Beth Colley, Author at Job-Hunt https://www.job-hunt.org/author/bcolley/ Wed, 08 Feb 2023 06:02:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 https://www.job-hunt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/job-hunt-favicon.png Beth Colley, Author at Job-Hunt https://www.job-hunt.org/author/bcolley/ 32 32 How to Explain Being Fired During a Job Interview (with Examples) https://www.job-hunt.org/answering-explaining-why-you-were-fired/ Wed, 30 Jun 2021 21:52:30 +0000 https://jobhunt.fj-dev.com/answering-why-you-left-fired/ Answer the job interview question -- why did you leave your job when you were fired -- needs to be done very carefully without trashing anyone or appearing to be a potential problem if hired.

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]]> Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief for Vogue Magazine, is quoted in Alastair Campbell’s book, Winners: And How They Succeed stated,

“Everyone should get fired at least once in their career.”

Surprisingly,being fired or terminated from a job is not that uncommon – 1.7 million people lost their jobs in June of 2018.

Being Fired Is Not Unusual & There are Many Reasons Can Be Explained

In fact, according to a U.S. Department of Labor JOLTS report, an average of 56,000 people were laid off or fired each day, in the first half of 2018, including weekends and holidays.

Since most of us (but not all of us) in the USA are employees “at will” without laws or regulations, a labor union, or a contract protecting us, we can be fired for any reason — or for no reason at all — by our employers.

So, if you’ve been terminated or fired, you’re in good company. But that doesn’t make answering the question, “Why did you leave your last job?” any easier.

There are several reasons for being fired that can be explained:

  • Being fired for poor performance
  • Being fired for misconduct
  • Being fired for not being a good fit
  • Being fired for tardiness
  • Being fired for attendance
  • Being fired for personality conflicts
  • Being fired for business reasons
  • Being fired for no reason

Best Ways to Explain that You Were Fired (Terminated) During an Interview

It’s best to talk about the situation positively as a learning experience.

Show That You Learned from the Experience

If your departure was somewhat amicable due to the position not being a good fit, a lack of communication over job responsibilities, or failure to recognize warning signs during the interview process, it’s best to talk about it from a “sadder but wiser” perspective.

“Sadder but wiser” is also a good approach when the departure wasn’t particularly amicable.

When possible, sandwich your response between two positive statements. Don’t dwell on the experience. Answer the question, briefly and positively (examples below), and move on.

Stay Positive

As you prepare for your interview after you’ve been terminated, do your best to stay positive. Remember all the good things you have accomplished in your career and life.

Don’t beat yourself up or adopt the mind-set of nobody-will-hire-me because you’ve been fired.

Keep in mind, that most everyone you talk to has likely been terminated at least once in his/her career, or if he/she hasn’t been terminated, they know several good people who have been terminated. Being fired is a “speed bump” in your career that has happened to literally millions of people who have gone on to have great careers.

The main thing to remember is no matter how bad the situation was, don’t say anything blatantly negative about the employer. No trash talk in a job interview or networking situation.

Chalk your termination up to it being a learning experience, and take pride in the fact that you persevered through a challenging situation and did your best for as long as you possibly could.

Sample Answers to Explain Why You Were Fired

A few answers that you can provide for specific situations include:

(1)Philosophical difference or bad fit.

(Positive)
When I was originally hired as the [job title], the description and expectations of the job were very different from the job that I actually ended up doing. It was apparent from the start that there were some communication problems and philosophical differences, and I struggled early on.

(Negative)
My supervisor and I realized that it wasn’t the right fit for either one of us, and fortunately it was a cordial departure.

(Positive)
Since then, I’ve done some volunteer work, clarified my own professional goals and expectations, and worked on improving my communication skills.

(2)Disorganized work environment

(Positive)
I’m able to work independently with little supervision, and I work best in an environment when I understand what the expectations are. Even if the routine changes, if you tell me what I need to do differently, I’m happy to oblige.

