Don't be Costanza.....Interview Inspration from George Costanza

 

My first week in California is almost done, lots of time watching bad TV....but I’ve been catching up on a ton of old Seinfeld reruns....which got me thinking.  They talk a lot about hiring and interviewing on the show...usually it’s George who’s having issues.  I saw a couple of episodes this week that made me think....we can learn something there.  So, here we go:

George is interviewing for a job with the Yankees...Cushman is the hiring manager.

Cushman: Why don't you tell me about some of your previous job experience?

George Costanza: Alrighty. My last job was in publishing. I got fired for having sex in my office with the cleaning woman.

Cushman: Go on.

George Costanza: All right. Before that, I was in real estate. I quit because the boss wouldn't let me use his private bathroom. That was it.

Cushman: Do you talk to everybody like this?

George Costanza: Of course.

Cushman: My niece told me you were different.

George Costanza: I am different, yeah.

So, a few things....don’t sleep with people in the office (obviously) and the whole private bathroom thing is just weird.  What’s interesting to me, is that different can be and in many cases IS good when it comes to interviewing.  You can don’t want to be Costanza different.  When you’re interviewing you want to show off why you are exceptional and what makes you different from the rest of the candidates.  Got it?

Ok, later in the interview George gets to meet Mr. Steinbrenner...

Cushman: I gotta tell you, you are the complete opposite of every applicant we've seen. Mr. Steinbrenner, sir. There's someone here I'd like you to meet. This is Mr. Costanza. He is one of the applicants.

George Steinbrenner: Nice to meet you.

George Costanza: Well, I wish I could say the same, but I must say, with all due respect, I find it very hard to see the logic behind some of the moves you have made with this fine organization. In the past twenty years, you have caused myself, and the city of New York, a good deal of distress as we have watched you take our beloved Yankees and reduced them to a laughing stock, all for the glorification of your massive ego.

George Steinbrenner: Hire this man!

One thing you want to do in interviews is speak your mind.  Tell the truth and then really answer questions as truthfully and honestly as you can.  No doubt.  However, George pretty much attacks Steinbrenner here.  It’s honestly a hysterical exchange if you have the chance to see the show.  Very rarely will someone say “Hire this man” after being assaulted verbally like this.  Answer truthfully, be direct and if you’re the right fit....someone will want to hire you.

More soon, I’m trying to write a ton and as always good luck out there....having a great career isn’t easy

Why every team needs an Avery Bradley

I talk a lot in this blog about the importance of the team, a lot of it is admittedly focused on hiring superstars.  And, as we all know hiring superstars is so easy.......um right, no it’s tough.  So, in this post I want to draw an analogy for you that will I think make a lot of sense.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley....chances are you’ve never heard of him but you’re very familiar with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce or Rajon Rondo.  Bradley? Who?  Well...let me show you a few stats from the Boston Globe:

In the Celtics’ first 30 games this season without Bradley, when he was rehabbing his shoulders, the team’s defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) was 102.1, the 13th-best mark in the NBA at that time.

But in the 27 games since Bradley has returned, the Celtics’ defensive rating has skyrocketed to 97.2, the second-best mark in the league...

Read that again.  One guy, one undersized 22 year old guard take the Celtics from a middle of the road defensive team, into an elite defensive team.  One dude.  The implications for those of us recruiting, hiring or building teams is huge.  It’s not necessarily about building a team of stars....it’s about building a team with a few stars (KG, PP, Rondo etc) and surrounding them with players that EVERYONE better.  No one will be driving Bradley to the Hall of Fame for what he does...but what he does makes Hall of Fame players better.

So,my question to you is this.  Do you have an Avery Bradley on your team?  If not, you should.  What would a workplace version of Avery Bradley look like you say?  Here are a few traits:

- A world class expertise in one very specific skill.  For Bradley, it’s defense

- That skill....rubs off on the team and make everyone better.  For the Celtics, it’s “team defense”

- Energy.  Watch this video and you’ll notice Bradley never stops.  His teammates call him the “pit-bull”......that energy is infectious and makes everyone play harder.

So, there you go....when you’re building a team hire as many superstars as you can (see the Heat, Miami) but make sure you supplement them with high energy specialists that make everyone better.

Until next time......good luck out there.

How about a chat for your job search?

Quick post this week...but a really important one for those of you looking to get a little more social in your job search.  The topic, what’s Twitter chat?  Well, a Twitter chat is basically when a group of people get together and use a hashtag to have a conversation via Twitter.  Sound crazy?  Well, it’s not....it’s probably the single best way to network with new, social people today.

