phone up and get some feedback.It may help you for the next interview.

We have loads of support available at Impact Factory, so click on any of these links tocheck out our programmes: Career Action Interview Skills Presentation Skills BodyLanguage Personal Impact Assertiveness Communication Leadership

Or if you want to speak to a real person give us a call on 020 7226 1877

Happy job hunting!Happy job hunting!Happy job hunting!Happy job hunting!

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