Unfortunately the potential new employment referred to in my last post relating to interview prep didn't work out. I blame the fact that I had a touch of a stomach bug, but went to the interview anyway. I can't say I was in the greatest shape for a thorough questioning - in fact, I did one thing "the experts" always tell you not to do, and that was to chew gum during the interview... but I only did it to alleviate the nausea. To be fair, I probably wouldn't have hired me either!
Having been called in for a different interview this coming Thursday, I'm now faced with Interview Prep 2, and this time it's personal. I know the group I'm interviewing with fairly well, and the position is an excellent match for my skills and experience. I should be set, and ready to nail this one, right?
Well... no. I had a session with Life Coach (LC) yesterday, and I thought I'd use the session as an opportunity to focus on my interview skills. We went through the job description and person specification in painstaking detail, and what emerged is that while I'm very good at what I do (if I do say so myself), I need to work harder at both knowing myself and, more importantly, selling myself.
Take, for example, the dreaded question "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" I, like most interviewees, hate this question. I feel like any answer I give is only going to sound like bragging (for the strengths) or like a silly attempt at trying to re-frame a positive as a negative ("I work too hard... I'm a perfectionist...") So I've been working on this, and working through the notion that selling yourself isn't the same as bragging or being a show-off (not if you do it properly, at least!) - no, it's actually what is expected of you at an interview. Common sense, right?
So yes, potential interviewers... my name is K, I am awesome at what I do, and given the opportunity I will strive to be the best thing that has happened to your company or organisation since it was founded. Your long and arduous search is over. I'm your girl.
Wish me luck!
Showing posts with label Personal Branding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal Branding. Show all posts
24 April 2009
Staying "Up" in the Down Times
Part of my recession-chic (read: "unemployed and penniless") lifestyle involves making the most of available opportunities, especially the free ones. So when I read on Krishna De's Twitter feed that not only would she be speaking at a networking event on positivity during the recession, but that she was giving away FREE! TICKETS! TO BLOGGERS! I jumped at the chance.
The event was hosted by PA Assist and Osborne Recruitment at the Ballsbridge Court Hotel on Wednesday 22nd April. Thanks to my genetic predisposition to arrive at any event at least 15 minutes early, I had lots of time to grab a coffee and chat to other participants. Unlike me, most people I spoke to seemed to have jobs, but were attending the event because of the near-constant state of fear and uncertainty in today's job market. As I mentioned in my previous post, how does one stay positive when all around us things seem to be crumbling and changing?
The first speaker to address this issue was James Sweetman - a leading business, personal and performance coach based in Dublin. His hour-long presentation was full of encouraging messages, tips and suggestions, combined with an infectiously optimistic personality and a great sense of humour. His tips on how to stay "up" in the down times focused on maintaining positivity, knowing yourself and being aware of what you can control. So I may not be able to control being rejected for a job, but I can control how I react to the rejection.
The next speaker was Brendan Murphy, from Osborne Recruitment, who focused on the employment side of things. He had good tips on jobhunting (yes, I took copious notes!) and emphasised the importance of knowing yourself: your strengths, your weaknesses, and what makes you different from other candidates. Needless to say, I'm hoping that knowledge of these issues leads to increased self confidence which will naturally lead to a job. I plan to test this theory intensively, and will report back!
The final speaker was Krishna De - social media, marketing and personal branding expert, and the reason I even found out about the conference. She highlighted the value of using social networking to help you in your life, your job or (in my case) your job hunt, which I found extremely useful. Being relatively new to sites like Twitter and LinkedIn, I could sense the potential, but wasn't sure how to fully harness it. Her talk definitely helped, and I'm now pursuing everything with a better understanding of how to get the most out of my various sites!
Overall I'd have to say the conference was really enjoyable. It's definitely not an easy time out there in recession-land, particularly for jobhunters, and often "staying up" is easier said than done when you've just received your millionth "Thank you for your application, but..." letter.
Really, it's all about confidence, and having the courage to persevere. A rejection is not the end of the world. Stand up, dust yourself off, go for a walk in the sunshine, and make a fresh start at it tomorrow.
It works. Honestly.
