Be careful at your next networking event or job interview where alcohol is served. A recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania found that merely holding an alcoholic beverage can be hazardous to your (perceived) intelligence. The researchers coined a term for the observed bias: “The Imbibing Idiot Bias.”

According to the study, “Job candidates who ordered an alcoholic beverage in simulated interviews were perceived as less intelligent and less hireable than those who did not, even when the boss had ordered an alcoholic beverage first.”  (Read a copy of the study here)

If you are at a networking event or dinner interview, order a non-alcoholic beverage to make the best impression. Although dinner interview etiquette commonly advises the interviewee to base his or her drink order off of what the interviewer orders, we advise job seekers to pass on the alcohol, because it will allow you to keep a clear head (and avoid the imbibing idiot bias).

  Stephanie Urban
  Interactive Resources

By the time you finish reading this sentence, tens (if not hundreds) of stray thoughts will enter your subconscious and distract you from what you are reading. According to a study conducted by Simon Fraser University in Canada, the average continuous attention span for a literate human being falls somewhere between 8-10 seconds. What that means (in case you wandered off mentally) is that the average human being can only focus on a single object with no lapse for 8 seconds before a stray thought or shift of focus creeps into their subconscious.

What does this mean for you as a job seeker? If you’re trying to land a job with a literate employer/hiring manager, you need to be able to sell yourself in those crucial first seconds.  Although it seems unlikely, stray thoughts about your plans for tonight or wondering if you left the stove on could hurt your chances at landing a job.

Here are some tips to help you stand out and keep employers focused on YOU during those crucial first seconds:

In written communication, you can do this easily, by highlighting the most important and relevant information in your resume and cover letter.

When it comes to the interview, those first eight seconds may seem miniscule, but you’ll be surprised at how long you can retain someone’s attention when you stand tall, smile, and project your voice effectively and confidently.

Avoid umm’s and uhh’s; the person who is listening to you won’t hear that you single-handedly increased the company’s profits by 170%, but will notice that you have a hard time presenting yourself.

Avoid distracting accessories or inappropriate clothing—the human brain has a hard enough time trying to pay attention without those big, shiny, monogrammed earrings dangling past your low-cut top.

Distractions don’t end with accessories; poor personal grooming/hygiene and a disheveled appearance will easily lead the interviewer to forget about that great report you published and wonder why you don’t own a hairbrush.

Practice speaking in front of a mirror and time yourself. It may sound silly, but taking out a couple of minutes a day and seeing yourself speak will help boost your presentation skills and make you aware of any changes you need to make. It may also be helpful to record yourself and watch the playback, making notes of ways to improve yourself.

Selling yourself in a few seconds sounds impossible, but if you’ve ever watched a 30-second TV commercial and gone running to purchase that universal all-in-one remote control/microwave device, you know how effective and important those seconds can be!

  Melody Yaghoubi
  Interactive Resources

We can all learn a thing or two from reality shows. For example, The Bachelor teaches us how to date 25 potential love interests at once, and we have learned the joys of fist-pumping and GTL (Gym, Tan Laundry) from the cultured young cast of Jersey Shore. But MTV has recently turned a new leaf and created a reality show of value. Aptly titled Hired, the new show provides viewers (and job seekers) with useful information such as the do’s and don’ts of resume submission, interviewing, and a first-hand look at how employers approach the hiring process. The show chronicles companies as they set out to hire junior-level employees with each episode focusing on a different company and position.

In the debut episode, which aired last Monday, Los Angeles-based PR firm American Rebel PR sets out to hire a new Junior Account Executive with the primary job requirements being strong writing skills and an outgoing personality. Within one day of posting an online ad, over one thousand resumes are received and subsequently plowed through by the show’s “headhunter,” career coach Ryan Khan. Khan’s role in the show is to weed out unqualified applicants, conduct first-round interviews, and give candidates tips to better interview with the firm’s Founder/CEO, Chris Detert.

What the show offers viewers is a bird’s eye view of how employers often see job seekers:  fumbling for answers to questions, stoically engaged in conversation, and awkwardly seated across from the interviewer, thoroughly unprepared. While the show is geared towards a younger demographic, there are things that job seekers of all ages and experience levels can learn from Hired:

• Be confident in your skills and experience, no matter how limited they may be. One of the applicants that made it through to the final round of interviews was a somewhat inexperienced candidate named Bailey who exuded a “quiet confidence.” Her confidence let her potential employer know that what she lacked in working experience, she made up for in skill-set. This was enough for Detert to call her back as part of the final group of three candidates. While she ultimately wasn’t offered the job, we saw the importance of exuding confidence, not arrogance.
  
