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Originally Posted by Bleeding Red
Apologies for bumping an old thread, but frustration is starting to settle in and I could use some insight/advice, and this is the thread for it.
Quick background - I have been in and out of work for the last 5 years. A few 6-12 month contracts here and there. Over that time I have edited my resume (I have 4 different ones highlighting different skills), seen a career coach, seen employment specialists, had practice interviews with HR specialists, etc.
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It sounds like your doing the right things, It would be interesting to know what field your looking in unless I missed that, because that's a key to this kind of discussion
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Originally Posted by Bleeding Red
My wife and I have even tried switching the wardrobe up, thinking that a suit and tie may be too stuffy for 21st century offices. I have had interviews where I am dressed to the nines and the interviewer is in jeans and a t-shirt. Tie / no tie - thoughts?
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Continue to dress properly, it shows that your engaged and interested and not going through the motions. I did change a couple of things when I was interviewing. I went from suits and ties to sports coats and slacks, and for some organizations I didn't wear a tie. But I never worried about out dressing the interviewer. I did tell one company interviewer that showed up in jeans and a T-shirt for a company that after talking to them I wasn't interested that it felt like he wasn't representing the company in a first meeting that well, and that the whole first impression thing goes both ways.
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Originally Posted by Bleeding Red
I am getting interviews - mostly by phone, but 2 in-person before the holidays and 1 just this week. No second interviews though.
My last experience was the oddest. A job had been posted for over a month. I finally decided to apply on Monday. I was asked to interview on Wednesday. I thought it went well and was told I would hear back next week. Got an email today (Friday) thanks, but no thanks.
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Everything comes down to qualification, remember that interviewing for a position is the ultimate sales job. Some people don't really realize that.
When you're in sales qualification through the discussion is key.
Are you asking for feedback throughout the conversation and adjusting your discussion points.
When it comes time when they ask you for your questions there are two things.
If you've done strong pre-preperation you should have some really good key questions about the role, company, product etc, this shows interest and due diligence.
I always ask what they like about working there, and either what they don't like, or what some of the pitfalls are.
I would usually ask for a feedback questions. When I walk out of this interview and you go to get your coffee or tea and that question comes up, "Man I wish I asked that" what question would that be? What don't you know about me or are unsure about now.
Trial close the interview.
Ask them if they think your a good fit for the role based on what they've learned.
Give yourself a chance to understand and over come objections that they might not disclose without prodding.
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Originally Posted by Bleeding Red
I am trying to figure out what the issues are. I have experience. I have an industry designation.
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Again we would need to understand your industry. you have to realize that everyone that they interview has the same. How are you standing out in terms of presenting yourself?
Getting a first interview or phone screen really only means that out of a stack of 100 resumes they found 10 or less that stood out for experience and designations, and now they're filtering based on presentation, communication and understanding of the role.
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Originally Posted by Bleeding Red
Has anyone gone back to the interviewer and asked "why not?" or "any advice?" Any attempt at communication after the interview was met with silence.
Thanks.
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Absolutely ask, what's the harm right. Its also a key indicator of how you did. If they come back to you, they're engaged with you as a candidate, even if they're unsure of the fit between you and the organization. If they don't come back to you, you failed at the engagement, and you can go back and really analyze while its fresh in your mind.