Get Job Offers, Have Fun Doing It

I have many colleagues who find themselves preparing for a job search. As I speak with them about the process, I notice that the greatest anxiety they share is the job interview process. Some people dread job interviews. Smart, talented, accomplished people would rather fall down the stairs than jump through this hoop.  It is easy to understand why; it is an important meeting, yet most of us have not had many opportunities to practice for it. There is a lot at stake. Folks who have been at the same job for a while are out of practice and wonder if job interviewing has changed. More than a few people have mentioned to me that they are afraid the interviewer will be unpleasant, confrontational, and make them feel unworthy.

I don’t mind going on job interviews. Of course, being human, I still experience some anxious excitement as I prepare to walk in, but not fear. One reason for my general lack of anxiety is my careful preparation. The other reason is my mindset.

There are thousands of resources that help you prepare for the types of questions you should be ready to answer in an interview, so I won’t cover too much of that. My goal here is to help you get your head in the right zone for maximum success.

In my adult life, I have never gone on a job interview that did not result in at least a second interview. Many led to job offers, some of which I turned down because they weren't right for me. I hope some of what I have discovered about making job interviews more enjoyable and successful will be helpful to you.

Getting Ready

First, try to have fun with this. View it as an adventure. Everyone wants to work with happy people who are comfortable in their own skin. Presenting yourself this way is your challenge.

Be early. Make sure you know where you are going and how to get there. Nothing adds stress quite as well as running late. Sometimes I drive by the day before to be sure I know how to get there and to check the commute. I like to arrive 30 minutes early and just relax in the car for 15 minutes getting my thoughts together and then check in about 15 minutes early. Breathe deeply and slowly before you enter and after you arrive, because calm looks like confidence.

Bring a professional looking binder or journal and two pens. Take notes. This will be useful when composing your thank you letter and remembering your visit. It also gives you something to do with your hands. 

Leave your phone in the car, or turn it off. You need to be completely focused on what’s happening here and now. 

Remember that you are awesome. You have had jobs before, you will have jobs again. You are good, and smart, and they would be lucky to have you. Maybe you don’t completely feel this way, but you can pretend for an hour, right? You need to get a little psyched up about yourself as a candidate if you want someone else to do the same. Think about times in your life when you’ve been successful, when you’ve done well, and meditate on them. This exercise will be handy since you’ll likely be asked to describe such times in your interview.

Think about how much you have earned in your life so far. Actually sit down and calculate it. You might be amazed at the total. You could earn that amount several times over in the years to come. This job is just the next page in your book. Let these thoughts inspire confidence and calm.

Learn all you can about the company. Technology makes this easy. You don’t want to walk in spouting statistics, but be prepared to demonstrate that you took the time to investigate if it comes up.

As a person of faith, I pray. During my last job search, I went to a chapel before or after every interview, and asked for blessings and wise discernment. In that sacred space, the right decisions became clear and anxiety faded. If you are not a believer, meditation can also help you to access your own inner peace and wisdom.

Game Time

Be yourself, but be your best version of yourself. If you are feeling nervous, it’s OK to say so if you put it in context. Say something like, “Wow, I’m surprised to find myself feeling nervous. I guess I’m just excited about this opportunity.” It is OK to be human, it makes you relatable and the interviewer might make an effort to put you at ease. 

Understand that the job interview is a two-way street. They are interviewing you, you are interviewing them. Each of you gets to make a choice. An interview is like a first date, everyone is hoping for a love connection, but you can’t force it. You need to decide if you want to be there, just as they are deciding if they want to have you. If they see you as a professional who is doing your own decision making rather than as an “any port in a storm” candidate, it will reflect well on you. When they ask you if you have any questions, make sure that you do.

If the interviewer is a jerk, or inept, that is no reflection on you. An interviewer who is mean, unpleasant, unorganized or disengaged is doing you a huge favor. Assuming they are the hiring manager, do you really want to work for someone like that? No, you don’t. Better to find out now. I recently had a disastrous interview. I did well, but the interviewer was clearly in over her head, and it seemed to me she hadn’t interviewed anyone in years, if ever. She asked me only one question, and then talked about herself for 90 minutes. I went home and sent her a polite email letting her know I had decided to take my job search, “In another direction.”

Give complete answers, but don’t over-talk. This is a listening time, too. If you need a minute to think after a question is asked, take it. To buy time for your mind to find the answer, say something like, “Ooh, that’s a good question, let me take a minute to match it with a good answer.” I find that interviewers love when you occasionally tell them that they have asked an interesting or provocative question. 

Be prepared to answer these questions:

• “Why should I hire you?”
• “What do you have to offer that the others don’t?” 

These are slightly ridiculous questions, but some version of them might be asked. Answering them confidently proves you are prepared and can think on your feet. Have a pithy answer ready.

