Say The Right Thing During Your Job Search

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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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  • Alonzo
    Alonzo
    very helpful information, thank you for taking the time to inform me.
  • Joshua P.
    Joshua P.
    Truly helpful!
  • Brenda S.
    Brenda S.
    Reading all the comments has been a great help. Just be aware of the types of interviews too. Behavioral Interviews were something new for me and I stumbled through the first time with the story telling. Know your stories when they ask something like   “Tell me about a time when you ____?” Give the (1) situation, (2) how you handled it and the (3) outcome.  Or, look up behavioral interviews online.  Hope this helps…      
  • Patricia Moore
    Patricia Moore
    The comments were a wonderful help.  I liked the fact that specific examples were given, "not a good fit", "hostile environment", "pay is negotiable".  I also appreciated that your article gave several examples.  Thank you.  Patty
  • Irene H.
    Irene H.
    Absolutely helpful info. my problem is job experience. Since I have been teaching private music for over thirty years, my resume has little in it. There are many aspect of teaching that are very useful for a range of jobs: reliability, responsibility, creativity and so on.  My PERTINENT) references are few as well.  And,(even though it is not legal), I believe my age (57) is an aspect of the employer's consideration. Suggestions welcome!
  • Vickie
    Vickie
    Wow! It is truly amazing the number of People who actually struggle with the same question as I do."What is your weakness" Personally I am so hard on myself that when I take a position I strive to always do my best and over the years have learned what works and what does not work. That was a very hard question that left me speechless the first time I was asked not to mention I havent had to look for a job in over 23 years. Now after reading through everyones comments and taking a few notes I will be sure to not only answer that question but a few others.... Look out World I'm back! Good luck everyone, I think we let so many people beat us at this game we felt like we did not deserve the Job. Truth is we were probably over Qualified and they could not afford someone like us! Stand tall hold your head up high today is a new day. Thanks for all your in site and comments,I believe they will come in handy during my interview tomorrow! LOL  
  • Jess D
    Jess D
    hi my name is jess dominguez . i would like to just say thank you , to you deborah brown - volkman . in job seeker - interview .for bringing this to my attention , note: say the right thing during your job search :)  keep - up the good work .and to thank  beyond .com for , do your home work ,and know your worth .to you and beyond .comtake care and be safe jess
  • Jackie
    Jackie
    I also have been unemployed for over a year.  I did take one position but after 3 months they let me go.  The employer and I were not a good fit.  Since this was how I was let go from my last position I neglected to include this information about my last job on my resume.  I have now added this in hopes that it will look like I have not been unemployed since April of 2009   We will see how this works for me.  Good Luck everyone its tuff out there.  
  • Cynthia Diiorio
    Cynthia Diiorio
    It's comforting to hear that I am not the only one struggling! Even though I have been laid-off for over one year, I don't want to take just anything. I have been interviewing and the two positions I really wanted I didn't get. The companies seemed interested in me, but, never called back! So, I will keep interviewing (even if I don't really want the job), for the experience, til I find the right one!  
  • marines Chapa
    marines Chapa
    I am looking for a job opening in a post office. I would like to be a clerk. If you do have a position open please let me know.thanks marineschapa
  • Otis
    Otis
    The tips that were provided were very informative and helful. After the disaster known as Hurricane Katrina, my company decided to relocate my department to Texas, where i was reluctant to relocate. Since then i have asisted my cousin with starting up her business, that has held me for the past four years. I started searching for other employment in late 2008, but because of the sub-prime mortgage melt down, company weren't hiring, they were laying off.  After applying for several different positions, i received about three interviews, of which only one said that they chose someone else, because their qualifications match their needs. I began to think that it was just me and the way I was handling the interview process. Later I would learned from two of the companies that, it wasn't my interviewing skills that were off, it was my qualifications for the position or they felt that because of experiences and education,that price wouldn't be in their budget, like was mention in one of tips. The Interview process can be trying, confusing, scary and in some cases a complete disaster. Because of this, some fellow job seekers sometime are remist about trying again for an extended period of time, because of their reluctancy to hear that phrase of the letter that state "we regret to inform you that we have chosen another candidate". Thanks for the advice and tips, they will make individuals like myself, more empowered and more confident, in our future quest to find and land employment.
