Reading: People Smart - Looking For A Job Or Ministry Position (Video Slides)

People Smart Looking For A Job Or Ministry Position Part 1

Henry Reyenga

Interview Like A Pro

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro: Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 195-198). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Take Time 

Getting a job or ministry position usually takes a major effort.

This is the time to get up early, get dressed in office clothes, and start looking for a job. Your computer is probably going to be your steady companion. Check certain websites on a regular basis and submit résumés. However, you are not going to get a job just sitting at your computer; you have to get out and about as well. Make contacts daily, and make luncheon plans with people who can help you.

Prepare Your Elevator Speech

An elevator speech is a short speech that you could give on an elevator ride that tells in thirty seconds or less who you are, what you can offer, and what you can bring to the job. You should give just enough information so that you can finish your speech by the time the elevator door opens, and you should leave that person in the elevator wanting to ask you some questions. If that person gets back into the elevator, you will know you made an impression.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 204-208). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Who Do You Know?

Think of all the people you know and write down their addresses, including e-mail addresses and telephone numbers. Get out your rolodex (some people still have them), your cell phone contacts, your stack of business cards, and your e-mail list to make your list complete. Think of all your childhood, high school, and college friends. They don't have to be your peers or the same age. Friends' parents can be very valuable because they already have jobs and may even be in a position to hire you themselves.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 219-222). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Who Do You Know?

Think of people in your church, at your jazzercise class, or at your hair salon. You are getting the idea. As you write their names down, think of where they work now and where they have worked in the past. Don't forget all your relatives.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 221-224). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Tell Everyone

Contact everyone on the list and tell them your elevator speech. Even if your contacts do not know of any job openings, they may keep you in mind if they hear about something opening up. Call or e-mail them and then follow up with a copy of your résumé. Explain what type of position you are seeking and see if any of these contacts know of anyone in the field who might be able to help you. Even if your contact does not know of a position, he or she may be able to give you some advice about working for his or her company or what types of positions might become available at a later time.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 228-232). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Use Online Media

The idea is to keep expanding your network. You can send messages and make comments in discussion groups. It is a good way to make contacts and find out about job openings. Let it be known that you are looking for a job and join groups that specialize in looking for a job. While online networking is a useful tool, I don't think networking in person will ever be completely replaced.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 248-251). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Make A Great Resume

You must write a résumé that summarizes your job experience, education, skills, and accomplishments. Someone reading résumés makes a judgment about yours in a few seconds. You want to make those few seconds count so your future employer will take a second look. Any spelling errors or other quirks will immediately stand out and be a reason for rejection even before a potential employer gets to your qualifications for the job.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 255-258). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Make A Great Cover Letter

A cover letter is a good opportunity for you to go beyond your résumé and highlight the specific experience you have that correlates with the requirements of the position. A well-written cover letter can make your qualifications stand out. I like to go over each requirement of the job listing and spell out the experience I have in that area. I also try to explain in my cover letter why I am uniquely qualified for this position and why I think I am the best candidate.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 266-270). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Be In Interview
Mode At All Time

When you are looking for a job, remember that you have to be in interview mode at all times. First impressions are very important. For example, when you pick up an application, you need to look professional, not as though you just got out of bed. An employer told me about an applicant who wore bedroom slippers and short shorts while picking up an application. Often the person you get the application from is the same person who will interview you.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 272-275). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Be Flexible

You have to be flexible. For example, you should be willing to meet for an interview at a nontraditional location. If an interviewer wants to meet you at a chamber of commerce meeting or a marketing firm invites you to go to a presentation to a client, you should go.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 280-282). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Try To Find Out How Many Are Being Interviewed

If I am offered an interview, I always ask how many candidates are being interviewed. I like to know my odds. If I am one of three or four, I know I have a better chance of getting the job than if ten applicants are being interviewed. Sometimes the employer is taken aback by the question, but usually the employer will tell me. If he or she won't tell me, I assume it is a high number.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 299-301). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Be Prepared

Google everyone and everything. First of all, this will let you find out who is interviewing you. It also gives me an idea of the roles of the interviewers. See what you can find on the internet about the people who will be interviewing you. See if you can find out their credentials and how long they have been at the company.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 392-394). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Website Studies

Check the employer's own website for information. I have often been surprised as to what I have been able to find. In one interview, I pulled out some organization charts when asked a question. The panel was very impressed and asked me where I got them. They were surprised when I told them I found them on its website. I have also found reports.
Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 408-410). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Learn The Buzzword

It is important to know the vocabulary, jargon, or buzz words of the business for which you are applying. Attorneys speak a different language than accountants or engineers. For example, a lot of attorneys like to use Latin phrases like caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) and quid pro quo (this for that). If you are new to your field, you need to learn these terms and buzz words so that you understand them and can use them.
Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 418-421). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Be On Time

The worst thing you can do in an interview is to be late. If you are late to the interview when you are trying to impress your prospective bosses, then you will probably be late to work at your prospective job. Being late is disrespectful. Even if you have an excuse for being late (flat tire, late train, lost cab), there really are no good excuses.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 431-433). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Make Sure You Know The Location

This goes along with the rule above. You need to know where you are going, both literally and figuratively. Make sure you have the address and the telephone number of the person you are meeting, just in case you need last-minute instructions. Plug the address into your GPS in your car. Print out a Mapquest, too. Sometimes the GPS or the Mapquest is wrong, so it is good to have the address and telephone number. Do not rely on someone else to find the address for you, especially a taxi driver.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 438-441). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Dress Appropriately

A nice suit with a tie that is not too distracting or too wide is always a good choice for a man. For women, it can get more problematic. Try to wear an outfit that you think would fit into the work environment of your prospective company. You might even want to check the company's website to see how other employees are dressed. Look at the picture of your prospective boss to see what he or she is wearing.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 449-452). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Give An Appropriate Hand Shake

You have to have just enough oomph. A limp handshake is just wishy-washy and won't get anyone a job. A firm-but-not-too-firm handshake is just right. Don't be a bone crusher and be too rough with the other person. I have had people shake my hand who I really believed were trying to hurt me or prove that they were stronger than I was. If you are someone who does not like to shake hands, try it anyway.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 462-465). iUniverse. Kindle Edition. 

Use Appropriate Humor

Try to get to know the interviewer(s) and bond with them. Cracking a joke can sometimes break the tension. Just make sure it is appropriate. Your future employer does not want to hear a joke that has a double entendre and is insulting to one of the people interviewing you. You have to find the right balance. Try to show your personality but don't be too outgoing. On the other hand, don't be boring and mumble in a monotone.

Greenwood JD LLM, Mary (2012-07-25). How to Interview Like a Pro:Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job (Kindle Locations 472-475). iUniverse. Kindle Edition.