To the first question, you could reply, “I have the skills you need. My years of relevant experience will allow me to make an immediate impact. You will never regret hiring me.” If you are a less seasoned candidate, you can say something such as, “I’d really love to work here, and after learning more about the position, I know I can do a great job for you.” 

To the second question, you need to choose one of your personal traits that define you that would also be of interest to the employer. I usually talk about my “commitment to personal integrity.” If you have a personal motto or creed, this is the place to share it. If you don’t have a motto, creed, or professional mission statement, get one. It shows that you have a sense of who you are and helps to convey your personal brand. Examine your personality for traits an employer can appreciate; examples include attention to detail, enthusiasm, loyalty, energy, tenacity, insight, commitment, drive, flexibility. Choose one, and find some strong examples in preparation for this type of question.

Keep It Positive

Never talk badly about previous employers, managers or coworkers. If forced to by the questions you are asked, keep it positive and turn it into a story about how you learned to work well with a difficult coworker or how you stayed professional and effective in a less than ideal environment. Perhaps you've had bad jobs and bosses straight out of Dilbert, but this is not a time to vent.

For those without a college degree, technical school certificate, or other formal training: Do not worry about your credentials once you have been invited to an interview. If they cared that you don’t have a degree, they would not have asked you to come in. Don’t bring it up if they don’t. If they do mention it, you could say, “Since you brought it up, do you offer tuition reimbursement?” That changes the conversation a bit by implying that you value education, but just haven’t got around to it yet.

Show Me the Money! 

Unless you are independently wealthy or a missionary, working is all about earning money. During the interview process you sometimes have to pretend it isn’t. It’s just part of the game. For that reason, never ask about money at the first meeting. 

While I believe it is poor etiquette for a potential employer to ask you what you are currently earning or wishing to earn at the first interview, these days many hiring managers will do just that. They don’t want to invest their limited time and energy into someone unlikely to take the offer. If this happens, stay cool. Try not to let them use your salary expectations to disqualify you. Try to answer in generalities and ranges. If they press for details, always be honest, because if you lie it could disqualify you when they find out.

Remember, what you earn now is not necessarily connected to what they will have to pay to get you. Perhaps you are underpaid because you failed to negotiate in the past? Don’t make that mistake again.  If pressed in this way, I respond, “Right now I am earning ‘X’ however with my skills and experience I know I am prepared to move to the next level in my career. I’d be pleased to negotiate a salary once I have learned more about the position, the expectations and responsibilities, and how I can add value in this role.”

Write down what you think would be a fair salary for the job based on reality, research, and the value you can bring. When I am looking for a job or anticipating an offer, I write the minimum amount of salary that I'll accept on a card and put it in my wallet. This helps to insure that I don't sell myself short under pressure by accepting less than I am worth. Also, it could be useful in negotiations; if you bothered to write the magic number down before you arrived, they'll know you are serious. If an employer is unwilling to meet my magic number, then I walk. Declining offers that don’t measure up is a firm commitment I’ve made to myself. It can be terrifying to turn your back on a real job offer, especially if you are unemployed, but I’ve never done it without soon after receiving a magic-number-beating offer someplace else.

Stick the Landing

At the end of the interview, ask some version of this question: “Have I said anything today that would disqualify me from remaining a viable candidate for this position?” Why ask that?

 1) It is a gutsy question! It shows confidence and insight. You don’t even work there yet and you are already trying to learn from the experience. It shows that you have courage and you are not afraid of the truth.
 
2) If they answer, “Yes” you will know where you stand and you can take one last stab at addressing their disqualifying concern. You can also be sure to address the perceived weaknesses again in your thank you letter.
 
 3) If they say, “No” then you have forced them to recognize, admit (and state out loud) that you remain a contender for the job. I asked this question at the interview for my current job, and the interviewer was visibly impressed. Their, “No” let me know I was still in the running. 

Survived the interview?
Good! You rock!

Say Thanks

Always send a thank you note, even if it was a terrible interview and you have no intention of pursuing the opportunity (see above). If you write it by hand, mail it on the ride home so they get it the next day. If you send an email, do it within one business day of your meeting. If there are two candidates of equal qualifications, the one who sends the best letter will win.

In the letter, be sure you summarize the meeting, what you learned, and how you are equipped to address the needs of the organization. Confirm that you remain interested in the role, if that is the case. If you are not interested, politely say so. That will allow the hiring manager to move on to other candidates. Don’t forget to check spelling and grammar; this is not a good time for sloppy mistakes.

