Career Advice & Insights

Some say panel interviews feel like inquisitions. Follow these steps to get through the final round. What if you were in the hot seat? You’re a six-figure job seeker, an executive. The search took a little longer than you thought, but now it’s time to close the deal. The last stage is the panel interview … Read More

Before you face the hiring manager, you’ll probably spend some time on the phone with the company’s HR department. Here’s what it takes to win them over. If your resume passes muster for a job to which you’ve applied, a phone screen will probably be your next stop. Human-resources and hiring managers just don’t have … Read More

Filler words like “um,” “ahh,” “so,” “like” and “you know” can reduce your credibility as a speaker and hurt your chances in a job interview. Recently I attended a panel discussion with three speakers. One of the speakers was a well-spoken young woman, but she used “filler words” excessively and to her detriment. In her … Read More

Michigan job seeker Connie Corwin grew tired of being stumped on interviews, so she made her own prep list of questions and answers for every eventuality. Getting a job interview turned out to be less of a hurdle than Connie Corwin expected when she began her first job search in three decades. Corwin, a member … Read More

Follow-up strategies to help tip the scale in your favor. Thank-you letters are so boring. You feel compelled to write one because the career books, career counselors, and HR managers tell you that’s what you are supposed to do. If you don’t do it, then you failed to show professional courtesy. If you do send … Read More

Put yourself in the best position to leverage a counteroffer and win a salary negotiation — or retreat with dignity. Leveraging a competitive offer can be a tricky and potentially risky affair. Follow these steps to put yourself in the best position to leverage a competitive offer for a better deal or successfully retreat, if … Read More

Don’t come empty-handed, but don’t waste interview time with your portfolio. Your resume worked: You’ve scored an interview. Your shoes are polished, and your business suit is back from the dry cleaner’s. Now, what do you pack into your briefcase? Professional recruiters such as Jacqueline Hudson, a senior account executive for Renascent Group LLC, prep … Read More

Have a story for every skill. “The most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation.” This statement is the premise behind behavioral interviewing, an interviewing technique created in the 1970s by industrial psychologists. This style of interview is becoming popular with employers, and it can be a challenging experience. You’re … Read More

Everything from where to sit to who to look at during a panel interview. Walking into a conference room and fielding questions from several interviewers can be nerve-racking. Being well prepared and maintaining eye contact with all the members of the committee are two starting points. Here are some other ways that you can impress … Read More