Get That Job!

What you’re looking for

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:08:15 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Most of you coming to visit the site in the past month are here by searching for something specific.

SCOTI

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has not done much to help explain what SCOTI is or how Ohio citizens should use it. A significant number of you find this blog because it’s one of the few (maybe the only) places that mentions it.

I’ve mentioned elsewhere that I’m not an expert on SCOTI. I wrote this post contrasting SCOTI and an Indeed Salary Search, and it remains one of the most popular articles people read. I get emails from readers, asking how to sign up for it, and I reply with all that I know:

It’s been ages since I tried to use SCOTI myself. I’ve heard the ODJFS recommends checking out http://ohiomeansjobs.com

How to Answer Interview Questions

Many readers come here looking for ways to answer job interview questions. I know I need to be reminded of these myself. In November 2009 I participated in something called NaPodPoMo, which stands for National Podcasters Post Month. Every day in November that year, I posted a video where I took a stab at a typical job interview question. You can find that series of videos here: Job Interview Questions: NaPodPoMo 2009 Video Series

Some of your particular favorites have been:

I’d also recommend checking out the broader Interviewing category, which includes posts that are not part of the NaPodPoMo 2009 series.

Counter Offer Letters

Two posts I wrote about counter offer letters don’t contain much information. I still point people to the Google search results for “sample counter offer letters.”

What else is important?

I’d love to know what you’d like to see more of. I’ve got some ideas that still need to be fleshed out, but I’d love to keep this as a valuable resource for you. Let me know if there’s something you’d like to see more of. Also, let me know if you come across a bad link; i.e., one that no longer works. I’d also like to know what’s working for you? I provide no guarantee that anything I write over here will work, but maybe something has worked for you.

Contact me. And, if you’d like, check out what else I’m up to here

No related posts.

The Pursuit of Happyness

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:39:05 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Few movies have moved me on such a visceral level like “The Pursuit of Happyness” starring Will Smith. The movie is based on real-life events of Chris Gardner.

I recommend seeing it. Again.

This scene is his interview for his internship.

The Pursuit of Happyness – Job Interview

In this scene, it’s his last day of his unpaid internship. A truly inspiring one.

Best scene of Pursuit of Happyness

Your Job Searching Success Story – with a Prescription

How to Find a Job You Love and Where You Excel

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:45:55 +0000

Authenticity is key in looking for work. Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, shares about that in this video (click to see embedded video):

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you like the content here, please use them when purchasing.

TweetMyJobs – Using Twitter in the job search

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:19:08 +0000

Image via CrunchBase

As I’ve talked with people where I live, many of them have wondered how Twitter could be used in the job search. Aside from building and communicating a personal brand presence, I’m now recommending TweetMyJobs.com.

I only recently started looking at it, and I really like the benefits for job seekers, as seen via the TweetMyJobs Job Seeker Intro:

Have access to thousands targeted JobChannels™, so you only get the jobs that match your profile in your feed
Receive INSTANT notification of new jobs in your Twitter feed or on your mobile device
Learn of new posting from thousands of leading companies
Post (and tweet) your resume and custom profile to thousands of recruiters and hiring managers
Forward jobs to friends
Receive daily job updates via email or RSS
Be able to search for jobs using our TweetMap, a Google Maps enabled job tool

Up to now I’ve had some of this on my own, through my own tinkering around. I like that this interface has been developed in such a way that anyone can use it.

Using Twitter in Your Job Search (psychologytoday.com)
Facebook-Infused Job Search Site Finds Listings From Your Social Graph (mashable.com)
How to Use Twitter to Help You Find a New Job [Jobs] (lifehacker.com)

How’s Your Job Search Going?

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:30:00 +0000

If you ask, most people in a job search probably hate getting asked this question.

I’m currently reading a book called Breakthrough! (affiliate link) by Paul Kurnit and Steve Lance. It’s more of a business book, but the marketing principles are certainly applicable to those in transition. Chapter 1 of the books is ”How Ya Doin’?”

Job seekers are not alone in their dislike of the question. Paul and Steve say that question is one of the most feared questions people in business hear all the time as well. Without sounding like a complete advertisement for the book, I think there are some great things they share that can transfer to those in a job search. (Note: I originally came up with the idea for this post in the spring of 2010 before I’d even heard about the book.)

It should be easy, they say. After all there are only 5 choices, which I’ve adapted for the purpose of this post:

“Terrible.” If your job search isn’t what it could be or your career outlook isn’t what it used to be, what are you doing about it? Take stock of what you already have to offer. Then figure out a new game plan and transition into something else.
“Could be better.” This is probably what most of us would say. Whose fault is it that our search is the way that it is? The only one who can change it is you. Time to make a plan to make it better.
“Same old, same old.” What?! It sounds like rear-view mirror thinking. This is a dangerous spot to be in, because you could soon find yourself thinking that things will be okay in the future because they have been in the past.
“Great! Couldn’t be better!” Maybe things are going well for you in your search. Maybe you feel that everything is falling into place and you can just coast along. The truth is that, just as consumer brands need to develop and grow to stay at the top in their respective industries, so we ourselves as brands need to develop and grow to stay at the top in our respective industries.
“It’s great, but it could be better.” You should always be actively involved in creating what Matthew Kelly, author of The Dream Manager (affiliate link), calls “the best version of yourself.”