(Negative)
The nature of the work I was doing in my last position didn’t suit my strengths. There was little direction from the supervisor, tasks were not explained very well, and it seemed like the place was in a constant state of flux. So things didn’t go well.

(Positive)
What I’ve learned from that experience is to try to ask more questions, clarify the requirements and expectations, make sure things are in writing, and try to make sure that I have the information I need in order to do a good job.

(3)Hostile work environment

(Positive)
I work best in a team environment, and am accustomed to being in an environment where everyone supports and encourages one another.”

(Negative)
I realized very quickly after I started working for my last employer that there was a significant amount of internal conflict within the organization and a high percentage of turnovers.

(Positive)
I performed the best that I possibly could in that situation, and many of the employees complimented me on my work ethic and skills, but in the end, it was just too difficult of an environment to overcome.

(4) Commission sales role

(Positive)
I wanted to give sales a try because I feel that it really suits my personality. I’m an outgoing person who can easily start conversations, make connections with people, and I have never meet a stranger.

(Negative)
This is a highly competitive industry and the employer and I underestimated the amount of support I would need. It took me a little longer than anticipated to build momentum and generate leads, and I just wasn’t able to make up the deficit of getting off to such a slow start.

(Positive)
I received some great sales training and advice, learned a lot of good strategies, and am thankful for that experience. However, my boss and I both realized that I would be able to perform better in a different kind of sales or business development structure.

Bottom Line with Explaining Why You Were Fired

Stay positive and confident. Learn from this experience, and move on.

More on the Transition from Fired-to-Hired:

For more about handling behavioral interviews, panel interviews, and telephone interviews, as well as preparing for job interviews, see the article list on the right.

Answering the Common Job Interview Questions:

Questions About You:

Handling Special Career Situations:

Questions About Them:

Questions for You to Ask Them:

Interview Preparation:

About the author…

Beth Colley CEO/owner of Chesapeake Career Management Services has guided over 1,200 job seekers to career success since joining the careers industry in January of 2000. She is a Certified Master Resume Writer, a Certified Career Management Coach, and a Certified Brain Based Success Coach and an active member of Career Directors International, The National Resume Writers Association, and Career Thought Leaders.

The post How to Explain Being Fired During a Job Interview (with Examples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

]]> How to Answer: “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?” https://www.job-hunt.org/answering-see-yourself-5-years/ Wed, 30 Jun 2021 21:43:47 +0000 https://jobhunt.fj-dev.com/answering-see-yourself-5-years/ Preparing your answer to the 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years' can help you focus your job search by understanding and setting your real personal career goals.

The post How to Answer: “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?” appeared first on Job-Hunt.

]]> Preparing for this question is a very good exercise in figuring out what you enjoy doing, what is meaningful to you, and — really — what you actually want to be doing in five years.

Take the time to think about how much you enjoy what you are doing (or not).

What do you want to be doing next? Is this job with this employer actually what you want next?

Having a good answer to this question could help you focus your job search, in addition to providing a good answer to a common job interview question.

Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

Most job seekers jump into this question without truly having set any personal career goals. Developing your answer to this question can help you get more purposeful about the direction of your career. View this question as an opportunity for you to do a bit of career planning as well as answering the question.

Considering the average length of time people stay with a company or in a job is 4.6 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it seems a little silly that employers will still ask this question. However, a bad answer to this question can derail an opportunity for you.

Avoid Giving a Non-Answer

Keep your answer somewhat general since a lot can happen in 5 years, but don’t be too vauge since a non-answer will make you look like you don’t take your career — or your job — very seriously. And, very few employers will be interested in you then.

A common mistake is trying to name a specific position that may or may not exist in the company, like “I hope to be promoted to an executive assistant position within 5 years.” If that job doesn’t exist, you could look out-of-touch or uninformed.

On the other hand, a vague response such as, “I would hope to be able to progress into a senior level position,” could backfire if the position doesn’t offer any advancement. And a flippant response, like “I’d like to have your job,” could be a complete disaster.

