How to Bounce Back from that Interviewing Mistake

There is a lot of advice out there for how to conduct yourself during the interview process, but there is limited information on what to do if you make a mistake. No one is perfect and to expect yourself to be 100% perfect is a sure-fire way to set yourself up for failure. Mistakes are sure to happen, but it is how we handle ourselves in that situation that will set us apart from the competition.

Today's installment from MSN Careers give some great advice for the job seeker. Tuck this information in the back of your mind and recall it if and when the unthinkable happens.

Some of the advice includes:

• Apologize



• Don't dwell on the mistake



• Think on your feet



• Don't assume it's too late to act



• Prepare

The easiest way to deal with a mistake, of course, is not to err in the first place. Researching the company beforehand can eliminate the embarrassment of not knowing what it produces or who its biggest competitors are. Practicing aloud the answers to likely questions can build confidence and help you remember pertinent information and names. And don't hesitate to confirm an appointment, ask for the spelling of someone's name or request clarification of procedures. Better to look detail-oriented and responsible than to make a preventable blunder.

Do check out the original posting for more information.

Welcome to the 21st Century Job Search.

As technology has changed the face of the workplace, it is incumbent upon job seekers to stay in touch with the latest advancements. Yahoo Finance has this great article about 10 outdated pieces of career advice. These are worthwhile things to keep in mind while sending resumes and interviewing for your next opportunity.

Read the full article for details, but check out the top ten things to ignore:

1. You must use a land line for a phone interview.
2. Your resume can only be one page.
3. Every job has to go on your resume to present a complete account of your professional history.
4. Include "references available upon request" on the bottom of your resume.
5. Include an objective at the top of your resume.
6. Invest in good resume paper.
7. Overnight your resume to get the hiring manager's attention.
8. When your interviewer asks about your weaknesses, offer up a positive framed as a weakness.
9. Your resume and cover letter should be written in formal language.
10. A few days after you submit your resume, call to schedule an interview.

Conflicting Advice: Who is right?

DISCOVER STAFFING likes to bring our readers not only our latest job postings but also career advice from around the web. As this article reminds us, we are bombarded with advice from every direction and often times it is contradictory. How to do we know which advice to take and which to leave on the table. MSN Careers is one our favorite sites and this is really great advice on advice.

Conflicting Career Advice: Which Is Right?
By Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder Writer

Employment is a hot topic these days, and everyone seems to have an opinion on it. From morning news anchors to business bloggers to well-meaning friends and family, job advice is everywhere. While a wealth of information is never a bad thing, with so much advice out there, it can be hard to know what to trust.

For example, when researching how to write a résumé, it's common to come across articles that advocate one- and two-page formats. Similarly, some experts say it's great to make friends at work, while others say it's unwise to combine your work life and your social scene. But if your morning news anchor is telling you one thing and your recruitment firm is telling you another, how do you know whom to listen to?

While there's no universal answer, there are ways you can evaluate the suggestions you receive, to ensure that you're following the most beneficial advice for your situation. Here are three things to consider when confronted with conflicting career counsel:

1. Your industry: A lot of career advice is aimed at the general population. If your daily newspaper has an audience of 50,000 people, chances are its job advice will aim to apply to as many of those people as possible. But because there are many different career paths, there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all career approach. Make sure you take into account your specific industry when you're offered a new job strategy.

For example: You may have heard a dozen times that a suit is the standard clothing choice for an interview -- but in your industry, people never wear suits, and you don't think one would be appropriate for an interview.

In this case, you'd probably be right to go with more casual dress, if that's the industry standard.

"Common sense is the scale by which you measure advice," says Bud Whitehouse, director of Career Management of Virginia. "If it makes sense -- 'Geography and industry play a role in what you wear to the interview. Do the research,' -- do it. If it doesn't make sense -- 'Wear a suit, white shirt and tie to an interview for a plumber' -- don't do it."

2. Your experiences: Like the people who give job advice, you will have your own ideas about interview attire and résumé length that are based on your experience. Trust these instincts, because you'll often be right.

"Go with your experience," Whitehouse says. "People are much too willing to make what was advice for a particular situation a universal dictum." For example: 10 years ago, when your college career counselor told you to shorten your résumé to one page, it was probably because employers wouldn't care about your high school job at the gas station and student of the month award.

