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JOB STRATEGY & INTERVIEW SKILLS
IN THE FACE OF AN ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN; an Industry Expert Speaks Out
by Adam Basquill
As we are inundated almost daily with televised prophesies about a slowing economy, many experienced financial professionals are once again facing the prospect of "what's next?" In fact, some suggest that the economy is not necessarily slowing down so much as it is changing. This fear may be understandable, as the ‘rules’ of yesterday seem to be changing themselves. So where does that leave the average middle to senior level Finance Professional who, having gotten accustomed to the ample income and job security associated with the nineties, now is once again facing the dreaded job market for the first time in ten years? Sound familiar? Perhaps this is you, or you fear it may be soon enough if concerns of an economic slowdown are not allayed. Or perhaps like many others, it is you who is reassessing what is important to you in your life respecting your career. Or maybe you are seeking something more fulfilling, or at the very least better than your present position. After all, since September 11 many of us
have found that we would rather have a little extra energy at the end of our day
with our family, instead of chasing the almighty buck…the popular ambition of
yesteryear.
Regardless of where you fit into this ball of wax that we call the emerging 21st
century economy, you are by no means alone, or without recourse. In fact, it is
because of the unusual dynamic of these economic times that we see
niche-recruiting firms emerging so successfully. Tali Nizic, is president and
CEO of Toronto-based Controllers On Call, a respected and well-established
recruiting firm specializing in the placement of middle to senior level finance
professionals in the Greater Toronto Area servicing such top Canadian companies
as Shoppers Drug Mart and Pepsi Canada. Ms. Nizic recently was keynote speaker
at the Bristall Morgan networking seminar for finance professionals on November
29, 2001 at the Toronto Sheraton Hotel. Offering a 'voice from the other side',
Ms. Nizic was able to provide her unique insight as an experienced recruiter,
respecting just what it is employers in the marketplace are seeking right now.
She also demonstrated a fresh perspective on successful ‘job interview
strategy’ for those seeking to gain an edge. She indicates that corporate
needs in these 'anxious' times are such that short-term (e.g. 6 months) contract
work is becoming quite commonplace. The employers know it too, and that is why
until the future of the economy becomes a little clearer, t hose who will stand
to benefit most are the middle to senior level finance professionals willing to
play along.
Hence, if you have the 'talent' (a popular term these days for a dynamic
individual with experience) they seek and are but willing, you can potentially
surpass your peers by loading up your resume with experience – perhaps in
multiple industries! Moreover, you can get a much better feel for what's
important to you. After all, the coming together of talented employee and
preferred employer is a two-way street, one that entitles you to 'solicit' the
right job for you. Additionally, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that
this economic uncertainty cuts both ways. Ms. Nizic indicates corporations are
finding that there is, in fact, a shortage of talent, as so many experienced
professionals are staying put due to fears of the shifting economy. So it seems
you may discover your very own 'talent' may yet serve you quite well, and like
those actively seeking a better set of circumstances respecting their work, you
may find yourself picking and choosing what suits you. After all, when was the
last time you really felt completely comfortable with the nature of your work,
in all the respects you deserve? So how does one attain this goal? How do you
beat the competition and get the job you really want? What compels prospective
employers to call one job candidate over another? Apart from the obvious advice
of getting your self-established with a good, well-reputed recruitment firm like Controllers-On Call, Ms. Nizic offered up some choice advice to the job hungry (see below).
"How to Get the Job You Want & Beat the Competition"
Research & Preparation
- Do you know everything about the company
- Are you aware of the culture of the company?· Find out who is conducting the interview if possible (an HR interview will be different than one with management
- Have you prepared your own intelligent questions
- Have you prepared honest answers to the following:
- what are your short-term goals?
- how well did you work with your last supervisor?
- how did you resolve 'teamwork' difficulties in the past?
- where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
- adjust your resume slightly to reflect the desired position, emphasizing applicable experiences
Knowing What You Want
- Have you asked yourself, ‘Do I really want this job?’
- Realize that if it is offered, and you are not clear that you would like it, then it will serve you better to turn it down being honest with yourself, then to discover this and quit 3 months down the road.