Taking the time to provide a thoughtful answer will ultimately be helpful both to you and to the employer.

What the Employer Is Trying to Discover

Before answering this question, it is helpful to understand that the interviewer is looking for five primary things in your answer:

  1. Do you have a solid grasp of the position and what it entails?
  2. Do you have the right attitude?
  3. Are you going to be dependable?
  4. Are you a good cultural and social fit for the organization?
  5. How are you going to use your strengths to achieve success in this job?

Qualifications and experience being somewhat equal among candidates, the decision maker(s) wants the candidate who is the best fit culturally. The candidate who takes time to prepare a list of personal goals in advance of the interview will be able to communicate his/her strengths and potential fit best.

Tips for Answering “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?”

Try using these three strategies to prepare for this question in advance, as well as examine your own personal career goals.

1. Focus on what you are grateful for regarding this position.

Consider the personal feelings that swell up inside you as you consider working in this job and for this employer.

  • Will you have more of a work-life balance?
  • Will your commute be easier?
  • Does it seem like the kind of environment where you can leverage your strengths and be valued?
  • Will you have a greater opportunity to learn new things?
  • Will your value in the job market increase?

Take time to name your feelings and strengths, and write out how an employer could make you feel valued.

2. Think about how you would like to spend your day and the kind of actions you will be performing.

Don’t focus on the specific job duties. Instead think about how you will interact with your co-workers, customers, and anyone else who crosses your path.

  • How would you like to feel at the end of your workday?
  • What new skills or information will you learn?
  • What do you see yourself doing in this job that is different from your current or previous jobs?

Take a moment to write down those thoughts and think about what it would feel like to love your job and the company where you work.

3. Try setting some 5-year goals as you visualize yourself in this new position.

Even if you can’t specifically determine where you see yourself five years from now, consider:

  • What possibilities seem to develop for you by having this job?
  • What seems new?
  • How would things be different for you?

Take a moment to focus on your personal and professional values, write them down, and formulate a response to a modified version of this question such as “What is going to be important to you in your career in five years?” or “How would you like to see your life/career differently in five years?”

4. Research the employer to see what options might be available to you there.

Go to the employer’s website to see if you can explore a “Careers” section which describes the organization or, at least, lists their job openings. Worst case, check out their job postings on a job board or Indeed.

  • Do they have numerous jobs open?
  • Can you see a progression in the job titles and job descriptions, like: Assistant Branch Manager, Branch Manager, Senior Branch Manager, Regional Branch Manager, etc.
  • Do you see other parts of the organization that look interesting to you? Maybe you are interviewing for an administrative job, but the sales jobs look interesting.

Don’t make the mistake of mentioning an option that’s not available with this employer. You will impress them when you share that you have actually learned about the organization enough to mention specific job titles and parts of their organization.

Develop Your Answer

As you develop some personal career goals as well as a strategy about how you want to achieve those goals plus understanding of the employer’s organization, you’re now in a better position to be able to answer the question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” without saying something that doesn’t sound believable.

Better yet, you won’t blurt out something that will completely turn the interviewer off.

Hopefully, the more you really think about your career in this manner and take time to visualize how things could improve for you personally and professionally, the clearer things may become — both for your career as well as for this interview.

Don’t worry about making your answer 10 minutes long. A short, simple answer may be the best one.

Sample Answers for “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?”

Entry Level Job

For an entry-level job in a bank which has a formal job structure including several progressive levels of the job you are interviewing for —

My hope is to learn as much as possible about banks and banking services. My short-term goal is to become an excellent cashier and then, possibly move on to jobs with more responsibility in the bank as I gain experience and knowledge about banking. Longer-term, my goal is to become a supervisor, possibly in customer service, loan processing, or another aspect of banking. My hope is that this is the beginning of a long career working for this bank, which progresses logically.

