Post-Interview Etiquette

We have already covered common interview questions, proper attire and general interview etiquette – but what happens after you shake hands and leave the interview? Is it over? Is there anything you can do to stay on the employer’s radar after the interview process is completed? Of course there is! Here are some tips on post-interview etiquette:

• Thank you notes. A lot of job seekers don’t always realize how far a simple thank you note can go. Don’t forget to include everyone that helped you along the way to your interview, not just the person that interviewed you. Thank you notes can be either hand written or short emails.
• Follow through on paperwork. It is completely normal to leave an interview with more paperwork, whether it be taking a drug test or getting your references in line. Being sure to follow through and complete the paperwork or tasks asked of you is another way to show you are really interested in the position.
• Reach out to your references. If you were referred to a particular company by someone you know, it’s polite to keep them updated on the progress of your interview process. Keeping them updated may also give them a chance to put in another good word for you before the hiring manager makes a final decision – and if this one doesn't work out, they will likely keep you in mind for other jobs too!
• Ask questions. After an interview is over, the employer will typically let you know to follow up with them if you have any questions once you leave their office and really, there is no reason not to follow through with this. Asking questions once the interview is over shows that you are still passionate about and very interested in the job and allows you to insert yourself back onto the employer’s radar.
• Be available. Being available and easy to get a hold of after the interview process can make a hiring manager feel more confident about selecting you for the position over someone who is harder to get in touch with.

Top 10 Job Search Rules to BREAK!

From Liz Ryan, CEO and Founder of Human Workplace

1. Follow the defined process – in other words, don’t simply email your resume to 100 job postings. Actually reach out to hiring managers personally – it could make all the difference!
2.  If you know someone in the company, give that person your resume and tell them to give it to the hiring manager. Don’t be afraid to use your friends or other contacts to help get ahead – just make sure that they are your best option for applying.
3. Use a traditional zombie-style resume and cover letter. You are unique and creative – let your resume show it! Hiring managers see the same cut-and-paste style resume 100 times a day; it’s time to make yours stand out!
4. In your overture to employers, emphasize the way your background matches the job specifications. I am sure we have all been in jobs where our actual daily routine is nothing like the bulleted job description we applied for. Instead, try to pay more attention to what the company is really looking for, and tell them how you can fill that need!
5. Spend most of your energy applying for posted jobs, and do so online. Liz Ryan suggests splitting your efforts into thirds: spend one-third of your time applying to jobs posted online, one-third targeting your ideal companies – even if there are no positions posted online, and the final third should be spent networking with real, live people!
6. Use your networking time and energy letting people know about your job search, your specific skills and how each friend can help you. Basically, you shouldn’t have to convince your friends to help you out, or befriend people just because they have an “in” somewhere that you think you would like to work. Be yourself, and let them realize on their own that you are perfect for the job!
7. If you're asked to report your salary history, share every detail going back as far as the employer asks you to. There is no need to verify every salary you have ever had, some things are okay to keep to yourself! If the employer trusts you – they won’t need you to verify this kind of information.
8. When an employer asks you to jump, do it. Basically, there is no need to be a doormat for a new employer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or clarify what is asked of you.
9. Don’t bring up the topic of salary – let the employer do it first. This is a common rule that many job seekers believe to be true. The truth is, you have to let the employer know what it is going to take to get you on board! There is nothing worse than getting your hopes up about a great job, only to be completely disappointed by the final offer.
10. Do whatever you need to do and say whatever you need to say to get the job. When you swap your integrity for money, you are done. 

4 Quick Tips for Job Seekers from the Intern Queen!

These are the top four tips to landing a great job, from the Intern Queen herself, Lauren Berger!

1. Have a plan!
2. Think about balance! This means balancing your personal and professional life – it takes work, but it’s a must!
3. Don't look at the people you meet at your first job as "temporary friends/contacts" -- you will be connected to these people for life!
4. Just because school is over, it doesn't mean the contacts disappear. You never know when the connections you have created in school - a former teacher, classmate, or college buddy will come in handy down the road!