  
• Be prepared. This seems like an obvious one, and while college students are bombarded with career advice from counselors, many seemed to have scoffed at the importance of preparation. Do a background check on the company. More than one candidate showed up to the interview with a confused expression when the interviewer spoke about the details of the job and the company. One didn’t put together the “PR” in American Rebel PR with the “PR” in Public Relations. One candidate boasted about her prolific portfolio with great writing samples, then failed to produce it as she fumbled through her folder, realizing that she forgot to bring them with her. These seemingly small missteps play a huge factor in how the employer perceives candidates; Detert was visibly vexed and irritated that seemingly qualified candidates didn’t take a couple of minutes to check out the company’s website.
  
  
• Personality is key. If you don’t have a personality, applying for a position in which the primary requirement is “outgoing personality” isn’t the best idea. One applicant on the Hired premier sat straight-faced through his first-round interview. The recruiter felt perhaps he was being shy, and urged him to smile when he met with Detert, to which the applicant said to the camera, “I thought I was smiling.” Having a winning personality can land you the job, even if your qualifications and experience don’t stand out. The candidate that was offered a job at the end of the show was chosen for his outgoing, upbeat personality, despite his less than impressive writing skills (which were actually the worst of the final three candidates). Detert said that he would have regretted not hiring the applicant because he believes he would be an asset to the company.

Hired doesn’t have a dramatic plotline like so many other reality shows on the air these days, and that’s because it doesn’t need to have one. The anxiety of being a young job seeker is dramatic enough- with thousands of applicants vying for a single position, the competition is genuine, not contrived. Although the advice rendered on the show is not anything we haven’t already heard, seeing ourselves and our behavior in an interview setting are tremendous assets to helping us refine our techniques and approaches to interviewing.

Hired airs daily on MTV at 6:30pm 

  Melody Yaghoubi
  Interactive Resources

Recently, I was scheduled to meet a candidate with a pretty decent resume. The day of our meeting he showed up not at our scheduled time of noon, but at 9:30am.  He said he was in the neighborhood. He was in his shorts.

After our interview, he proceeded to email me for a good month, sending job postings from our company with subject lines such as:  “submit me for this job” or “submit me for that.”

This candidate’s resume could have mirrored Donald Trump’s and I still would not have worked with him. Why? Because he had no respect for my time, dressed unprofessionally when we met in person, and then acted in a manner which suggested that I owed him something. 

This is not a new concept- but it is good to keep in mind that interviews are like dating. You want to make sure your putting you’re best foot forward at all times. It’s important to think of the interview as an introduction to a company.

What if you spent as much time preparing for an interview as most people spend preparing for a first date? Be prepared to communicate clearly, share some basic background information, and highlight your best assets. Get the interviewer to fall in love with you and what you have to offer, and then walk out on a high note.

When you go on a first date it is best to be:

•    Confident, not cocky
•    Smart, but not a know it all
•    Personable, but not a chatty Kathy
•    Dressed appropriately and in a presentable manner
•    Interested and engaged in the conversation

If you follow these basic dating rules as you go into your next interview, you just might land your dream job!

Good luck!

Stacie Renna
Staffing Coordinator

This post was contributed by Terri Klass of Terri Klass Consulting.

When hiring new people for your organization, it is important to decide what would make a great team member. Asking the right questions always depends on knowing what you are looking for. Deciding on the necessary qualities of a new addition to your company can be the key to finding the perfect fit and balance to your present team.

Meridee A. Moore, founder of Watershed Asset Management was interviewed recently in the NY Times about how she hires new employees. What caught my attention was that she always asks the candidate if they have ever been in anyone’s wedding party.  She feels that if the person’s answer is yes, it means that they are trusted by at least one person in the world. What a great way to find out how trustworthy a person is!

This question points to many important qualities that a candidate should possess in order to play a significant role on a team:

• Honesty and trustworthiness, not only in the work environment, but also in their personal lives
• Open communication and the willingness to share ideas
• Exceptional listening in order to truly understand
• Passion and drive to achieve
• Giving credit to others when deserved
• Ability to overcome obstacles or challenges

Creating questions that can get at the heart of your important team member characteristics can promote a successful hire. Anecdotal stories of how a candidate dealt with both personal and work situations, can give you great insight as to how they will handle different situations on your team. Asking them if they ever recognized someone in their life for outstanding performance and how they shared that, could show how well they support others on a team. Just take the time to find those great questions.  It is well worth it.