Mid-Level Senior Job

For a more senior position in a company with a less clear organizational structure —

My long term goal is to grow professionally, eventually to have the role of go-to person for questions on topics like content marketing for nonprofits and online reputation management for nonprofits. I want to be viewed as a top performer, an expert who is a key contributor inside the organization.

Career Changer

When you are changing careers, you can tie your “old” expertise to the new job —

I see myself growing in my understanding of social media marketing to the point where I can take on additional responsibilities and tasks, leveraging my knowledge of more traditional marketing. Once I gain the experience, I would like to progress to the point where I am managing the social media marketing for specific clients.

Bottom Line on Answering “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?”

By focusing on your personal and professional values, you will be able to formulate a believable response that will give the interviewer a positive impression of your strengths, attitude, dependability, and potential for success.

Answering the Common Job Interview Questions:

Questions About You:

Handling Special Career Situations:

Questions About Them:

Questions for You to Ask Them:

Interview Preparation:

About the author…

Beth Colley CEO/owner of Chesapeake Career Management Services has guided over 1,200 job seekers to career success since joining the careers industry in January of 2000. She is a Certified Master Resume Writer, a Certified Career Management Coach, and a Certified Brain Based Success Coach and an active member of Career Directors International, The National Resume Writers Association, and Career Thought Leaders.

The post How to Answer: “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?” appeared first on Job-Hunt.

]]> How to Answer: Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job? (with Samples) https://www.job-hunt.org/answering-why-do-you-want-leave-current-job/ Wed, 30 Jun 2021 21:27:21 +0000 https://jobhunt.fj-dev.com/answering-why-leaving-current-job/ Answering the question about why you want to leave your current job needs to be approached very VERY carefully with a positive response that doesn't trash anyone.

The post How to Answer: Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job? (with Samples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

]]> One very important question that many job seekers seldom prepare for during an interview is answering the question, “Why do you want to leave your current job?”

This may also be asked as “Why are you looking for a job?” or even “What would you change about your current role?”

This question can make the most seasoned interviewee squirm a little because of the first word; why. A question starting with “why” immediately places you on the defensive.

If there is anything that is dissatisfying about your current position, this is where you might unwittingly share that information and unintentionally emit a negative vibe — a VERY bad impression to make.

Best Reasons for “Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job?”

The most effective and acceptable reasons for leaving your current job are positive — not negative — and relate to moving forward in your life or career.

Some of the most common, and easiest to explain, reasons for leaving a job include:

  • Desire to learn.
  • Desire to take on more responsibility.
  • Desire to take on less responsibility.
  • Desire to relocate.
  • Desire for a career change.
  • Desire to gain a new skill or grow a current skill.
  • Company reorganization has led to change in job content.
  • Desire for a shorter commute to work.
  • Desire to improve work/life balance.

When answering this question, it’s easy to think about all of the things you dislike about your current job, but don’t go there.

Look Forward in Your Response to the Question of “Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job?”

Unless you are part of a well-publicized corporate implosion (e.g. Enron) or reorganization, stay positive in your response. Start by responding with “What I really like about this job and company that is different from my current one is…”

Take the opportunity to share what you’ve learned about the potential new company (demonstrating your interest in the opportunity). Talk about the environment and culture of this company, and how you feel it’s a strong match with your strengths and experience.

Demonstrating your buy-in to this potential employer’s brand and culture is a good way to sell yourself as a match.

  • Talk specifically about the job for which you are currently interviewing.
  • Show excitement about the opportunity to learn some new skills and adapt to change.
  • Focus on your strengths and what you will bring to the employer.
  • Make sure you take time to describe your accomplishments, and all of the good that you’ve done for your current employer.

Most importantly, demonstrate that you are dignified and professional and will not talk disparagingly about another company or boss.

Don’t Be Negative About Your Current Job or Employer During Interview Questions

According to several resources, the number one reason most people voluntarily leave one position for another is because of a bad boss or supervisor. There may be a combination of reasons as to why you want to leave this job, but most all of them will likely tie back to poor management or a bad supervisor.