Take a Deep Breath

Once you've sent your follow up letters, take a deep breath. You've done your very best, and that's all you can do. If things don’t work out, don’t despair. It is not necessarily a reflection on you if an offer is not made. Business has many moving parts; maybe the funding for the position was revoked. Maybe the timing is wrong. Maybe the CEO’s nephew needs a job. Maybe it is the wrong job for you. Maybe God has other plans for you. Maybe something better is right around the corner. Try to learn from the experience, and move on with the confidence of knowing you survived! Worst case scenario, you’ve had an opportunity to practice, and you’ll do better next time.

Good Luck! If you are facing job interviews soon, I hope that these tips will help you to overcome anxiety, relax, enjoy the process, and reach a better outcome. 

If you have any interviewing questions I have not covered, I'm happy to answer them. I invite your comments below, or email me privately at my-moneytrip@cox.net

Learn to Earn More!

One of the goals of this blog is to help you to hone your offensive game, which means earning more. (You can come back later and read about this HERE.) 

Most people think they need to earn more. Surveys have shown that at ALL income levels, people believe that a 20% raise will solve all their money problems. This is because we live in a society that tends to overspend. We think that just a little more money will make all the difference. The fact is, we can often survive and even thrive on what we currently are earning by shuffling the deck a bit.  Chances are that somewhere out there is a family that earns less than you and it is doing just fine. I challenge the idea that you need a raise, when what you may need is a good, solid budget and some discipline.

But, just for the sake of discussion, let’s suppose the issue really is income. Maybe you are just the best budgeter, the most frugal fanny ever, but there is still an income shortfall. Or maybe you really are underpaid and under appreciated in your job. Well, then it's time to earn more. I know, easier said than done, but for most of us far from impossible. 

Someone is getting paid –
why not you?

You can do this!

First, a pep talk: If you are unhappy with your job or your income, you, and only you, have the power to do something about it. This will require effort and energy! It might require a serious job search. It might require education. Often, it requires a change of attitude, but always it will require a plan. Most individuals do not stumble upon their success. Most fortunes, whether large or small, are born of a plan, well executed, repeatedly, over a long period of time. You really need to believe in yourself here – it is essential!  

There are no jobs?

You might find, as countless others have, that the raise or promotion you are wishing for is available at your current company. Failing that, there might be opportunities at another company right up the street. To find, you must seek. If there truly are no better jobs available in your industry or region, then it might be time to reposition yourself for something new. If that is the case, admit it, take a deep breath, then make a plan to reinvent yourself. You might need to learn a new trade, or you might be able to apply your existing skills to a new profession. Take a fresh look at what you can offer, and what employers need. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll get there.

Do the Hustle!

Extra work. Odd jobs. Deliver pizza. Tutor. Handyman. Babysit. In-home day care. Yard sale. Shovel snow. Cut grass. Wait tables. Stain fences. eBay. Craig’s List. What can you do that someone would pay for? Don’t be above this line of thinking. The infusion of extra cash from an odd job is sometimes enough to retire some old debt and get the budget loosened up. Many times, the part-time gig turns into a larger opportunity. Most wealthy families have multiple streams of income. What do they know that you don’t? In my early twenties I had four paying jobs at one time. I worked days, nights, weekends, and once took a freelance design job – on Christmas Day. Hustle, baby! Someone’s getting paid, why not you?

It’s never too late

You are never too young, or too old, or too anything else. Mary Kay of cosmetic company fame was 45 when she started her eponymous company. Colonel Sanders was 65, retired and broke, when he began trying to franchise his unique chicken recipe. That worked out pretty well for him.  I know a guy who is 64, approaching retirement, and thinking of opening a hot dog stand. Awesome!

Five ways to get a raise:

I’m just a regular guy, and I teach what I know. Well, I’m a regular guy who is not afraid of a little risk. You MUST take risks to succeed. Those who risk move up. Hiding in a cubicle hoping no one asks for anything difficult while checking your Facebook account will seldom result in the big raises. 

The following actions increased my salary:

I said, “Yes.” Yes to more projects, work, responsibility. Be sure to smile as you do this. “Yes! 

I moved. Switching to new departments or to a new company creates the ideal opportunity to negotiate. There is never a better time to boost your salary than when moving. 

Someone is getting recognition –
why not you?

I educated myself. Gaining new skills is key to advancement. It’s practical, but also shows employers that you are a mentally active person who is interested in improving yourself.  I earned my BA 18 years ago, but I have continued to take classes in topics that interest me, and I am certain that doing so has helped my career. You do not necessarily need to get your MBA, any formal training will suffice. I believe that employers view associates who continue their education more seriously than those who do not. Additionally, I have found that the confidence gained from the education experience is often as important as what you actually learned. 

I asked. Yes, that actually works – sometimes. Timing is key. Ask for a meeting and make your case. Explain why you are worth more. Base it on research and facts, and never on what you need. The worst thing they can say is “No,” but at least they will know where you stand and you will know that you tried. 

