At least once a week, someone calls me with the happy news that they have a job interview...tomorrow. They want to know what to do to prepare. Here is the very least that you should know about interviews.
An interview is just a conversation. You want to find out what they need, tell them how it is you can do that , and make sure they heard you.
The first steps are as follows:
Look at their website. What do they do? What do they value? Google them to see if there is any recent news regarding them.
Look at the position. What experience that you have relates to this position? Focus on that in the interview. Everything else is extraneous.
Look at your work history….for each position, what did you do, what did you like most, what did you like least, why did you move on?
Look at any gaps, and think about any jobs that you did not leave simply for a better opportunity. Why did you leave?
Is there any experience in the job description that is not reflected on your resume or application? Be prepared to tell what you DO have that relates to this item. If you don’t know what a term in the job description or posting means, google it. Ask people you know for help.
1. Tell me About Yourself: This consists of what in your background fits this position and this company. End with, “And that’s why I’m excited to be talking about this position with you today.”
2. What are your three greatest strengths? Give an example of each.
3. What is your greatest weakness?
4. What is an accomplishment of which you are most proud?
5. How much are you looking to earn?
6. Why should I hire you?
Most interviews are behaviorally based. You answer the questions using the PAR technique.
P- Tell the Problem (VERY briefly…they understand there was a problem…don’t build it up or spend time proving it
A- What action did you take?
R- What was the result?
Prepare five stories, using the PAR technique to highlight your strengths, an accomplishment, and a time something didn’t go your way or you weren’t getting along with someone.
Most people forget to tell the result. Remember end on the positive!
Now you are ready to have someone quiz or mock interview you.
Put out your clothes tonight and shine your shoes.
Make sure you have the map, know how to get there, and take the contact information of the interviewer with you.
At the end of the interview, let them know the fit that you see there, and ask for the job, or what the next step is. Make sure to get their business card and follow up within 24 hours with a thank you note.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Food Stamps Shopping Cart
I remember envying the woman who lived in the room next to me in college. She had food stamps, and more food than I could afford with my tiny paychecks. She had fresh milk, fruit, iceberg lettuce, and hamburger. I ate spaghetti or a can of green beans for dinner, never both.
She might have had food, but did she have health insurance, as I had through my Dad's work? Did she have parents helping her with college tuition? Could she always pay for the books or paper or ink pens? Did she have a place to go when her roommate situation two years later didn't work out and her parents let her come home for a few months to get back on her feet? (I did.)
I didn't know these things then. At the time I assumed that even though her food stamps bought her more food than my paycheck bought me, I was the one coming out slightly ahead. I believed at the time that I somehow had a future that held better promise. Looking back, I hope I didn't. I hope those food stamps are what made it possible for her to go to college, likely without requiring extended family support,that she likely did not have. I don't remember her name. I hope she was the nurse that was able to finally get some blood out of my arm at Dublin Methodist Hospital. She was a nursing student.
Though I have helped people to get jobs for over 20 years, four of those helping people who receive public assistance, I sometimes forget how I used to see welfare benefits. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, two otherwise upbeat, cheerful and charming people without a financial need of their own that I can see chose to comment on "welfare moms". One was referencing a comparison for an animal who isn't properly caring for her newborn. The other,who upon hearing that I help people to get jobs, said, "Helping those women on welfare...that's something I wouldn't be able to do."
"Oh, really," I responded,"It really isn't usually very depressing. You are helping them with something positive, not creating problems. Now, being the case worker who has to be the one to put them into a Catch 22, that would be hard. As a Job Developer, I would usually know of one woman a week, who if she came to class, she couldn't attend her meeting at the homeless shelter, and she would lose her housing. If she didn't come to class, she would get sanctioned, wouldn't get her monthly cash, and would likely have to move, switch her childrens' schools, start over with getting childcare, so that she could get a job. THAT would be depressing. I don't know if I could do that."
Apparently I had missed her point, "I notice those women at the grocery store. They use their food stamps, then they use their own cash to buy things I wouldn't buy." Really? She had gone to Black Friday that day. What isn't she buying? What is it that she envies?
So, when you see that woman at the grocery store paying with food stamps, but buying a new pair of shoes, think about the last vacation you went on, the car repairs you can pay for with the money you have saved in the bank,the toys you can buy for your children, the gas you can put in your car to go to the metro park, the roof over your head. That woman doesn't have more than $300 month to spend.
