1. 24 SPIRIT OF WOMEN SPRING 2016 w w w.spiritof women.com
C A R E E R C O R N E R
SHUTTERSTOCK
talk clearly about your accomplishments and strengths, and
explain how they would translate to a new job and a new
company, is crucial.
In addition, be sure the image you present communicates
your professionalism by dressing to be taken seriously,
says Nealon. That means wearing well-fitting, conservative
clothing in good repair, and no overpowering perfume,
cologne or aftershave.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
To get comfortable talking about yourself during a job
interview, you need to practice. Start by jotting down your
talking points: why you’re interested in the job and the firm,
why you are looking to leave (or have already left) your
current job. Use the research you’ve done on the company
to inform your answers.
Ideally, you can find a friend or family member to help
you rehearse. Have them ask you common interview
questions and practice how you’d reply. Or, use the
recording feature on your smartphone so you can play back
your own answers to listen and edit.
FOLLOW UP WITH GRATITUDE
Nealon’s final piece of interviewing advice could just as
easily come from your mother: Write a thank you note to
every person with whom you met within 24 hours of the
interview. Nealon cites research that shows only about 1 in
every 5 candidates do this.
“Sending a thank you is Interviewing 101,” he says. “I’m
always amazed that smart, capable people don’t do it.” •
By Margaret LittmanAcing
the job interview
W
hether the economy is up or down,
job hunting can be a stressful, time-
consuming proposition, from crafting
the perfect cover letter to following up
on resume submissions.
All that preparation pays off when you land a coveted
in-person interview—but that’s when the real work should
begin, says Bob Nealon (aka Career Coach Bob), a
Florida-based certified professional career coach and job
search strategy expert.
“Most people do not prepare, don’t practice and don’t
research before an interview. That’s a mistake,” he says.
“Interviewing is truly a skill.”
MAKING THE GRADE
No matter what kind of job you’re applying for, be it entry
level or C-suite, Nealon says a prospective hire will be
assessed on three criteria during the interview process:
• The ability to communicate your value: how you produced
results at other jobs;
• Whether you are a good fit for this particular employer:
how your values and experiences mesh with those of the
company; and
• Call it likeability or call it chemistry: whether your
demeanor makes people want to spend 40 hours (or
more) each week with you.
If you’re like most people, Nealon says, you may be
uncomfortable tooting your own horn. But being able to