Research Prospective Employers

This is the second guest blog and is contributed by Kristy Laufer-Nelson, SPHR. Kristy is HR Generalist/Recruiter with Koch Supply & Trading, LP.

I remember my early years of job searching when I was so excited to get a job, I would go into an interview thinking about everything I needed to say and do to get that job. “What will they ask me?” “How should I respond?” “What do they want to hear?” As I grew in my career and experienced some very positive jobs and a few not-so-positive, I realized the not-so-positive jobs were a result of the culture of the organization and the management style of the person I reported to. I wonder if I would have chosen to work at those companies if I had known what it was REALLY like to work there before I accepted a job offer. What could I have done better to identify if the company was right for ME?

One thing I started doing after I had this realization was to ask better questions in interviews. I now ask questions such as: “How would you describe your leadership style?” “ Can you help me understand what some of the unwritten rules are in your culture?” “Why is this position open?” “Why did the last person leave?” “What is your turnover rate?” I also started asking for a tour of the company, so I can get a feel of what the environment is like. Are people smiling? Is it quiet? Is it loud? What is the mood? What are the working conditions? Are the people interviewing me approachable and friendly? Do they seem to  care? If I had done a better job of assessing if the company was right for ME, I may not have continued to pursue a few of the companies where I had a not-so-positive experience.

I encourage job seekers to do some research on the companies they are interviewing with. Ask around; get a feel of the company’s reputation. Also, you can do on-line research. One site I know of that provides overviews of companies, jobs available, salaries and even reviews from past and current employees is at http://www.glassdoor.com/Jobs/jobs.htm. Obviously, this information is tied to an individual person’s experience, but it could give you an idea of what you might face at the company.

Best wishes in your job search!

Kristy

 

 

 

Congratulations, Graduates

If you just graduated last weekend, congratulations! What a huge accomplishment. If you are a learner, here’s the good news. . .you can never stop learning. If you are really not into “stretching your mind” and thought you were through with that part of life with completion of your degree. . .probably not. Continued learning is essential to get jobs, keep jobs, advance in your field and stay marketable. Want some ideas of how to keep learning?

Find a mentor—a person who has experience and can answer your questions and give perspective on transitioning to the professional world, your career field, the company you work for—and lots more. 

Join professional associations. Actively participate. Take on leadership roles. Attend seminars and conferences. Attend networking events.

Read -- trade publications, news articles, books.

Listen—to the news, to other people, to your intuition.

Take more classes to gain additional knowledge and skill. Earn certifications in your field.

Bottom line: keep learning. You must. One of your peers told me to tell you. . .just yesterday.

Interviewing -- Soft Skills

GUEST BLOG

This is the first of what I hope to be several guest blogs and was contributed by Dacia Brown, Talent Recruiting Specialist with Emprise Bank.  Dacia graduated from WSU in May 2011 with a BS in Criminal Justice.

Let’s face it: most of us are not social extroverts. We all know the type- the individuals who have never met a stranger and feel comfortable in any new or awkward situation they get thrown into. In the time it takes you to introduce yourself to one person at a social gathering, this person has not only introduced themselves to two or three people; but has also learned the names of their new acquaintance’s children, grandchildren, grade-school best friend, and pet fish. These people have no shortage of friends, and probably know many of the key players in the professional community.

Chances are these “social butterflies” have no difficulty in job interviews. The social skills they display in their everyday lives are also being put to use when they go on an interview.  They show appropriate interest in their interviewer, have an open and friendly personality, and show confidence without coming off as arrogant.

Here’s an example. Candidate #1 and candidate #2 are up for the same position at the same company. Both candidates meet the qualifications for the position, have researched the company, and reviewed the key responsibilities of the job. Candidate #1 is called in from the waiting room and offers a split second of eye contact and a small smile. He or she offers a simple “fine” when asked how their day is going, and makes no attempt at returning the small talk. It may not be the case, but this candidate has given their interviewer the impression that instead of interviewing for their dream job, they would rather be on their couch eating a bag of chips and watching daytime TV.

Candidate #2 is called in next. Introductions are made, and the candidate immediately shows (appropriate) interest in their new “acquaintance”; asks them how their day is going, comments on the weather, etc. The tone of voice is positive and upbeat, and the recruiter is looking forward to spending the next hour (or more) of their day with them.

If scenario one seems familiar to you, small daily changes can be made to improve these skills. Goals can include introducing yourself to one new person a day, or just by making a regular habit of finding out something new about a current co-worker or friend.

Observe the social butterfly in your life next time you’re out together. When they’re meeting someone, they are leaning slightly forward, offering them a firm handshake, making eye contact, and giving a genuine smile. They’ve made their new contact want to get to know them. That should be your ultimate goal in your next interview. These soft skills are an integral part of the interview process and can make or break your chances of landing your dream job.

Dacia L. Brown, Talent Recruiting Specialist, Emprise Bank