So, knowing that you shouldn’t say anything negative regarding a company or individual supervisor in an interview, how should you answer this question?

If you speak poorly of a company or boss during an interview, what proof does the potentially new employer have to believe that you wouldn’t say the same thing to a customer or coworker in the new company? Everyone knows that would be bad for business.

Sample Answers to “Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job?”

It’s best to avoid going down the slippery slope of discussing specifics regarding compensation, poor management, company finances, poor morale, or any other negative aspect of the job.

You can gloss over negative information by focusing on the future and staying positive, stating something like:

  • I want to build on one of the aspects that I like most about the work I currently am doing…
  • One of the things that has made things a little more challenging is that I’d like to have a platform where I could share my ideas and offer up ways to improve…(service, operations, technology, communication, etc…)

Using phrases like that still keeps the mood positive, but allows the employer to read between the lines. It also shows that you want to contribute positively to the success of your employer.

You can also just share your interest in this opportunity by saying something like:

  • I am interested in learning more about (something this job includes), and this job provides an opportunity to leverage my current areas of expertise and increase my skills in…
  • Your focus here is on (something that you like), and I really enjoy doing (whatever that is). So, I expect to increase my enjoyment of my work when I am able to focus more on (that aspect of the job).
  • I enjoy working as part of a team and am looking for an opportunity to work on an interesting project. This job is part of a team working on a fascinating project, and I would love to join in this work.

You can demonstrate your interest in this new employer by saying:

  • I’ve enjoyed working with a great group of people at my current employer, but this opportunity in this company fits very well with the direction I want to take my career. 
  • I’ve learned a great deal in my current job, but I’m interested in working at [name of employer] based on the great things I have learned about this organization.
  • This job has been a great experience, but growth is limited because the company is relatively small. So, to continue to grow, I need to look elsewhere, and working in this this opportunity looks very interesting to me because…

Be honest, positive, and frame your response in a way that includes the job you are interviewing for.

Bottom Line on Answering “Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?”

If asked why do you want to leave your current job, remember to keep it positive, promote yourself and your accomplishments, and follow the old adage of “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

Answering the Common Job Interview Questions:

Questions About You:

Handling Special Career Situations:

Questions About Them:

Questions for You to Ask Them:

Interview Preparation:

About the author…

Beth Colley CEO/owner of Chesapeake Career Management Services has guided over 1,200 job seekers to career success since joining the careers industry in January of 2000. She is a Certified Master Resume Writer, a Certified Career Management Coach, and a Certified Brain Based Success Coach and an active member of Career Directors International, The National Resume Writers Association, and Career Thought Leaders.

The post How to Answer: Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job? (with Samples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

]]> How to Answer: “Why Were You Laid Off?” During an Interview (with Examples) https://www.job-hunt.org/answering-why-you-left-laid-off/ Tue, 11 May 2021 17:14:44 +0000 https://jobhunt.fj-dev.com/answering-why-you-left-laid-off/ After you've been laid off, even if the Coronavirus was the reason, answering the interview question why did you leave your last job can be tricky but should be answered in the most positive way. Here's how to do that.

The post How to Answer: “Why Were You Laid Off?” During an Interview (with Examples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

]]> This may also be asked, “Why were you laid off?”

When you have lost your job due to a layoff, you do need to be prepared to explain what happened — very carefully.

Layoffs Happen, But Still Need Explanations Even During a Pandemic

It is a common fact — companies increase staff during periods of economic boom, and companies reduce staff to reduce expenses when business is bad, like when the Coronavirus pandemic requires the business to shut down.

Employees are typically the largest “expense” for any employer, so reducing the number of employees immediately reduces expenses.

The Coronavirus caused millions of layoffs, so, if the pandemic was the cause of your job loss, the explanation does not need to be long or detailed. Clearly, the problem was the pandemic, not your job performance, so do not feel the need to be defensive.