If she is a working mom who provides childcare for your children so that you can work (yes, that woman is probably on public assistance), aren't you glad that she can have clothing without holes and can take her own kids (if she has them) to the zoo once in awhile, and can put gas in her car so she can get to work to take care of your kids? Aren't you glad that the woman who changes your mother's bed pan at the nursing home (it's very possible she receives public assistance) can buy a spatula if she needs it or can get one video game for her children like you do for yours? What life would you prefer for that woman? What about her life is enviable?
If you want to be upset, be upset that she only makes $9.00/hour. Be upset that these jobs don't pay more. Just because she gets food stamps, doesn't mean she doesn't have a job. And it doesn't mean she has children. If she does, she is taking care of them. Either way, she needs our help.
She might have had food, but did she have health insurance, as I had through my Dad's work? Did she have parents helping her with college tuition? Could she always pay for the books or paper or ink pens? Did she have a place to go when her roommate situation two years later didn't work out and her parents let her come home for a few months to get back on her feet? (I did.)
I didn't know these things then. At the time I assumed that even though her food stamps bought her more food than my paycheck bought me, I was the one coming out slightly ahead. I believed at the time that I somehow had a future that held better promise. Looking back, I hope I didn't. I hope those food stamps are what made it possible for her to go to college, likely without requiring extended family support,that she likely did not have. I don't remember her name. I hope she was the nurse that was able to finally get some blood out of my arm at Dublin Methodist Hospital. She was a nursing student.
Though I have helped people to get jobs for over 20 years, four of those helping people who receive public assistance, I sometimes forget how I used to see welfare benefits. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, two otherwise upbeat, cheerful and charming people without a financial need of their own that I can see chose to comment on "welfare moms". One was referencing a comparison for an animal who isn't properly caring for her newborn. The other,who upon hearing that I help people to get jobs, said, "Helping those women on welfare...that's something I wouldn't be able to do."
"Oh, really," I responded,"It really isn't usually very depressing. You are helping them with something positive, not creating problems. Now, being the case worker who has to be the one to put them into a Catch 22, that would be hard. As a Job Developer, I would usually know of one woman a week, who if she came to class, she couldn't attend her meeting at the homeless shelter, and she would lose her housing. If she didn't come to class, she would get sanctioned, wouldn't get her monthly cash, and would likely have to move, switch her childrens' schools, start over with getting childcare, so that she could get a job. THAT would be depressing. I don't know if I could do that."
Apparently I had missed her point, "I notice those women at the grocery store. They use their food stamps, then they use their own cash to buy things I wouldn't buy." Really? She had gone to Black Friday that day. What isn't she buying? What is it that she envies?
So, when you see that woman at the grocery store paying with food stamps, but buying a new pair of shoes, think about the last vacation you went on, the car repairs you can pay for with the money you have saved in the bank,the toys you can buy for your children, the gas you can put in your car to go to the metro park, the roof over your head. That woman doesn't have more than $300 month to spend.
If she is a working mom who provides childcare for your children so that you can work (yes, that woman is probably on public assistance), aren't you glad that she can have clothing without holes and can take her own kids (if she has them) to the zoo once in awhile, and can put gas in her car so she can get to work to take care of your kids? Aren't you glad that the woman who changes your mother's bed pan at the nursing home (it's very possible she receives public assistance) can buy a spatula if she needs it or can get one video game for her children like you do for yours? What life would you prefer for that woman? What about her life is enviable?
If you want to be upset, be upset that she only makes $9.00/hour. Be upset that these jobs don't pay more. Just because she gets food stamps, doesn't mean she doesn't have a job. And it doesn't mean she has children. If she does, she is taking care of them. Either way, she needs our help.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Why You Should Knit
I've been working on knitting the toe of this sock for three nights. Where the pattern says to weave in the ends, I am trying to do the Kitchener Stitch, which makes it look seamless. It is a little bit of knitting magic,and one of the reasons I like to knit.
Someone asked me recently why I knit. He said he just wanted to know why. He didn't think it was strange, but his raised eyebrow betrayed him. I gave him one reason, but there are many.
I like to knit because...
It is something that draws my attention, but demands nothing of me. I can set it down and walk away without resolving it's issues.
I love the way the yarn feels.
Every time I take a ball of string and two pieces of wood that look like chopsticks,spend some time with it, and it becomes a scarf or a mitten, or even a simple tube, it amazes me. (Actually, when I am able to successfully eat wtih chopsticks that amazes me too.) If you ever have the chance to turn a heel, or see someone do it, you should pay close attention. You are knitting along, and you slide stitches, and pick up some more, and in a little while you have a right angle that is the heel of a sock.