The event was hosted by PA Assist and Osborne Recruitment at the Ballsbridge Court Hotel on Wednesday 22nd April. Thanks to my genetic predisposition to arrive at any event at least 15 minutes early, I had lots of time to grab a coffee and chat to other participants. Unlike me, most people I spoke to seemed to have jobs, but were attending the event because of the near-constant state of fear and uncertainty in today's job market. As I mentioned in my previous post, how does one stay positive when all around us things seem to be crumbling and changing?
The first speaker to address this issue was James Sweetman - a leading business, personal and performance coach based in Dublin. His hour-long presentation was full of encouraging messages, tips and suggestions, combined with an infectiously optimistic personality and a great sense of humour. His tips on how to stay "up" in the down times focused on maintaining positivity, knowing yourself and being aware of what you can control. So I may not be able to control being rejected for a job, but I can control how I react to the rejection.
The next speaker was Brendan Murphy, from Osborne Recruitment, who focused on the employment side of things. He had good tips on jobhunting (yes, I took copious notes!) and emphasised the importance of knowing yourself: your strengths, your weaknesses, and what makes you different from other candidates. Needless to say, I'm hoping that knowledge of these issues leads to increased self confidence which will naturally lead to a job. I plan to test this theory intensively, and will report back!
The final speaker was Krishna De - social media, marketing and personal branding expert, and the reason I even found out about the conference. She highlighted the value of using social networking to help you in your life, your job or (in my case) your job hunt, which I found extremely useful. Being relatively new to sites like Twitter and LinkedIn, I could sense the potential, but wasn't sure how to fully harness it. Her talk definitely helped, and I'm now pursuing everything with a better understanding of how to get the most out of my various sites!
Overall I'd have to say the conference was really enjoyable. It's definitely not an easy time out there in recession-land, particularly for jobhunters, and often "staying up" is easier said than done when you've just received your millionth "Thank you for your application, but..." letter.
Really, it's all about confidence, and having the courage to persevere. A rejection is not the end of the world. Stand up, dust yourself off, go for a walk in the sunshine, and make a fresh start at it tomorrow.
It works. Honestly.
16 April 2009
Life Coach
One of my lecturers mentioned that a colleague of his was offering free life coaching sessions as part of her certification process. All we had to do was write in and describe our current situation, and we'd be able to arrange the sessions.
So I did. Encouraged by the word "free", and the thought (correct or not) that this stranger might hold the key to sorting my life out once and for all, I figured I'd be foolish not to jump at the opportunity.
I had my first session yesterday, and I can already sense the potential benefits. It's so refreshing to have a new, outside perspective on my situation, distinct from the old standbys of the partner and the parents who, despite their best intentions, are incredibly biased in thinking I'm the best thing since sliced bread.
Life Coach (LC) and I went over the steps I'd taken in my job hunt thus far, and analysed what might be some of the barriers to my success. As I've always been confused at how seemingly ideal candidates (not just myself) often are unable to get interviews, it was interesting to get the opinions of someone who has also done executive and business coaching - an "insider" of sorts.
So now I have "homework" to do before my next session. This involves making a list of companies or organisations that I'd like to work for, including the names of the HR managers, so that I can put together a plan for proactive job hunting (rather than relying on advertised positions, which is what I've been doing at the moment).
I'm approaching it with a healthy dose of optimism and confidence. I will land a job if it kills me. I'm so glad LC is there to help me!
So I did. Encouraged by the word "free", and the thought (correct or not) that this stranger might hold the key to sorting my life out once and for all, I figured I'd be foolish not to jump at the opportunity.
I had my first session yesterday, and I can already sense the potential benefits. It's so refreshing to have a new, outside perspective on my situation, distinct from the old standbys of the partner and the parents who, despite their best intentions, are incredibly biased in thinking I'm the best thing since sliced bread.
Life Coach (LC) and I went over the steps I'd taken in my job hunt thus far, and analysed what might be some of the barriers to my success. As I've always been confused at how seemingly ideal candidates (not just myself) often are unable to get interviews, it was interesting to get the opinions of someone who has also done executive and business coaching - an "insider" of sorts.
So now I have "homework" to do before my next session. This involves making a list of companies or organisations that I'd like to work for, including the names of the HR managers, so that I can put together a plan for proactive job hunting (rather than relying on advertised positions, which is what I've been doing at the moment).
I'm approaching it with a healthy dose of optimism and confidence. I will land a job if it kills me. I'm so glad LC is there to help me!
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