       -Terri Klass

A training consultant for over 20 years, Terri believes in helping people do their best and achieve their highest potential. She provides results-oriented training programs and workshops which inspire people to grow and develop in their careers. She is a member of the New Jersey ASTD, the National ASTD, the American Management Association and SHRM.

To find out more about Terri and Terri Klass Consulting, visit http://terriklassconsulting.com/

Today’s economic realities have created a “buyer’s” job market can be tricky to navigate.  Employers want to hire executives who can effectively perform the functions of a C-Level position.  However, employers are also wary of hiring someone who has been downsized or laid off, and who have expensive salary requirements.

As a retained recruiter, one of the questions I am frequently asked by potential C-level candidates is, “Why wouldn’t the company I recently interviewed with hire me at a lower salary than I previously made if I bring such great skills to the table?”  The answer is easy.  Companies are reluctant to hire talent at a lower salary because they fear the candidate will leave them as soon as the market turns around.  Decision makers may think you will eventually get bored, or worse, take their job.  Here are some practical tips to address this issue:

• During the interview, make sure you are prepared to explain what it is about the position that makes it so desirable to you besides compensation (picking up skills or experiences you have not previously had, rapid company growth that would allow for promotions in the future, the companies reputation in the industry, etc.)
• Let them know you will work hard at the new job, and preempt the argument by letting them know towards the beginning of the interview that you will not leave for a higher paying position as the market rebounds, based on your other motivations for seeking the position.
• Explain to your prospective employer that you will bring a short learning curve to the table.  You will be able to produce from day one.
• During the interview, talk about your accomplishments, and don’t be shy about discussing how you improved ROI, or saved your previous employer money.  This will motivate the employer to dig deeper and come up with a compensation package that is more commensurate with your actual worth.
• Let the employer know that although you have a lot of experience, you will also be taking on new responsibilities that will make the job both challenging and rewarding.
• At some point in the interview, interject that you are a team player and have glowing references from your previous bosses.  Make a point to mention how well you get along with co-workers, and have an example of a successful project that you completed based on teamwork. 
• Make sure to convey that you have always been loyal to the people you report to, it is in your DNA.  Subtly reference an example of how you made your former boss look good.
• If the employer persists that you have too much skill for the position, ask them to describe the perfect candidate.  They will most likely be describing you, and you can play to this in the interview.
• At the end of the interview, ask for the job.

Follow these tips, and it will help to defuse any preconceived notions of why the employer should not hire you.  On the flip side, I have some clients who are attracted to candidates who bring lots of experience to the table, and who have traditionally made more than the employer is offering.  Although rare, in some cases the employer may feel they are getting a deal.

  Dwight Scott
  Director- Retained Search

I feel compelled to write a blog about a situation that occurred last week, because I believe that there is a VERY important lesson to be learned here…

For the past month and a half I have been working on a complex position for an excellent client of ours in Somerset County.  This company is extremely customer service driven, with understandably high expectations of its employees. Obtaining an interview with this client is difficult in and of itself, let alone receiving an offer for employment. As you can imagine, their ideal candidate fits a certain mold; he or she should be sharp, personable, possesses confidence and excel at customer service.

After a long sourcing process, I finally met with a candidate who I knew was an ideal match within the first 30 seconds of speaking with him.  His presentation, personality, and experience were all spot-on. This candidate had “the IT factor” – as we used to call it in my former career as a talent agent. I was elated! Excited to present him to my client and confident that this was a match made in heaven, an interview was quickly scheduled.

Now, I believe that The Execu|Search Group has some of the best staffing coordinators in the business.  I have always been impressed with the degree of information, interview tips and personal coaching we give our candidates.  As I prepped my candidate, he shared my enthusiasm and was quick to assure me that he would nail this interview and represent The Execu|Search Group in the utmost professional manner.

The interview day came.  I always ask my candidates to call me as soon as their meeting is finished to give me feedback.  My dream candidate did as he was instructed and told me that he was feeling on top of the world.  He had done everything right – from  researching the company and the job description to knowing his resume inside and out, to expressing confidence in his ability to hit the ground running with the role.  In other words— he nailed it.  Fantastic. We both felt great. (If only that feeling had lasted)!