So, how’s your job search going?

Memorable 2010 job-search stories (sfgate.com)
Job Seekers, Forget About LinkedIn: The Ultimate Guide for Your Twitter Job Search (customerthink.com)
Looking for a job in 2011? Here’s how to stand out (msnbc.msn.com)
Shake Up a Job Search Success Cocktail This Holiday (personalbrandingblog.com)

LinkedIn power tip: your headline

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 05:39:21 +0000

There are plenty of things you can do to optimize your LinkedIn profile as someone looking for work. We could do a whole series on LinkedIn profile optimization probably (maybe we will!). I’ve included some other great posts in the Related Links section, but here’s one simple power move you can make.

LinkedIn power tip: your headline

I learned from my friend Amybeth Hale that there is a whole science around how recruiters and sourcers (not sorcerers!) – people whose job it is to find potential candidates for recruiters – search for people. In fact, there’s a blog you can read that goes into this very subject called Boolean Black Belt. One thing she taught me was that these folks are searching the Professional headline/tagline/status field in LinkedIn specifically for people who mention that they are “looking for work”.

LinkedIn status

This item in your LinkedIn profile is also what shows up as others browse connections while using LinkedIn. It shows up whenever you post discussions and answers. It’s a great way to help brand yourself.

Read more about it at Amybeth’s article “What!? *Don’t* put ‘looking for a job’ in your LinkedIn status?!?“. My key takeaway: if you don’t ask for it, you won’t get it. (That, and to be nice to the sourcers and recruiters in your life who can help you find your next gig!)

What are some LinkedIn power tips that have worked for you?

Related articles

How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile (e1evation.com)
How to Create a Strong LinkedIn Profile (e1evation.com)
LinkedIn: Three ways to polish your profile for the New Year (macworld.com)
What Your LinkedIn Profile Says About YOU (customerthink.com)
Top 20 Most Useful LinkedIn Blog Posts of 2010 (customerthink.com)
LinkedIn Reveals the 10 Most Overused Job-Hunter Buzzwords (mashable.com)

Connecting with Daniel Johnson, Jr. directly on LinkedIn is easy, but please mention that you saw this post: LinkedIn power tip: your headline.

Some Friday Fun – VIDEO

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:34:26 +0000

We need more laughter. How about 4 babies laughing at the same time?

Filing for unemployment in Ohio

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 01:21:51 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

As I’ve said previously, I’m not an expert in Ohio Unemployment Benefits. I don’t work for the State of Ohio. I’m just a guy sharing expertise gained from my own search and experience.

I don’t have to tell job seekers how frustrating it is to make sure you’re doing everything you need to get unemployment benefits. But I hope this post will point you closer to getting the information you need.

It’s gotten easier to file

It’s gotten a lot easier over the years. Back in 2002, you might appear in person to file for benefits, but the office began encouraging people to file for Ohio unemployment benefits through their hotline: 1-877-644-6562. You’d get a card mailed to you and you’d need to fill it out and mail it back. Or you could call the phone number and file your claim that way. What’s nice these days is that you can still use the phone number, but you can also apply and get Ohio unemployment benefit information online.

SCOTI – should I really care about that?

One of the most popular posts on this blog is this one I wrote almost 4 years ago entitled Ohio SCOTI System and Indeed Salary Search. I’ve gotten emails from readers asking how to register for SCOTI. To be perfectly honest, I don’t think you can. SCOTI doesn’t even exist anymore.

When you file your initial claim, this is something you can ask the person on the phone. They will probably point you to Ohio Means Jobs.

How to Survive Unemployment (socyberty.com)
Long-term unemployed workers grow (news.cincinnati.com)
Resuming unemployment benefits after work? (ask.metafilter.com)
Unemployment payments on way (dispatch.com)

You’re not the same person you were

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:24:12 +0000

The person you are today is a lot different than the person you were 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago.

After graduating from high school, I went to college, with my initial major in Chemical Engineering, just like my Dad. Spring quarter of that year I transferred my major to Civil Engineering.

Two-thirds of the way through my program, I knew I didn’t want to be a Civil Engineer. I concentrated on the Environmental Engineering classes and eventually graduated.

My first job was doing environmental management for a manufacturing company. After about two years, I began to see that work wasn’t a good fit for me. I’d developed some skill in programming databases to get reporting done, so I changed careers.

That was ten years after I graduated from high school. Twenty-two years ago this week was when I started college. I’m quite a different person today.

Your story probably follows a similar but different path. In my short life I’ve come to understand that how I feel about work and what is best for me professionally is different and will change, just as the world around me changes.

