Project U. Blog

How a 90-Second Elevator Speech Helps Ace Your Interview

Posted by Catherine Saar on Sat, May 19, 2012 @ 08:43 AM

When you interview, one of the most important questions you can answer is “Tell me about yourself.”  This is not a warm up question.  According to author and recruiter Skip Freeman, your answer to this question is critical.  He recommends (and I agree) that you can handle this question like a star, if you  use a three-part, 90-second elevator speech.

So to get you prepared, I’ve summarized Freeman’s tips here and illustrated my own take on a less formal approach that may be appropriate, depending on the kind of culture to which you are applying. In addition, I recommend that you customize all of your answers according to the specific job for which you are applying. 

How to Construct a Three-Part Elevator Speech

  • Part one

Prepare a one or two-sentence statement of your career history, for example:

“I am a five-year veteran of LAN/WAN administration and systems engineering, with substantial experience using Novell, NT, Cisco and Lotus Notes/Domino.”

Or, my suggestion:

“As you know from my resume, I’ve been a marketing executive for over seven years, focusing on driving consumer traffic and sales performance in a variety of industries, including food service and health and beauty.  My specialty is leveraging limited resources to get the job done most cost-effectively, including social media.”

  • Part two

Freeman suggests that part two consists of a one- OR two-sentence summary of a single career accomplishment that you are especially proud of and one that can reasonably be expected to capture the potential employer’s attention.

“Recently, as a long-term contract employee at a local regional bank, I learned that the bank was about to install Lotus Notes/Domino and they were planning to use outside consultants for the project. I let them know that I had done a similar installation at my last assignment, outlined how we could get the job done with in-house staff and successfully complete the installation for $55-$65K less than it would have cost with outside consultants.”

Alternatively, my version highlights and illustrates one of your strengths that the hiring company seeks.  This may take some research about the position and its goals so you can choose which of your strengths is the best fit for what they need: 

“I love analyzing brand opportunities and have a great track record of doing so.  One of my favorite projects was when I brought a cross promotion to XXXX that increased awareness by 15% and traffic by 8%, but we were able to spend only a third of the media budget to create the program– by leveraging the media clout of our cross promotional partner.”

  • Part three

Freeman suggests that this segment should be customized to fit the particular career opportunity being sought.  He says it should be a one- OR two-sentence summary of specifically what you want to do in your next career move AND it must be relevant to the position being sought. Here is an example of how Part-three might be constructed:

“For the next step in my career, I would like to move away from contract work and find myself as a direct employee of a large firm where I can join a substantial IT team and be involved with a group that focuses on email and network security applications, while having access to the knowledge base that would come with a large, diverse IT group.”

 Or, my take – what excites you about this opportunity and what do you offer?

“The reason I am so excited about this position is that I see there is a huge opportunity to bring all of my experience to bear. I see the possibility of bringing new products to market, while maximizing sales of the ZZZZ product line.  Here at YYY Company, you have sufficient resources so that I can really have fun building the brand to its full potential.” 

Clearly, different endings are possible, but the goal is to try to match what you want to what an employer is looking for in a candidate.

Freeman concludes that by using a three-part approach, you can brand yourself as a true professional who will stand out from the competition by demonstrating the value of what you have to offer in a very short amount of time.  

Read Freeman's  full article here.

Happy Hunting!

Tags: career, resume, elevator speech, culture, accomplishment, opportunity, employer, competition, hiring, job, candidate, interview, strengths, position, Tell Me About Yourself, ace, hunting

Use Feelings to Get What You Want

Posted by Catherine Saar on Tue, Mar 20, 2012 @ 04:01 PM

angry iStock 000013039593XSmallFeelings are not facts, but they contain excellent information, so it’s valuable to experience them – even the uncomfortable ones.  You may think you can ignore bad feelings, but that won’t make them go away.  Instead, they typically turn inward or outward, and surface at inappropriate times for unrelated reasons.  So when you start sobbing uncontrollably during a commercial, or you get super angry when the person in front of you at the supermarket isn’t moving fast enough, chances are, your suppressed feelings are making a jailbreak.   

Having been a person who attempted to ignore my negative emotions by being overly busy, exercising and overindulging in food, I finally figured out the key to acknowledging my feelings: I notice them, but I don’t act on them until I know what they are trying to tell me.  Before I react, I ask questions. I get curious.  

