How do I navigate  sticky interview questions, including illegal ones?
- Eduardo

The gut reaction in an interview is a feeling like you’ve got to placate your interviewed to stand a chance to getting the job.  But here’s what I got to say about interviewing.

If successful in landing the job, you are going to be spending most of your waking life with the people you’re interviewing with.  Make sure this interview goes both ways. You’re interviewing them as well.  Show healthy respect for yourself instead of being submissive and placating.

They may not even know a question they’re asking is illegal.  You can help them by saying something like the following:

• “What is it you’re trying to determine with that question?”
• “I’d love to answer if there’s a way you could rephrase it” or something like this to help them understand that they need to get on better legal footing
• “I’m uncomfortable answering that question.”

Remember you’re not asking for a hand out, you’re offering your skills to a new employer.  Treat yourself like the valuable resource you are!

As a mature candidate, how can I articulate my experience in a way that’s not holding me back or getting me screened out.
- Mary K.

Obviously if you say you have 40 years of experience in the field, people are going to start doing the math.  Think of synonyms such as “extensive experience.”  Just like everyone else, package yourself so that people get a sense of “Wow, look at all this person brings to the table.”

Beyond how you articulate your experience ask yourself a few questions:

• Are your skills up to date?
• Can successfully interact with generations x & y?
• Are you open to new challenges and doing things in new ways?

If the answer is ‘yes’ then build those discrimination busters into your messages about yourself.

If the answers are ‘no’ then you may have some work to do in order to make yourself a more qualified candidate.

Any hiring manager is crazy to discriminate against experience – make sure you’re qualified.

When following up with a job interview or contact – what is acceptable when the companys does not respond to email, voicemail etc when they left the conversation saying they would get back to you?

A question from Steve at our webinar: “Discover Your Ideal Job and How to Get It”

Steve, I’m sorry to say this, but they may not have been telling the truth.  If you’ve called and left messages for the people you interviewed with I recommmend the following:

1. Take a breather.  Have you really given them enough time to get back to you?  (Try multiplying the amount of time you think is acceptable by three before getting too antsy.)

2. Contact them once a week, not more.

3. Stay in touch – and see #2.

4. Move on at the same time.  It’s kinda like dating – be pleasantly surprised when they call, instead of waiting breathlessly by the phone.

Rooting for your success!

Michelle Randall

Job-Right.com

If I’m asked if I have other interviews, what is the best answer?

Yes you do! They may be today, tomorrow or a week from now, but unless the interviewer is smart and gets you off the market quickly you have other interviews. As my grandmother always told me, “Honey, don’t ever sell yourself short.”

Check out our interview guide – it’s just one part of Job-Right, the most comprehensive and insightful career optimization program available.

Rooting for your success!
Michelle
www.job-right.com