When a business or economic downturn has impacted an organization, reducing the level of staff is the fastest way a company can cut costs.

That choice is often the option selected by corporate management looking for a quick fix. As a solution, it rarely works. When an employer begins laying off staff, they usually end up doing more layoffs later.

Whether the term used is layoff, downsizing, redundancy (in the U.K.) or reduction in force (a.k.a. “RIF”), the result is the same. You lost your job and were involuntarily separated.

[Related: articles in Job-Hunt’s free guides to Layoff and Layoff Recovery and Job Loss Recovery.]

Prepare to Answer “Why Were You Laid Off?” Before You Need To

Rather than squirm in your seat while you figure out how to discuss your involuntary separation, think through your answer in advance so you can provide the right response for the situation.

Answering the question, “Why did you leave your last position?” will likely be uncomfortable. Preparation is your best strategy.

You do not want sympathy from the interviewer. Nor do you want to seem angry. You want to show them that you are moving on with your career.

Follow these 5 simple rules when you answer:

  1. Keep your answer brief.
  2. Keep your answer positive. NO anger at the employer, at politicians, at other countries.
  3. Share something you learned through the process.
  4. Share what you have been doing since the layoff (freelancing, volunteering, taking classes, caring for family members).
  5. If other people were laid off with you, share the total number of employees who were laid off (or your best guess).

A job interview is NOT a time to share grievances or speak disparagingly against an employer.

Sample Answers to “Why Were You Laid Off?”

When it’s time to respond to the “Why did you leave your last job?” question, take a deep breath, be brief, answer the question, and stay positive.

Do NOT say something like this:

We were in a tough market, and management wasn’t paying attention to what our customers wanted and what our competitors were doing. When sales dropped dramatically, it wasn’t surprising that profits disappeared too. So management ended up laying off most employees rather than reducing their own salaries and bonuses.

OR like this

We could see the Pandemic coming but, instead of adapting our procedures to enable us to survive — as many of us recommended — the owner just shut the company down. It was a stupid thing to do that cost over 300 of us our jobs, but he’s enjoying a permanent vacation.

Instead, these are better ways to answer this question:

    1.   Coronavirus pandemic shutdown:  

      Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic shut down the company, and over 300 people lost their jobs. The rules to reduce the spread of the virus made us unable serve our customers. Fortunately, I am healthy and so is my family.

      It was a great company, and I miss working with those people. Clearly, in the future, we need to pay attention to the news and not assume that we are immune to catastrophes like this.

      Since the layoff, I have been learning much more about working remotely, using the video meeting technology required now, like Zoom and Google Meet. Now, I am looking forward to moving on with my career, and this opportunity looks great.

    2.   Reduction in force (RIF): 

      To dramatically reduce expenses, the Company decided to shut down our entire division, which impacted 15% of its workforce across North America. Unfortunately, I was one of those people.

      I have had time to re-assess my strengths, skills, and interests, and I recently enrolled in a class…have been studying independently…took a workshop…(fill in with something you did to learn something new).

    3.   Reorganization:  

      The Company reorganized, shifted some responsibilities to another division, and upgraded their technology to automate other processes. They eliminated about 8% of the workforce which was over 50 people.

      While looking for work, I’ve been volunteering with a local nonprofit and assisting with various organizational needs. (If you can share a story about how your volunteer work has positively impacted the employees, other volunteers, or people the agency services, this is a good place to share it.)

    4.   Downsizing:  

      Over the last year, the company took a hard look at its organizational structure. The last thing they wanted to do was eliminate jobs, but it was a small company and I was one of 6 people who were let go.

      One thing I’ve learned through this process is to make myself less expendable and to take more responsibility to invest in my career and myself. I recently enrolled in a class…have been studying independently…took a workshop… (fill in with something you did to learn something new).

    5.   Temporary Layoff:  

      Much of the work I performed was seasonally based.

