Networking Tips for the Holidays

By Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert

Ah, the holidays -- a time to rejoice, be merry and enjoy a well-earned break until the new year. But if you're job searching, it's also a great time to kick your job search into high gear.
Believe it or not, the holiday season can be a promising time to secure a new position. "Companies...want to start the new year with the right talent on board before the first week of January," says Kim Batson, a career-management coach with more than 10 years of career coaching experience. She adds that because so many people believe it's better to postpone job searching until January, there's less competition during the holidays. So if you're wondering how to get a jump on the competition as well as get your resume noticed during the holidays, consider these tips.

Network at Holiday Events

Whether you're attending an employer-sponsored party or some other holiday event, make the most of social gatherings by planning in advance. "Set a goal to meet, connect with and learn from three to five people at an event," advises Andrea Nierenberg, a New York City-based speaker and trainer and author of Million Dollar Networking. "Do your research before going so you know something about those you might meet."

Beverly Harvey, president of Beverly Harvey Resume & Career Service, stresses the importance of quality versus quantity when networking at holiday events. "Develop several good, solid relationships instead of trying to develop many relationships that won't be valuable," she says.

Conversations should be focused on the person you're speaking with, not you and your job search -- that can come later, after trust has been built. "When first introduced to the contact you want to speak with, show genuine interest in their lives, interests and careers," Batson says.

This is also not the time to whip out your resume. "Do not bring resumes to holiday functions," cautions Nierenberg. The goal is to start building rapport and setting the stage for future follow up.
You can, however, give out business cards that relay your career field and areas of expertise. "Job seekers might want to use a business card that states their personal brand, i.e., 'Sally Smith, Human Resource Director, Specialist in Diversity Issues' or 'Tom Taylor, Operations Manager, Global Supply Chain Efficiency Expert,'" says Batson.

Follow Up with Contacts

After the event, Nierenberg recommends sending a handwritten, personalized thank-you note to each contact. Batson recommends including a copy of your resume, if appropriate. "Also, because it's a season of gift-giving, it's a nice gesture to send a small gift with your thank-you letter to the most important networking contacts, if it's within your budget," she says.

Network Purposefully

The holidays are a perfect time to reach out to people in your network and potential employers. "It all starts with relationships -- don't do a mass mailing to everyone," advises Nierenberg. "Take the time to call some people, attend events and parties, and connect with people to discuss job opportunities."
Harvey's advice: "Try to target the decision makers -- it's a very sociable time of the year, and managers are more likely to be receptive to job seekers than at other times of the year."

Harvey suggests creating a new resume version for networking contacts who don't necessarily have a job opening. "Create a one-page resume that highlights your most important skills, qualifications and career history, as well as industries or companies of interest," says Harvey. While this type of resume isn't as targeted as a traditional resume, it allows networking contacts to understand your career field. In addition, listing desired employers and industries may spark your contacts' memories about a related job opportunity or networking lead.

Keep Your Network Going

Nierenberg is a strong proponent of staying in touch with and strengthening your network over time. "Find creative ways to stay on someone's radar screen," she advises. "Set a search engine alert -- research your contacts and their interests, and stay in touch that way."

Harvey encourages job seekers to continue communicating with their network into the new year. "If there's been some change in your status, send an updated resume with a note about your new accomplishment," she says.

You can also implement a method to manage contacts. "It doesn't matter if you're using contact-management software, a spreadsheet, a handwritten chart or an old Rolodex -- do what works for you and keeps you on track with your networking," says Harvey.

'Tis the Season for Your Job Search

By Charles Purdy, Monster Senior Editor

Many job seekers are tempted to slow down the search (or pause it altogether) during the winter holiday season. But career experts say that taking a break from your job search during the holidays is a mistake -- because hiring doesn't stop.       

At the end of the year, some companies rush to fill job openings that might otherwise be removed from next year's budget. Still other companies will be looking ahead. "Jobs that might have been on hold until budgets are in place will become available in January," says career expert Kimberly Bishop, author of Get Down to Business and You'll Get the Job.