Clarifying expectations

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:02:49 +0000

: Image by farmerchris via Flickr

Having been around the blogging community for eight years now, this blog (and the Blogspot-hosted one that preceded it) have enough content that makes it stand out in search results for certain keywords. I also have made myself accessible through this blog.

Since I have been getting more emails lately from individuals asking for advice, I feel that it’s important that I help clarify what it is that I’m doing over here so you know what to expect from me.

Clarifying expectations

This blog is something I’ve done as a hobby, out of a desire to share what I’ve found interesting or useful in my own job searches and career development.
I am just a guy who writes this blog in his free time. Much less free time, now that I’m back in the workforce, since earlier this year. (I’m sure you agree that this is a very good thing.)
I am not an expert on SCOTI, or as it’s better known, Ohio Means Jobs, even though this blog post remains the most popular one here and continues to rank highly in search engines. (As far as I know, when you register for unemployment benefits, you’re registered for this program. Check with your state unemployment representative for more details.)
Whatever I share in this blog or in response to personal emails from the Contact page is simply my own opinions, which come with no express or implied guarantees.
Whenever you contact me through this blog or via email, you understand these things and are comfortable with them.

Now that we have an understanding, I’d still love to hear from you. Feel free to contact me via the comments or the Contact page.

No related posts.

Can Steve Jobs help you get hired?

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Last night I attended the $timulus Book/Networking Group in West Chester, Ohio. Monte Washburn led the discussion about Carmine Gallo’s book, The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience(affiliate link).

The context of these discussions is always around how the principles within can help people in their job searches and careers.

Check out Monte’s blog post.

17 Examples of Great Presentation Design (hubspot.com)
Steve Jobs’ Strategies for Overcoming Presentation Glitches [Presentations] (lifehacker.com)
Business Analyst – Daniel Johnson, Jr. (howigotmyjob.com)

Marketing lessons for your job search

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 27 May 2010 09:45:03 +0000

I have a confession to make.

I became fascinated with marketing as a result of being in a job search. I saw myself as that product/service/brand, and that it was my job to tell intriguing stories that would inspire people, especially hiring managers, to want to know more.

My journey has taken me to a place where I not only see this in myself, but I’m also looking at every marketing communication now as just that. I’m seeing the stories being told and identifying the targets for those stories.

You may have already made the jump to match what I’m writing here as to how it applies to your job search. Let me encourage you to watch this video with pen and paper, so you can take notes on what Rory Sutherland has to say.

Click here to watch the embedded video.

Have thoughts or comments to share? How are you applying these marketing lessons to your job search? In what ways have you branded yourself to those you are connecting with?

Unemployed Women Advised To ‘Think Like a Poker Player’ to Jump Start a Spring Job Search (prweb.com)
Passion and audacity in the job search (getthatjobonline.com)
The History Of Marketing (socialmedia.globalthoughtz.com)

No related posts.

Passion and audacity in the job search

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:45:10 +0000

If you’re passionate in your job search, it shows. If you have a goal, a targeted opportunity you’re zealously pursuing, it’s obvious. You cannot hide it.

Like this guy, who wants to work for U2.

Click here to watch the embedded video, if you cannot see it.

He’s even got a Facebook page that you can join to help him in his journey.

Hat-tip to Cliff Ravenscraft from GSPN.tv for the link via Google Buzz.

Finding awesome jobs (kottke.org)
Giveaway: I’m in a Job Search – Now What??? (jibberjobber.com)
Giveaway: I’m at a Networking Event – Now What??? (jibberjobber.com)

What is unemployment teaching you?

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:31:40 +0000

: Image by George Eastman House via Flickr

Carla, a longtime blogging friend, posted this on my Facebook wall yesterday:

I want to pose this question, Dan, to you and some of your readers of your blog. I am pondering the answering to this in my own life because I need some perspective in my own family’s situation, and would like some thoughts from others on this too. “What is unemployment teaching you”–about how you see life, family, Faith etc. It’ll be interesting to hear answers to this question!

When I think about the times I’ve been unemployed (and even underemployed), they have been defining moments for me.

I think I’ve been able to see my life as more than just a job. Unemployment forced me to separate work from my identity. With so many other people unemployed, and with the “wounded animal” demeanor that often accompanies the announcement that one is unemployed, I resolved to not let it be the most interesting thing about me.

It has naturally been a huge strain on my family financially. Unemployment benefits are certainly better than nothing, but they are barely enough to live on. So it forced us to really consider what is important. As one friend told me, when it’s really boiled down, all we really need is food, shelter, and clothing. This friend has been seriously reconsidering the direction his life is taking and is making some changes.

Managing the emotional side of job search has been one of the key things I really went after this time around. I resolved at the beginning of 2010 to be an incurably tough-minded optimist. It’s been hard, but that resolve has helped me focus on protecting my mind from negativity and disappointment.

I’ve read so much more during this period because I knew I needed to continue growing and changing, and I look forward to continuing this habit.

Having emotional support, not only from my family, but also from my church community and local job search support groups, has been very important this most recent time around.

Now it’s your turn…

What do you think about what Carla has asked? What is unemployment teaching you?

