gcapone, Author at Palladian Career Resources

Assessment of the Recorded Interview

Yesterday’s post contained a recording an interview question and answer. The interview was with a transitioning military officer and the question asked was “Tell me about a time when you helped someone improve their performance.” Below is my assessment of the answer.

The interview answer was a pretty good answer. It directly related to the question and showed the success of the job seeker. The conclusion was strong, providing clear benefits to the organization.

Unfortunately, the answer provided too much detail of unimportant information and not enough detail of some key points.

The job seeker spent a lot time explaining the circumstances. A much shorter description of the responsibilities of the individual being mentored would have been better. For example, explaining why the Department of Agriculture needs to do their inspection doesn’t add value. What is important is that the subordinate needed to learn how to manage that process.

The other area that could be improved is related to the actions of the job seeker. He described some of the activities he performed to develop the individual, but his explanation was light. He emphasized that her primary need was to gain experience. With this goal, he had to take a more supportive approach, rather than just driving performance. To make a stronger impact, the job seeker should have clearly described the coaching he provided. Describing the expectations he set, the frequency of his reviews, and the topics he coached would have created a clearer picture of what he did.

The key is to make it absolutely clear to the interviewer how you achieved specific results. This allows the interviewer to picture you providing similar results in their organization. One technique with this answer that may have been successful would be to describe a single coaching session, or even just a portion of the conversation from a coaching session.

Try to keep your answers on topic, well organized and specific and you will make a better impression. Overall, this answer was good. It would probably be adequate in most interviews. Making a few improvements could change it into a real winner.

What any aspects of the answer that you think could have been improved? Please leave a comment with your thoughts.

Interview Recording: Developing a Team Member

Below is a recording of an interview answer given by a transitioning military officer. The question I asked is a typical behavioral based interview question:

“Tell me about a time when you helped someone improve their performance.”

Listen to the Answer (Time: 3:25)

Please post your comments on the answer this individual gave. In tomorrow’s post, I’m going to discuss my recommendations.

This is the second in a series of recorded interviews that I will be posting. My goal is to post at least one recorded interview question per week. Interviews were recorded and posted with the prior permission of the job seeker.

Cover Letter Advertisement

What if companies wrote ads the way most job seekers write cover letters? Here’s my version of a direct mail letter that you might receive from a car company:

Dear Car Buyer:

We are seeking an individual to buy a car we are selling. Our ideal customer will have good credit and be willing to pay top dollar. We strongly prefer customers that will provide repeat business to us. We are in need of boosting our revenues and are looking for an opportunity to grow our profits. I am certain you will find the car we are selling is ideal for fit for your needs.

This car is a true standout in market. It drives and provides an excellent means of transportation. In addition, it offers the ability to carry goods in various storage locations as wall as convey multiple individuals.

We are absolutely certain that, if you just give us a chance to prove our car in a test drive, you will agree this is the best car on the market for you. With it’s excellent track record, it is certain to make a substantial impact on your goals.

I look forward to setting up a test drive for you today!

Sincerely,

Mega Car Dealer

If you received this, would you rush out to buy this car? What make and model of car does the letter describe?

I receive cover letters like this all the time. They have no personalization. The benefits the job seeker might provide one of my clients are so general that they are meaningless. The letter focuses on the needs of the job seeker. Finally, too many cover letters make over exaggerated claims of being perfect for the company, but give no reason why they’re any good.

Check the Sentence Structure in Your Resume

Below are three consecutive bullets from a sales executive’s resume, exactly as they appeared on the resume:

Relationships were developed through networking and cold calling as well as face to face meetings to discuss business needs and the potential impact of our services on each organization.
Reached over 95% of annual sales goal in my first year in 9 months.
I was able to penetrate 7 new accounts within the first 2 years as well as maintain current established clients.

Each bullet has a different structure. The first has an implied subject and is passive voice. The second also has an implied subject but is written in active voice. The third bullet includes the subject and is written in passive voice.

An inconsistent writing style can be very distracting to read. The solution for this is easy to implement. The implied subject is the typical style and active voice is usually preferred over passive voice. Here’s how I would reword these:

Developed new client relationships through networking, cold calling and face to face meetings.
Reached over 95% of annual sales goal in my first year in 9 months.
Penetrated 7 new accounts within the first 2 years while maintaining established clients.