Here’s what you do:

1) Get comfortable on Twitter - Don’t tweet much!  Find people in your industry, follow them, and engage.  No one cares if you are watching TV or doing something mindless.....find folks talking about something you find interesting.  Trust me, they are out there.  Search for #jobs or something like that #java, #coffee...whatever, and you’ll be surprised.

2)  Watch a few chats happen - There are a bunch I’d recommend for job seekers, specifically #TChat, #InternPro and #JobHuntChat which are all HR related..lots of great people there, just follow the hashtag and watch the conversation.

3)  Tweet!! - Ok, you knew this was coming right?  After watching a chat or two....start participating.  You don’t have to do much.  Send a few RT’s?  Answer a few questions?  That’s it, start engaging in the community.

4) Network - Many of these chats (InternPro specifically) encourage networking at the end of the chat so people can take conversations offline and help each other off.  So, enjoy the chat and then at the end make a few new connections.

5) Turn your Tweeps into real relationships - This is the key tip.  These online relationships are great but converting them into real connections makes all the difference.  At the end of the day, all these newfangled social tools are great...but the same old networking rules that I preach about constantly apply....

What are you waiting for?  If you’re looking for a new social way to juice up your job search....find a few chats on Twitter and get going.

Hope to see you in a chat online soon!

The importance of a plan

This will not be a “New Yeast Resolution” blog.....quite the opposite as most resolutions fail.  For your job search you need something more.  The one critical thing I’ve learned, especially as I’ve gotten older is that it’s a lot easier to get things done if you focus on the individual tasks as opposed to the final goal.  Understanding the goal is critical, but without a thorough understanding of what it takes to get there...you’ll fail.  I say this stupid thing all the time “Rome wasn’t built in a day”....dumb phrase?  Yep....but it helps me keep focused on the BIG goal while accomplishing something that gets me closer to where I want to be.

So, when you’re thinking about a new job if you sit around daydreaming about being the VP of Global Awesomeness.....you’ll never get there unless you have a plan.  As such, here are a few thoughts on how to keep focused on the goal without losing sight of the day-to-day.

1)  Write it down - Write down the big goal.....something like “I want to be the VP of Awesome” will work.  Just enough info for you to visualize what you are looking to get done.

2) Work backwards to figure out the steps - Start outlining all the things you’ll need to do to accomplish this goal by working backwards....for example.  In order to be the VP of Awesome you might want to be the Dir of Awesome or Manager of Awesome....or frankly you might want to be Awesome before you can be the VP of Awesome. Don’t stop until you get to where you are today.

3) Honestly assess where you are today - Be honest, where are you today? What have you done or can you do to get better?  Get another degree?  Step up at work?  Stop staying up late playing video games?  Every little bit helps, so be honest and start putting down as much as you can.

4) Launch the plan - By now, you’ve got a huge pile of random thoughts/information about what you want to do.......turn it into a plan and get it done.  Honestly, this is the easy part as by the time you’ve mapped out what you need to do and where you are today you’ll be chomping at the bit to get started.  So do it.

Good luck out there, the job market still sucks so if you are looking for a new job in 2013 you’re going to need to really work at it.........don’t leave anything to chance.   Build a plan and get it done.

How to explain being fired

Tough topic this week but one that most people at some point will have to deal with...unfortunately.  This topic came in as a request but we’ll keep the source confidential.  Being fired is one of the hardest things to explain to a potential employer and how you explain it will be critical to your future career search.  There is no silver bullet on this kind of thing but hopefully these few tips will help:

Be honest - Obviously, right?  I mean, lying about being fired is THE worst thing you can do in your career (well, one of the worst...) so you want to make sure you are being upfront and honest with any future employers about what happened.

Don’t be emotional - Being fired is an emotional thing, I get it.  But when explaining what happened to another company you want to check the emotions at the door.  Trust me, no one wants to hear your side of a story that they can’t verify.  They want the details, the facts and a chance to form their own opinion.  Getting overly emotional and freaking out will make you look defensive.....and unhirable.  

Learn from the experience - LOTS of people get fired, seriously, it happens.  But the people that recover take the experience, get introspective and learn from it.  Being able to look back at your experience and get better....now that’s a winning approach.  Take some time, be honest with yourself and get better.

Move on - This might be the most important tip.  You’ve GOT to move on and get yourself back together again.  Dwelling on the experience will get you nowhere.  Take time to digest the experience, learn from it...and move on.

That’s it this week, tough topic but one that I think if you handle it properly can lead to some great growth opportunities and really allow you to search deep inside and get better.

Good luck out there, more soon!