Unemployment and Underemployment (jibberjobber.com)
Unemployed Networking – Free for Unemployed (friendswhocare.us)
TweetDeck Targets a Growing Audience: The Unemployed (readwriteweb.com)

University of Dayton’s Transition to Teaching Program

The hardest part of your job search

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:52:16 +0000

: Image by brixton via Flickr

What is the hardest part of your job search?

Is it finding contacts to one of your target companies? Is it building a list of companies you’re targeting? How about preparing for interviews?

For me, the hardest part of my job search is also the most important part. What I’m about to say is echoed time and again from people I’ve interviewed for the How I Got My Job job search success stories podcast. I believe it’s the most important part and most often the hardest. Because it requires so much work up front.

The Hardest Part of Your Job Search

The hardest part of your job search is finding out who you are, what you have to offer, and communicating that value to others in a clear manner. One of the most common qualities of successful job seekers is Authenticity. These are people who understand themselves and have communicated it in such a way that matches what hiring managers are looking for.

Why It’s Hard

In his latest book, Linchpin, Seth Godin talks about “thrashing.” In my own words thrashing is that emotional and even physical unrest we experience to some sort of change. It’s the body’s way of trying to protect itself from harm, part of the survival instinct that craves routine.

When you find yourself out of work and needing to reinvent yourself, this thrashing occurs. Someone has said that they don’t need you anymore, and it’s not surprising that you find yourself in an emotional tailspin. So you thrash as you work toward finding out who you are and what value you have to offer. It’s good that it occurs, actually, because you need to work out the emotions to get to the other side of the process.

(Re)-Discover Who You Really Are

I’ve been thrashing over the past day, weeks, and maybe even months, working on identifying what I have to offer. I’ve spent the past 14 years primarily doing paid work in information systems, in application development. But over the past 8 years I’ve also developed some great expertise in social networking, so much so that others routinely ask me for advice and have even hired me from time to time to help them.

I’ve also gone through the StrengthsFinder assessment process and have learned that I have the following top 5 strengths:

Woo: winning others over; connecting easily with others
Positivity: seeing the best in people and situations
Strategic thinking: seeing things from the 40,000-foot perspective, ability to make the complex simple and easy to understand
Communication: expressing ideas in oral and written form, especially through stories
Activator: kick-starting projects, getting others excited about ideas

So maybe I don’t fit the profile of a typical application developer. But what to do with this experience and background? And how can I work that into a marketing document for myself?

The Resume Exercise

I agree with Dan Miller, the author of “48 Days to the Work You Love” and “No More Mondays,” that the exercise of putting together a resume is important, whether we’re planning to go to work for someone else or doing work for ourselves. The act of being able to authentically communicate who we are and what we offer to people who can hire us is of course important to them, but it’s equally important for us.

And yet this is where I’ve thrashed. Hard.

I think I’ve experienced what Cincinnati author Andrea Kay, in her book “Resumes That Will Get You the Job You Want,” calls “Rigid Resume Syndrome” (RRS). It’s this ideology that resumes must be a certain format or have a certain number of pages, and so forth. Different people tell you different things. The best resume is the one that gets you the interview, though, right?

I’ve had a technical resume that focused on what I did at my last job. I’ve also put together a functional resume that highlighted my experience in the social networking space, but I ~~was~~ wasn’t really satisfied with it.

A Cause for Urgent Thrashing?

Yesterday I got a phone call from the co-owner and President of the company who was our primary vendor at my last job. He asked me to interview, based on a recommendation from former coworkers. And he also wanted me to email him my resume.

So I thrashed. But I eventually overcame the resistance I’d felt and was finally able to put together a resume I feel brings out the combination of skills, strengths, and experience that make up who I am and what my unique value proposition is.

In typical social media fashion, I’ve uploaded it to my Virtual Business Card page where people can download it.

Parting Thoughts

In a world where many of us are continuing to build our digital footprint in the online space, it’s easy to expect it to be enough for people looking to hire us to seek us out that way and that resumes shouldn’t be required. I’ve wondered why hiring managers have continued to ask for my resume.

I see things differently now. The experience of creating the resume has further distilled my personal marketing message, and I feel better equipped to talk about who I am and what I’m looking for to others.

Your Turn

What about you? I’d love to hear about your experiences in this area. Feel free to leave them in the comments below. Or, if you’d like to discuss privately, you can get in touch via the Contact page.

Note: I’ve included affiliate links to books mentioned above because I’ve found these resources helpful and believe you might as well. Also, this post was inspired by this morning’s Google Buzz update. More about how I’m using Google Buzz.

Are You Afraid of Success? (jibberjobber.com)
140 Podcast Answer Man – Dan Miller Interview – Author of 48 Days To The Work You Love And No More Mondays (podcastanswerman.com)
How I Got My Job as a Director of Client Services – Jeremy Anderson (howigotmyjob.com)

On not hearing back after applying online

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:47:53 +0000

Ever felt snubbed by an HR department when you’ve sent in your application, having dotted all the i’s and crossed the t’s?