For more advice, visit the Intern Queen’s website!

Internships: More than Just a Resume Builder!

These days, getting a job right out of college is harder than ever. Students spend their time studying, writing papers, acing tests, and when it comes time to apply for those “real world” jobs, they hope that their grades, meticulously put together resume, professionally written cover letter and personal drive will land them a good job. Unfortunately, a high grade point average and great looking resume are not enough anymore. Today, employers have said the number one thing they look at above all else, is a potential candidate’s internship experience.

Check out the simulator at the end of this article to see how prepared you are for the post-college job hunt!

Do you agree that more emphasis should be placed on experience vs. grades? What other things do you do to prepare yourself for your future career? Leave a comment and let us know!

New Insurance Class Starting January 15, 2014!

Are you a recent college graduate having trouble landing a decent job? Do you know someone who is looking to start a new career?

We are excited to announce our newest insurance class will be starting on January 15, 2014! Start the year off right with a free introduction class to the world of Property and Casualty Insurance. This class runs in accordance with the Insurance Institute of America (IIA) and will run for 6 to 10 weeks. At the end of the course, participants will sit for the IIA Certificate exam, a really important thing to have when breaking into the insurance industry!

 

Interested candidates MUST have a 4 year degree and be a recent college graduate within the last year or so. Call our office at 410-296-0655 to schedule your meeting with Gail now!

SAVE THE DATE: July Speed Interview Day!

Mary Kraft Staffing and HR Solutions WANTS YOU!

Take advantage of your next career opportunity by joining us at our next Speed Interview Day on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013!

Celebrate your independence by meeting with professional recruiters from the Health Care, Insurance, Commercial, and Convention desks! 

Come to Mary Kraft Staffing & HR Solutions, dressed to impress with your resume in hand, for the chance to prove your “hire” abilities!

Join us at 1447 York Road, Suite 601, Lutherville, MD 21093 between the hours of 9:00am – 11:00am.

For additional information regarding Speed Interview Day, contact Karrianne at Karrianne@marykraft.com or Daniel at Daniel@marykraft.com. You may also contact our office at 410-296-0655.

Keep in mind our referral bonuses of $100! So the more you refer, the more you get! 

What We Wish We Had Known BEFORE the Interview!

Here are a few tips* we all wish we had known before our last interview!

v  The average interview time is 40 minutes

v  Of 2,000 bosses surveyed, 33% said that they knew within the first 90 seconds whether they would hire someone or not

v  Common nonverbal mistakes:

§  Having little to no knowledge of the company

§  Playing with hair or touching your face

§  Failure to make eye contact

§  Poor posture

§  Not smiling

§  Crossing your arms

§  Talking with your hands too much

§  Weak handshake

§  Fidgeting

v  Statistics show that when meeting new people, the impact is made mostly by what we wear, how we act, and how we walk through the door and less by our voice and grammar or what we actually say

v  Five questions most likely to be asked:

   Ø  Tell me about yourself

   Ø  Why did you leave your last job?

   Ø  What do you know about our company?

   Ø  Why do you want to work for us?

   Ø  Tell me about your experience at ________.

*Full infographic can be seen here.

Finding the Perfect Interview Outfit....

Figuring out what to wear to an interview can be as difficult as actually getting the interview! Here are a few tips on how to look great while keeping it professional:

Work Style: Women’s Edition

The basics: Always have basic pieces – solid color blouse; grey, black, or navy pants or skirt; basic flats or heels – on hand for any interview. These pieces can be mixed and matched to make different outfits for any kind of interview! Make sure your pants and skirts are tailored, not too snug, and not too short!
Hair: It is usually best to keep your hair out of your face for an interview – it looks cleaner and will keep you from playing with your hair if you get nervous!
Nails: Neutral color nail polish or just a simple clear coat, bright colors are best kept for after you land the job and get a feel for the office culture.
Jewelry: Again, basic, smaller pieces are best until you start the job and get a feel for what is acceptable to wear in that specific office.

