Say The Right Thing During Your Job Search

Posted by in Career Advice


Are you doing as well at your job search as you'd like? If not, maybe the problem is the words that are coming out of your mouth. Job searching is an intense process. From the very beginning, you have to be and show your best. Your résumé and cover letter have to be impeccably written. Your interviewing techniques have to be masterful. Your salary negotiation skills have to be at their best or you will leave money at the table. Meanwhile, throughout the process, no one tells you how you are doing. A company may bring you in for a series of interviews, tell you that you are the best candidate for the job, and then you might never hear from them again. A recruiter could tell you that a position has opened up that you would be perfect for, and then he or she might never return your phone calls. It's a guessing game and it can play with your emotions and your view of yourself. But still, this is how many jobs are filled. This means you have to get good at being the person selected for these open slots. The better you are at saying the right things, the more likely you are to get the job you want. What you say while looking for a job is crucial to your success. It can be the difference between getting a job or being passed by for someone who said something better than you did. So, How Do You Get Better Ay Saying The Right Thing? Follow These Four Points Below: 1. Expect To Be Terrible At First You cannot get good at saying the right things without knowing what it feels like to get it wrong, too. If you haven't searched for a job in a while, you will be rusty. You may not be used to questions such as, "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" Or, "Tell me about yourself." You may also be apprehensive about leaving your current position and not comfortable discussing the details. Expect that there will be mishaps in the beginning. This way, they won't throw you. 2. Put Yourself On The Court A job interview contains two main components. First, you get ready for the interview. Second, you have the interview. No matter how hard you prepare for the interview, success or failure happens while you are there. Tell an employer what you can do for them. Let go of how you think you are doing. Trust that you have done the work and that's why an employer has asked to see you. You don't know what a job is truly like until you go there. You may be nervous about it, so don't let fear keep you from going. This principle holds true for other job search seeking activities such as job fairs and networking events. There may be many reasons not to go, so keep your eye on the bigger picture, which is they can lead you to a great new job. 3. Practice Makes Perfect Some people make saying the right things look easy, but they work at it. They role play mock interviews with friends, family, and their coach several times. They say their 30-second introduction over and over again until it becomes second nature. They anticipate questions that make them uncomfortable and they have their answers spelled out and ready to go. You can't do well without practicing. It's your pathway to job searching success. 4. Learn From Your Mistakes Looking for a job can be tricky sometimes. You may be asked a question that you have no clue how to answer. You may say something foolish, and then realize when it's too late, that you can't take it back. Saying the wrong thing from time to time happens to everyone, so know that you are not alone. If you fall off the horse, pick yourself up and try again. If you don't do as well as you liked in a certain situation, be confident that you'll get it right the next time. So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!
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  • Mary N
    Mary N
    I love this article.  Wisdom, instruction, encouragement and realism.
  • Jeff R
    Jeff R
    Thank you for this article. It help somehow but...some situations are unpredictable. On my last interview I've got this question: "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"I did not know what to answer. Tried something and failed. Also some head hunters are calling saying they have a open position/client and need the latest resume. When you send the silence occurs. Never get back. This is one of the ways they update their database (just in case). All this is very frustrating...
  • Barbara J
    Barbara J
    I'm starting to look for jobs in a new career path as a entry level position.  Currently, I'm a customer service representative for medical equipment, and I'm looking to start an entry level position in the restaurant and hospitality industry. They seem to all ask me why am I looking to start another career path?Can you help me answer this question?
  • Ken W
    Ken W
    All great examples but that's all they are vague examples. i.e. be confident as you describe your skill set but how do you make light of your weak points or downplaying the reason for your separation without getting into specifics and without "hiding" something
  • Dolores A
    Dolores A
    I think there is a lot of good advise. It's not easy staying positive, whenyou are are looking for a new career. But I can see how practice will help build your confidence. It's all ways hard starting over and selling yourself. But this is exactly what it is.