Now, 10 years later, you may have enough relevant experience and awards to fill up more than one page. If you've landed five interviews with a two-page résumé, it's clearly not a hindrance to your job search, even if it goes against advice you were given. If something it working for you, there's no need to change it.

3. Your personality: Take, for example, the oft-debated topic of how to follow up after an interview. Some experts say it's best to follow up with a phone call, others suggest sending an e-mail or handwritten note, some say do all three.

Well, if your written word is typically more profound than your spoken one (or you've been told that you sound like a 12-year-old over the phone) there's no harm in sending a handwritten thank-you note and following up via e-mail if that is what makes you the most comfortable. You know what your strong suits are, so look at all job advice through a lens of how it applies to your personality and strengths.

You have to make the advice work for you, and you know yourself best. It's OK to take what you like a leave the rest, if the rest just doesn't suit you.

Kaitlin Madden is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow @CBForJobSeekers on Twitter.

Don't forget to check back to our blog to see our most recent job positngs.

New Career Advice for 2011

As we enter this new year, it might be time to re-evaluate your career search strategies. Careerbuilder, one of my favorite on-line resources for job advice, posted this article with tips for the new year.

11 job search tips for 2011
By Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder Writer

It's 2011 and it's time to take control of your job search. This year, it's no longer up to companies to hire you, it's up to you to get hired. Forget about how the economy is doing. Reflect on last year if you must, but then forget about that, too. This year, your focus will be on finding the right job for you and doing everything you can to be the best candidate for that job. The competition may still be tough, but here's how to turn the tables in your favor.

1. Narrow your search. Stop applying to jobs that you're not qualified for or don't really want. It's a waste of time. Be honest with yourself when evaluating job postings. If you had to start the job tomorrow, do you have all the skills you'd need to succeed? Or are there areas of the job description that you don't have experience in? While it's always great to be willing to learn, most companies want to hire someone who can jump right in and get started without being trained from scratch. Focus your time on creating great applications for jobs you are well-qualified for instead.

2. Know exactly what you want. Narrowing down your job search may force you to ask yourself tough questions like: What kind of job am I really after? And what skills can I offer an employer? If you're unsure of the answer, make one list of the job skills you excel at and one of the skills you like to use most. Use these skills as search terms in your job search.

3. Re-evaluate your skills. If you feel as if you've looked at every job posting on earth and you still can't find one your skills match up with, then it's time to get some new skills. The good news for those who are unemployed is that it's the perfect opportunity to go back to school. You won't have to divide your time with your job obligations, and there's also the possibility that the economy will have recovered a bit by the time you graduate, giving you a double leg up. Government funding and other programs are available for out-of-work job seekers who want to enroll in training or continue their education.

4. Set goals. Yes, your overall goal may be to get a job, but setting short-term, specific job search goals for the year will help you grow and force you to continuously evaluate your progress. Improve your networking skills, for example, by making January's goal to join a professional organization and February's to attend a college alumni event. Holding yourself accountable for achieving these goals will boost your self-esteem and motivate you to continue searching by providing you with new leads and information.

5. Try something new. If you're stuck in a job search rut, add a new strategy to your repertoire. Instead of only job searching online, try working with a recruiter and setting up informational interviews with industry contacts, too. A multifaceted approach will get the best results.

6. Get a leg up on the competition. If you come across a job that seems perfect for you, do something that will subtly help you stand out from the crowd. When you find a job posting you want to apply to, find out the name of the hiring manager or someone who works in the same department, and send the person an e-mail directly. It's 2011, which means almost anything can be found online, including names and e-mail addresses. A LinkedIn search on the company should turn up a list of employees and their titles, from which you can select the most appropriate person. Then, search the company website or press releases for the company's e-mail format.

7. Get a hold of your online reputation: When human-resources managers search for your name online [and they will do it] you can either take control of what they see, or you can leave it to the powers of the crawl search gods. Search results that are professional and consistent and that establish you as an expert in your field will be far more impressive than Facebook pictures from Thanksgiving. Things like a Facebook or LinkedIn profile and a Twitter feed will all show up on the first page, so signing up for these sites and populating the accounts with up-to-date, professional content will make a great impression.

