Thinking about a New Job for New Year?

[Kevin H]

Re: New job for New Year?

Gert - I can sympathize - I seem to be coming up # 2 in a number of interviews. I can also sympathize with Discordian - solid record of achievement in increasing quality/applying lean principles/generating cost savings - no 6 sigma cert & that seems to block a lot of opportunities.

As far as dress goes, my inital degree is a BS in metallurgy with an MBA in operations - I'm seeing an emphasis by companies looking for quality personnel with my background on interviewing in "business casual" dress. Didn't break out the suit and tie all last year - the dress code for the interview has usually brought up by the companies themselves, sometimes by the recruiter I'm working with for that position.

I did turn down one offer - they posted for a technical director, liked my qualifications, I liked what I saw initially, but they decided to offer me the position as technical manager, after verifying that yes I'd "jump through all the hoops they put up". I've got over 20 years experience in the field they were interested in - a lot of it hands on and as well as high level decision-making. I decided that they were trying to low-ball me, and that if that was the way they wanted to start a relationship it was a good indication of how they'd act down the road as well.

 

[Jim Wynne]

Re: New job for New Year?

Some interview tips that you're not likely to find in those "premier threads":

• Avoid drooling.
• Wear shoes, and if you discover after the interview has commenced that they don't match, make sure you tell the interviewer that you have another pair just like them at home.
• Don't ask to be excused from the interview for a few moments to "drain the monster," because "the stuff just runs right through you."
• Also, while the interview is in progress, avoid asking to be excused for a few minutes and coming back sniffing, with your pupils the size of manhole covers.
• If you enter the interview carrying a bicycle wheel and the interviewer casually asks if you're afraid your bike might get stolen, be assertive and tell him that you don't own a bicycle, and the wheel is none of his business.
• Unless you're specifically asked, don't mention that you left your previous position because a certain person in accounts payable was transmitting unclean thoughts to your brain from her Blackberry device.
• If you're a little nervous during the interviewer and you're asked if you're OK, tell the interviewer that you're not nervous at all, but that you have a small reptile in your pocket that just won't settle down. Ask the interviewer if she has any live crickets.
• Carefully steer the conversation away from discussion of your multiple felony convictions but if pressed, explain them as "misunderstandings" and use the opportunity to tell how you've learned that firing pistols over people's heads in public places tends to make them uncomfortable, and that "borrowing" money requires the actual knowledge and consent of the "lender."
• Do not mention "hooking up with hot babes" as one of your primary objectives.
• If you have to undergo a group interview, avoid complaining bitterly that you're tired of everyone always ganging up on you.
• Make sure that you express yourself in words that the interviewer will understand. For example, say "chewing," not "mastication," and if you want to tell the interviewer that you hope to someday participate in space travel, don't say, "I would like to go to Uranus before I become a sexagenarian."

 

[ScottK]

Question about facial hair...

Neat and clean for men in some people's minds = clean shaven.

I have worn a beard in some fashion for the last 10+ years and never shave it off for an interview. I do trim it (I keep it short anyway) and make sure it's neat, but I don't shave it off.
This has never seemed to hinder me.

Thoughts as both interviewers and interviewees?

 

[Jim Wynne]

Question about facial hair...

Neat and clean for men in some people's minds = clean shaven.

I have worn a beard in some fashion for the last 10+ years and never shave it off for an interview. I do trim it (I keep it short anyway) and make sure it's neat, but I don't shave it off.
This has never seemed to hinder me.

Thoughts as both interviewers and interviewees?

A neatly-trimmed beard shouldn't be a problem for a male jobseeker.

 

[little__cee]

I think that UPS does not allow beards for their drivers - and maybe that information is incorrect, but unless you're applying for a job as a UPS Driver or the New York Yankees I think you're okay with a neat beard (assuming, as Jim stated, that you are a man.)

 

[BradM]

Since Discordian broached the subject:

Is it effective to mention the specific tools used? While individuals may not be able to sport 'certified this or that', due to their quality experience may have more tools/experience to perform the tasks. Will this help or hurt getting by the gatekeeper?

 

[BradM]

As far as facial hair.... generally I agree with the previous posts. Be who you are; just be neat and professional about it

Interviewing is so horribly subjective and unfair. You know, you may be the perfect candidate, but you look like Uncle Bob. The interviewer did not like Uncle Bob, because he spanked them when they were six for not doing anything..... "thank you, we'll get back with you".

It's such a rough road interviewing, being out of work, etc., and having to face a horribly inefficient process. But, that's what we have, so Wes and others, thank you for continuing to provide us tools/tips

 

[Jim Wynne]

Since Discordian broached the subject:

Is it effective to mention the specific tools used? While individuals may not be able to sport 'certified this or that', due to their quality experience may have more tools/experience to perform the tasks. Will this help or hurt getting by the gatekeeper?

In general, you should never allow the fact that you don't meet all of the qualifications listed stop you from pursuing the lead. If, for example, the ad you're responding to lists SS certification as a requirement, and you submit a résumé that makes no mention of SS certification, and you're called in for an interview, you can assume that there was something in your résumé that sparked someone's interest. Once the interview has begun, you should feel free to try and steer it towards your relevant strong points, whatever they are, and away from any sort of negativity.

 

[ScottK]

Since Discordian broached the subject:

Is it effective to mention the specific tools used? While individuals may not be able to sport 'certified this or that', due to their quality experience may have more tools/experience to perform the tasks. Will this help or hurt getting by the gatekeeper?

How would a line like this fly?
Something along the lines of "Reduced process variation by X% in _______ operation by analyzing data with control charts and capability analysis, identifying causes of variation though brainstorming and root cause analysis, prioritizing with pareto charts, and addressing the root causes."

 

[Jim Wynne]

How would a line like this fly?
Something along the lines of "Reduced process variation by X% in _______ operation by analyzing data with control charts and capability analysis, identifying causes of variation though brainstorming and root cause analysis, prioritizing with pareto charts, and addressing the root causes."

Maybe it's just a personal quirk, but I tend to avoid specifics like this in résumés, mainly because they tend to be inflated, or appear so. This is particularly true in instances of cost savings; if you get a lot of response to a job solicitation, you're going to see a lot of grandiose and unverifiable claims of money-saving experiences. Better, I think to state it in general terms, such as "Extensive experience in use of statistical methods in process improvement..." and you can even spice it up with a few SS-jargon references.