How to navigate a job fair

Ok, so this post is via special request....it is awesome to have ideas coming in from people so if you have one...let me know.

The idea of going to a job fair can be pretty intimidating.  Honestly, they are like huge speed dating events for people and companies looking for work.  Scary stuff. You know me, I'm a believer that your job search should be about 90% networking and 10% applying online...however, a job fair can be an important tool in your search.  With that, here are a few tips on how to be successful:

Don’t be “that guy” - What does that mean you ask?  Well, “that guy” is the dude in a 3 piece suit, the guy who looks like he just rolled out of bed and also the dude who kinda smells like peppermint schnapps.  Don’t be that guy.  Show up dressed professionally (not in a suit unless you are TOLD to wear one), well rested and ready to speak with people.

Have a plan - So, these things can be huge right?  I’ve seen job fairs with over 200 companies....if you have no plan, you have no hope. Figure out your “must” companies and be sure to stop by their booths.  Have another list of “yeah, maybe” companies that you want to hit but if you miss a few you’ll survive.  Finally, have a list of “no way” companies so yo know that you don’t want to stop by and be sucked in by their cool schwag.

Elevator pitch - You absolutely, positively need to have your little pitch down.  What you want to do is walk up to the booth, and boom, drop your elevator pitch on people to explain clearly and succinctly what you are looking for in a role.  Show up with a rambling answer and the recruiters in the booth will immediately tune you out, they have 100 other people to talk to and you just horrified them.

Follow up - It’s unlikely that you will just get a job or an interview on the spot at a job fair...so, your follow up is critical to your success.  Get the card of the person you spoke with and if you haven’t heard back from them in a few days...send an email to follow up and express your interest in the role.

That’s about it, the speed dating reference is actually a good one. You’re looking for work and the companies at this event are looking for workers...so you need to be networking and building relationships with people.  Keep at it, and eventually you’ll score a new job.

Good luck!

Mumford Recruiting - Advice for your job search from Mumford and Sons

Ok, it had been a little while since I did one of my musical posts and this one will be a little different.  It’s a pretty new album and it’s decidedly NOT metal.  If you look on wikipedia Mumford and Sons are described as a “British Folk Rock Band”...whatever that means.   Regardless, they totally rock and I’d highly recommend if you are looking for something cool.  This post is dedicated to them and will hopefully share a few recruiting/job search advice from their album “Sigh No More”.

Love that will not betray you, dismay or enslave you, - Sigh No More

I’m not really sure the recruiting hook here but I love this line and this song.  I’m sure you could make some snarky joke about Corporate America or who companies will always dismay or enslave you but I’m trying to start this on a positive note.


And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again - The Cave

This song pretty much rules, check the video here.  I really like this line for people who are having a hard time finding a job.  Interviewing sucks, and it’s very difficult.  The trick, is to take all these interviewing experiences good and bad...and get better.  Next time your name is called for an interview, be ready and kill it.

And my head told my heart
"Let love grow"
But my heart told my head
"This time no
This time no" - Winter Winds

Another quote that aligns perfectly with my recruiting thoughts..trust your heart.  Doesn’t matter if you are a hiring manager or a job seeker.  If something tells you “this is off” it probably is.  Now, I’m not sure you’re head should ever tell you to “let love grow” in a work setting but we’ll leave that to the HR folks....for now, trust your heart when looking at a new job.

It seems that all my bridges have been burned - Roll Away Your Stone

Have you burned bridges?  Not sure?  Think about it.  The second to last thing you want to do is burn bridges....the LAST thing you want to do is burn bridges and not realize it.  Take time every now and again to think about your networking and former coworkers and if you’ve burnt bridges try to repair them.  If you can’t repair them....that’s fine, just make sure you don’t ask them to be references!

Lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life - White Blank Page

This quote makes me think of mentors and people I’ve looked up to in my career.  Mentors are hugely important.  A mentor is with you for life and if you are a mentor to someone...be there for them when they need you.

I really fucked it up this time - Little Lion Man

Little Lion Man is probably Mumford and Sons most popular song...it’s awesome.  The recruiting link?  Well, we all f it up sometimes....it’s inevitable.  So, when you f it up....don’t avoid it.  Embrace the experience and grow from it.

And you have your choices
And these are what make man great
His ladder to the stars - Timshel

I REALLY like this quote for people looking to do great things.  There are times in your career when you have choices and those choices will make your career.  Some of them are HUGE and some might not be as big.  But the fact is, the choices you make in your career will be your ladder to the stars.  Are you up for the challenge?