      I typically would find other work to do in the off-season, then, go back when things picked up, but I’ve decided that I need to find something more stable.

  •   Corporate Merger:  

    My employer was acquired by a larger company in another state. The other company was in the same business and had employees doing exactly what I do.

    They decided that they didn’t need employees in two different locations doing the same thing, so they consolidated the work at their corporate headquarters and eliminated my job here. I was disappointed to have my job eliminated, but, from their perspective, it was a logical decision.

Stay Busy and Productive After Being Laid Off

If you are angry about your layoff, deal with it. Dump the anger out, privately, NOT on social media!

Do not let the anger grow — you will probably have a “bad attitude” that will show and impact your interactions with employers and recruiters, damaging your chances of landing a new job.

The best thing to do following an involuntary separation is to stay busy by enrolling in a class, becoming active in a professional organization, and/or volunteering your time with a local organization while you seek a new job.

These strategies provide a platform for learning, increasing your professional visibility, and skill building. Demonstrate personal and professional growth through these experiences, and share that during an interview.

The Bottom Line on Answering the Question “Why You Were Laid Off?”

You did nothing wrong — you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time! So do not feel like you have any apologizing to do. But, in the interview process, do ask about the employer’s history with layoffs, and, of course, be wary if they have just had a layoff or seem to be in the process of down-sizing.

Read on for advice on how to answer when asked the reason for leaving your current job.

More About Layoffs and Successful Job Interviews

Answering the Common Job Interview Questions:

Questions About You:

Handling Special Career Situations:

Questions About Them:

Questions for You to Ask Them:

Interview Preparation:

About the author…

Beth Colley CEO/owner of Chesapeake Career Management Services has guided over 1,200 job seekers to career success since joining the careers industry in January of 2000. She is a Certified Master Resume Writer, a Certified Career Management Coach, and a Certified Brain Based Success Coach and an active member of Career Directors International, The National Resume Writers Association, and Career Thought Leaders.

The post How to Answer: “Why Were You Laid Off?” During an Interview (with Examples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

]]> First Impressions: Dressing for (Job Interview) Success https://www.job-hunt.org/dress-job-interview-success/ Tue, 11 May 2021 17:14:44 +0000 https://jobhunt.fj-dev.com/dress-job-interview-success/ Post by Beth Colley: Tips for making a good impression in a job interview in an office or other professional setting.

The post First Impressions: Dressing for (Job Interview) Success appeared first on Job-Hunt.

]]> The matter concerning what job seekers should wear on an interview for a professional/office job still causes a great deal of stress and anxiety.

The interview is where and when you want to make the best impression and putting your best foot forward is in every job seeker’s best interest.

In an environment where casual Friday has turned into casual Monday-Friday in many offices, cultural and social diversity are hot topics, and age discrimination is a rising concern.

All contribute to the confusion about “appropriate” attire for a job interview.

Women, whether you opt for the business pants suit or skirt and blazer option depends upon your own personal preferences and comfort level.

[Related: Be Confident for Your Job Interview.]

Job Interview Attire:

First and foremost, a business suit is always appropriate for both men and women no matter what the everyday office attire may be.

  •   Formal business suit  

    Make sure the suit fits and has a clean, crisp, classic look.

    Try on your suit well in advance of scheduling any interviews and take time to have it cleaned and pressed. If necessary, go purchase a new suit. If you’re on a budget, borrow one from a friend or buy a nice suit from an upscale thrift store or consignment shop.

    For men, a conservative matching tie is best.

    For women, choose a solid color that is appropriate for the season and makes you feel confident. Adding jewelry and accessories can add splashes of color and style if you choose to wear a dark suit.

  •   Less formal environment  

    If you truly feel that a business suit is overdoing it, a good rule of thumb is to dress 1-2 steps above the regular dress.

    For ladies, this will mean dress pants or a skirt, a nice blouse, perhaps a matching blazer, dress shoes, and a modest amount of jewelry and accessories.