Roy Cohen, an executive coach and author of The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide, agrees. "There's a belief that recruiting shuts down during the holidays,” he says. “That's a myth -- so when other people take off from their job searching during the holidays, you're at an advantage should an opportunity surface. It's all about numbers and odds."

In fact, the holidays provide some distinct advantages and special opportunities for proactive job seekers. Here's how to make the most of your holiday-season job search:

Be Flexible
Judi Perkins of FindthePerfectJob.com says, "When I was a recruiter, the holidays were one of my busiest times, and I was often on the phone either side of Christmas day." This means that you should be prepared to interview at unusual times, to allow for a recruiter's or hiring manager's busy holiday schedule.

Do Volunteer Work
All sorts of philanthropic organizations ramp up activities during the holidays -- and volunteering can be a great way to network, gain skills and fill the gap that unemployment might otherwise leave on your resume.

"You'll meet other volunteers -- great people who, by nature, will want to help,” Cohen adds. “You'll feel good, too."

Look into Temporary Positions
Many companies have end-of-year crunches -- at the same time that many workers want to take time off -- so they look to staffing agencies to fill gaps. A temporary job can be a great way to get your foot in the door at a new company.

Seek Seasonal Jobs
"The most obvious opportunities are in retail sales or retail-related positions, Bishop says. “There are a variety of part-time and temporary jobs that range from sales and customer service to merchandising, stocking, greeting, gift-wrapping and playing a role in special in-store events.

The hospitality industry also offers opportunities. “Hotels, restaurants and caterers have more events and parties, so they need to staff up,” she says.

Use Holiday Social Events to Network
You don't want to make every conversation about your job search -- but letting people know how they can help you is crucial. "Have your pitch -- who you are, what you want and why -- ready and perfect," Cohen advises.

And try to keep things positive. For instance, when you tell people you're looking for work, also tell them how you've been productive with your time off.

Reach Out to Your Contacts
The holidays are a great reason to reach out to friends and acquaintances as well as to reconnect with people you may have fallen out of contact with. "Send out a holiday greeting, but add a little extra in your message,” Cohen suggests. “Email or snail mail the card to everyone in your job search universe. It should be upbeat -- that you continue and are committed to search for a great job and know that it is only a matter of time and timing.” And be sure to express your gratitude to all those who have reached out to you during your search, he adds.

(If you don't know which holidays a contact celebrates, "Happy New Year" is a safe sentiment.)

And remember that the holidays are a time for giving. Find ways to help the people in your network, and they'll be likelier to help you in the future.

Recommit to Your Job Search
Start the year off right: Make an appointment with yourself to determine your goals for the coming year. Then schedule some time to update your resume, practice your interview skills and polish up your personal brand.

How to Keep Your Spirits Up During a Job Search

By Pat Mayfield

If you're having a difficult time finding a job, and it seems like it's taking forever, don't despair. Here are some suggestions for keeping your spirit positive:

Think Up
The mind is a powerful vessel. How we think and what we think can control our spirits. We literally can think ourselves up or down. To keep out the negative thoughts and self-doubt:

• Wake up thinking or saying positive statements.
• Avoid negative media, news, emails, and downer movies and television.
• End the day thinking or saying positive statements.
• Think about the positives a new job brings: new skills, new relationships, and a new chance to show your skills and talents.

Positive Reminders
Surround yourself with quotes or statements of hope and encouragement. Write your favorites on sticky notes on the refrigerator or computer -- somewhere you can easily see them. Two of my favorites are from Winston Churchill:

• "The pessimist sees problems in every opportunity...whereas the optimist sees opportunity in every problem."
• "Never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up..."

Take Steps
Literally. Move. Being a couch potato shows. Leave the house at least once a day. Exercise, jogging or walking will:

• Reenergize you.
• Help to clear the mental cobwebs.
• Prepare you to look your best for interviews.

Pamper Yourself with Kind Acts
How you treat yourself can impact your spirit.