My weakness I feel I must finally show - Awake my soul

If you honestly, truly want to grow as an employee...you have to expose your weaknesses and grow.  In order to become great, you have to focus on those things and turn them into strengths. Find a mentor, talk to them about your weaknesses and grow.

That’s it for this one, I’m on the road this week for work so I’ll try to post again but it might be a busy week.  Good luck out there this week, more soon.

Your cover letter is dead...

Ok, I’ve spoken a lot about resumes lately and so I wanted to quickly hit on the whole idea of a “cover letter’.  Here is a fact, the cover letter as it’s commonly known is dead.  D-E-A-D.  Do you know why?  Because no one, and I mean no one sends paper resumes anymore.  If you do, they probably end up in the trash.  It’s true, sorry.

So, if the cover letter is dead in it’s traditional form what are you supposed to do?  Here are a few ideas.

Send an email - um, duh.....email is the new snail mail (well, it’s not that new) but send an email that would kind of look like a cover letter of old.  You’ll obviously want to be less formal, and word to the wise----craft an email that shows up is only as big as the “preview pane” so recruiters like me can quickly review it and not have to scroll through a ton of text.

Send a resume - You know, apply online.......if you need more than that, nevermind....

Network for a job - This is my favorite and one of the most important.  The BEST way to get a job...networking.  So, do some networking and meet people by leveraging your LinkedIn profile so that you don’t NEED a cover letter.  All you need to do is have a few informational or informal chats about the role...follow up with a resume later....interview.....take the job.

That’s it for now, I should have another post later in the week.  Special thanks to David Rosenthal for the topic...Thanks!!

Jeff

Lessons from the Scott Thompson story

Usually I avoid talking too much about “current events” in recruiting but I think I’ll start doing more blogs that give my views on such things.  So, here we go...first try.

By now you should all know the story of Scott Thompson, the former CEO of Yahoo who resigned because of a discrepancy on his resume.  If not, you can read about it here.  Crazy story, but honestly I think there are a lot of lessons for anyone either looking for a job or involved in hiring.  In no particular order:

Don’t lie on your resume - OBVIOUSLY!!!  Come on man, don’t like on your resume!!!  This is like being a decent human 101.  And while I’m at it...lying about the kind of degree you have?  Really?  I mean, come on people this stuff isn’t hard....

Blaming the recruiter is for jerks - Apparently Thompson blamed the recruiting agency who placed him for the discrepancy...please!  This whole part of the story makes me sick.  Seriously, this kind of thing gives recruiters a bad name and it shouldn’t.  If you get busted doing something shady, suck it up and admit it.

Background checks matter - I’m pretty horrified that neither Yahoo nor Heidrick & Struggles did a background check to confirm degrees on Thompson.  Frankly, what was Ebay doing too?  Now, some of my Exec Search friends might chime in with a “finding a CEO is different” response but I’m sorry...if you’re going to do a background check on a $35K a year entry level hire you’d better be doing it for C-level hires too.

Know your candidates - If you’re a recruiter out there reading this, you have to know your candidates.  Spend the time to check references from when they were in school and get to know them.  Companies are going to pay you big bucks for the service, do them right and take the time to know your candidates.

Admit it - Thompson was outed by AllthingsD.com and then proptly went all Watergate and tried to blame everyone involved....rather than take the blame.  The moral as always here, the coverup is frequently worse than the crime.  When busted, suck it up and admit you were wrong.  People love a comeback and are likely to forgive you.  No one like a lying jerk who digs a deeper hole.

That’s it, sitting here I feel like this could be a REALLY long blog so I’ll cut it short.  Now, I don’t know all the facts (clearly) but from what I’ve read (see the link to the WSJ story) we can all learn a ton from this story about recruiting, HR, a job search and working with an external agency.

Use a customized resume!

Quick job search tip this week.  Make a customized resume!  When you  are applying for a job make sure the resume is relevant.

For example.  Applying for a job at Wal-Mart you'd want to make sure your "Objective" says something like "To obtain a job as a sales professional at Wal-Mart".  Even better...you are sending that to a recruiter at Wal-Mart (call him Jeff) and you'd want to send an email/cover letter that actually addresses "Dear Jeff" with that customized resume you make specifically for Wal-Mart.

Finally, make sure your resume speaks to the job.  If the job requires a certain skill that you have...make sure you MENTION that skill in your resume. Never assume people will think it's there.  Assume they won't, and put it into works.

You'd be surprised how many "To Whom It May Concern" letters I see with a resume that states something like "To get a cool job that grows my skills".  Lame, lamer and lamest.....take five minutes to do a good job an send in a resume that shows you care.

Good luck this week!

Jeff