In addition to reading more consistently, the reworded version has a third less words. Remember, shorter text is more likely to be read.

How to Customize Your Resume For Each Job

It is important to customize your resume for each position you pursue. Every application should be tailored to best present your background. Although most job seekers know this, few understand how to go about it. Fortunately, it’s not that tough once you know what to do.

Cover Letter

Write a new cover letter for each application. The basic form will be the same. The main thing that will change is your explanation why you are interested in the position. So few job seekers customize their cover letters, and almost none include information that clearly shows they did some research. Doing this will make you stand out.

Objective Statement

If you have an objective statement, make sure it matches the opportunity. If it doesn’t match, the odds are that you will be rejected based on this. A hiring manager doesn’t want to waste time on a job seeker that isn’t interested in the job.

Accomplishments

If you have a job description, pull out the three or four most important requirements. Then, make sure you have an accomplishment demonstrating each requirement somewhere in the last two or three jobs you have held.

Skills

Look at the key technical skills for the position and detail your experience with each. You don’t need a lot of information on each skill, a few words may be sufficient. The key is showing you possess the skills and creating the interest with the hiring manager to want to learn more in an interview.

Responsible for…

A resume I reviewed today had the following description under the most recent job (a customer service manager):

"Responsible for increasing base business growth through coaching, mentoring, and training initiatives for front-line service providers, and establishing and maintaining relationships with customers. Specific duties include: …"

This listing goes on for another half dozen lines or so listing basic reponsibilities such as "resolving customer complaints" and "utilizing effective written and verbal communications skill." Needless to say, there was little if anything to get excited about.

The resume was devoid of any statement that this job seeker had ever been successful at anything. They had been responsible for a lot, but it’s just a guess how they performed.

What do you think a hiring manager will do with this resume? Most hiring managers will put this in the "discard pile," or at best, the "save for later in case I can’t find anything better pile."

Now, it wouldn’t take much to improve this – just a little information about whether they were successful. If you’re in a sales or customer service management role, how do you describe your experience? What accomplishments do you have on your resume?

Interview Assessment

In the recording I posted yesterday, you heard me ask a transitioning military office the ice breaker question that kicks off most interviews – "Tell me about yourself."

The answer included the officer’s military career in chronological order and concluded with some information about hobbies.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad answer and is typical of a lot of job seekers. There were several areas where this could be improved.

First, the individual focused on the career stops they made, and not the overall progression. For example, the listing of the locations of their postings didn’t help the answer. This information is on the resume. There’s no need to repeat.

Second, the individual listed very little in the way of accomplishments. When you start an interview, you should discuss some of the high points of your career.

Third, the individual didn’t discuss the reason he transitioned from Infantry to Strategic Plans. This would have a great talking point. A lot of job seekers fail to discuss why they made important career moves. Explaining the motivation behind their career moves gives a great opportunity to highlight skills and abilities. For example, this individual might have said something like this:

"I really enjoyed serving as an infantry officer was able to develop my leadership skills in this role. Despite this, I had a significant desire to utilize my analytical skills in a more strategic role. Moving into Strategic Plans allowed me to focus on developing these skills. In particular, I was successful at… <insert short description of an accomplishment> …This experience helped me become a much more well rounded leader."

My example sheds some light on what motivates and interests the individual, it highlights a couple skills and it provides a specific accomplishment.

Fourth, the discussion of hobbies did nothing for the answer. In a short answer like this, you only have a few minutes to discuss your entire career. You should not run out of professional information to discuss in that time.

Transitioning Military Officers: Interview Example

Recently, I conducted a practice interview a military officer preparing to transition into the civilian workforce.

As with most interviews, the first question I asked was “Tell Me About Yourself.” Many interviews start with this and it’s a question many job seekers find challenging. Listen to this individual’s answer and assess it for the following:

Did the individual answer the question asked?
Was the answer clear and easy to follow?
Was the answer concise?
Was the content appropriate, too detailed or not detailed enough?
Did the answer create a professional image?
What do you think the individual should have done differently?