Here’s an interesting article shared on a LinkedIn group I’m a part of that might make you feel better:

Complaint Box | The E-Snub – City Room Blog – NYTimes.com

A pink slip or a blank page?

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:54:33 +0000

Getting laid off and losing a job doesn’t have to be the end of the world. It can be the best time to reinvent yourself. As one person in Lemonade: The Movie said, it’s not a pink slip – it’s a blank page.

Looking for a non-profit job?

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:59:03 +0000

: Image by MacRonin47 via Flickr

Could a job with a non-profit be in your future? I’ve interviewed a few people who landed jobs at non-profits. They’ve shared that the biggest difference between working at a non-profit versus a for-profit is that at a non-profit you don’t work to make money; you work to make a difference.

Here’s a comprehensive list of job boards for non-profit job seekers:

http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/tips-and-tools/nonprofit-jobs

I wish you the best in your search. Let me know when you’ve landed so that we can share your story with others.

Flexibility, Freelance Key for Journalism Grads in Tough Job Market (pbs.org)
Opportunity Knocks Releases 2009 Most Demanded Nonprofit Positions Listing (prweb.com)
How can non profits increase their funding opportunities? (startups.com)
Posts tagged ‘non-profit’ (howigotmyjob.com)

No related posts.

Dealing with down days

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:57:08 +0000

: Image by _mandrew_ via Flickr

crossposted to danieljohnsonjr.com/main

Yesterday was a down day. I don’t think I’ve felt so down like this in quite a long time. It was quite an emotional day of dealing with insecurity, anxiety, stress, and self-doubt.

As I think back to what contributed to this, I can definitely see that, among many things, I was very tired from having overextended myself earlier in the week. In addition, I haven’t been as active physically lately. I’ve loved taking our dog for long walks and using that time to relieve stress and haven’t been doing that as much.

I think down days are good for us, and I’m grateful that I saw it as only temporary. When we’re in those down periods, it’s good to explore why we’re feeling what we’re feeling to see what we can do to get back up. For me, it was taking a long nap and getting out of the home and going for that long walk with the dog.

I’m grateful to have great emotional support from my family. I’m glad my wife encourages me the way she does, and that I have a daughter who thinks I’m the greatest Dad ever. Because it’s so easy for me to look in the mirror, or be told on the phone or in an interview or a rejection letter that I don’t measure up to expectations.

I’m grateful for a network of friends who think very highly of me and let me know. I need to be reminded of my accomplishments, to be encouraged, just as much as I encourage others.

So I spend time in prayer and meditation. I find that music to help me with my mind and listen. I watch funny movies. I check out these 37 Videos That Will Blow Your Mind (thanks again, Chris Ryan, for pointing me to the link!).

And I blog.

No related posts.

Overcoming the dread of resume writing (BOOK REVIEW)

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:34:24 +0000

I made a confession on Twitter and Facebook yesterday: I hate writing resumes and cover letters and sending them off to people. I realize it’s a necessary part of the hiring process, but I’ve found it tedious and in some ways overwhelming.

I think the reason for this has to do with changing a career. I have a resume that somewhat worked for what I did at my last job, but, since I’m now moving in a different direction, I have to come up with a different resume. In my mind that often seems to be like an insurmountable task.

: Image by Olivier Charavel via Flickr

Last week I went to the library and browsed the books in the job hunting section for inspiration. I noticed this thin, tall book by fellow Cincinnatian Andrea Kay, entitled Resumes That Will Get You the Job You Want (affiliate link). This book was first written in 1997, and it contains a lot of things that are helping me overcome my dread of writing a resume.

Andrea writes in a real, down-to-earth style, and I love the approach that the book takes. She starts from having us inventory our strengths, expertise, and experience. Then she helps us get to the core of what we want to do and how we can make a difference, combining this into a thesis statement and objective. Once we do that, we’re able to put the accomplishment statements that support the thesis on the resume.

I’m still reading the book, but I wanted to let you know about it right now, because it’s actually given me hope that I can overcome my dread of writing a resume. I also have no problem recommending you check it out and use my affiliate link. Check it out at the library, or get it here.

Resume Help for Job Seekers (halliecrawford.typepad.com)
Good Cover Letter Techniques To Writing An Awesome One (slideshare.net)
Jumpstart your job search using the best online and offline strategies! (halliecrawford.typepad.com)
Using Social Networking Sites for Job Searching (timesunion.com)

Top 10 Get That Job! posts you liked from 2009

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:19:47 +0000

I recently put together a composite, highly-subjective list of some of my favorite posts across all my blogs. It’s still interesting to see what you’ve enjoyed reading as well. Based on Google Analytics data, here are the top 10 Get That Job! posts from this year:
10. National Podcast Post Month series: job interview questions answered
9. How to prepare for your first job fair
8. Workshops, HARO, and Lowball Job Offers
7. Pursuing your passion
6. It’s time to move on
5. Overcoming rejection
4. Using social media for a job search | Rachel Levy – Boston marketing pro (social networking, Twitter)
3. How to find freelance and consulting jobs
2. I have a document like this and so should you
1. Promise Me Something

Hat-tip goes to Chris and John from Marketing Over Coffee for the idea.