Work Style: Men’s Edition

The basics: Always have a suit on hand! Acceptable colors are navy, grey, or black for pants and a jacket; white or light blue shirts are best for interviews. It is typically best to steer clear of any shirts or ties with a crazy print on it. Make sure your pants are tailored short enough to not drag on the ground or get caught under your shoes.
Hair: Clean and kept out of your face.
Nails: Trimmed and clean!
Jewelry: Less is more – a simple watch works.
Shoes: It is always a good idea to invest in a good pair of dress shoes; can be with laces or slip on as long as they are dress shoes! Dark colors are best as well – black, navy, or brown.
Belt: Always match your belt to your shoes!

It is also really important to know what kind of position you are interviewing for. For higher level positions at a corporate company, stick to a more business formal outfit. If you are interviewing for a creative position or a position at a smaller, more boutique company, you tend to have a little more leeway to be a bit more creative with your outfits. For those interviews where you aren't sure what the company expects for their dress code, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and dress for business formal.

So you're getting ready to graduate, now what?

How can recent college grads stand out to employers in today’s market? CareerBuilder interviewed several business professionals to give a few tips on how recent college graduates can feel confident and stand out during the application and interview process. Watch the video here!

What are some things that you do to make your resume stand out? How do you make sure your interviewer remembers you? Let us know!

Five Best Questions that Candidates Ask During Interviews!

I know a lot of job seekers think that it’s just a formality when your interviewer asks you if you have any questions for them at the end of an interview, but a common mistake is not using this opportunity to learn more about the organization and exactly what they expect from their new hire.

Here are the top 5 questions that great candidates ask:

1. What do you expect of me within the first 60 to 90 days? This shows that you plan on hitting the ground running and want to start making a difference right away if you are offered the position.

2. What are the common attributes of your top performers? This question shows that you are not just looking for a job – but you want a career and you could possibly see yourself at this company long-term. Employers love this idea!

3. What really drive the company’s results? Each employee is an investment made by the company, so obviously every employee should be creating a return on that investment. This questions shows that you want to, and plan on being a top performer at this company.

4. What do your employees do in their spare time? Every person wants to fit in, and that sentiment is no different when it comes to the work place. This question shows the employer that you care about your work environment and you want to make sure it is going to be a good fit for both yourself and for the company’s current employees.

5. How do you plan to deal with...? All companies face obstacles at one point or another, this question shows employers that you care about the job, about the company, and about how you will fit into their plans.
Making sure to ask a few of these questions at the end of your interviews will help the employer leave with a positive impression of you, knowing that you will have all of the information you will need to help make the right decision for yourself and for their company.

This list was adapted from Jeff Haden for Inc.com. Published 2012.

*RESCHEDULED* Mary Kraft's March Speed Interview Day!

Due to the inclement weather that we are supposed to see tonight and tomorrow, we have RESCHEDULED this month's Speed Interview Day for next week. The new date is

Wednesday, March 13, 2013!

Candidates will come to our office, located at 1447 York Road, Suite 601, Lutherville, MD 21093. In order to be considered, candidates must arrive between the hours of 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM with their resume in hand and dressed for success!

The best of the best will be asked to fill out new employee paperwork and will be entered into our system allowing us to submit them to positions on our Medical Desk, Commercial Desk and Insurance Desk.

Make sure to pass the word on to your peers and keep in mind; if we place someone that you refer to us, you will be eligible for a referral bonus up to $100!

Top 6 Interviewing Mistakes to AVOID!

OK….so you’re prepared for all the goofy questions a prospective employer can throw at you, now let’s talk about what NOT to do during the interview process.