  • evangeline freeman
    evangeline freeman
    i have an interview on thursday for phlebotomist position. this is my first time in this kind of field. i am afraid that they will ask me some difficult questions.,such as tell us something about yourself? your weakness..etc..can anyboby help me about the interview? some ideas on healthcare field? thanks
  • John Pizzi
    John Pizzi
    I will save this info.  This is good basic advice. Go on interviews even if it is not your dream job. Get the practice, try a job fair.
  • Adam
    Adam
    Practice, Practice, Practice! That's what it takes to land the job you want.I was laid off a month ago and still lookig for that right opportunity. However, I use a technique which I call the run and gun where I go to job interviews for jobs that I least care for and practice answering questions and asking questions. I make sure I find time after the interview to write down as many questions I remembered from the interview  and then practice at home. This technique hasn't worked yet since I have been laid off but it has worked for me in the past so I'm still trying. This way on the next interview for the job I really want, I know what to expect. Practicing in front of parents and friends is good but it really depends on how much time you got so I recommend finding a technique that works for you. In these tough economic times, recruiters are very picky on what they want and you have to be on your game more than ever. Another suggestion is don't worry about the job search, do something else with your time as well. For example, I'm working for my dad right now while Im searching for something else or another opportunity comes along. This will help you to become more comfortable and more confident that an employer sees you as an asset. It will also look good on your resume as a job gap filler. Hope this helps!
  • Victoria Gurney
    Victoria Gurney
    How do you sell yourself on a resume, or interview when you do not have leadership qualities? I have always done the jobs at hand, but did not shine.
  • Boyd Rush
    Boyd Rush
    One thing I have learned, try to find out information on the person(s) doing the interview. Do you know someone from the same company and may know the person? Look around the office,if in a office and see if you have some of the same interest, as  sports, fishing, etc.
  • Claudia Warlick
    Claudia Warlick
    This was very thought-provoking.  I was laid off 6 months ago after being in this profession for 30+ years.  I have always been hired because I "already know how to do the job."  Job interviews are intimidating to me.  This was a very dynamic website to come across.  Most of my interviews will be with on-line companies, to being prepared for these questions has given me the "Ump" I needed.
  • Raymond Gravesande
    Raymond Gravesande
    With the president's plan-Tax Credit incentives to companies, is there some comfort to the unemployed, that companies will be more inclined to hire the unemployed-first. One wonders how this will play out, with Corporations effort to reduce the unemployment crisis and stimulate the economy, and bring people back to work.?Also, do hiring managers and H/R have this in mind when they are interviewing, considering that there is a Tax benifit to be gained at $5000.00 per new hire? Any Comments?
  • Anita Hayden
    Anita Hayden
    I've had a few interviews and have been on unemployment for probably about 6 months now.  My last job went out of business.  I think sometimes we know that the job we are applying for has so many applicants, we automatically have bad feelings that we won't even be considered for an interview, let a lone a job offer.  Anyway, I sometimes don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
  • vernon shepherd
    vernon shepherd
    I truly thank you for the tips i received, because i haven't had a interview in 17 years i feel very nerves and undecided about what to say.
  • Debra Debozy
    Debra Debozy
    I'm responding to Jeffrey Turnbow's inquiry about the "weakness question," I've learned that the answer is all in the phrasing.  I say, "Well, one issue I know I have to remain aware of is......."  This shows that you are aware of this weakness, you stay on top of it, and you strive to strengthen this particular skill.  Hope this helped.  
  • Carla Woolley
    Carla Woolley
    Found this article very helpful and look forward to reading and learning more...
  • Daryl Blanton
    Daryl Blanton
    I was recently terminated from my job after seven years with this company. No reason was given on my letter of termination. I became disabled two years ago and now am a paraplegic, but still have the capacity to do my job. How do I approach this with perspective employers? This is all new to me and would like some feedback, possibly from someone who has been threw a similar situation.
  • Deborah Strole
    Deborah Strole
    I have been out of the workforce for 10 years since I sold my business, so I haven't had to job search and interview for 20 years.  Being out of the workforce for so many years seems to be my weakness.  Those years weren't spent planting a garden or in a rocking chair, I was quite engaged in politics, writing legislation and building a website to further the rights of US citizens.  That fact doesn't seem to impress.How could I handle it better in my resume and in my next interview?
  • pamela guthrie
    pamela guthrie
    This has been very helpful thank you for your suggestions and comments.  
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