New Job-Hunting Skills for “Seasoned Professionals”

Been a while since you were last on the job hunt? No sweat. Here’s a refresher course.

By Ellie Butler

Picture this: You have recently lost your job as an executive in a faltering company. After months of searching the Internet, you finally land an interview at a company. You dress up in your best, albeit older, suit and head to the interview, confident that you do not need to prepare anything because you are so well-qualified for the job. During the conversation you feel overdressed and uncomfortable with the casual nature of the interview. You leave feeling frustrated with the salary quoted and without a job offer. What went wrong?

In today’s stumbling economy, many seasoned professionals are finding themselves jobless and unsure how to find a new career. Career coach J.T. O’Donnell and career expert Nicole Williams offer five suggestions to help with today’s job hunt.

1. Use your resources. While it is true that networking is still the No. 1 way to get a job, O’Donnell notes that many companies still need you to send an electronic résumé. So it is important that you know how to send and edit your résumé in the company’s preferred format. Also, many companies now use computerized screening to look for keywords in your résumé. Be sure to tailor it to the specific job you are applying for, and make sure it is in a downloadable format. If they cannot read it, they certainly will not call you in for an interview.

2. Be prepared for behavioral-based interviews. The new trend in interviewing is all about behavioral-based interviewing, which uses past actions to determine future behavior. This type of interviewing relies heavily on personal stories and work-related anecdotes as a way to judge your character. Knowing this, go in ready to tell stories. Think of some of your past experiences that highlight your ability to problem-solve, mediate conflict or overcome obstacles. Don’t go in blind hoping that a story will miraculously come to you midway through the interview.

3. Make sure to dress the part. Although it is still important to dress one level higher than the job you are applying for, O’Donnell cautions against dressing too formally. “Make sure that what you are wearing is current and job-appropriate,” she says. Williams notes that it is important to wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable, because if your outfit makes you feel powerful, then you will exude this confidence throughout the interview.

4. Come prepared with questions. The interview is winding down. You have answered all of the questions with relevant anecdotes that illustrate you as a person. You are feeling confident until the interviewer turns to you and asks, “Any questions for me?” This is your turn to shine and show that you did your research on the company. Ask specific questions about what your role will be rather than about the benefits package. Be sure to come up with some questions so that you look interested and engaged.

5. Do not come empty-handed. Make sure to bring copies of your résumé and your references and a pen and paper to take notes. Bring a list of questions you have already planned out, and take them out at the end of the interview so that your interviewer can see how prepared you are. For even more clout, prepare a folder full of information about the company and know all of its key people and clients.