Listen to the Answer

Tomorrow’s posting will have my assessment of job seeker’s answer.

Behavior Based Interviews

An increasingly common interview style is the behavioral interview. With this interview, hiring managers attempt to assess candidates based on how they behaved in a variety of circumstances.

The rationale is to determine how an individual would perform by assessing how they have performed in similar situations in the past.

To interview effectively in a behavior based interview, job seekers need to be able to discuss, very specifically, what they have done. An essential first step in preparing is to develop a selection of stories that you can adapt to any question.

Behavior based questions typically follow the “Tell about a time when you…” format. Each question will address one or more attributes that are important for the job. The question is designed to help the hiring manager determine how you measure up with the attributes.

Many firms that utilize behavior based interviews will use the same or similar questions with every candidate. They do this to make is much easier to compare candidates.

To be successful, the most important thing is to have clear, concise and organized answers. Having interviewed a large number of job seekers, I’ve seen numerous individuals give answers that are difficult to follow. This makes a very poor impression. Another important factor is having a good grasp of you strengths and weaknesses. Many job seekers have difficulty assessing themselves and even more trouble communicating their assessment. If you want to make a positive impression, knowing what makes you attractive to an employer is critical.

Remember, you are competing against job seekers that have a similar background and the same level of experience (and perhaps more experience). The fact that you can do the job got you the interview. To land the job, you need to stand out.

Get our book on behavioral interviewing.

Other Great Books to help you prepare for Behavioral Interviews:

Military to Civilian Transition: 50 Objective Statements

Yesterday, I listed 50 objectives from resumes of managers and executives. Today, I have 50 more objectives, but all of these are from military officers transitioning into the civilian workforce.

For transitioning military officers, it’s improtant to have an objective statement. Transitioning from the military is a significant career change. Defining what type of position they are seeking is important.

