So the summer has started with a big bang and you have plans to take a vacation away from your daily life. As a business owner, sometimes Summer vacation ca be scary to take. Basically, if you don’t have a backup plan in place where you have alternate source that can keep your business funning while you are away, then you might have to shutdown.

Image: SXC.hu

Shutting down could be the kiss of death for some businesses and thus some business owners may not feel that they can take a Summer vacation. For those of you who think that you can’t take a Summer vacation, I want to give you food for thought.

• Develop a strategic partnership with someone who you feel comfortable setting up a temporary agreement with who can support your clients. This will give you freedom for a vacation.
• Determine what tasks you are comfortable being covered by a strategic partner.
• Define a process of how you want your clients to be handled during your absence. Make sure to define the hand-out of basic information and receiving it when you come back from vacation.
• Deliminate a structure of how your clients like their work handled so that you clients won’t be hurt by the temporary transition.

Although these may seem like simple steps, they will make a big different in the long run. As you plan your Summer vacation and if it includes travel, I thought the video below would be helpful.

Webinar: Monday, April 13th: Develop Your Job Search Strategy

This is a great opportunity for you to learn how to develop an “offensive plan” for your job search and interview. When you complete this call you will know how to effectively develop your job search game plan.

I will challenge you to become an expert on the most valuable product you will ever know - YOU!

I will teach you how to take a job description and use it for your preparation and planning.

If you have been “FIRED“, this webinar is for you! I want to answer questions you have about navigating through your job search and handle questions about your termination. Come ready to learn and ready to share. The first 60 minutes will be fairly structured, however the last 30 minutes are available for you to ask questions!

Details:

When: Monday, Friday, April 13, 2009
Time: 12:00 Noon - 1:30 PM EST
Cost: $20.00
Click here to Register>>> Online Event Registration - Powered by www.eventbrite.com

Image Credit: sxc.hu

For those of us who are still working despite the increase in unemployment, it is only the grace of God that keeps us employed. There is no way that you can convince me that everyone who has been laid off, deserves to be unemployed. Think about it for a minute.

Many organizations have used this time of economic uncertainty to trim down their organization. There are some people who probably needed to leave for various reasons, but there are those who have been let go who got caught in the web of uncertainty by these organizations and they were let go. For no other reason, but to cut. Job security is an oxymoron. If there ever was security, it is gone today. Even the President of the United States has no job security. He is one decision away from losing his popularity in this country. Why you might ask? Because our patience with our elected officials is thin at best. But I digress.

Those of you who are working a job. One that you like, one that you might even enjoy doing. How do you safeguard your place and position with the organization? I would love to hear what you are doing to maintain goodwill with your employer so that you don’t find yourself out of work in these troubled times.

Here are a few suggestions in case you were wondering:

1. Show up for work every day on time, ready to work
2. Be a valuable contributor to the organization
3. Be a problem solver and not a problem
4. Have a great ATTITUDE
5. Come to the table with a solution
6. Take on more responsibility

That’s a pretty good list, but here’s the thing, with my AWESOME list of recommendations, I still don’t think there is any security that you can bank on to ensure your name doesn’t come up on the next short list. So what’s my point? Why am I even discussing this today? Well, there are a couple of reasons. First, I don’t believe anyone should ever operate from mystery. Whether you are working or not, you better be assessing the situation around you. What’s going on in your organization today? Are people meeting behind closed doors? Do the senior leaders seem to be discussing more ways to cut costs? Is there a freeze on hiring? What’s happening around you in your organization today? Whatever it is, good or bad you must be prepared for a job loss in this economy? Second, there is no security out there today, I don’t care what company you work for or how great you are in the organization. I am not a doomsday person, but I want you to be thinking about what’s next for you in case you find yourself standing outside the office one day in the middle of the day with boxes in your hand heading to the parking lot because you don’t have a job anymore. Preparation for a job seeker is critical to their success in landing a job right now. But preparation is equally prudent for those who are still working. If you are working, remain focused on the job at hand, but have an exit strategy just in case.

Image Credit: sxc.hu

Here is how Wikipedia defines Labor Day - “Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday—a street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations,” followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

Today, Labor Day is often regarded as a day of rest Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer. Some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school.”

Are you working on Labor Day or are you resting? Are you in the market for a job? If so, Labor Day should not be a day of rest for you. Put together a plan for your job search as you move into the remainder of this week. Labor Day is a great day for rest and relaxation, but if resting and relaxing will put you behind in your work, then take some time to invest in planning for the remainder of the week. Then you can rest in peace and enjoy your day!! Have a great Labor Day!!

Picture Credit: Wikipedia Commons

If you are unprepared for your interview, the first question will eliminate you from the hiring process. This morning I had the opportunity to sit in on an interview. The candidate was asked one question and within 2 minutes the interview was over. The answer given was poor at best.