Our client called with feedback, too. It started out positively: she absolutely LOVED the candidate and thought he was exactly the right fit. She even mentioned that she felt as though the “thorn in her side” was finally being plucked. She was armed and ready to go in front of her team to secure an offer for the candidate with a start date at the end of the week, but as you might guess, this story doesn’t end with a “happily ever after.”
Everything was on the right track until an un-expected knock came to her office door and the following story was recounted:

My candidate decided to make a stop at the vending machine before leaving the building.  It was here that he made the decision to strike up a friendly conversation with another gentleman. Let’s just say that in the course of this conversation, the candidate made an inappropriate attempt at humor and male-bonding by making a comment which was received very poorly by anyone within ear-shot. It turns out that the employee on the receiving end of the remark was the Executive head of a very large division. Even worse, the female Executive to whom our candidate would be directly reporting had overheard everything.

Not surprisingly, HR was notified of our candidate’s loose lips and he lost the job.

Now, here is the lesson.  Your interview begins from the minute you exit your car and begin walking into the building. It DOES NOT END until you are back in your car exiting the parking lot.  It is so important that you remember that an interview is an invitation to visit the company. You are not yet a member of the family; you are a guest.  It is impossible to know at all times to whom you are speaking or which individuals might be within ear-shot of your conversation.

Needless to say, our candidate was devastated as I confronted him with this information.  There is no question that if he had not engaged in the aforementioned conversation that the job would have been on the table. He ruined his chances by demonstrating a lack of tact and professionalism. 

Nobody is immune from making mistakes and certainly we are all human. However, I just hope that after reading this, you will remember to keep your feet firmly on the ground and avoid putting them in your mouth.  Trust me, it tastes terrible for all parties involved.

   Stacie Renna, Staffing Coordinator

A Guest Post by Melissa McGraw & Jennifer Gregory of http://workchic.com

The year 2010 not only signifies a New Year but also a new decade! Are you still wearing that interview suit you bought ten years ago? Are you still baffled about what to wear to your interview? It’s time to evaluate that interview attire to make sure you are making an impactful first impression!

Let’s face it times are tough out there. That means less jobs and more competition. Whether you are a new college graduate or are trying to be gainfully employed the first impression you make at an interview will make a lasting impression on a prospective employer. Why not make that impactful impression with your interview attire? We’ll teach how to do this while keeping your look professional. Even if you are interviewing in a casual office environment you don’t want to cross the line between casual and unprofessional. Here are a few of our suggestions that will not only add some excitement but will also allow you to showcase your own personal style.

If you are interviewing for a corporate position say for example in banking, finance, or law- the office attire tends to be more corporate. You should mirror your interview attire in the same manner. The right accessories, shoes, and jewelry can make your otherwise predictable interview suit impressive and memorable. Try delicate gold hoops or studs when wearing your business suit instead of pearls to modernize your basic jewelry. Wear a statement necklace to highlight your neckline. We took the following key pieces and added them to a more corporate business interview outfit below.

If you are going for a more business casual look at your interview remember you can still wear lightweight tweeds and wool, linen or silk blends, and even boucle. Texture whether it is in a jacket, skirt or pants can add a touch of personal style and keeps your look seasonal. For the look below, we paired a wool v-neck sheath dress, matching jacket, and a contrasting belt to add more interest to the outfit. You can layer on a chunky bracelet or necklace to accent the look. Top the outfit off with a fun tote that complements your outfit and you are instantly Workchic!

Now what if you are going on an interview for a position that you know has a very casual work environment? In fact wearing denim is the norm. The CEO of the company even wears denim every day. You just know that it would be out of place wearing a suit to the interview. In fact it might even hurt your chances of getting the position! You can still wear denim and look professional. As you will see below, we paired dark denim with a blazer and a casual button down shirt. Add a pattern scarf, statement necklace, stack heel boots, and an oversized tote in an impact color to the look. The outfit still remains casual yet professional.

You can see that no matter what type of interview you are going on the use of shoes, accessories, and even a scarf can help tie an interview outfit together and make that lasting impression. Have fun creating your own signature interview look and best of luck from Workchic.com!

About Workchic

Workchic dresses women for work by offering suggested outfits, fit guidelines, tips and tricks on how to look professional, feminine and chic. Whether heading into the office, going on an interview, or attending a networking event- workchic strives to show every woman how to get their desired look. Visit http://workchic.com to find out more!