Using social media for a job search | Rachel Levy – Boston marketing pro (social networking, Twitter)

Job Hunting Networking For JobSeekers (ronmedlin.com)
The top 5 most popular posts of the year (betatales.com)
Quoted – How to Find a Job with Social Media Book (scotttesta.com)
The Top 10 Posts You Liked This Year (christopherspenn.com)

No related posts.

Series Wrap-Up – NaPodPoMo Day 30

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:01:33 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’ve released a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I practiced answering a typical interviewing question. Were my answers perfect? Probably not. This experiment had the following objectives:

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the last installment of the series, as Day 30 of 30:

NaPodPoMo Day 30: Series Wrap-up

Feedback

Dawn from Cincinnati sent in a great critique of how I did with the videos, mentioning that the idea was great and shared some suggestions for how I could get better. Chris Meyer from Las Vegas sent in some audio feedback that this series came out at a time that he was interviewing for a job, and the interviewers commented that he was well-prepared. This series helped him be prepared for the interviewing questions.

Lessons Learned

Seeing the return on my time investment. Producing video content to go out every single day was rather strenuous. If I didn’t see the benefit of me getting practice answering job interview questions, I probably wouldn’t have done it this way.
Producing in bulk, scheduling to be published later. Many of these videos were recorded and produced in bulk, and then scheduled to be published on the days they went out. Creating content, whether video or blog posts, in bulk while in a creative frame of mind, was very helpful. Being able to schedule the blog posts ahead of time was also very helpful.
Learning to produce and edit video. I feel much more comfortable recording, editing, publishing, tagging, and in general producing video now. The tools I used were
- Lenovo Easy Capture for the webcam recording, built-in laptop mic
- Windows Movie Maker to edit, add titles, and publish
- Free Video Converter utility to convert WMV files to MP4
- iTunes to add ID3 tags
Promoting through social networking. Promoting the videos on Facebook and LinkedIn, and occasionally on Twitter, helped drive traffic.
Would I do this again? I don’t know if I’d commit to producing video every day like this. We’ll see. NaPodPoMo 2010 is a ways off.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 8:27, 16.4 MB)

How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
Free Video Editing Tools: Guide To The Best Software And Web-Based Services (masternewmedia.org)
National Podcast Post Month (NaPodPoMo) (danieljohnsonjr.com)

No related posts.

When have you had to deal with an upset customer or coworker? – NaPodPoMo Day 29

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:30:11 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

As part of NaPodPoMo, I’m releasing a video (preferred) or audio (if needed) segment every day in November 2009, where I’m practicing answering a typical interviewing question. Will my answers be perfect? Probably not. This experiment has the following objectives:

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 29 of 30:

Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:30, 10.6 MB)

How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)
Persuade me that you have strong analytical skills. – NaPodPoMo Day 17 (getthatjobonline.com)

Looking for a Book Deal

When have you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done? – NaPodPoMo Day 28

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:30:47 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 28 of 30:

Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:52, 9.4 MB)

How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)
Persuade me that you have strong analytical skills. – NaPodPoMo Day 17 (getthatjobonline.com)

Your Predominant Duty

When have you missed an obvious solution to a problem? – NaPodPoMo Day 27

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:30:23 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 27 of 30:

Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:52, 9.4 MB)

How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)

No related posts.

When have you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision? – NaPodPoMo Day 26

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:30:11 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 26 of 30:

Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 6:10, 12 MB)

How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
Tell me about your ability to work under pressure – NaPodPoMo Day 09 (getthatjobonline.com)

Template Changes Coming Soon!

When were you faced with problems that tested your coping skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 25

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:30:41 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 25 of 30:

Describe a time on any job that you held in which you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:55, 11.5 MB)

How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)

No related posts.

How have you been able to engage online audiences and empower them to talk about the brand? – NaPodPoMo Day 24

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:30:29 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Today, I’m answering a question constructed from a statement in a good example of a job description for a social media job. This comes from Amber Naslund‘s blog post entited “Hiring for Social Media: Good Moves“.

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 24 of 30:

Tell me about your ability to engage online audiences, both reactively and proactively, ultimately empowering others to talk about the brand.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

I also talked about Movember, a movement for Prostate Cancer Awareness that has led me to grow a moustache this month.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 6:26, 12.4 MB)

How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)

How have you been able to execute on social media strategy? – NaPodPoMo Day 23

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:30:05 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 23 of 30:

How have you been able to take larger strategy and insights and translate into ideas and executable plans in the social media space?

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:09, 10 MB)

How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)

Tell me about your willingness to experiment and innovate – NaPodPoMo Day 22

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:30:35 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 22 of 30:

Tell me about your willingness to experiment and innovate.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:15, 8.3 MB)

How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19 (getthatjobonline.com)
Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)

No related posts.