How do you prepare yourself for the first question in an interview?

1. You must know who your are and what skills and abilities you bring to the table.

2. You must know more than the name of the organization - Find out about their culture, find out about their core business.

3. You must know about the job - the job description is one of the first things you should ask for when offered the opportunity to interview for a job.

4. You must know why you think you are the best candidate for the job.

5. You must never share your shortcomings without sharing how you have overcome them or the process of your growth.

6. If you take the time to prepare for your interview, you will be less nervous when you sit across the table from the hiring manager.

The first question is always the most important interview questions because, if you blow it and insert your foot in your mouth, the interview will be over before it has really begun!

If you missed it The Apprentice tonight, you missed the finale! It was actually very well done. And in the end Piers Morgan was selected as The Celebrity Apprentice. I must admit, I was not glad he was selected, but in the end it was a business decision and it was the right decision.

Trace Adkins was actually the weaker opponent going into the last task. He didn’t have the ability to raise a lot of money. And in the end, with business, it always comes down to money. Revenue and profitability. Trace couldn’t come close. As likeable as Trace is, business acumen was important.

Piers Morgan was a tough competitor. He was ruthless in his approach and willing to do anything to win. In business that attitude takes many people very far. I don’t necessarily agree with the tactics that Piers Morgan employed in this process, but I understand why it helped him win the game.

Take a look at this clip of Stephen Baldwin and Trace Adkins. This is a good video for you to see why neither of these two people were able to win the Celebrity Apprentice.

Many of the last few candidates, specifically Trace and Stephen were unprepared to speak about why they should be selected as the Celebrity Apprentice. Their lack of preparation to speak about their strengths was a huge gap compared to Piers Morgan. Piers was well prepared to discuss his strengths and his accomplishments. If there is any lesson for you to take from this show, take this - Preparation is the difference between you getting the offer or someone else getting the offer. Your ability to articulate your strengths and accomplishments is critical when you are in an interview. Mr.Trump asked each candidate, “Why should I select you?” You must have an answer to this question. If not, you open the door to another candidate.

Ok, I had no idea what my colleague, Eric Eggerston was up to over at Common Sense PR, but I have to say, it is a must read blog. He has an excellent writing style and I enjoyed reading various post. Eric forgive me for not visiting sooner. In any case, to my readers here at Interview Chatter, this is my second installment of Around the Business Channel. This is a new category I will be writing about this year. Common Sense PR is a blog about Business Communication for the real world. Eric writes about everything from Communication Skills to Employee Communication to Networking and Strategic Thinking. One of the post I stumbled on while visiting an interesting post, I thought would be applicable to you as a reader here at Interview Chatter is called Quick Tip: Model Effective Communication for Employees.

Eric outlines 5 quick tips to help you model effective communication: Listen with your full attention when they’re telling you. Make eye contact. Restate their comments and ask if you’ve grasped the point they’re trying to make.

Be relaxed and friendly. Don’t let worries about other matters get in the way of establishing and maintaining a good rapport.

Whether you’re sitting, standing or on the phone, convey openness in your stance, your body language or your voice.

Be clear about your expectations and what you will do to make sure employees have the resources needed to accomplish goals.

Be polite but firm. Close by restating your understanding of the situation.  If it’s appropriate, thank them for their time.

I copied Eric’s points here, because they will work for you in an interview. Most people walk into a job interview concerned about the interrogation they are about to undergo. However, I submit to you, that rather than stress about an interrogation, walk into an interview intentional - have a conversation. Invest in your preparation, create a tactical plan and execute it in the interview. Go to the interview to talk. Yes, you are in an interview, but apply the principles Eric outlines in his post on effective communication.

Your homework - Take a moment and visit Common Sense PR. In the game of interviewing your strength or lack of strength in communication can make the difference in whether you get the jobs you want.

One of the career opportunities in the Human Services field is being a caregiver for an Alzheimer patient. How should you prepare for an interview in this field? Is it different than an interview in private industry? From my research, I have found some similarities and differences. Preparation before your interview:

According to HS Careers.com, candidates should take some time reflect on past experiences, education and volunteer work. It is important for candidates to articulate clearly to the hiring manager, what they will bring to the organization or patients. This is consistent with what I would recommend to any of my coaching clients. I typically frame it as a question: Do You Know Who You Are And What You Bring To The Table? What do you have in your “backpack”? What will you bring to your next organization? Can you speak to it? Can you back it up when you are actually in the game, when you actually are hired?

HS Careers outlines 3 Critical Components a hiring manager will look for in the Human Services industry:

Can Do, Will Do and Fit

• Can Do: Does the person have experience, qualifications to be able to do the job?
• Will Do: Have they done this before? In similar situation/environment? Assesses potential-”they have performed in past- they will perform for us in the future”.
• Fit: will this person be a part of our team? How will they ‘fit’ into the department? This looks to interpersonal skills, how the person accomplishes tasks, management style.