  • Crystal M
    Crystal M
    http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/strenght-weakness-interview.htmHere is a link regarding strengths and weaknesses many of you have inquired about, this took me 20 seconds. Be resourceful and proactive within yourself, the article is to help you prepare not to be reliant on the writer to hold your hand in the process.  
  • Savonnah S
    Savonnah S
    It's funny! A friend of mine made a silly comment about how I must be saying the wrong thing during my interview, and I looked at him like he had three heads...several months later I am still looking. I was in total denial, truth is he was  right, it's obvious that I need to brush up on my job interview skills and job search skills in order to get the job i'm interested in. I will do my homework. Thanks!
  • Leslie S
    Leslie S
    Very helpful. Makes a person think. I haven't had to look for a new job for over 23 years. My last interview didn't go to well. This was an eye opener.
  • Jeraldine R
    Jeraldine R
    Thanks it did make me think about how I say things and how it sounds to the person on the other end.That I do need to practice since I have been out of work for awhile and I need to read your other subject to see how to get the job I want ant the pay I want or close to it.
  • Vickye J
    Vickye J
    I really appreciate this very helpful
  • Brien M
    Brien M
    Helpful and thoughtful
  • Maria M
    Maria M
    Very encouraging.
  • Vennell W
    Vennell W
    Thank you for this information. It is useful in my career search. I have held 3 jobs in the last 30 years so I am a bit rusty in the interview process. I have had some phenomenal interviews but no "yes" yet. Cant figure out what I am doing wrong. I am energetic, confident, intelligent and qualified for each position I apply for.  I would have liked to see some definitive examples of what to say and not to say. Some solid impressive responses would be helpful.
  • Melinda B
    Melinda B
    Since I lost my job last March I have been so depressed.  I feel no  one will hire me, maybe I don't deserve a job. The last time I looked for a job was 27 1/2 years ago.  Thank you for the article, it has given me hope that I might find a good job after all.
  • Richard R
    Richard R
    I found the advice straight forward,practical and most importantly,it encourages one to view one's strengths and weaknesses so that an honest reality based summary can be made and an effective plan of action can result from this reality based overview.
  • Linda C
    Linda C
    I read through the article and all were things I have done or tried to do.  It would be helpful to have more concrete examples of what's right or wrong for employers.  I am over 50 and competing with much younger people, some with degrees, for the same position.  I am told "We can't afford to pay you what you're worth".  I am worth nothing if I am not working.  How do you handle that?  Is there a comeback?
  • Jodi D
    Jodi D
    Specific examples would be beneficial. Like some individuals I have worked at a organization for many years and the interview process is frustrating, when you feel like you have given your best. Otherwise great reminders to get yourself polished up to get the job you are looking for. Thank you.  
  •  Ray M
    Ray M
    It is re-assuring to remind ourselves that we are only human, and all of us could use some coaching now and then. I recently came upon an excellent book that answers the tough interview questions to anticipate "HOW TO INTERVIEW LIKE A TOP MBA"/ Dr. Shel Leanne.As a visual learner I found this helpful and positive to my career goals.  Good luck
  • Margaret G
    Margaret G
    VERY HELPFUL AND REASSURING.
  • Pat T
    Pat T
    Thanks for the great tips and advice.  In viewing all the other comments, seems like there are a lot of people looking for a job and hopefully all will find the right one, but you can't be too choosy in this day and time.  Hope it gets better after the election!  
  • Nancy K
    Nancy K
    This article seemed to warn you about how difficult an interview  can  be but did not offer any concrete directions.  Some ideas of right responses would be helpful.  With unemployment what it is,you can't afford to get it wrong even once.  If you had a friend who was/is in hr, practice would be very beneficial.
  • Ray R
    Ray R
    Very helpful
  • Lydia R
    Lydia R
    I would say that this is good information, and a refresher for those of us who has been out of the market for some time. I have been working for the last 16 years in the banking industry and have not applied for a job in a very long time. So thank you for reminding me that I must think about my strengthens and weakness, and to practice how I say them. The hardest about this job search is that everything is done by computers and there are no contact numbers to call to see if your information has made it to the desk or person that needs to see it.
  • Gloria M
    Gloria M
    Thank you for this valuable article, I failed already three interviews. Now I Know that I need more preparation.
  • Teresa N
    Teresa N
    Good info.. only need more specific great answers to some questions. thanks T

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