• Play your favorite music softly in the background while you "work."
• Eat healthy without hugging the refrigerator. Now is not the time to bulk up.
• Sing -- regardless of quality. Singing happy songs will actually will help to stretch and relax your vocal chords while refreshing your spirit.
• Avoid being sloppy. Dress and groom yourself with respect -- for you.
• Treat yourself with affordable goodies such as a favorite food or beverage, an afternoon movie with popcorn, doing something touristy, or a mindless novel.

See Spirited People
Make sure you spend some time, preferably in person, with positive and supportive people every day.

• Surround yourself with yea-sayers and avoid the naysayers.
• Work your network.
• Call people rather than email or texting them -- it's more personal and supportive.
• If you're single and live alone, go to the library or a coffee shop to be around others.
• Help others in need. Get out of yourself from time to time.
• Spend quality time with your family and friends.

Keep at the Top of Your Game
Keeping your spirit up has a lot to do with how you feel about yourself. Don't let your skill set and knowledge slide.

• Keep up on industry news.
• Read trade journals and business magazines and newspapers.
• If possible, practice to improve your career skill set.

Now's the Time
Enjoy the positives of your job search, like having spare time. Remember all those times you said, "If I only had time, I'd..."

• Read those books.
• Clean that closet.
• Take that class.
• Get in better shape.

Do Your Best Work to Find Work
Knowing you're taking all the right steps to find a job will help improve your spirits.

• Write a perfect resume and cover letter for each job.
• Send X amount of resumes out each workday without fail.
• Keep up-to-date records of results.
• Keep accurate contact information on companies, executives and hiring agents.
• Have your interview clothes clean and ready to wear.
• Work at finding work every day.

[Pat Mayfield is the president of Pat Mayfield Consulting LLC, based in San Francisco and Pleasanton, California. She specializes in sales and marketing solutions.]

Practice Makes Perfect: How to Rehearse for Your Next Job Interview

By Caroline M.L. Potter

There are a lot of steps that usually happen before you get to the interview portion of your job search: writing a resume, networking, compiling your references. Most folks are able to put a lot of effort into getting the interview, but many fall apart during the actual interview. Why? Poor planning and a lack of practice.

Instead of winging it, or relying solely on your professional skill set, you should stage a rehearsal for your next job interview.

Not sure how to go about doing so? Start by enlisting a family member, friend or partner to play the role of interviewer, and ask that she stay in character from start to finish. Set up a space, such as a desk or table, where you can create a suitable setting. Then use these 10 tips to from corporate trainer Marlene Caroselli to make your interviews -- both mock and real -- successful.

Do Your Homework"Learn all you can about the organization in advance," advises Caroselli. Share this information with your mock interviewer, perhaps in the form of crib notes. She can use this to grill you.

Tune In"Watch people being interviewed on television and make note of what works," she advises. Look for traits that make people likable and competent.

State the Unobvious"Create one really intriguing statement about yourself," she says. "For example, a woman I know, expecting to be told, 'Tell us a bit about yourself [the most popular interview question],' replied, 'I think I should tell you I'm a nonconforming conformist.' She explained what she meant and wound up getting the job."

Think Outside the BoxA little visualization can go a long way, according to Caroselli, author of Principled Persuasion. "Think about a visual that really represents what you can do," she says. "It can be a photo taken at an event you organized, for example. If you have nothing that symbolizes your capabilities, then look for a pattern not readily apparent in your resume and be prepared to talk about that particular interest or talent, apart from your official work history."

Know Your LinesActors do it, and you should, too. "Memorize a few short quotes and have them ready," Caroselli says. "They'll help you respond articulately to virtually any question."

Sum It UpThe very first request an interviewer may make is, "Tell me about yourself." In order to answer this interview question quickly and succinctly, she urges interviewees, "Have an elevator speech ready in case they want a brief overview of your career."

Be Tough on YourselfResearch tough interview questions and provide them to your helper. Also, point out gaps in your skills or holes in your resume and instruct her to grill you on those points. "By comparison, your own, actual interview will seem like a walk in the park, and that prospect will encourage you," Caroselli says.