Anger is a great example. When I get angry, rather than yelling or blurting out the first thing that comes to mind, I notice it. I breathe into it.  It’s a bit uncomfortable.  Sometimes I feel it in my body as a churning in the stomach.  What am I angry about?  What thought is causing that feeling?   Is it true, or is it a story?  What is the story I am telling myself?  What is it that I really need? Once I can identify what I want, (and usually it’s not punching the other person in the nose or bruising his or her ego), I can calmly express myself to the other person, or find a way to independently fulfill my needs.   Once my feelings are felt and understood, I take appropriate action, life goes on – and I get relief.  Even better, relationships stay intact! 

Fear is another emotion that can stop you in your tracks. Sometimes, that’s a good thing. Fear is meant to protect us. After all, you should be afraid of getting too close to a hungry mountain lion. On the other hand, much of the fear we experience in modern day life is created in our minds.  

Let’s say for example, that you hate your job and you desperately want to quit, but you’re afraid that you won’t get another one.  Is that really true?  How do you know? Your fear indicates that you anticipate a negative outcome. Rather than ignore that thought, can you transform it into positive action? Try breaking your fear down into understandable pieces and turning it into to-do steps that lead you to your heart’s desire.  In the example above, you might make a list that includes doing research, networking, getting training, saving money so you can quit, and updating your resume. 

In short, get curious about your feelings. Don’t just stuff them and don’t feel compelled to react to them right away.  Yes, it can be uncomfortable, but it won’t kill you.  Feelings give you the opportunity to understand what you need and to examine what you’re thinking.  It’s worth it.  The first step to getting what you want, is knowing what that is.  Feelings, especially the hard ones, can be your guide.

Tags: supressed feelings, guide, resume, fear, overindulging, networking, quit, anger, job, relationships, negative emotions, angry, protect, getting what you want

Five Ways to Be a Strong Job Candidate – Despite Long-Term Unemployment

Posted by Catherine Saar on Wed, Feb 15, 2012 @ 02:41 PM

How can you continue to be a strong candidate for employment even when you’ve been outemployed iStock 000018451634XSmall of work for a long time?  New York Times columnist Eileen Zimmerman interviewed several employment consultants and experts to give us some great ideas. Here’s a summary of her main points, or check out the full article here

1) Keep current with what’s happening in your industry.

  • Maintain memberships in relevant industry associations and consider volunteering on related committees.

  • Find ways to give back to the people in your network who are helping you – by sharing relevant articles or knowledge about professional opportunities so that your relationships remain two-sided and win-win.

2) Maintain professional certifications, credentials and licenses and involve yourself
     in activities that use your professional skills
.

  • Take temporary or part-time work in your industry if possible, or do unpaid volunteer work for nonprofits or charitable organizations to make sure you to stay up-to-date professionally.

  • Consider starting your own consulting firm and landing at least a few jobs (large or small) that you can add to your resume and discuss during interviews.

3) Don’t try to hide gaps on your resume, but do emphasize the positive.  

  • While reorganizing your resume in an attempt to hide gaps won’t fool anyone, some tactics will help to accentuate the positive.  For example, using a “Skills Summary” to lead off the resume rather than “Experience” may reduce visual focus on date gaps.

  • Change the header “Work Experience” to “Experience” so it is easier to include volunteer work as well as paid gigs (clarifying which is which) on your resume. 

  • Quantify results and show how you contributed to the growth and success of an organization, regardless of whether the work was volunteer or paid.

4) Be straightforward about the loss of previous employment.

  • When interviewing, be ready to share the story of your job loss, regardless of whether your previous position wasn’t a good fit anymore, or if it was a layoff. Frame the situation in the best light possible without being dishonest.   Remember that fudging the truth and getting caught would not bode well for you.

5) Be specific about the position you are applying for during an interview.

  • To avoid looking like someone who doesn’t know what they want, be clear about what position you are seeking.  According to Elena Bajic, founder and C.E.O. of Ivy Exec, a recruitment service in New York, if you were a marketing manager, for example, rather than saying you want to work in any marketing capacity, it’s better to be more specific. Employers don’t want to hire someone into a job that’s not a good fit and have them leave as soon as something more appropriate comes along.  Ms. Bajic says employers aren’t looking for just any match, “They are looking for the right one.”