Avoid these Top 6 Interview Mistakes* at all cost:

1. Forgetting the Interviewers name. This is a big one! When you set up a time to interview, ask for the names of any potential interviewers and be sure to write them down! This way you can avoid any embarrassing time looking up a name you have clearly forgotten.
2. Running late. There is NO acceptable excuse for arriving late to a job interview. Remember to look up, and print if necessary, directions to the interview location the day before to guarantee quick, safe, accurate passage! That said, arriving too early can also be disruptive and show poor planning skills on your part. Arriving fifteen minutes early is a safe bet.
3. Not answering a difficult question. There are typical interview questions used by employers in many interviews, particularly for entry level opportunities. A Question like “Where do you see yourself in five years?” can be difficult to answer, but practice can lead to perfect! Blanking and not coming up with an answer shows that you are not quick on your feet and that you are not a gifted problem solver. When you are asked a question that really makes you think, take a deep breath, organize your thoughts for a few seconds and give your best answer with confidence!
4. Not offering references.  ALWAYS bring a list of at least three current, reachable, verifiable references to an interview. Include phone numbers and email addresses for each reference to facilitate a quick an easy contact process for your potential employer. Causing your potential employer to waste precious time tracking down your references could be just enough of an excuse to ice your candidacy for good!
5. Not asking questions. Interviews usually end with the interviewer asking the interviewee what questions they have about the job or the company. Asking questions is a sure-fire way to show your potential employer that you are interested in the job and knowledgeable about the company. Not asking any questions at the end of the interview is the equivalent of telling your interviewer you just don’t care how you are perceived or whether or not you get the job.
6. Using your cell phone. Vibrating phones are every bit as rude and disruptive as ringing phones! LEAVE THE PHONE IN THE CAR.

*Tips adapted from Mashable.com (2012) and “ADVANCE for Healthcare Careers” magazine (2009).

Unconventional Interview Questions

Oh, the stress of interviewing for a new job! How can you alleviate some of the stress and know you are ready for even the most off-the-wall questions? Glassdoor.com* compiled a list of quirky interview questions that were asked during interviews in 2012. Here are a few of those questions:

• If you were to get rid of one state in the U.S., which would it be and why?
• How many cows are in Canada?
• What song best describes your work ethic?
• Can you say 'Peter Pepper picked a pickled pepper' and cross-sell a washing machine at the same time?
• You are a head chef at a restaurant and your team has been selected to be on Iron Chef. How do you prepare your team for the competition and how do you leverage the competition for your restaurant?
• What's your favorite song? Sing it for us.

Oddball questions, yes….but they are often peppered throughout the interview along with the more standard fare like “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “What will your skill set bring to this company?” If you encounter these off-beat questions in an interview, just remember, the interviewer is not looking for right or wrong answers, but instead judging how fast you can think on your feet or how you may go about tackling a difficult problem. 

What are some other weird or interesting questions you have encountered on an interview? What were your answers?

*The full list of questions can be seen here. Published Jan. 15, 2013.

Helpful Resume Tips for the Eager Job Seeker

What does your resume really say about you? Does it represent not just your skills and experience, but your heart and your spirit? Is the reader seriously compelled to interview you after reading it?  When you put yourself out there to prospective employees, don’t short change yourself or give them a reason to rule you out before they’re finished reading your phone number!

1. Stick to one clean, standard font. Whether you chose Times New Roman or a sans serif font like Arial doesn’t matter, just make sure to pick one and stick with it. This makes your resume look clean and easy to read.  Using multiple fonts makes your resume look crowded and disorganized.

2. Keep the important points at the top of the page. Most employers take about 15 to 20 seconds to skim over a resume, so make sure to keep the key points of your experience and skills towards the top half of the page. Imagine that employers are going to skim your resume just like you would skim the headlines of today’s newspaper; highlight your most impressive and relevant information by giving it top billing.

3. Don’t be a Stiff.  This is the first impression employers get of your skills AND more importantly in many cases, your personality. Let your light shine! It’s ok for your personality to show through! The key words and phrases you choose should show prospective employers that you are a confident, friendly and personable – while still professional – individual. 

4. Update your resume regularly. This is may be the most important tip for a great resume. Proof read (or have a friend or family member proof read) your resume before EVER sending it out. Typos and spelling errors are the fastest way to ensure your resume lands in the trash!  Even more importantly, update your skills, information, and accomplishments regularly so that when you find that dream job posting you go after at the last minute, you can send your best ever resume with confidence!

*Tips adapted from Chelsea Gladden at Mashable.com – published Jan. 13, 2013.