Capture It on Camera"If possible, have someone video you doing an interview rehearsal," she says. "Then study your body language to see if it reveals confidence, poise and enthusiasm."

Listen UpClose your eyes and listen back to the recording of your replies to interview questions. "Play the tape back and analyze your responses," she says. "Ask yourself, 'Would you hire you?'"

Stay CalmWork on being relaxed before your big meeting. "When you get to the interview site and are waiting to be called in to the interview room, work on a brainteaser," Caroselli advises candidates. "Research shows it calms the nerves and takes your mind off the challenge ahead."

By Caroline M.L. Potter

Build Your Brand

By Barbara Reinhold, Monster Contributing Writer

Who makes your favorite shoes or outfits? What beverage calls your name when you need a pick-me-up? Whose movies won't you miss? Whose help do you seek when you want a project done right, at home or at work?

All of these questions involve your reactions to a particular brand -- a collection of assumptions about quality, appeal and reliability that you've made in response to repeated experience with a variety of possible products, people or services. Here's the important thing: Whether you like to think about it or not, right now there are people thinking about your very own brand of whatever you are and do, and they're deciding if they want to make it one of their favorites.

International branding strategist Robin Fisher Roffer, author of Make a Name for Yourself, suggests eight steps to help women develop and project their own brands.

Eight Essential Steps
1. Identify the primary "product" (service, resource, special ability, etc.) you have to offer others.
2. Identify your core values. What really matters to you?
3. Identify your passions. What things or ideas do you love?
4. Identify your talents. What have you always been recognized for (particularly as a kid)? What do you do better than most other people? What skills do people seem to notice in you?
5. From your hopefully long list of talents and qualities, choose the top five, the ones you do best and enjoy doing the most.
6. Weave the items on all your lists into a statement of your specialty. What are you particularly gifted at delivering?
7. Write a paragraph emphasizing your specialty and your five key talents, weaving in your most important values, passions and skills.
8. Now add a tag line to your brand.

The Tag Line Tells Your Story
A coach I know who consults by phone -- primarily helping six-figure earners work their way even further up the corporate ladder -- goes by this tag line: "A coach for successful people to help them be even more successful." A senior project manager working in the crossfire between the marketing group and packaging designers at a stressful manufacturing facility has developed this tag line: "An efficient problem solver who understands and enjoys both the creativity of designers and the practicality of marketers." My tag line for my counseling and coaching practice is this: "The permissionary -- a visionary realist to help you discover and manifest your dreams.

A tag line's shorthand helps other people remember a key point about you. At the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts chapter of the NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) breakfast meetings, every member and guest stands up and introduces herself via her tag line, or verbal business card. In this organization, the women remember each other's tag lines as easily as their names, and after each month's meeting, hundreds of ripples go out about each of the women attending and what she has to offer. And it works for entrepreneurs and employees alike.

Get the Word Out
Once you've worked over your tag line and the other items on the list for a few days or weeks, it's time to take them public with someone you trust. Keeping them secret is a sure way to never act on them.

The road to career disappointment is littered with lists, dreams and goals never shared with anyone. So get your "brand me" musings out into the light of day to solicit support and constructive criticism from someone else. And you could be a brand advisor for that person in return. And it would be even better is you could get four or five women together regularly to encourage and critique each other's branding strategies and activities.

Creating and building your unique brand is an organic and ongoing process. So consider yourself and your career a work in progress, and reach out to get and give as much help as possible as your brand shifts and matures across the expanse of your career.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In observation of the holiday, Staffing Solutions of Hawaii will be closed on Thursday, November 22nd. We will resume business at our normal hours beginning on Friday, November 23rd at 7:30am.

100 Potential Interview Questions

By Thad Peterson, Monster Staff Writer

While there are as many different possible interview questions as there are interviewers, it always helps to be ready for anything. So we've prepared a list of 100 potential interview questions. Will you face them all? We pray no interviewer would be that cruel. Will you face a few? Probably. Will you be well-served by being ready even if you're not asked these exact questions? Absolutely.

