This is your invitation to join me at Risesmart.com for a Webinar: Who Do You Know That Knows Somebody, You Need to Know? Your network is the key to unlocking your job search. We will discuss how you get to the people behind the people you know, by setting up informational interviews. We will discuss how to make strong connections that produce an interview or a job that you are looking for. We will also discuss the use of Social Networking tools to expand your network. Join me at Risesmart.com on Thursday, April 30, 2009, 4:30 EST/1:30 PST. Click …read more

Believe it or not, it’s a great time to start a business. Have you considered becoming an entrepreneur? Don’t let CNN or Fox News be your conscience. And don’t let them scare you. As a country we are living in challenging times, but we are still living in the land of opportunity. And becoming a business owner is still a viable option for anyone who has the courage to take an idea and create income for them self and their family.
As an entrepreneur, I can tell you that it is very rewarding. I don’t have the largest coaching practice and …read more

Here are some questions for job seekers. Your homework assignment is to write down your answer to these questions.
10 Basic Questions You Must Have the Answer to Before Walking into Your Next Interview:
1. Tell Me A Little Bit About Yourself
2. What is your your strength?
3. What is your weakness?
4. What is the difference between a manager and a leader?
5. Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?
6. How do you go about making important decision?
7. Describe you organizational skills
8. Tell me about the last time you had to deal with conflict with a co-worker
9. Why …read more

Other than getting the job offer, getting the interview is probably one of the most difficult steps in the job search process. So many people find themselves in an unexpected job search. One day they are working and the next day they are looking for a job. Some job seekers find a job within a month, others are still looking after a year.
Here are a few suggestions to help you land an interview:
1. Look for informal ways to connect with an organization or key leaders in the organizations you are interested in working for – Networking is an option. …read more

Boy, have I got a job for you! Well, not quite, but Notchup has an interesting offer for jobseekers looking for serious offers from serious organizations needing to fill openings. Can you imagine getting a paycheck for the interviews you accept? I have never heard of such a thing, but Notchup seems to be in the business of connecting job seekers and companies looking to fill open position.
Here’s how it works:
1. Apply to Join (by application or by invitation)
2. Sign-up (set your interview price)
3. Set it and Forget it (create your Notchup profile)
Here is the gist of it, you …read more

What are Principles of Influence and Persuasion? Before I answer my own question, let me share that I will be discussing these principles throughout the month of February. This is a short month, but there is a lot of good stuff you can take from these principles to help in your job search, on the job, and in your life.
Robert Cialdini is most known for his popular book, The Psychology of Influence and Persuasion. According to Dr. Cialdini, when influence is employed correctly, it efficiently moves people in positive directions. Those who wish to …read more

People do business with people they like. “People are easily persuaded by other people that they like. Robert Cialdini cites the marketing of Tupperware in what might now be called viral marketing.” People were more likely to buy if they liked the person selling it to them. If this statement is true, than it is VERY important for you as a jobseeker to be likable – you are the product.

If a hiring manager has two qualified candidates, 90%-100% of the time, they will select the person they connected with in the interview. Typically, the person they liked best.
Here are a …read more

Here is a question asked by Drew Williams, one of my readers here at Interview Chatter:
The problem I’m having is that question is asked on the application, usually an online one, and you are screened out automatically. Do I answer “no” so I can get an interview and then explain everything then? I will have already been dishonest but I have to answer question or I won’t be able to finish application?
The the simple answer is to answer “yes” to this question on an application if you have been fired. Honesty is critical to you successfully navigating the hiring process. But …read more