You’ve applied to a dozen jobs this month, but you’re not hearing back after sending your resume. It seems like your applications are disappearing into another dimension. Does this sound familiar? Chances are, one or more of the following issues applies to you. Maybe… …you didn’t act quickly enough. Just because the job posting says “Apply by July 24” doesn’t mean they won’t already have settled on a short list by the 20th. Be the early bird. …your resume stated what you did, but not how well you did it and what difference it made. Let’s say you planned, led and completed a project. Well yes ..read more

Think video interviews are challenging enough, where the interviewer isn’t in the same room? Well, get ready for AI interviews, where there’s no human interviewer at all. What is an AI interview? An AI interview is a type of one-way interview (a.k.a. automated interview). In any one-way interview you log into a platform where you’re prompted with questions, you record your answers and they’re evaluated later. In the past, the evaluation was done by an HR representative. Now, it’s often done by an artificially intelligent program. That’s what we mean by an AI interview. Weird, isn’t it? And tha ..read more

Will you negotiate your next compensation package? Your salary negotiation is likely to bring you an extra $5,000 a year. Here are some facts you may not know about negotiating a job offer: Most employers are open to negotiation of salary, benefits or other aspects of the job. In fact, a majority even expect candidates to negotiate. Doing so can demonstrate confidence, assertiveness, business savvy, and communication skills that may be valuable on the job. Nevertheless, half of us never negotiate, fearing that we’ll appear greedy, damage the relationship, and possibly that the employer will r ..read more

I often say to my clients, “If you had a test coming up and you knew that getting an ‘A’ would earn you thousands of dollars and improve your daily life, would you study for it?” Of course you would! Using audiobooks to prepare for interviews and other job search activities is a smart move. Let me offer a few tips for getting the most out of your listening. How to Learn from Audiobooks Don’t expect to absorb the information subliminally. Actually pay attention. If it isn’t safe to do so right now–for example, if you’re crossing a busy street or driving–turn it off or tune it out until you’re r ..read more

Have you been scheduled for a peer interview? That’s a good sign! It may indicate that you’re seen as a strong candidate, and that the hiring committee are proud of their employees. This post will explore the purpose of the meeting, and what to ask peers in an interview. I’ll also provide samples of questions the team may ask you. The purpose of peer interviews: Employers use peer interviews to get a sense of the culture fit between a candidate and the current team. They may want to ensure that you and the team will like each other and work well together. For you, a peer interview is a great o ..read more

“What is your management style?” It’s an important interview question, and a standard answer like “I’m fair and my door is always open” won’t earn you any points. Let’s see how you can prepare an answer that’s both authentically “you” and strategically smart. In other words, a way to describe your management style in a way that shows a strong fit between (a) your unique style and (b) what works for the organization you’re interviewing for. Explore your management style. What makes you a good manager? Is it that you provide just the right amounts of guidance and autonomy? Is it how you reward p ..read more

Before he tried interview coaching, San Francisco software test engineer “Mark” had been unemployed for a year. After taking a few months off, he searched and interviewed for nine months. Despite excellent skills, dedication and years of experience, he received no offers. “I felt like I was giving good answers, but somehow it wasn’t working. And there was no feedback loop to tell me how to do better.” Then a friend of Mark’s, a former client of mine, referred Mark (not his real name) for interview coaching. “This feels like it could be solution,” he thought. Storytelling was the key. Like ma ..read more

Want to move, but need to secure a job first? Employers tend to be leery of hiring from out of the area, but networking can open doors. How can you network in a different city or state where you don’t know people? Read on. I’m going to tell you how to build, even across the distance, a referral network–people who know a bit about you and may, later or sooner, help you get interviews. A candidate who is referred in this way usually has an advantage over one who applied “cold” to a job posting. As a side benefit, networking activities can help you learn about the area before you commit. Job sear ..read more

Have you ever found yourself speechless in an interview? Not only were you stuck, you were probably upset about being stuck. And that made you even more stuck. It’s a vicious cycle! This happens to just about everyone at some point. Despite how it feels, it’s not the end of the world. Here’s how to put the brakes on the vicious cycle and get your interview back on track. If you blank in an interview while answering a question: Look intelligent while you buy some time. Put a thoughtful expression on your face, and perhaps nod or say “hmm.” There’s nothing wrong with taking a moment to think. T ..read more

An interview with your potential direct reports can be awkward, even risky. This post will help you avoid the pitfalls, build rapport and make a positive impression. Navigate the minefield. Direct reports may arrive with a negatively tinged agenda. There are many reasons why. Change is scary. They may worry that you’ll disrupt processes that are working for them, or even “clean house” and fire people–including them. They’re likely to have strong feelings about the departure of the previous manager/executive. They may have wanted the role you’re interviewing for. They may not have much influen ..read more