[SixFigureStart] May 19, 2008 Newsletter http://ezezine.com Founded by two professionals with over 40 years of combined HR experience, SixFigureStart provides the support and the structure to enable you to get the most from your career and your life: Identify what you want – passion, balance, legacy Build a strong brand – resume and cover letter, presentation skills, online presence Communicate effectively – networking, interviewing, negotiating Navigate for the long-term – promotions, lateral moves, mentorship If you have friends who may want to join the distribution list, please have them visit http://home.ezezine.com/2034_2/ to sign up. You can also see previous newsletters at that link. TIP OF THE WEEK: 5 STEPS TO COMPREHENSIVE EXAMPLES By Caroline Ceniza-Levine In interviews, I often ask candidates to give me examples of their work: Tell me about a typical project at Company X; Tell me about a project where you managed people/ presented to senior management/ impacted the bottom line; Tell me about an analytical/ research/ strategy project; or Tell me about your favorite/ least favorite/ most difficult/ most rewarding project; To be a prepared candidate, therefore, you need a list of projects that showcase different points you wish to make – different skills, different scopes, different expertise. This way, you have an answer to any of the above questions, and since you have thoughtfully prepared your project list in advance, you can talk about your work in an engaging and succinct way. You also want to be able to describe your projects comprehensively enough so that the interviewer has a clear sense of what you can do and what you have accomplished. Many candidates make the mistake of getting bogged down in the minutia of the project. They regale the interviewer with a lot of history and background research that usually doesn’t give the interviewer a sense for their active role. Remember, you are not trying to make the interviewer an expert on the project. You are selling your skills and expertise, and therefore you need to make the interviewer understand the scope of the project and your role therein. Be able to answer these five questions for any project you discuss in an interview and you will have a comprehensive answer: Who sponsored the project: CEO, department head, line manager? This gives the interviewer a sense of the project’s importance. What was the objective? This is where you showcase your business sense. Give a clear and concise answer as to why this project was undertaken. It boils down to revenue generation or cost savings, so know this and frame your answer accordingly. What was the deliverable: Powerpoint presentation, white paper, presentation to senior management, Excel model? Give the interviewer a tangible sense of the result of the project. What actually happened? Let the interviewer know that you know your impact on your company’s business. If the company benefited, quantify this. If the company didn’t move forward, explain why not. What did you do and what did everyone else on the team do? Be specific about your role so you don’t come across as overreaching and so that the interviewer doesn’t assume you did more or less than you did. At the same time, being clear about what everyone else did shows that you are a team player and are aware of what is going on around you and what other people contribute. Craft your project descriptions so that the above five questions are answered seamlessly therein. Don’t wait for the interviewer to prompt you. Most will not and will just rely on the incomplete information you volunteer. Caroline Ceniza-Levine is a co-founder of SixFigureStart. She has recruited for Accenture, Booz Allen, Citigroup, Disney ABC, Oliver Wyman, Time Inc and TV Guide and is currently an adjunct assistant professor of Professional Development at Columbia University. Perfect your interview responses and get the job you want with success coaching from SixFigureStart. Schedule a complimentary consultation at 212-501-2234 or email info@sixfigurestart.com. UPCOMING EVENT: FREE* TELECLASS ON JUNE 3, 7p EST How to make the most of your summer internship: 10 things you absolutely must do! Congratulations on getting a summer internship – it’s a great start to your full-time career. Now, take it to the next level to ensure you do all you can to receive a full-time offer at the end of the summer. Join this free* 45-minute teleclass to maximize the success of your summer internship – even before your 1st day. In this tough economy and competitive marketplace, you’ll need all the secrets to succeed. Hear from Connie Thanasoulis, co-founder of SixFigureStart and former head of campus recruiting for Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and Pfizer. Learn exactly what recruiters want and don’t want in a candidate. Space is limited. Email info@sixfigurestart.com to register and get the call-in details. *For free teleclasses there is no charge for the class, but you are responsible for any long-distance phone charges incurred to access the conference phone line. If you have friends who may want to join the distribution list, please have them visit http://home.ezezine.com/2034_2/ to sign up. You can also see previous newsletters at that link. All information is copyright © SixFigureStart 2008