8. Start a website: If you want to take your Internet presence one step further, starting a website will showcase your skills and talents in a thorough and interesting way, and it'll add to your professionalism and give you credibility. Plus, it's not as costly or as time-consuming as you might think. Domain names (i.e. YourName.com), can be registered on sites like GoDaddy.com or Bluehost.com for around $10, and web hosting can cost as little as $3 per month. If you're not particularly tech savvy, premade blog templates give you a professional look with minimal hassle. Wordpress.com has tons of template options and also provides great technical support for novices.

9. Stay current: You should always be in the loop, even if you're out of work. Read trade publications, comment on industry blogs and stay on top of any emerging technologies or policies that may affect your career path. This will not only help you have a great conversation with an interviewer and keep your professional edge, but it may also give you new ideas about where and how to look for a job.

10. Sell yourself: An interview is no time for modesty, especially in times like these. When you land an interview, go prepared with at least five examples that demonstrate your best qualities. That way, when an interviewer asks, "Why should I hire you," you can talk about how you're such a quick learner that you taught yourself Photoshop in a week and how your entrepreneurial spirit led you to start your first lawn-mowing business at age 16. Be sure to leave the interviewer with the phone numbers of references who will back you up with glowing recommendations.

11. Keep that glass half-full approach, all year: A job search will always have its frustrating moments, because things don't always happen when or how we want them to happen. But instead of letting setbacks ruin motivation, take them as lessons. Your lack of interviews may mean it's time to re-evaluate your career path or skills, which could lead you to a more fulfilling career. This type of positive attitude will be much more productive in helping you find your next job.

The bottom line is that job searching will be tough this year, but landing a job -- even your dream job -- can still be a reality. A proactive job search is your best bet, so take the necessary steps to ensure you get the job you want.

Kaitlin Madden is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.

Mastering the art of the follow-up : The Work Buzz

MSN posts a new batch of Career articles on their front page each week. Check out this great example of "The Art of the Follow-up". Knowing that competition is greater in this market than we have ever experienced before, following up in the most effective way can get you that extra attention. And following up in an inappropriate way can do just as much harm.

Mastering the art of the follow-up : The Work Buzz

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Taking a Pay Cut

MSN Careers posted this article today. We talk with candidates every day who feel like they aren't getting a fair shake in the interviewing process because they are "overqualified". Try this approach next time you are interviewing for a job a level or two below your last position.

When Getting a Paycheck Means Taking a Pay Cut
By Harvey Mackay, author of "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door: Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You"

All the stars are aligning. You've been offered a great opportunity, maybe even your dream job: the company you've admired, top-notch staff, terrific benefits, ideal location. You've aced the interview, and you know you'd be a perfect fit. What more could you ask for?

Maybe that's the wrong question. Maybe you should be asking, what less would you be willing to take?

A 2009 CNN Money report says, "With more than three job seekers for every opening, more workers are having to take significant pay cuts to find employment."

Many are out of work through no fault of their own and can't afford to wait for the dream job to open. Others discover the jobs they had weren't right for them -- too much responsibility, too many hours, burnout or philosophical differences. Whatever the reason, plenty of qualified people who are looking for jobs have real challenges convincing interviewers that they can work for less and be content.

What motivates hiring decisions
Shrinking company budgets force managers to get maximum bang for the buck while finding ways to maintain or grow business. Hiring decisions have greater impact when fewer employees must carry the load. A bad hire can be disastrous.

Try to explain to a hiring manager that you are interested in taking a job that includes a pay cut and a number of questions pop up: Were you overpaid at your last job? Will you jump ship the minute a more lucrative opportunity is presented? Will you be able to survive on a smaller salary? If you are such a bargain, why hasn't someone else hired you already? Do you have some ulterior motive?

Hiring managers look for competent people who are confident in their abilities. Your biggest selling point, surprisingly, isn't your price tag. You have demonstrated that you are flexible, willing to take on a new challenge, bring great experience with you and can't wait to get started. You are prepared to work as hard as you can to advance the company's goals. The interviewer is starting to wonder why any company would have let you slip away.

Being upfront
As an astute candidate, you know that salary negotiations come much later, after you have convinced the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the position. Be honest when you are asked why you are willing to work for less.

"I know that the market can't support my previous salary, but I have much to offer and can make a positive contribution to this company's success."

"I love my work and I was sorry when my former company eliminated our department. I am willing to prove my commitment by working for free for 60 days."