Show me how you successfully achieved a goal you set for yourself. – NaPodPoMo Day 21

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:30:07 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interview Questions

For Week 3 of NaPodPoMo, I’m trying out some behavioral interview questions. These questions are asked to infer future performance based on previous behavior. Because of that, the answers are going to be very specific for each person who responds.

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 21 of 30:

Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 6:11, 12 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
How I Got My Job as a Network Technician – Brent Bradley (howigotmyjob.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? – NaPodPoMo Day 10 (getthatjobonline.com)

No related posts.

Show me how you adapt to various people, situations, and environments – NaPodPoMo Day 20

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:32 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interview Questions

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 20 of 30:

By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and environments.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:15, 10.1 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
How I Got My Job as an Administrative Assistant – Bill Green (howigotmyjob.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
Tell me about your ability to work under pressure – NaPodPoMo Day 09 (getthatjobonline.com)

No related posts.

Your feedback wanted for Day 30 of NaPodPoMo (update)

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:41:58 +0000

Have you been enjoying the daily video update series over here at Get That Job! so far this month? It’s been quite an experience for me, and I’ll be talking about that more as we wrap up the series on Day 30, November 30, 2009 as soon as my laptop comes back from the shop – probably Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

To that end, I plan on sharing your feedback during that last video update, and if you’d like to get in touch to share how, if at all, this series has helped you, please get in touch. Keep in mind that I have less than 10 minutes of time in order for the video to make it onto YouTube, so hopefully keep it brief. I may actually excerpt comments during the update but post them in the actual post here on the website.

As I’ve mentioned during the series, it’s been highly experimental, and I’m learning a lot. Hopefully you are as well.

Looking forward to your feedback!

How have you demonstrated effective written communication skills? – NaPodPoMo Day 19

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:54 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interviewing Questions

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 19 of 30:

Tell me about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to get an important point across.

I will be reading your feedback on Day 30 of this series, so please send in your comments. Has this series been helpful to you? Was I truly crazy to do this project? etc.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:12, 8.0 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
How I Got My Job as a Manager of Technology and Talent Acquisition – T. Murray (howigotmyjob.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)

No related posts.

Tell me how you’ve stepped up to be a leader. – NaPodPoMo Day 18

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:09 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interview Questions

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 18 of 30:

Describe for me a time when you had to serve as the leader in order to accomplish a goal.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:08, 7.9 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
How I Got My Job as a Network Technician – Brent Bradley (howigotmyjob.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? – NaPodPoMo Day 10 (getthatjobonline.com)
What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)

No related posts.

Persuade me that you have strong analytical skills. – NaPodPoMo Day 17

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:30:43 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interview Questions

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 17 of 30:

By providing examples, persuade me that you have strong analytical skills.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:15, 8.16 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
How I Got My Job as a Chief Technical Officer – John Buehler (howigotmyjob.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
Show me how you’ve used your teamwork skills. – NaPodPoMo Day 16 (getthatjobonline.com)

No related posts.

Show me how you’ve used your teamwork skills. – NaPodPoMo Day 16

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:30:36 +0000

Background

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral interview questions

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 16 of 30:

Tell me about a specific project where you had to use your teamwork skills.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 3:59, 7.7 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)

No related posts.

Tell me about your presentation ability – NaPodPoMo Day 15

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:30:35 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Background

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Behavioral Interview Questions

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 15 of 30:

Describe the most significant or creative presentation which you have had to complete.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:54, 11.3 MB)

Recent Media Appearance and Speaking Gig

Special thanks to NaPodPoMo founder Jennifer Navarrete for interviewing me for her NaPodPoMo project. I’ll update this post with the link to the specific interview as it becomes available.

A HUGE shout-out to the folks at the IHOM Job Search Ministry in the Cincinnati area for having me speak to them this past Thursday on the “Emotional Side of Job Search”. A heartfelt welcome to those of you checking this series from that group. Glad we got to share some chocolate together!

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
How I Got My Job as a Talent Acquisition Manager – Amybeth Hale (howigotmyjob.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
Why will I be glad that I hired you one week from your start date? – NaPodPoMo Day 13 (getthatjobonline.com)
Are you overqualified for this job? – NaPodPoMo Day 14 (getthatjobonline.com)

No related posts.

Are you overqualified for this job? – NaPodPoMo Day 14

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:30:57 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 14 of 30:

Are you overqualified for this job?

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:10, 10.0 MB)

How I Got My Job as a Desk-side Support Technician – Rob Bennett (howigotmyjob.com)
Job Interview Answer: Are You Overqualified for This Job? (about.com)
Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
Why will I be glad that I hired you one week from your start date? – NaPodPoMo Day 13 (getthatjobonline.com)

No related posts.

Don’t say it’s your ‘dream job’

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:26:09 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Ron Harper, good friend of mine, who recently shared how he got his job as a Radio Support Tech, passed along this article he saw in the Dayton Business Journal. The journal reports on a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management:

Save the clichés during job interviews, especially the overused “This is my dream job,” according to a survey of HR professionals released Thursday by the Society for Human Resource Management.

Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed said that’s the phrase they least like to hear.

Read the rest of the article here.

Just Say No: Employers Wisening Up to Resume Padding (blogs.wsj.com)
What Does HR Look Like? (punkrockhr.com)
How to prepare for your first job fair (getthatjobonline.com)
September Job Trends – Simply Hired Blog (blog.simplyhired.com)
Even as layoffs persist, some good jobs go begging (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
How I Got My Job as a Manager of Technology and Talent Acquistition – T. Murray (howigotmyjob.com)

Why will I be glad that I hired you one week from your start date? – NaPodPoMo Day 13

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:30:50 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 13 of 30:

Why will I be glad that I hired you one week from your start date?

Special thanks to Rainie for suggesting this question via Twitter.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 3:02, 5.85 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)

Why should we hire you? – NaPodPoMo Day 12

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:30:10 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 12 of 30:

Why should we hire you?

Special thanks to Barbara (@BarbaraKB) for suggesting the related question on Twitter: “What do you uniquely offer our company?”

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 3:25, 6.55 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
What are your strengths? – NaPodPoMo Day 03 (getthatjobonline.com)
Multiple Interviews & Candidate Experiences (punkrockhr.com)
Hiring for Social Media: The Ugly Side (altitudebranding.com)

What did you dislike about your last job? – NaPodPoMo Day 11

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:34 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 11 of 30:

What did you dislike about your last job?

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 3:58, 7.6 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)

No related posts.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? – NaPodPoMo Day 10

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:30:12 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 10 of 30:

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Special thanks to Jacqui (@redshoegirl) for suggesting this question via Twitter.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 4:17, 8.16 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)

No related posts.

Pursuing Your Passion

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:31:40 +0000

: Image by ?§m? via Flickr

Ever feel like someone’s trying to tell you something?

Early this afternoon I did an in-person interview for How I Got My Job with a good friend of mine, Marc Hopkins, about how he got his recent job as an adjunct professor at a local university. During that interview he talked about YourOneDegree.com. From their website: “Your One Degree is the specific focus and direction you were put on planet earth to pursue and accomplish.”
Later this afternoon, while browsing the aggregate feed for this year’s National Podcast Post Month (NaPodPoMo) website, I found this post from Will Brown entitled Pursuing Your Passion. I was intrigued so much that I had to take a second listen.
My good friend and Cincinnati-area colleague Cliff Ravenscraft from GSPN.tv has a blog and podcast entitled Pursuing a Balanced Life. You may have seen some updates on Twitter with the #PABL hashtag; Cliff and this community are behind that. He left a high-paying job selling insurance to pursue a passion in podcasting and has been able to make a living doing that. I’ve heard him share his story a number of times, and I continue to be inspired.

Maybe it’s that being in transition removes a lot of the other constraints I felt like I was under when I was working full-time, but I’m at least seeing a lot more varied opportunities come my way to try new things.

What about you?

What Questions Do You Have On the Pursuit of Passion? (celestinechua.com)
Following My Passion Has Changed My Life (podcastanswerman.com)
How to Profit From Your Passion (usnews.com)
Loving What You Do (twistimage.com)

Tell me about your ability to work under pressure – NaPodPoMo Day 09

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:47 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 9 of 30:

Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 3:09, 6.0 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)
Why did you leave your last job? – NaPodPoMo Day 07 (getthatjobonline.com)
What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05 (getthatjobonline.com)

Find a Job That Doesn’t Feel Like Work

Would you rather be liked or feared? – NaPodPoMo Day 08

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:30:53 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 8 of 30:

Would you rather be liked or feared?

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 2:46, 5.35 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)

No related posts.

Why did you leave your last job? – NaPodPoMo Day 07

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:30:03 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 7 of 30:

Why did you leave your last job?

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 3:51, 7.4 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)

Why women leave I.T.

What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is? – NaPodPoMo Day 06

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:46 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 6 of 30:

What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:24, 10.3 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)

No related posts.

What would your previous coworkers say about you? – NaPodPoMo Day 05

Daniel Johnson, Jr. — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:34:54 +0000

: Image by shawnogram via Flickr

Practice answering typical interviewing questions
Produce content for the internet on a consistent basis
Develop some rudimentary skill in video production

Here, then, for your enjoyment, is the next installment of the series, as Day 5 of 30:

What would your previous coworkers say about you?

Links mentioned:

The background music for this series is called “Dodging Buses” by Derek K. Miller. Check out his Penmachine Podcast.

If you would like to download this file directly, you can do that as well. Direct link (mp4, 5:28, 10.5 MB)

Mastering the Behavioral-Based Interview (timesunion.com)
How To Use Interview Generator (slideshare.net)
Show confidence without being arrogant (getthatjobonline.com)
Why Some People Get Hired (punkrockhr.com)
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer (usnews.com)

No related posts.

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How to Answer Interview Questions

Counter Offer Letters

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The Pursuit of Happyness

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Lessons Learned

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