October 15th, 2010 2:13 PM by Korene L Clopine-Seaman
As a mortgage banker, I am often asked questions related NOT to mortgages but related to finances. One that I am asked a lot is "What do you(I) suggest for someone seeking a job. Here is my 6 best suggestions.
6 Suggestions for Job Seekers
A job search is the most emotional thing we do next to dealing with the death of a spouse, a child, a parent or divorce. I want to offer these suggestions to job seekers in all career stages:
• Find employers with "pain" and sell yourself hard as the problem-solver.
• Don’t focus on time. No one can tell you how long the search will take, so turn all your attention to the process.
• Focus on doing well in the interview – not on getting the job.
• Manage your expectations of recruiters. They will only contact you if they think you fill a client’s need.
• Keep your résumé to no more than two pages.
• For employed job seekers, be prepared to explain why you’re looking to make a change.
Culture and personal growth are cited most often as the primary reasons people leave jobs. "No matter what is your reason, be prepared to explain why you have decided to look for a new employer." Just wanting "to stick my toe in the water to see what’s out there" is not the mentality that will sustain you through a job search, so don’t do it if that’s your reasoning.
Whether or not you have a job no longer matters to recruiters or to the people who might hire you, but if you are employed while in job search, it is actually harder to pursue your search — all the calls, meetings, research, paperwork, etc. that is necessary.
Winning Interviews: Converse. Connect. Convince.
In a recent live webinar program, executive coach Judy Rosemarin shared with members her views on interviewing, focusing on: ways to maximize the interview so that you can not only put yourself at ease, but put the interviewer at ease; learn how to get out of sticky situations; handle difficult and dreaded questions; and ask the right kinds of questions in order to keep your interview moving ahead.
"To convince others that you have value to their company, you must first convince yourself that the purpose of the interview is simply to get another interview. The purpose of a job interview is not to make you squirm or engage in combat," Rosemarin explains. "The interview is an opportunity to develop rapport, develop trust and to get to the next interview."
• Pity the Interviewer.
• Always focus on the interviewer.
• Dreaded questions: You can handle them.
• The usual questions:
• Getting un-stuck.
1. Opinion
2. Open-ended
3. Closed-ended
4. Menu-driven
5. Clarifying
• The end of the interview.
Another question I get asked a great deal is related to someone's mortgage. How can I fix my mortgage? My answer is always the same. Let's make an appointment and go over your financial picture, your goals, dreams, and desires. Neither I not any mortgage originator worth your trust should give you a "one-size" fits all answer. You don't phone in your physical symptoms to your dentist, doctor, tax practioner, or attorney, because there are just too many unknown...I never want to give advice without making sure it is appropriate to YOUR circumstances.
Call me and we will work to make sure you are not paying more than you need to to have and enjoy your home.