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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 co-workers 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 co-workers
(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.
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