| Your work history becomes
a key focus in a job interview, usually right after the requisite
pleasantries of whether you had difficulty finding your way,
comments about the traffic and weather, and an offer of coffee
or water.
As you settle back in your chair, trying
to look a lot more relaxed than you feel, the interviewer
picks up your resume or application and starts to ask for
details about your prior experience.
If you have a resume that specifies quantifiable
results, now is your chance to expand on that. If you increased
sales by 20% per quarter or completed a departmental reorganization
that resulted in a budget reduction of 10%, you are on your
way. Obviously such achievements outlined in your resume impressed
the potential employer enough to call you in for an interview,
so your amplification of the details of actions you took will
be eagerly welcomed.
Unfortunately, most of us perform work
where the results are less obvious. If you have worked in
production or customer service or retail, it is very difficult
to tie your efforts directly to company results. In such a
case, try to highlight any personal successes or management
recognition that demonstrates your competence.
Any promotion is excellent, even if only
to a lead position or being put in charge of a special project.
Describe what you did so that the interviewer can appreciate
your prior employer’s belief in your ability to take
on new responsibilities.
If no promotions were made (often none
are readily available), identify any situations where you
were singled out for recognition. That may range from being
employee of the month to being asked to train new coworkers
or receiving a written or verbal recommendation from a customer
you assisted. If you received positive feedback from supervisors,
describe the details.
While each job applicant tries to represent
themselves as a super-achiever, the fact remains that many
of us work quite competently for years without ever receiving
a genuine promotion or even much recognition. Employers are
aware of that. In fact, if the position is routine without
much room for upward mobility, they may be wary of an over-achiever
who is going to chaff against the lack of promotional opportunities.
One of “The Apprentice” applicants looking for
work in a manufacturing environment would be viewed with more
than a dose of suspicion.
If such is your case – a good solid
worker (or even somewhat marginal), find some personal strengths
to describe. If you seldom take sick leave or have a reputation
for always being on time, now is the time to focus on that.
Perhaps you take off time whenever you can and run perennially
late, bring up another aspect of your character such as an
ability to work as part of a team or outstanding relationships
with coworkers (those jawfests around the water cooler or
the three beers after work with your cronies, complaining
about the management monkeys you have to tolerate, are finally
a positive reflection on you!)
If you have worked for one employer for
an extended period of time, you don’t have to stress
your stability, the interviewer already knows that. Instead,
concentrate on answering the unasked questions in his mind,
his fear that you are set in your ways. Stress your flexibility
and desire to learn new skills and procedures. If you changed
departments or job title or responsibilities during your long
tenure, give the details and how well you adapted to change.
If your work history is varied with many
jobs for short periods of time, explain how much you learned
from each separate job and stress your current desire to blend
your experiences into a long-term, stable career. Describe
how you are looking for a company where you can hunker down
and commit for the long haul.
It may take you some time and self-exploration
to identify it, but there are always some aspects of your
work history that carry a positive spin. Don’t be afraid
to dwell on your strong points no matter how unimpressive
you fear your prior jobs may seem.
Virginia Bola operated
a rehabilitation company for 20 years, developing innovative
job search techniques for disabled workers, while serving
as a Vocational Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers'
Compensation Courts. Author of an interactive and supportive
workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual,
and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached
at http://www.unemploymentblues.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Virginia_Bola,_PsyD
|
bravenet.com
