SavvySugar

How-To: Explain Why You Were Laid-Off

SavvySugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0800

You're probably sick of talking about why you were laid-off and how your job search is going, and unfortunately those questions will keep coming until you've found a new job. Potential employers will certainly want to know the reasons behind your unemployment, meaning you'll have to discuss what happened during a situation in which you're already vulnerable. Learn how to handle the sensitive interview question so that you're not left stuttering through an answer.

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Ask Savvy: My Interview With a Plastic Surgeon Ended Abruptly

SavvySugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:32 -0800

Dear Savvy,

I applied for a receptionist job at a plastic surgeon's office (I have experience in this field). Yesterday, I was called back and interviewed on the phone for about 15 or 20 minutes with the office manager. She asked if I'd come in to be interviewed by the doctor. I went in this morning for my interview. I met and spoke with the doctor for a while before he called the office manager and other receptionist to come and speak to me.

It seemed to be going well until the doctor came in and asked to speak to the office manager. I could hear them in the hallway saying something about "she's here early." They came back in and said, "I'm sorry, but I have to cut this interview short. We'll get back to you (or we'll be in touch, I can't remember verbatim)." So, I went and got my coat from the closet. As I was walking out, the doctor and office manager were greeting what seemed to be an important patient - judging from her Chanel jacket. The receptionist was even rushing coffee over to her.

Now, I'm confused. The interview seemed to be going well and I'd understand if something came up, but it seemed very odd and that I was being abruptly shuttled out. I'm not sure if it was just the circumstances or if I was being brushed off. If it was a brush off, it was a very unprofessional way to go about it. I'm disappointed because I felt a good vibe coming in and they were initially very nice. I just wrote and sent out a thank you note, I guess it's all I can do. Any insight into the situation?

To see my answer, read more.

Savvy says: Now I'm dying to know the identity of the woman in the Chanel jacket! Kidding, kidding. But important client or not, the interviewers handled the situation unprofessionally. How could you not leave asking yourself, "What just happened?" Your seemingly positive interview was cut off without explanation except for the small pieces you could put together, and it's just enough to leave you both frustrated and confused.

From your description of the way events played out, it doesn't seem like you were simply brushed off, but I can't say for sure. I think you did the right thing by sending them a note right away, and hopefully you included something along the lines of, "I really enjoyed speaking with you and our interview was unfortunately cut short; if there's anything else you'd like to know about me please feel free to ask." You've left the door open, and now it's in the employer's hands to knock again.

Have a question for me? Ask away by posting your questions in my Ask Savvy group.

Do Jeans Get the Job?

SavvySugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:30:19 -0800

I’ve mentioned before that jeans are generally a no-go in interviews, and most of you agreed. But are the interview times a-changin’? The Wall Street Journal recently made the claim that jeans are becoming the new power attire for male world leaders and executives - and that this phenomenon also carries over to interview attire in some industries:

. . . in the tech world, dressy pants can be viewed with suspicion. "When someone shows up to an interview or meeting in anything other than jeans, it shows inexperience and a lack of confidence," says Andrew Dumont, vice president of marketing for text-messaging company Tatango.

OK, so maybe darker, well-tailored jeans, paired with a dressier top and shoes, may be appropriate in some interview situations. But the statement that anything BUT jeans doesn’t fly in the tech industry is shocking to me.

Does a comment like this make you rethink your approach to interview attire? Or do you think it's specific to just the tech industry?

What's Your Nervous Interview Tic?

SavvySugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:03 -0800

Whether it’s your first or your 50th, job interviews are nerve-wracking experiences. And no matter how conscious you are of not letting that nervousness show, sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it.

Several friends have told me they have nervous tics that only come out in interviews: one friend’s nose starts to run uncontrollably, another becomes compulsive about pushing her hair away from her face, a third laughs at inappropriate times. Personally, I pick at my fingernails when I’m anxious during an interview.

Do you experience this phenomenon? What’s your nervous interview tic?

Source: Flickr Users carolyn.will and diy.disco

10 Small Mistakes That May Cost You the Job

SavvySugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:35 -0700

Yes, we're all human. Yes, we all make mistakes. But your job search isn't the time to make them. Your attention to detail is crucial during a job hunt - even with a killer cover letter and résumé, mistakes that you may consider minor may just cost you the job. Keep these ten job hunting errors in mind for a better chance at getting that job offer.