"My company relocated to another state. My wife's job is here, and we chose not to move our family even though it meant giving up my job."

"I know that times are tough everywhere, and I am willing to help the company move to profitability knowing that the employee contributions will be rewarded at a later time."

Stating your reasons in direct, honest terms will mitigate fears that you are looking for a glorified temp job until something better comes along. Few companies have been exempt from downsizing or budget reductions. Relating that reality to your personal situation can reassure the interviewer that your expectations are reasonable.

One cautionary note: Don't apologize for showing interest in a lower-paying job. Your worth can't be measured only in dollars.

A pay cut may mean a better job or the path to one. Keep your options open.

Mackay's Moral: You can move from survive to thrive.

Harvey Mackay is the author of the new book "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door: Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You," as well as The New York Times No. 1 best-sellers "Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive" and "Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt." Mackay is a nationally syndicated columnist for United Feature Syndicate whose weekly articles appear in 52 newspapers around the country, including the Chicago Sun Times, Rocky Mountain News, Orange County Register, Minneapolis Star Tribune and Arizona Republic.

Consider Your Sources

A good personal network is very important no matter your current employment situation. Friends and family provide a lot of much needed moral support in our every day lives. MSN Careers shares this article on just which advice to take about job searching.

Are You Getting Bad Job Advice?
By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer

Your support network probably consists of your closest friends and maybe some trusted family members. You know these people will help you out in any way possible -- when you're at your happiest or feeling defeated. That's what friends are for, just like Dionne Warwick sang.

Unfortunately, these people aren't perfect. You know they want the best for you, and that's why you turn to them for help. But a new survey from The Creative Group finds that those closest to you might not always be the best advice givers, especially when you need professional advice.

Who's giving the worst advice?
Of surveyed advertising and marketing executives, 58 percent say co-workers gave them bad career advice. Bosses didn't fare much better, as 54 percent blame them for bad career advice. Parents and relatives are better career counselors, but 35 percent of surveyed executives received unsatisfactory guidance from them. Thirty percent of spouses and significant others are blamed for bad advice (and probably had to sleep on the couch at some point). Mentors have the best record for dispensing advice, as only 21 percent have the finger pointed at them.

As to why so many of our nearest and dearest make such unreliable advisers, you could just chalk it up to human nature. "Nobody's perfect" might be a cliché, but it's true, and your support network isn't likely to sabotage you on purpose.

Well, sometimes they might. Survey respondents admit that some of the bad advice they received did more for the giver than the receiver.

"My former boss discouraged me from going to work for a competitor, saying that I wouldn't last, but I did," says one surveyed executive. "I later found out that he had made a wager that I wouldn't join that firm, and that was why he discouraged me to work there."

Another respondent recalls, "A co-worker wanted me to take her job so she could take a new position. It wasn't a good idea. I wasn't ready to fill that job."

Considering that your career decisions affect your colleagues and boss directly, perhaps their tendency to give harmful advice isn't surprising after all. For that reason, Donna Farrugia, executive director of The Creative Group, cautions you to evaluate the motives of the advice giver.

The do's and don'ts of asking for advice
According to Farrugia, workers seeking help can take some steps to get the best advice. She recommends keeping these five tips in mind:

Do seek out experience
The best advice comes from someone who has been in your position. Even if the specifics are a little different, a similar experience will give the best insight.

"For example, if you're looking to transition into a particular niche, talk to someone who made a comparable change," Farrugia says. "If you're having trouble finding suitable contacts, use social networks like LinkedIn to expand your reach."

Do follow your own goals
Although friends and family may have your best interests in mind, they don't have your same professional and personal goals. Remember to listen to their advice without forgetting what you want for yourself.

Do explain yourself
No one can help you make the right decision if they don't know what you're looking to get out of your career.

Farrugia explains, "By describing your professional objectives and values to your acquaintances, you'll help them give better guidance."

Don't have a one-track mind
Your network is composed of people with different backgrounds and experiences, and even if they haven't been in your shoes, they've probably observed someone who was. Don't rely on a single person to get advice. Instead, talk to as many people as you can to hear their opinions and then decide what best aligns with your needs.

Don't forget your manners
"Thank everyone who takes the time to provide career guidance, and keep in touch with all helpful sources, returning the favor when you can," Farrugia says.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.