Basic Interview Questions:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Why do you want this job?
• Where would you like to be in your career five years from now?
• What's your ideal company?
• What attracted you to this company?
• Why should we hire you?
• What did you like least about your last job?
• When were you most satisfied in your job?
• What can you do for us that other candidates can't?
• What were the responsibilities of your last position?
• Why are you leaving your present job?
• What do you know about this industry?
• What do you know about our company?
• Are you willing to relocate?
• Do you have any questions for me?

Behavioral Interview Questions:

• What was the last project you headed up, and what was its outcome?
• Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.
• Can you describe a time when your work was criticized?
• Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? How did you handle it?
• Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback. How did you handle it?
• What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?
• What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?
• If I were your supervisor and asked you to do something that you disagreed with, what would you do?
• What was the most difficult period in your life, and how did you deal with it?
• Give me an example of a time you did something wrong. How did you handle it?
• What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?
• Tell me about a time where you had to deal with conflict on the job.
• If you were at a business lunch and you ordered a rare steak and they brought it to you well done, what would you do?
• If you found out your company was doing something against the law, like fraud, what would you do?
• What assignment was too difficult for you, and how did you resolve the issue?
• What's the most difficult decision you've made in the last two years and how did you come to that decision?
• Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.

Salary Questions:

• What salary are you seeking?
• What's your salary history?
• If I were to give you this salary you requested but let you write your job description for the next year, what would it say?

Career Development Questions:

• What are you looking for in terms of career development?
• How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?
• What kind of goals would you have in mind if you got this job?
• If I were to ask your last supervisor to provide you additional training or exposure, what would she suggest?

Getting Started Questions:

• How would you go about establishing your credibility quickly with the team?
• How long will it take for you to make a significant contribution?
• What do you see yourself doing within the first 30 days of this job?
• If selected for this position, can you describe your strategy for the first 90 days?

More About You:

• How would you describe your work style?
• What would be your ideal working environment?
• What do you look for in terms of culture -- structured or entrepreneurial?
• Give examples of ideas you've had or implemented.
• What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
• If you had to choose one, would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person?
• Tell me about your proudest achievement.
• Who was your favorite manager and why?
• What do you think of your previous boss?
• Was there a person in your career who really made a difference?
• What kind of personality do you work best with and why?
• What are you most proud of?
• What do you like to do?
• What are your lifelong dreams?
• What do you ultimately want to become?
• What is your personal mission statement?
• What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?
• What negative thing would your last boss say about you?
• What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?
• What are three positive character traits you don't have?
• If you were interviewing someone for this position, what traits would you look for?
• List five words that describe your character.
• Who has impacted you most in your career and how?
• What is your greatest fear?
• What is your biggest regret and why?
• What's the most important thing you learned in school?
• Why did you choose your major?
• What will you miss about your present/last job?
• What is your greatest achievement outside of work?
• What are the qualities of a good leader? A bad leader?
• Do you think a leader should be feared or liked?
• How do you feel about taking no for an answer?
• How would you feel about working for someone who knows less than you?
• How do you think I rate as an interviewer?
• Tell me one thing about yourself you wouldn't want me to know.
• Tell me the difference between good and exceptional.
• What kind of car do you drive?
• There's no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
• What's the last book you read?
• What magazines do you subscribe to?
• What's the best movie you've seen in the last year?
• What would you do if you won the lottery?
• Who are your heroes?
• What do you like to do for fun?
• What do you do in your spare time?
• What is your favorite memory from childhood?

Brainteaser Questions:

• How many times do a clock's hands overlap in a day?
• How would you weigh a plane without scales?
• Tell me 10 ways to use a pencil other than writing.
• Sell me this pencil.
• If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
• Why is there fuzz on a tennis ball?
• If you could choose one superhero power, what would it be and why?
• If you could get rid of any one of the US states, which one would you get rid of and why?
• With your eyes closed, tell me step-by-step how to tie my shoes.