If we ever lose electricity, production plants, or other forms of power, someone will need to make clothes for us. I can do that. I can also pass the tradition so someone else can. We need to maintain the traditions that allow for sustainable living. You might know how to build a fire, or grow food. I am maintaining the tradition of knitting. Yesterday I heard a PhD say that she would help my colleague with his PhD if he promised to help five others. She has already helped twenty. I had a party at my house last winter for people who knit and the people who love them. The man next door learned to knit. Before that, I taught two women I worked with to knit. If you need to learn to knit, let me know.
People all around the world have knit for hundreds of years. Many have come up with the techniques apart from the others, but they all created scarves, hats, and sweaters. I like being connected to that history.
Alpaca socks are seven times warmer than wool.
Have you ever been to a yarn shop? Go a couple of times and try not to knit at least something.
You can make your scarf however long you want to.
You can make your sweater whatever shape you like.
I can knit and be around my family while doing something for myself at the same time. It's kind of sneaky.
I communicate with people all day (which I love), but my yarn doesn't require speech (which I also love). I can turn off that part of my brain.
While I am knitting it is often impossible to worry or think about "To Do Lists".
But one of the best things about knitting is the puzzles it brings. I have ripped out that toe three times now. Each time I have feared I wouldn't be able to get my needles back on the stitches. Somehow I have. Each time I have tried a new way. Tonight I will try another. Some people enjoy crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, or Jeopardy. I like knitting.
Many people look at a piece of knitting, and because it is so common place, they assume that it is easy. Though it isn't always complicated, it often involves math, thinking about spatial concepts backward, and finding new routes through patterns, especially if you aren't always willing to rip back multiple rows to correct mistakes. I am not. Sometimes I take it to the yarn shop and have them rip it back while I look the other way.
Knitting shares this in common with most other good forms of work. Focus, challenge, absorption, mystery, and discovery. Somehow I am hoping that these characteristics also build character.
What good forms of work do you do?
Someone asked me recently why I knit. He said he just wanted to know why. He didn't think it was strange, but his raised eyebrow betrayed him. I gave him one reason, but there are many.
I like to knit because...
It is something that draws my attention, but demands nothing of me. I can set it down and walk away without resolving it's issues.
I love the way the yarn feels.
Every time I take a ball of string and two pieces of wood that look like chopsticks,spend some time with it, and it becomes a scarf or a mitten, or even a simple tube, it amazes me. (Actually, when I am able to successfully eat wtih chopsticks that amazes me too.) If you ever have the chance to turn a heel, or see someone do it, you should pay close attention. You are knitting along, and you slide stitches, and pick up some more, and in a little while you have a right angle that is the heel of a sock.
If we ever lose electricity, production plants, or other forms of power, someone will need to make clothes for us. I can do that. I can also pass the tradition so someone else can. We need to maintain the traditions that allow for sustainable living. You might know how to build a fire, or grow food. I am maintaining the tradition of knitting. Yesterday I heard a PhD say that she would help my colleague with his PhD if he promised to help five others. She has already helped twenty. I had a party at my house last winter for people who knit and the people who love them. The man next door learned to knit. Before that, I taught two women I worked with to knit. If you need to learn to knit, let me know.
People all around the world have knit for hundreds of years. Many have come up with the techniques apart from the others, but they all created scarves, hats, and sweaters. I like being connected to that history.
Alpaca socks are seven times warmer than wool.
Have you ever been to a yarn shop? Go a couple of times and try not to knit at least something.
You can make your scarf however long you want to.
You can make your sweater whatever shape you like.
I can knit and be around my family while doing something for myself at the same time. It's kind of sneaky.
I communicate with people all day (which I love), but my yarn doesn't require speech (which I also love). I can turn off that part of my brain.
While I am knitting it is often impossible to worry or think about "To Do Lists".
But one of the best things about knitting is the puzzles it brings. I have ripped out that toe three times now. Each time I have feared I wouldn't be able to get my needles back on the stitches. Somehow I have. Each time I have tried a new way. Tonight I will try another. Some people enjoy crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, or Jeopardy. I like knitting.
Many people look at a piece of knitting, and because it is so common place, they assume that it is easy. Though it isn't always complicated, it often involves math, thinking about spatial concepts backward, and finding new routes through patterns, especially if you aren't always willing to rip back multiple rows to correct mistakes. I am not. Sometimes I take it to the yarn shop and have them rip it back while I look the other way.
Knitting shares this in common with most other good forms of work. Focus, challenge, absorption, mystery, and discovery. Somehow I am hoping that these characteristics also build character.
What good forms of work do you do?
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