November 2015

 

Welcome to the November Driving Your Career Starts NOW/The Newsletter, showing you how you can direct your job search and manage your career.

We're in the sweet season of holidays. We honored our veterans on the 11th, we celebrate our gratitude this Thursday on Thanksgiving the 26th, there are reunions and homecomings, and the wonderful December holidays follow. Despite the world's problems, we must take time to celebrate the good things. So I wish you and your family and friends many happy moments!

         - Joanne Meehl, aka The Job Search Queen -
Now celebrating 
12+ years 
guiding job searches     
and advising professionals on career strategy! 

The Critical Last Question of the Interview 
There are many guides about interview questions and how the candidate should answer them. 
And other lists, of questions that a candidate should ask, such as:
- What keeps you [the interviewer] excited about the company?
- What's your top priority for the person who you choose for this position?
Those are good. 
But as the interview closes -- and this is true whether it's the first interview at a company or the second or third -- you should ask this vital question:
"Is there any reason or issue that we've discussed so far that would prevent me from going to the next step in your process?"
Then let them answer. 
Why ask this? First, you want to know where things stand in their minds. Why leave wondering? The second reason: it will "smoke out" any objections. For example, Bella, a client who recently asked this very question at the end of her first interview with a target company, was told, "We're not sure we'd have you back because it's not clear you have the level of people management experience we need." 
Now Bella can respond immediately to the real issue: her management successes. So she did: "That's a great point. Here's an example of how I successfully manage people now:...." She still may not land the job but she dealt with their doubts while right in the interview itself, which is a strong way to neutralize doubts on the spot instead of letting them brew and get bigger in the hiring manager's mind. 
Once you've addressed the issue, finish with, "Does that give you more reason to have me back?" 
You've increased your chances that they will say "Yes"!
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Stuck in your search and just want "that one more job" OR that "first real job"? Contact Joanne

It's the holidays. Companies don't hire at this time of year, right?

Wrong! 

Just because it's 
the holiday season doesn't mean your job search should take a holiday. Your competitors aren't taking time off. And hiring managers aren't either.

The most important reasons to keep your job search going during the holidays are: ... Continue here

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Want to drop hints to family about getting a gift certificate for one or more of the services you see on the web site? Just point them here!
A moment to update your email profile:

We're asking readers to take a moment to check and see if your email profile is up to date. We've added some new choices that you might prefer, so take a look! 
And this helps us send YOU the best content for your career and your job search.

Just SCROLL DOWN to the line near the bottom of this newsletter that says *Update Profile/Email Address*, and click, then follow the prompts. Thanks so much!


If we did all the things we are capable of, 
we would literally astonish ourselves.

             - Thomas Edison

Face2Face meets December 3rd
for a HOLIDAY CELEBRATION!!!
Minnetonka, MN - Food (light lunch); fun networking; our annual Ugly Sweater Contest with two prizes, one for men and one for women; other goodies; all at no charge. 
So bring a friend! 
We will have local sales leader Jim Rhodes with a message about Renewing Yourself With A New Start. 
More info will be on the web site very soon!

Watch
See Joanne's videos -- all short and content-rich
 
Boston readers: 
It was fun to speak at Acton Networkers in October about the FAVAR® method of doing your LinkedIn profile -- I so appreciated your response and terrific questions. Keep 'em coming! Thank you. 

The Blog:
People say 
they pick up tips when they read the blog.
I give a ton of info in each blog so 
 
The Job Search Queen and The Resume Queen are trademarks held by Joanne Meehl