I know I probably reference Seth Godin’s blog way to much but I do that for one simple reason; it is REALLY good. Seth has another great post today on what it means to be remarkable in today’s business environment. I would take his post one step further and relate it to today’s job market. If you are a job seeker you must be remarkable and not average. You must be innovative and not normal. Read Seth’s post and try to relate this to your own job search situation.
When asked to give an example of a situation you have faced in the past you might want to consider using real life examples from your experiences. The STAR method, as described above, can be a good way to explain your experiences.
What was the situation you had to overcome?
What was the task at hand?
What action did you take to over come the situation?
What the results of your actions?
Answering a question in this manner might give your interviewer an opportunity to identify with your situation since everyone loves a good story.
The next time you go to answer an interview question make sure you answer it like a STAR!
2. The process has multiple interviews with multiple people
3. HR is merely a screener and not a decision maker
4. Most interview processes start with phone interviews and not face-to-face interviews
5. Your current and past experience matters more than any education you could have gained
6. Broad range of experiences are a good thing
7. You may have the best interview in the world but it still doesn’t mean you will get the job. Finding a job is not a small matter. So many factors have to fall in your favor in order to land a job. When it does happen don’t take it lightly. Either you are supposed to be at that company, or you aren’t. There isn’t any in-between. I don’t believe in accidents and either should you.
My wife, son and I have been staying at the Doubletree in Pittsburgh since Wednesday night because of a major plumbing problem. Since we are trying to make the best of it, Noah and I wanted to say hi. By the way, Noah turned one-year old this past Wednesday February 7th! Happy B-Day Noah!!
I want to thank Rebecca Florey from Carnegie Mellon’s Career Center for setting up a great event the other night at her school. I spoke to about 30 students on my new book The 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Graduated. The students were extremely engaged in the session and gave me a number of things to ponder as I try to help college students with their careers.
What can you do if you know what your career passion is but are not in a position to act on it?
My answer was, if you know what you want to do but cannot get out of where you are then I would suggest waiting until the timing is right. How many small business owners wanted to start their company years before they actually could because they had to wait for capital? Or how many actors knew they wanted to be actors but had to waiter for years until they found their big break? I don’t believe in coincidences in life. If you know what you are called to do then if you are indeed called your passion will come to fruition in due time. Patience truly is a virtue.
College graduates are kind of expected to “have their act together” when they graduate. What should we do if we don’t have a clue what to do with our life after college?
Isn’t that the question of the ages for all college grads? I can think of three people I graduated with who were scared to death to graduate. They didn’t want to face to realities of growing up. They were quite comfortable with living the college life. For many students graduation brings more grief than it does jubilation.
If you are in the position of fear rather than excitement after graduation I would suggest taking it slow. Don’t jump into the first job that comes your way. Explore your options, determine what you like to do and do it. Don’t just take a job because you will need to start making student loan payments six months after graduation. If you can move back into your parent’s house for a time, do it. Save your money. Or if the thought of moving home causes stomach pains you might be able to find a cheap apartment with a friend but please don’t look for rooms at Trump Tower. Stay conservative until you determine what you are suppose to be doing with your life.
I think the biggest thing to remember is that you don’t need to know everything about life after graduation. Face it, you are still young, and relatively ignorant of how life works. Find an experienced successful person that you trust and get some good advice from them about life. Don’t try and do things as a lone ranger. Get good advice from someone who “has been there and done that.”
Thanks again CMU for bringing me in to speak. I look forward to seeing you again!
A very respected blogger in the recruting industry, Joel Cheesman, recently posted an inteview about his life and career on YouTube. It is worth watching if you are looking for a career or thinking about what you want to do with your life. This very popular blogger has a great story.