Good luck with your job-hunt and keep the faith!

You can access the original NYT’s article here.

Tags: professional, success, results, skills, New York Times, Eileen Zimmerman, volunteer work, up-to-date, interviews, job-hunt, resume, industry associations, credentials, part-time work, nonprofits, jobs, Skills Summary, gaps, employers, candidate, unemployment, long-term, certifications, Experience, Tips, recruitment

How to Benefit by Turning Your Job Search into a Project

Posted by Catherine Saar on Thu, Dec 08, 2011 @ 08:51 AM

Looking for a new job is a project – and it can be a streKozzi man smiles at desk 644x806ssful one, especially if you’re currently unemployed.  To make it better, I suggest you treat your job search as if it were a part-time job.  Being organized and getting dressed everyday – as well as taking time for lunch and getting exercise, can help relieve stress.  My experience is that a healthy, less stressed job seeker is usually more effective and more energetic - and that often translates into better results.  

Here are some tips and guidelines to consider when putting your project plan in place: 

  • Set a goal for daily and weekly hours for working on your job search.  If possible, set regular office hours for yourself. 
  • Don’t overdo it.  Forty hours a week may be too taxing.  Considering starting with 20 to 25 hours a week and adjust as needed.
  • Create an organized, professional workspace for yourself. Sitting in front of the TV with a bowl of cereal in your hand and a notepad on your lap may not be the best strategy for clear thinking.
  • Make yourself presentable.  You’re valuable.  Treat yourself as such.  You don’t have to dress-up in business clothes, but looking good contributes to a positive outlook. 
  • Each week, set goals and create a project plan for what you want to accomplish during your office hours.  Here are some activities to consider:
  • Spend time on your personal brand if you are making a career shift or change.  Take time to take career surveys, do informational interviews and develop a clear awareness of what you want from your next position.
  • Network in-person, on the phone and online.  Online networking is important, but don’t overlook high touch contact.  
  • Develop new contacts by joining groups and attending industry-networking functions.
  • Follow companies and apply for positions using targeted online job sites. There are many to consider, so pick the ones that suit you.
  • Update your resume and cover letters as needed.
  • Volunteer or take classes that improve or increase your marketable skills.

Last but not least, make time outside of your project schedule to connect with friends and share a few laughs.  Because looking for a job is a job, you will benefit by taking time to recharge your batteries. 

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful hunt.   By the way, what job search tips have worked well for you?

Tags: professional, network, results, change, goal, skills, part-time job, relieve stress, valuable, career shift, exercise, how to, resume, benefit, successful, unemployed, project plan, marketable, job sites, recharge, cover letters job search tips, happy, project, stressful, job search, online networking, industry

Resume Tip: Highlight Achievements to Get Noticed

Posted by Catherine Saar on Thu, Nov 17, 2011 @ 12:28 PM

better resumeWhich statement is more compelling? 

“Responsible for advertising” or

“Reduced advertising expense 20% using customer data analysis while improving sales by 5%.”

Although both statements may have a place on your resume, using specific examples on your resume to provide concrete proof of how you’ve contributed to the success of past employers is critical.  

Your resume is not a laundry list of all the stuff you have done. It needs to show how well you fit with what the hiring company is looking for. Once you are clear about what skills and accomplishments are needed in the position for which you are applying, determine where and how your achievements match up. Highlight the skills and results that best demonstrate your track record of delivering the kinds of things they expect. 

Think about your experience this way:

  1. What is this company looking for from this position? What situations/problems or goals have you worked on in the past that are similar?

  2. What action did you personally take to improve or ameliorate the issue(s)? 

  3. How did your action(s) positively affect the company?  Were there savings, improvements or increased profits?

Once you have a few examples of how your efforts made a difference in the past, pepper your resume with specific achievements that show how you made a difference.   You can also include results from volunteer positions if they demonstrate your ability in ways that match up to this employer’s needs.   Of course you shouldn’t fabricate, but do think about ways you can measure your contributions. Use numbers or descriptive language when you can.

Here are some examples you might consider:

  • Corrected an internal problem

  • Improved a service or a product

  • Improved the appearance or usability of an item

  • Increased membership or attendance

  • Increased business

  • Reduced errors

  • Innovated new ways to get information, get things done

  • Avoided a problem

  • Saved money or time

  • Increased awareness of the company, a service or a product

  • Created, met or improved standards

  • Devised or streamlined a system

  • Increased customer satisfaction.