I was awesome! OK, I’m not always completely awesome, but on my best days, I really give it all I have! If you do your job as if you are the best in the world, eventually someone will take notice.  If you do your job as if people are watching, eventually they will be watching. If you are going to devote half your waking hours to something, why not be really good at it? Make it easy for your boss to justify giving you a raise by being unusually excellent. 

When preparing to ask for a raise or negotiating a new opportunity, do your research. Find out what the market says you’re worth. www.salary.com is a fantastic resource and respected by employers, so start there. Not only do they have a cool salary calculator, but they offer free podcasts on negotiating skills that are worth a listen. 

It’s all on you

I once worked in what I would call a toxic environment. Many of the employees at the company had been there for years – too many years. Most were poorly paid. The best days of the company and the industry were behind them, and they spent a lot of time complaining, commiserating and whining. I found myself getting sucked in by their constant negative droning, until one day I realized what was happening and made a conscious decision to extract myself.

From that day on, I made two changes. First, I started looking for a new job. Second, I would announce to anyone who whined to me:

“If you do nothing to improve your situation, then you forfeit the right to complain.” * 

This statement became my personal mantra, with the added benefit of creating a whine-free zone of positivity around me. While I eventually moved on to a better job with more pay, many of my old co-workers stayed behind for years, wallowing in a stew of self pity, doing absolutely nothing to improve their situations. How sad.

Never in history have there been more opportunities and more resources available to those who wish to capitalize on them. The economy is awakening from its hibernation. (My pal at the unemployment office swears things are turning around.) This is a good time for fresh starts, new careers, and reinvention. 

If you take no action, take no risks, make no plan, and do nothing about your less than ideal income situation, then you forfeit the right to complain about it. If you choose to do nothing to improve your situation, acknowledge the choice you have made and learn to be happy with what you’ve got. If that’s not going to work for you, then it’s time to make a plan to earn more, and put the plan into action. 

* Note: “If you do nothing to improve your situation, then you forfeit the right to complain.” is copyrighted © 2012 by Marc Bastien. This statement will be appearing soon on t-shirts and coffee mugs, so don’t steal it unless you are ready to lawyer-up! ;-)

Offense and Defense – What's Your Game Plan?

When it comes to money, there are two categories into which everything can be divided: offense and defense. Offense is what you EARN. Defense is what you KEEP. Personally, by necessity, my forte has always been defense. I’m getting better at offense. My goal, posted here for all the world to see, is to become excellent at both.

Offense – Someone who is good (strong) at playing offense will earn a high income relative to their needs. Someone who is bad (weak) at playing offense will earn a low income relative to their needs. Simple as that.

Defense – Someone who is good (strong) at playing defense will spend less than their income, which means that there is income that can be saved.  Someone who is bad (weak) at playing defense will outspend their income, whatever it may be, leaving little or nothing for saving. While it is not difficult to overspend a low income, there are plenty of people who will overspend their income no matter how high it goes.

Many people are good at offense. Many people are good at defense. Much less common is the individual who is good at both, as this person will almost certainly end up wealthy. Someone who is good at neither may end up as broke as a $3 watch. Either way, the percentage of your income that you keep is more important than how much you earn. For this reason, I propose that defense is more important than offense.

OK, huddle up!

Strong Offense + Strong Defense 

(Make a lot + keep a lot, relative to income) = Winning with money!

Weak Offense + Strong Defense 

(Make a little + keep a lot, relative to income) = Winning with money!

Strong Offense + Weak Defense 

(Make a lot + keep just a little or none) = This game is too close to call.

Weak Offense + Weak Defense 

(Make a little + keep just a little or none) =  A losing season. Time to fire the coach.

As shown above, strong defense is the “X” factor in winning. If you have a low or modest income, but live beneath your means, you will have money with which to build wealth. Small amounts of money invested over a working lifetime can lead to a fortune at retirement. If you have a high income, and live beneath your means, all the better. Either way, you win when you spend less than you earn and invest the difference. 

As with any game plan, both a strong offense and a strong defense are best. I recommend that you get to work on the defense right away, since that is most important, and it is something you can have an immediate impact on. This means spending less and saving more. Improving your offensive game is a bit more work. To do this, you must make a plan to earn more. Easier said than done I know, but for most of us far from impossible.

One of my goals with this blog is to help you hone both your offensive and defensive game. I will do both with stories still to come. Meanwhile, some homework: brainstorm your own personal ways of getting better at money offense and defense. How will you start to earn more or reduce your expenses – right now, today? It would be cool if you’d share your ideas with the readers here at the Money Trip blog. Or, you may email me privately at my-moneytrip@cox.net. Good luck!