    For men, this will mean dress pants, dress shoes, a nicely pressed button down shirt, a matching conservative tie, and maybe a sport coat.

Tattoos and Body Piercings:

Another concern I often hear job seekers express is regarding tattoos or body piercings.

Culturally, ink is becoming more and more acceptable in social settings, and sure, even highly decorated military officers are likely sporting a tattoo of some sort somewhere on their person. I understand and support the idea of individual expression.

But in most professional business settings, it’s usually best to cover up the tattoos and remove body piercings while at work.

  •   Pre-interview research  

    Look online, check with friends who work at the company, or research Internet sites like www.glassdoor.com to see if you can find a company policy on visible tattoos or body piercings.

    Be aware that depending upon the company culture, this kind of personal expressionism may be against company policy or could be construed as unprofessional by the person interviewing you.

  •   After the job offer  

    What if I get the job offer? Is it then ok to reveal the ink at work or even a company social event? Again, check company policy.

    If there’s no company policy, discreetly ask a trusted colleague, HR representative, or your boss about his/her feelings on the matter. In my opinion, depending upon company culture, err on the conservative side.

Face and Hair:

Several issues around age discrimination arise when it comes to interviews and some of the most common concerns among both men and women are gray hair, hairstyles, glasses, and wrinkles. Men, in particular often wonder about facial hair and male pattern baldness.

  •   Hair color and style  

    The common trend is that a little grey makes you look distinguished, but men and women often wonder if they have too much grey hair. For some roles, like consultant or senior manager, gray hair may be valued as an indicator of experience and maturity.

    If it makes you feel more confident to color the gray and die your hair, go for it, but make sure a professional does the work — at least the first time.

    Compare a few photos of yourself over the last 5-10 years. If your hairstyle hasn’t changed, perhaps it’s time to talk to your barber or hairdresser about a more modern cut.

  •   Glasses  

    When was the last time you bought new frames? Trends change every couple of years and it doesn’t cost anything to visit an optical shop, browse the frames, and determine if it’s time for an update.

    If you’re on a budget, look for special offers, coupons, or go to a discount optical shop.

  •   Facial hair  

    For men, most employers admit, that they prefer clean-shaven. Some companies may even have a clean-shaven policy, so do your homework and check on policies.

    If you do insist on facial hair, keep the beard and mustache short and trimmed. Bear in mind that gray facial hair could make you look older, possibly leading to age discrimination.

  •   Baldness  

    You can’t help your mother’s genetics and according to the American Hair Loss Association, by the age of fifty, approximately 85% of men have significantly thinning hair.

    The best advice is to avoid the comb-over, embrace your genetics, or just shave your head.

    Thinning hair can also be a concern for women, and if you fall into this category, your hairdresser may be able to offer some styling tips or create a customized hairpiece that will blend in with your natural hair.

    There are some FDA approved treatment options for both men and women, so speaking with your physician may be helpful.

  •   Wrinkles  

    Women can diminish lines with the right makeup. Are you still wearing the same brand you were 20 years ago? If so, it may be time to make an appointment with a professional makeup artist and review the brand you’re wearing and learn new application tips.

    Men and women can also schedule a facial and use over the counter masks to help temporarily tighten the skin. Botox is something to consider, but find a physician who is trained and licensed in using the product if you decide to try it.

It’s always important to make sure that you’re comfortable in your own skin, but marketplace competition is fierce.

The Bottom Line

Take the time to assess your wardrobe and look, plan ahead, and pay attention to the details. What may not seem like a big deal to you, could be the difference between moving forward in the interview process or continuing in your job search journey.

More About Job Interviews

About the author…

Beth Colley CEO/owner of Chesapeake Career Management Services has guided over 1,200 job seekers to career success since joining the careers industry in January of 2000. She is a Certified Master Resume Writer, a Certified Career Management Coach, and a Certified Brain Based Success Coach and an active member of Career Directors International, The National Resume Writers Association, and Career Thought Leaders.

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