- Trust your instincts! The biggest error is accepting a position that you know you are not going to be happy with.
Etiquette & Smart Standards of Conduct
- Ask if the person to whom you are going to be reporting will be present in interview (if you are interviewing with HR.)
- Always feel comfortable to be comfortable!-Ask for water if you have a tendency to be dry. (Your discomfort will otherwise show)
- Ask to start again if things do not seem to be going well, remembering we are all human. Honesty is admirable, and most people are compassionate enough to not hold it against you.
- Tried and True Interview Etiquette:
- Use a firm handshake & make direct eye contact with the interviewer.
- Wait to be invited to sit down.
- Dress appropriately, according to the culture of the company, but never totally casual (even if the interviewer is wearing jeans!)
- Use proper intonation & be aware of the body language (physicality), and adjust yours.
- Be open, direct, and pleasant in tone and body. Relax!
- Be sure to thank the interviewer (s) for their time
- Expect your interview to last up to one hour.
First Impressions
- Remember most people 'make up their minds about someone' within the first 30 seconds! However, despite this, judgments can become clouded, and gut feelings confused as the interview progresses.
- Evaluate them as a potential employer as well. This is a two-way street. You got yourself there and so you have as much right to be confident & ask them questions (to 'interview' them!)
- Go by your gut, respecting your first impressions as well! How do you feel about the place and the person interviewing you?
Use 'Mirror & Matching' Techniques to Build Rapport
- Maintain on-going conversation, & look around office for clues as to what they are interested in to 'melt the ice', if it does not seem to be happening naturally.
- Be aware of the body language of the interviewer
and adjust yours style slightly to 'mirror' theirs, in an effort to be
amiable. If they are soft -spoken, be softer…but never be false!
- Once rapport has been established, feel free to be enthusiastic (if you feel the job may suit you).
- The 'Litmus test': you’ll know how it is going
by how many questions you are being asked. If it stops you should be ready
with a few yourself.
Marketing Yourself, or "How to 'Sell' You"!
- Do not be afraid to 'Ask' for the job if you want it at the end of the interview. This can give you an edge versus other employees. (Warning: This is an art! Demonstrate how you can uniquely make a difference with the organization.)
- Discuss how you fill a need for them, which you can deliver on.
- 'Sell' them on your talent.
- Ask them how they see it (your 'fit' with the organization)
- Follow the interview up in 3-4 days with a friendly, hand-written note (if the job appeals to you). E.g. "Haven't heard from you, where can we go from here?"
Respecting the interview itself, Ms. Nizic cited that most people do not understand the process as well as they could, as they have themselves never been interviewers.
She, therefore, emphasizes the value of the above techniques of ''Mirroring and Matching" (based on the NLP or Neuro-Linguistic Programming system), to assist in closing the 'gap' between interviewer and interviewee.
These techniques involve establishing rapport though the 'mirroring and matching' of posture, tonality, gestures, and even breathing patterns! This perhaps goes a little deeper than is necessary for creating a common ground in an interview, but she feels that the notion is useful to bear in mind in preparation for the awkward tensions that often exist, while those crucial first impressions are being made.
Finally, Ms. Nizic repeatedly emphasized the importance in seeking work that
suits your values, in preventing the all too familiar 'change of heart' three
months down the road – something she has seen all to often.
For most finance professionals, money was what historically addressed this satisfactorily, and was usually deemed top 'priority'. However, many are discovering job satisfaction should and does go much deeper than that. Instead many are finding subtler components such as personality compatibility with management, a responsible company culture, or a comfortable work environment for that matter, to be emerging as new top priorities. So perhaps taking such a proactive approach to your career will provide the motivation needed to deal with the atmosphere of fear prevalent in these changing times. In fact, whether you have lost your job or desire a change, this 'changing' economy might just be providing you the opportunity to discover what you have been seeking all along. Now all you have to do is land the interview!
All rights reserved, 2002
This article is published in the July/August
2002 issue of CMA Canada magazine as well as on Workopolis
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