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Debra Wheatman, President of Careers Done Write, provides expert insight to the job search process that puts your career in gear with tips for interviewing, networking, job search strategies and how to create a winning resume and cover letter.
Ask Deb: How Many Rounds Are Too Many?
Dear Deb:
I have been laid off for over 6 months and am beginning to feel a bit hopeless. Compounding my feelings is that I have been getting multiple interviews, yet no offers. The interview processes that I’ve encountered are nothing like anything I’ve seen before in my career.
I recently went through 7—yes 7—rounds of interviews for a role for which I was more than qualified. The first round was with the recruiter. Second round with the hiring manager. Third round with other members of the team. Fourth round was a panel interview for which I had to prepare a presentation. Fifth round was with the hiring manager again. Sixth round was one of the hiring manager’s peers. Seventh was with the CEO, who did not know who I was or why we were meeting and thought I was already hired….
Are You Asking the Right Questions?
Much of the career advice out there focuses on interview preparation for candidates, specifically on how best to formulate answers to typical questions. But just as important—maybe even more important—are your questions during the interview….
Not getting interviews? This could be why!
You’ve been filling out applications and sending resumes for weeks, maybe months, but you don’t get a response. You’ve fine-tuned your resume, but still, no bites. What’s going on? It could be a combination of factors, some within and some outside your control. A content creator posted on LinkedIn that he would not interview anyone with a Yahoo, Hotmail, or AOL email address because, to him, it’s a “red flag.” He did not elaborate on what precisely these email domains might portend. Another hiring manager posted that he asks his recruiters to only source currently employed candidates, which is dumb. Several other managers and recruiters also jumped into the comments to tell him that. Here are some more reasons you may not be getting interviews….
Don’t Flub the Interview: How Focusing on the Company’s Pain Points Will Land You the Job
Think you can wing that job interview because it’s all about you? Think again. The real star of the show is the company’s business pain. As much as we love talking about ourselves, acing an interview requires laser focus on the challenges the hiring manager faces. So, let’s ditch the improvisation and get down to targeted prep. Here’s how….
3 Interview Questions You Must Know How to Answer
Job interviews are stressful. Even in the most friendly, non-confrontational interview setting, it still feels like your education, experience, and even your very character are all being called into question, and if you suffer from interview anxiety, are shy, or get nervous easily, you could come off as unfriendly, inexperienced, and not suitable for the team. The best way to overcome interview jitters is to practice, practice, practice….
Interview Red Flags
Getting a new job can be an exciting and wonderful thing. Sometimes, in our haste to make a jump or to get back into the workforce, we ignore obvious signs that the workplace into which we are entering may be toxic. Here are some red flags that my clients have shared with me over the years. All of these are clear indicators of a potentially toxic culture….
A Hiring Company’s Lament
Hiring Company: We can’t find any qualified candidates for our open roles. Why doesn’t anyone apply to work at our company?
Candidates: Your application system requires us to create an account, record a one-way video, and enter all of the information that’s already on the resume….
How to Handle a Rude Interviewer
What is the best way to handle a rude interviewer? The interview process should be a free-flowing discussion between two parties on ways to solve a business problem. Unfortunately, there are many bad managers out there and many, many people who have not received training on how to interview. This behavior does not merely sour candidates on certain companies, but it will impact the company’s brand….
Great Interview Process, No Offer
What happened? I don’t get it. They contacted me, seemed so excited about me, and abruptly cut me off without any real explanation. I am so very discouraged and disappointed….
Myth Busters: Employer Edition
Last week I devoted my blog to dispelling some common myths to which job seekers still cling. This week, I turn my sights to the other side of the desk. And let me tell you, employers, you’ve got work to do. Your recruiting processes are broken; your hiring managers don’t know how to conduct an interview; they are indecisive. On top of all that, you seem to have a distorted perspective regarding sourcing and retaining talent. Here are some top examples….