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Back to Basics: Interview Dos and Don'ts, Part 3

SavvySugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:00:59 -0700

Recently, I taught a workshop on interviewing to 400 high-schoolers. I had to find a way to keep the information short, sweet, and simple for the 17-and-under crowd, and in doing so, I realized I was getting a pretty nice interview refresher myself.

For the workshop, I broke down the interview process into dos and don’ts for before, during, and after the interview. I've already given you my basic tips for before and during an interview; to see my dos and don'ts for after your next interview, keep reading

Expect to Answer These 20 Common Interview Questions

SavvySugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:01 -0700

Interviewers hold the keys to your fate, which kind of makes it seem like you're going into a lion's den, feeling vulnerable and a little (or a lot) anxious. While the series of questions will always TBD, you can still prepare by pondering some of the most common interview questions. Some of these predictable questions come from your personal experiences, and some of them come from my own.

So, tell me about yourself?
Why do you want this job?
What do you consider your biggest strengths/weaknesses?
Why did you get into this field?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Why did you leave your last job and why?
Tell me about the best and worst bosses you've ever had.
What did you like most and least about your last job?
Describe a situation when you had to make an important decision and how you handled it.
Here's an example of a situation you might encounter in this job. How would you handle it?

See 10 more questions when you read more.

If you feel you have any weaknesses in regard to the job, what would they be?
Why should we hire you?
What motivates you?
Do you plan to further your education?
What have you done to improve yourself during the past year?
How do you do in a team setting?
How much of the work at your last job was performed independently?
What could you contribute to this department/company?
What else do you think I should know about you?
What questions do you have for me?

Did You Interview With the Top Boss?

SavvySugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:45:43 -0700

Serena further explores her decision to defer Brown to "find herself" on this week's Gossip Girl and decides to find a job to prove her seriousness to her mother. She puts on a stunning Herve Leger bandage skirt and blazer and scurries around town scoping out prospects.

In one scene, she interviews with designer Tori Birch, who was just one of the many special guests on the episode. The interaction was sweet and emphasized how under-prepared Serena is for the working world, but I couldn't help but think it's a bit far fetched to have a major designer meet with potential intern or entry-level applicant. Did you interview with the top boss or company owner when you got your job, or did you meet with a hiring manager?

Photo courtesy of The CW

I'm Asking: Have Unconventional Efforts Gotten You Hired?

SavvySugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:30 -0700

It's no secret that the job market is tough right now. The fight for open positions is extremely competitive and in light of increasing pressure to get noticed at an interview, some candidates are getting creative to beat the competition - but how far is too far? Not all of these stunts are guaranteed to get you the job.

Without relying on their credentials alone, more and more job applicants are coming to interviews prepared to give demonstrations of the skill sets they tout in their resumes and cover letters. If this is the case, and if the demos really illustrate the skills required for the job, a standout technique could really impress - and get you hired. However, if your demonstration isn't work related, you may be shooting yourself in the foot, instead of getting a foot in the door.

For instance, unless you're actually interviewing to be a pastry chef it's probably never a good idea to show up to your interview with a homemade dessert. Any attempt to differentiate yourself with sweets or gifts of any kind is just plain unprofessional. One applicant who dropped by an office with a fresh-baked cherry pie earned a reputation as a stalker and a likely, "Do Not Hire" label in her company file. When it comes to making an impression I'd say keep the extra effort relevant to the position you're applying for and forget the bells and whistles. Still, sometimes something a little out of the ordinary might just pay off. So tell me, have you ever done something totally unconventional that's gotten you the job?

8 Reasons Hiring Managers Haven't Called Back

SavvySugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:30:30 -0700

It's one thing when you don't receive a reply from an employer after sending your resume and cover letter, but things get more personal when you don't hear back after a job interview. Waiting for a response is stressful and it's easy to let your mind run wild when coming up with reasons the employer hasn't called. Was it your hair? Should you have answered a certain question differently? Put the kabosh on your what-if thought process; usually an employer hasn't called back due to one of these eight reasons.

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