Job Do’s & Don’ts
This is one of the few times I’m putting the cart before the horse. You got your foot in the door to get a job. Now, how you walk in could be the key to success or failure.
Pikes Peak Workforce Center, employment expert, Steve Fehl, tells me when you walk in the door, you should ask that potential boss or Human Resources person if you can sit down before the interview starts. Don’t just assume that you can sit down. Fehl says you should also start with an opening line before asking for that seat. You could say something like, “Hello, may I have a seat? Thank you very much. I’m looking forward to our conversation. Any place you’d like to start?”
Now comes your body posture when you sit down. Fehl believes men shouldn’t cross their legs or arms when seated. He believes you should keep your feet flat on the floor.
Fehl also thinks body posture could send a signal if you are interested during the interview. He says you should ask yourself, “Am I sitting up in a way that demonstrates I’m attentive, involved and connected?” I also wondered about gestures during a job interview. Fehl believes hands can be helpful in terms of making a point; for instance, leaning forward and showing attentiveness to the job interviewer.
Fehl also thinks one of the simplest problems for job seekers can be fixed before they walk into the door to a job interview. He says, “One of the most consistent feedback from employers at job fairs is they are always amazed at how inappropriately job seekers dress for a job fair.” Bottom line is that you should dress to impress: pressed suit, shirt, tie, and shined shoes for men. Women should also wear a pressed outfit and shined shoes as a sign they are ready to step into a new job.
Fehl says don’t forget to use social media as a start in your job search. He says, “Twittering isn’t just about messaging back and forth, it’s about sharing information.”
LinkedIn is also a key piece to the job puzzle. This social media site now has job postings. The site also has strict rules about who you can link with online.
Fehl says, “90 percent of all jobs waiting to be filled are not on any job board or any publication.”
There are good reasons for hidden jobs. Employers don’t want a flood of applicants to go through. Fehl believes if you network hard enough, there’s a good chance someone you know may know a boss who’d like to get to know you.