Think about it. A company wants to reduce its hiring risk. If you are a candidate who provides proof of your skills by using concrete, targeted examples (like mini case studies), you can increase the likelihood that you will get noticed - and hired.  

Complimentary 30-Minute Consultation Let's Chat!  I would be delighted to learn more about your needs and goals and  explore whether it makes sense for us to collaborate. Just click here.

Tags: applying, fit, success, skills, resume, concrete proof, contributions, get hired, goals, hiring, accomplishments, Tips, achievements

Job Hunters - Don’t Get Rejected for Being “OVERQUALIFIED”

Posted by Catherine Saar on Wed, Nov 02, 2011 @ 12:41 PM

Experience says that you have a good chance of being dismissed for being "overqualified", when you apply for a position that offers less money or a lesser title than what you previously enjoyed.    Shouldn’t companies want to hire more experience for less pay and less title?  Not if you consider the risk from their point of view.  They want to hire the person who fits in, who sticks around for a while and who won’t be a problem.   After all, employee turnover and dissatisfaction cost a company money and heartburn.

In other words, HR doesn’t want you in their office a year from now telling them how inept your supervisor is, or how unhappy you are with your pay.  The CEO doesn’t want you quitting after six months when something better comes along.  Some studies estimate that the cost of replacing a new employee who leaves after a short time ranges anywhere from 85% to 145% of that employee’s salary.

So if you think you want that job, how do you overcome potential company bias? If you’re lucky, the employer will be direct and ask you if you are overqualified for the position - then you can be ready with a good answer. On the other hand, they might toss your resume into the rejection pile before you even get a call.

To prepare for either case, you can address the challenge up front – first with yourself and then with the potential employer.  If you are clear with yourself about your motivation for applying,   you will be better able to communicate why you aren’t a high-risk hire - thereby increasing the odds of getting the job.  

Start by asking yourself these questions:

  • Can you honestly say that you are willing to stick around in the job for at least a year? 

  • Are you willing to take direction (perhaps from someone younger or with less experience than you have) when you are used to being in charge?

  • Is there a benefit that the position offers you (for example, personal development, or quality of life) that makes up for the lower pay or lower status?

If the answer is no to all of these questions, you are probably better off waiting for something else that is more appropriate for you. 

On the other hand, if you can honestly embrace the opportunity with a good attitude, and you can communicate your point of view effectively, you stand a better chance of staying in the game.

First, brainstorm all the benefits of taking this lesser paying/lesser-titled position. That might include learning something new, enjoying a short commute from home, or being part of a team again.  Then either prepare for your interview, or consider crafting a cover letter that includes your thinking.

Whatever it is, you want to clearly, honestly and convincingly communicate your intentions - in addition to selling the strengths and experience you bring to the table. 

Here are some examples:

  • In a cover letter, or an interview, you can give specific examples of how and why you are willing and even excited about taking this particular position.  Share what you hope to learn; talk about the benefit of a short commute, or the work hours being perfect.  Make it clear why you are not only a great fit for the position, but also why this position is a great fit for you.  For example:

    • “While I’ve enjoyed management over the last several years, I miss the excitement of sales and look forward to working directly with customers again.”

    • “Now that all of my children are grown, I am less focused on salary and title, and very excited about the contribution that I can make working as a product developer for your company.”

  • In an interview situation, you can reduce the company’s perceived risk  by suggesting creative solutions, like a trial period or a contract:

    • “I'm willing to commit for at least a year, and would be happy to sign a contract to that effect.”

    • "If you have concerns, why don’t we try a 30-day trial period so you can get a firsthand look at how my work style fits with your company?”

Get the idea? Your goal is not only to highlight your abilities, (like being able to hit the ground running) but also to alleviate concerns that might otherwise keep you from landing the job.  If you can convince yourself and prepare well, you are likely better able to convince them as well.

Tags: lesser title, potential employer, trial period, contract, overcome bias, job hunters, resume, motivation, apply for a position, overqualified, company bias, convince, creative solutions, salary, getting the job, cost of replacing a new employee, less money, challenge, communicate, HR, cover letter, highlight abilities, interivew, rejected