CAREER TIPS                             

Each of us needs a plan to give power to our career. The reason is to keep us on track as we go through the job search process. The plan is to make sure we reach the goals we have set. The four parts of a career power plan are:

1) Planning Process

A simple one page statement of your goals, both personally and professionally for the next several years.

2) Dynamic hard hitting Career Package including:

• A resume that stands out from the crowd and gets employers excited.
• A cover letter that appears to be written for each employer.
• A reference list that sells (instead of just listing names & phone numbers).

The content, and how you present your resume needs to change to reflect current market conditions. Employers say they need solid, factual information on a candidate before they will invest the time to make a phone call, pay for interview trips, relocation expenses, etc. Prospective employers do not have the time to call every person that sends in a resume. The old fashioned resumes that resume writing books and resume writing services are pushing, is wrong for the hospitality industry at this time.  Long resumes, that highlight concrete accomplishments, are generating more interviews. Your objective needs to be specific. Your objective, experience, and professional affiliations all need to sell you. A dynamic resume starts a mindset in prospective employer's that says "This person can really help us. We need to impress this candidate. We may have to pay this person a little more than we planned on, but it sure appears this person will be worth it." That's the mindset you want to create before they pick up the phone to call you. It starts you out in the driver's seat. It's much better to be in the driver's seat than in the back seat.

3) Marketing Plan to include:

Working your own network of contacts. Utilizing Executive Search firms and other professional organizations you belong to. A plan to expand your network of contacts. This is very critical if you are currently without a job.

4) Research Companies

Before you interview,  research the company, to find out exactly what they are looking for in a candidate. If you can't find information on the company, remember the following: all companies want people who can help them improve revenues, reduce costs, improve customer service and training, and reduce turnover. Prepare for your interview. Write down the most logical questions you think they will ask and then rehearse your answers in front of a mirror. Many people conduct interviews and hire people all the time. They forget that it is different when they are on the other side of the desk. Last, plan what you are going to wear and how you are going to look. The business world is still very conservative, plan accordingly.

The best interview questions employers use start with "How," "What," and "Why." When employers use those words they give you a chance to explain what you have done and where you did it.

Employers are looking to hire people who can make their company better.

Following are a few questions employers commonly ask. Most of the questions appear simple. As applicants read through the questions their typical reaction is "I know that." It isn't whether you know the answer or not, but whether you can give the answer clearly and concisely the first time you are asked the question.

To find out how well you are prepared answer each of the questions out loud. That will immediately tell you which questions you do know answers to and which of the questions you need to practice answering until you can quickly and clearly answer the question.

Questions:

• What have been your most significant accomplishments the past year? (Quantify your answers whenever possible. Let employers know you know how to make money.)
• What has been the most difficult situation you have had to deal with? How did you deal with it? Based on what you learned, how would you handle the situation differently the next time?
• What are the three things in your career that you are the proudest of?
• Why have you made the career moves you have?
• How have you made your current/last employer more successful?
• Why do you want to change jobs?
• What would make your current job more satisfying?
• How would you restructure your current job to be more effective?
• What management skills would you like to strengthen?
• What skills would you like to acquire to make you a more effective supervisor? Leader? Mentor? Coach? Manager?
• What position would you like to be in 5 years from now? What are you doing to prepare yourself for that position?
• How do you stay abreast of your industry?
• What training classes have you attended the last year?
• What outside organizations do you belong to? Why?
• What are your weaknesses? Your strengths?
• What do you like to do with your spare time?
• Who are 3-4 companies you admire, and why do you admire them?
• Who has been your mentor? How did they become your mentor?
• How do you motivate people?
• How would you build a team?
• How do you train employees?
• What experience have you had cross-training employees?
• What types of things frustrate you?
• Are you meeting your budget and/or projections? If not why and what are you doing to get back on track?
• Tell me about difficult guest/customer relations problems you have dealt with?
• Describe the process you go through when a customer is dissatisfied?
• What is your greatest technical strength? Managerial?
• Are you a better manager or leader?
• How would your boss describe you? Your peers? Hourly employees?
• What makes you an effective problem solver?
• How do you react when your ideas get shot down?
• How do you react under stress?
• How would you structure an ideal job to take advantage of the strengths you currently have?
• Do you mind taking a drug test? Honesty test? Diagnostic evaluations? Skills evaluation?
• What is the single most important thing to you?
• Is it more important to increase revenues/sales or to control costs?
• What does guest satisfaction mean to you?

You never get a second chance for a first impression. 
(True for your guest and prospective employer!)