Here are a list of questions I found on the HS Careers website. It is a good sampling of questions to get you started in your preparation. I truly believe that candidates have a responsibility to prepare for every interview. Practicing with questions and answers gives you an advantage over the competition. Take a look at some of these questions. This is just a small sample of questions recommended on this website. There are more. I can not over emphasize the value of preparing your answers prior to the interview. Don’t memorize the answers. Prepare the answers and practice speaking, practice having a conversation, so that when you are in the interview, it feels natural.

• Describe a time when you saw a problem as a potential opportunity-What did you do?
• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What are your outside interest? Professional interest?
• What specific skills do you have that relate to the job?
• What personal experiences have you had that would help you in this job?
• What is your philosophy of life?
• What kind of person are you?
• How well organized are you?
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What can you bring to this agency?
• What hours are you willing to work?
• How would you coordinate and evaluate this program?
• What are your goals for the first year?
• What are your salary expectations?
• For what reasons do you believe you could handle this position?
• What does this job have to offer you and you offer it?
• Why would you want to work in our agency?
• What do you want out of your job?

The purpose of this post is to give some direction to job seekers who are interesed in the Human Services industry. The post will be included in a carnival at Alzheimer’s Notes. If there is anything  I can do to help you in your job search, please stop by Interview Chatter. Leave a comment or send an email.

The Business Channel Theme day is all about fear. This is a repost from June 2007, that will help you to use fear to energize you and propel you forward during your next interview. Fear is something that you can use to help you, rather than immobilizing you.

Are you shaking in your boots before an interview? Do your palms sweat? Are there small beads of sweat on your forhead, nose or above your lip?

Everyone gets nervous before an interview if they have a pulse. Even those of us who consider ourselves experts. However I believe you can manage your nerves and use them to propel you forward in the hiring process.

What can you do to minimize your nerves and use them to move you forward?

1. Preparation is the key to minimizing your nerves. You MUST have a plan before you walk in the door. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” You should know what you want to say to the interviewer. If you have no idea, you have no business stepping into the interview.

2. Surrender to the fact that you will be nervous. Your nervousness doesn’t have to triumph over your ability to interview effectively.

3. Learn how to quietly calm yourself in the face of stress. One thing I learned to do is how to take a deep breath in the presence of others. The key is to do it when they can’t really tell you have done so. It takes practice to master, but I use it to this day.

4. Understand that nervousness can be used to energize you. As a professional speaker, I release the energy, the nervousness as I step into my presentation. I am up, not HYPER, but up, and energized. I put a smile on my face and I go for it. I also sing and I do the same thing with singing. As I step into the song, I release the nerves and push through it as I sing. This technique works for interviewing.

5. Confidence in yourself and your plan will help to move past the nerves. If you have an offensive plan, and you focus on execution, you won’t have time to be nervous.

Approach your interview with fear and trembling, but don’t allow it to swallow you up and hinder you from sharing who you are and the value you will bring to the organziation. Yes, I am saying be nervous, but use it rather than seeing the nerves as an enemy to conquer.

Ever had a bad interview experience? Here are 9 Don’ts that will get in your way of getting the job. I have included some coaching tips plus a bonus of 9 Answers to Avoid in the midst of your interview.

1. Don’t Be Desperate

Coaching Tip: Preparation is better than desperation.

2. Don’t Lie

Coaching Tip: Tell the Truth. Be Honest.

3. Don’t Give Vague Answers

Coaching Tip: Prepare Answers to Behavior-Based questions.

4. Don’t Be Late for the Interview

Coaching Tip: Don’t Be Late

5. Don’t Quit

6. Don’t Be Out of Alignment or Inconsistent

Coaching Tip: Your answers should be in alignment with what you have already communicated in your resume and cover letter.

7. Don’t Be Negative

Coaching Tip: It is your responsibility to remain motivated throughout your job search.

8. Don’t Exaggerate

9. Don’t Apologize

Here are some additional things to avoid from Job Interviews for Dummies: Don’t say: Uhm, Uh, Yeah, Yup, Okay, Like, I Guess, Pretty Good. Don’t: Jingle, Pocket Change, Tap You Feet or Fingers, Fold Your Arms, Fidget, Mumble, Interrupt. Slump, or Twirl Your Hair.

Bonus: 9 Answers to Avoid:

1. Avoid answers that communicate you can’t function under stress or in stressful situations
2. Avoid answers that communicate interpersonal conflicts
3. Avoid answers that communicate you are violent
4. Avoid answers that communicate absenteeism
5. Avoid answers that communicate poor integrity
6. Avoid answers that communicate lack of accountability
7. Avoid answers that communicate inconsistencies in your past, or work experience
8. Avoid answers that communicate disrespect or contempt for current employer
9. Avoid answers that communicate a lack of knowledge about the company, the position, your skills.