Interviewing is difficult for every single job-seeker going through the process- it can make even the most confident candidate feel nervous and stressed.  Part of my job as a recruiter is to ensure candidates are completely prepared for their interview, in order to eliminate some of those negative feelings associated with the process.  Part of our coaching at The Execu|Search Group includes going through the toughest interview questions and the best way to go about answering them.  I think two questions that pop up really tend to cause the most trouble, but they are actually the easiest to prepare for!
 
The first is not really a question, but more of a request- “Tell me about yourself.”  It’s so open-ended that it often leads to candidates providing the wrong information or giving long-winded answers.  It’s actually a pretty simple thing to handle if you take some time to prepare.  The interviewer is not looking for information regarding wherre you grew up, what your hobbies are, etc.- they want information regarding to you as a candidate for this job.  They also want to see how well you communicate.  Job-seekers should prepare a two-minute synopsis of their educational and professional background.  Basically, it’s an oral summary of your resume that allows you to explain your experiences more thoroughly, while demonstrating your personality and communication abilitities. You can use the opportunity to highlight occasions where you really excelled or when you overcame a challenge, solved a conflict, etc.  Just remember to stay on-track and be yourself while answering.   A little bit of practice with a friend beforehand could really help!

The second question that seems to stump candidates is “What is your biggest weakness?”   Interviewers do not want to hear the usual answers of “I’m such a hard-worker, I border on being a workaholic” or “I tend to take on too much work and struggle with saying no.”  These are not true weaknesses and may sound contrived.  They also do not need to know that you procrastinate, tend to run late or have a messy desk.  These are actual weaknesses that can put you out of the running very quickly.  The answer to this question should be based on something that is obvious from your resume.  The interviewer has already seen your resume and has probably already decided what your weakness is relative to other candidates.  So you should use this opportunity to turn your relative weakness into a strength.  Don’t have a Master’s degree in a profession where it’s pretty common-place?  Tell the interviewer about your quick climb up the ladder due to your natural ability, dedication and experience.  Jumped around a lot from job to job?  Use this opportunity to acknowledge that and explain the reasons why you did move around and emphasize how you are looking for a company where you can stay for years to come.

 
Interviewing can be intimidating, but there is nothing that you can’t prepare for!  Take the time to plan out and think about your answers and practice them out loud, and you will be ready to nail any interview!

  Katie Niekrash
  Director- Healthcare

As a recruiter, I am often asked for interviewing tips.  While there are many factors that are out of our control in a job search, I truly believe that a positive attitude is the key to success.  Having an optimistic outlook will help you find the job you want!

Every day I meet and speak with new people and the ones that I remember are not always the people with the most impressive background, but rather the people with the most impressive attitudes.  Your experience and your qualifications are not something that you can change, but your personality and your demeanor are factors that you can control!  Think about it, who wouldn’t want to work with someone with a great personality who is going to get along well with everyone at the company and make a positive contribution there?

While I am a very positive person myself, I know that this does not come as easily for most people.  So these are my suggestions on what you can do to take control of your attitude and get the job you want now!

• Smile. Smiling not only makes you feel better, but smiling on an interview can make your interviewer feel good as well. It can hide those nerves and as they say smiles are contagious!
• Dress the part.  When you look good, you feel better.  Wearing a suit is always best for interviews, not matter who you are meeting with it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.  Pick out a special outfit for your interview!  Lay it out the night before and be prepared.  You don’t want to be unhappy with your appearance because it’ll definitely affect your mood. 
• Get excited Channel your nervous energy into excitement.  View every new situation as an opportunity!  You never know who you are going to meet or what is going to happen in the future. When people are excited about interviews they tend to do better.
• Be enthusiastic. It is important to be and stay enthusiastic throughout the whole interview, even if you hear something you don’t like it is always better to get an offer and turn it down than to leave with a bad impression.
• Stay Positive. It is inevitable that you will not be successful in every interview.  Even if your job search takes longer than planned, do not give up!  If you become bitter it is not going to hurt anyone but yourself.  It is imperative to believe that you will find the right job! After all, like they say “seeing is believing.” No matter what, do not give in to negativity.

The right job is out there and eventually you will find your perfect match. While many of these tips may seem obvious, you will be amazed what can happen if you actually put these into practice how much better you will feel and as a result how much better you will do!

    Becky Garson
    Executive Recruiter – Healthcare