Why Should I Hire You? Five Interview Techniques to Get Hired
Author: PATRICIA DORCH

Many job seekers look for a new career opportunity without planning a career strategy for selling their abilities to potential employers and landing a job.

Preparation, knowing your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s) Asking Questions, Closing the interview, and sending a Thank-You Letter are important techniques that will help you attain the job you want.

1. Preparation. Your resume should clearly identify your achievements in each position you have held. Consider the following statements of achievement:

Do: Planned and organized the monthly sales report for multiple managers.

Don’t: I prepared the monthly report for multiple managers.

Do: Presented products and services to Physicians and Medical Groups increasing annual revenue market share by 15 percent and 0,000.00 annually.

Don’t: Sold products and services to Physicians and the medical community.

Do: Planned, organized and implemented a customer service strategy to improve client relationships and increased business 0,000.00 annually.

Don’t: Improved customer relationships in six months.

2. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s). Although your resume may state you have specific skills you must take the next step by providing examples of your knowledge and the way in which you used these skills. Providing examples will distinguish you from other applicants and position you for a new career opportunity.

3. Ask Questions. A serious applicant will take time to prepare questions about the job and the organization. Prepare questions such as:

1. Where do you see my skills in this position?

2. What goals do you have that I can help you achieve for this department?

3. What would you like to see done differently in comparison to past employees in this position?

4. Close. Close the interview with:

· Abilities. Confirm their need for your abilities.

· Questions. Answer additional questions about your skills.

· Objections. Overcome objections by providing examples of your KSA’s. Confirm that you have answered their questions about your abilities.

· Interview Process. Confirm the interview process.

· Ask for the Job. Close the interview “ASK for the JOB”.

Once you have responded to the satisfaction of the interviewer “ASK for the JOB” simply say, “May I have the Job”? Or “May I have this career opportunity?” The key is to “ask”. When you ask for the job remain silent until the interviewer responds. Ask when you can follow-up if the interviewer does not provide this information in the response. Thank the interviewer for their time, smile and shake their hand and leave.

5. Thank You Letter.

· Thank You Letter. Type your “thank you” letter within 24 hours to each person who interviewed you. Approximately ninety percent of applicants do not send a “thank you” letter; this is your advantage and can give you the edge with the hiring decision.

· Stationary. Use quality cotton resume stationary.

· Bullets. List your skills in bullet format, which the interviewer identified, with regards to how you will be of value to their organization. Write a brief power statement about each skill.

· Mail. Do not use your current employers mailing service even if you work for the organization. Use your own stamp and a postal mailing service.

These techniques and more are available from Patricia Dorch, Author of best-selling
e-book “ASK for the JOB: Interview Techniques for the 21st Century” available on http://www.ebookmall.com will prepare you to answer the hiring managers question “Why Should I Hire You”?



EXECU DRESS
Patricia Dorch, M.S.
President /CEO

Author, National Speaker and, Trainer

Askforthejob@aol.com
execudress@aol.com

©2005 Patricia Dorch










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Patricia Dorch, M.S. President of EXECU DRESS a Premier Business Image and Consulting Company and best-selling author of e-books "ASK for the JOB Interview Techniques for the 21st Century" and "NETWORKING 17 Essential Strategies in the 21st Century" available on www.ebookmall.com. Patricia is an Author, National Speaker and Trainer. email: execudress@aol.com

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How to Be Prepared for a Layoff
Author: Ann Hackett

How to Be Prepared for a Layoff
by Ann Hackett

If you are concerned that your company might be planning a layoff, your best course of action is to be prepared. Employees often see warning signs that their jobs may be at risk. Such signs could include poor company performance, earlier rounds of layoffs, conflicts with their manager, increased manager intervention and involvement, and poor performance reviews. Employees see the signs, but aren't as proactive as they should be in looking out for their future. Here are steps you can take to be prepared for a layoff.

Update your resume.

Start complying a list of your accomplishments in your present job. In particular, focus on quantifiable achievements. Bring home a copy of the position description your human resources department has developed for your job. Use this position description to check the content of your resume. If you need help, get it from the Internet, resume writing books, or a professional resume writer.

Create a portfolio.

Make copies of positive letters you have received from customers and letters of recognition you have received from your employer. If you have a job where you create materials that are not company confidential such as brochures or operating manuals, make copies of your work to show to potential employers during future job interviews.

Develop your list of references.

Contact the people you would like to use as references to ask their permission to be used as a reference. Obtain their current contact information and type up your reference list.

Check job postings.

See what the market need is for someone with your background and experience. Consider applying for jobs now if the market is weak and you feel the probability of being laid off in the near future is high. Also use job postings as a means of checking the content of your resume to see if you omitted key points or focused on items that aren't being emphasized by employers.

Sign up for a personal e-mail account.

Include this personal e-mail address on your resume rather than your business e-mail address. If you lose your job, your business e-mail account will no longer be valid. If you decide to pursue a new job while still employed, use your personal e-mail account to transmit your resume to employers.

Research outplacement services.

Outplacement services are career transition services that employers pay for to help you with your job search. To be prepared in case of a layoff, research the services provided by various outplacement firms to determine what would be of most value to you. Would you want an outplacement firm that would write your resume and cover letter for you? Do you value one-on-one time with a career transition consultant? Or are you interested in attending group workshops to learn how to prepare your own marketing materials? If you are laid off, be prepared to negotiate for the outplacement services that you feel will benefit you. The best time to negotiate is when you have the most leverage, prior to signing your separation letter.

Ask for a letter of recommendation.

If you are laid off, ask for a letter of recommendation from your former employer. Reach agreement with your employer on this request prior to signing your separation letter.

Negotiate your severance package.

If you are downsized, negotiate the terms of the severance package you are offered. Again, the best time to negotiate is when you have the most leverage, prior to signing your separation letter.

By following these tips, you can prepare yourself to recover as quickly as possible should you be laid off.

Copyright 2004 Ann Hackett, Quest Career Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.







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About the Author:

Ann Hackett ( ahackett@questcareer.com) is the President of Quest Career Services, LLC (http://www.questcareer.com ). Quest Career Services provides outplacement services to clients nationwide, specializing in offering affordable one-on-one outplacement services. To receive via e-mail a brochure summarizing the outplacement packages Quest Career Services provides, send an e-mail to outplacementbrochure@questcareer.com

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