OBJECTIVE: Logistician / Analyst
Objective: To be an asset to the company with my experience in the U.S. Army
Objective: To obtain a position that will allow me to display my rapid adaptation and troubleshooting skills. My ideal position would allow me to make use of my talent for rapidly learning new systems and technology and integrating new, old, and international equipment to further my education and career. This position would let my ambition lead the way giving me open space to excel and move upwards to the best of my abilities.
Objective: To acquire a professional position of the Customer Service focus to further develop myself as well as enhance an established work force.
OBJECTIVE: TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT AS A WASTE/WATER PLANT OPERATOR
Objective: Obtain a position with an established company to utilize my experience, technical knowledge, and skills in administration, logistics, computer systems and software, office equipment, people, and organization that will contribute to efficient business operations.
OBJECTIVE Seeking a position as Generator Technician where experience and motivational skills will enhance the company.
CAREER OBJECTIVE: Recently retired active-duty service member seeking a position in the U.S. Government sector to include the Logistics, Transportation and Security industries that will certainly capitalize on my military training, leadership and management skills. Team oriented, well organized individual, with 20 years experience in the U.S. Army’s Transportation Logistics arena.
OBJECTIVE: To obtain a management position with a progressive organization that will effectively utilize my acquired expertise and experience.
OBJECTIVE: To obtain a position with an organization where I can maximize my multilayer of management skills, quality assurance, program development, training experience and administrative skills.
Objective: A challenging position as an Administrative Office / Human Resources Manager
OBJECTIVE: Corporate position which capitalizes on a 15-year career leading senior level financial operations and managing “turn around” operations supporting an organization’s new direction and strategy. Senior level experience managing financial transformation plans integrating program and project management initiatives, oversight of multi-million dollar budgets, and acquisitions. Extensive experience in multinational markets.
Objective Seek a position in Administration Services or Human Resources.
OBJECTIVE: Seeking an Information Technology position
OBJECTIVE: A position as Logistics Analyst in an organization where an extensive knowledge in Acquisition and Logistics Management is utilized to ensure accurate logistics and customer support for the Warfighter.
Objective: Information Technology Management
OBJECTIVE: Seeking a career utilizing my management, leadership and instructional skills.
OBJECTIVE: To secure a position that will provide a challenging and respectable career as well as room for advancement
Objective: A Production/Distribution Supervisor position
OBJECTIVE: To obtain a challenging position as Program Manager.
Objective: Senior Maintenance Supervisor
OBJECTIVE: Desire a career in Project or Operational Management.
OBJECTIVE: A position as a Network Switching Systems Technician/Installer with full range of responsibilities and possibilities for advancement.
OBJECTIVE: A position as a Safety Manager/Director.
OBJECTIVE: A POSITION IN SENIOR MANAGEMENT where I can leverage my experience in operations, Human Resources, security and intelligence.
Objective: Seeking a position as a logistician
OBJECTIVE: Seeking a challenging opportunity in Project/Facility Management, that will utilize my skills in overseeing total project development from start to finish, including maintaining quality and cost control.
PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE: A challenging Director of Logistics or Supply Chain Management position utilizing leadership, coordination, operations, logistics and communication skills to improve team building and focus on customer service and profit margins for a company in the Government Infrastructure, Oil and Gas or Industrial supplies/products industry.
Objective: To seek career opportunities and provide my knowledge and expertise in knowledge management and communications planning using my extensive skills to an innovative and adaptive detail and results oriented company.
OBJECTIVE: Seeking an analytical position in management or administration that allows me to use and apply over 34 years of progressively responsible experience in both the Department of the Army and public education. Skills and experience include extensive knowledge of workforce (manpower) management, Army programming and budgeting, human resource management, training and development, and logistics.
PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE: I am seeking to join a team of dedicated and highly skilled professionals as a Senior Logistics Planner/ Manager/ Analyst/ Trainer/ Project Manager or Supply Chain Manager.
OBJECTIVE: Full or part time position within the field of Loss Prevention/Security or investigations
Objective: A Human Resources Opportunity where I can utilize my professional, technical and leadership skills in a company with a long-standing reputation for a great customer service and strong business partnerships.
OBJECTIVE: To secure a position as a Manger with an established organization utilizing my technical knowledge in Human Resources and experience gained from 25 years as a Leader, Trainer and Manager with the army.
OBJECTIVE: Work in a leadership position committed to customer service, developing employees, and achieving organization goals.
Objective: To secure a Manufacturing Production Superintendent position where my past experience and educational experiences would be fully utilized in a career opportunity.
Objective: Seeking a position within a company where I can contribute my efforts and use my acquired skills to complete a mission.
PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE: A senior position involved in all aspects of managing and reporting in financial terms the results of an enterprise’s operations to its internal and external stakeholders or a senior position involved in all aspects of logistics/production.
OBJECTIVE: Seeking a challenging management position with a dynamic company that will utilize my solid logistics, operations and program management background to the fullest capacity.
OBJECTIVE: I would like a responsible management position in a challenging environment, which will utilize my expertise in aviation logistics in marketing and foreign military sales.
Objective: To obtain a professional position where my experience, initiative, leadership and management Skills will be strongly utilized.
OBJECTIVE: Seeking a challenging and rewarding position in Human Resource Management/Strategic Planning where my skills and experience will be utilized to enhance organizational goals.
JOB OBJECTIVE: Seeking a challenging IT software development position to leverage and expand my full-life cycle technical leadership, team building and software development skills
OBJECTIVE: To obtain an Administrative Services Manager or Security Management position in the Colorado Springs Area.
OBJECTIVE: Seeking a challenging management position with a dynamic company that will utilize my solid logistics, operations and program management background to the fullest capacity.
OBJECTIVE: Seeking a challenging and rewarding position in Human Resource Management/Strategic Planning where my skills and experience will be utilized to enhance organizational goals.
Objective: A senior program management, operations or consultant position in a firm supporting homeland security or defense related enterprises.
OBJECTIVE: Seeking Distribution/Operations/Logistics Manager’s position.
OBJECTIVE: Senior management position using proven leadership, planning, and problem solving skills that will result in superior accomplishments and achieve organizational goals.
Objective: Executive Management- seeking a senior position to draw on proven results-driven abilities in strategic planning, team building, or organizational needs assessment.

I’m intersted to hear your impression of the objective statements – do you plan on making any changes to the objective on your resume? How would you assess the average objective – good/bad, effective/ineffective?