If You Want the Job... Act Like It

The past few weeks I have been interviewing for several openings we have had available in our facilities.  I find it amazing at how people apply for jobs. I have seen everything from applicants that do not follow directions in the advertisement, provide useless resumes without viable information, to the way they dress for an interview. If you are currently looking for a job, take note.

When reading the advertisement, make note of whether they ask for a cover letter along with a resume. I ask for a cover letter for several reasons. The first, of course, is to see if the applicant can follow directions. Secondly, it gives me a general idea of the applicants writing and grammar skills. Thirdly, I can spot the lazy applicants that use a form cover letter with their resume. Most of the time I automatically discard these as it shows they are applying for anything and everything with a particular title. Also, I take consideration of an applicant that takes a moment to customize a cover letter to the job description.  I feel that these job hunters are truly interested in the position that has been posted.  I also suggest that if the company name is available, you do as much research on that company as possible to be familiar with their product and history. Take your time in writing the cover letter. Be brief, precise, and make sure the information provided is correct, along with proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.

If an applicant makes it through the initial process of having a proper cover letter, I then look at the contents of the resume. There are several things that I look for when reviewing resumes. Is the information up to date? I have had several resumes, that when I tried to contact the people by phone, the number was no longer valid. The next thing I look at is the job history. In the job description, I am looking for what you accomplished in the position more than what duties you performed. A manager’s duties are basically the same from industry to industry. What you were able to accomplish for your past employers and what you can do for my company is what I am interested in. Keep it brief… one page is preferable.

If an applicant makes it through the above criteria, the next step is a phone interview. This process is normally a short call to determine the applicant’s ability to think quickly on their feet. Initially, I am interested in their phone skills, as our positions require phone sales. I give the applicant up to 3 minutes to sell themselves to me. I am looking for more than “I am a people person”… I am looking for the applicant that will give me career accomplishments and goals, as well as life accomplishments and goals. If the applicant makes it past this process, a face to face interview is scheduled.

It is in the face to face that I have been the most surprised. I have been shocked at the number of applicants that show up for their interview dressed in shorts, jeans, t-shirts and flip flops. I wonder if their mother ever told them that they only have one chance to make a first impression. So dress to impress…

To recap… read the ad carefully and follow the instructions. Do not use a form cover letter if one is requested. Use your resume to highlight your abilities and accomplishments. Once you have applied for a position, be prepared for a phone interview out of the blue. When going in for a face to face interview, remember a first impression is made in the first 6 seconds of meeting so dress to impress.

If you want the job… Act like it.

 Smile… It is contagious!

A Tribute to My Father

Over the Memorial Day weekend, my father, Curt Johnson, passed away. It has been difficult for me to put pen to paper to add to my blog. Every time I started to write, memories would fill my brain and the words failed to come forward. My dad was an adventurer and story teller. He did many extraordinary things throughout his life from becoming the youngest licensed auctioneer in Missouri before he was twelve, to travelling around the world and befriending Princes and Sheiks.

He volunteered for over 40 years with the Delaware Pow-Wow from helping in the concession stand to serving on the Pow-Wow committee. Even though he was part Cherokee and Choctaw, the Delaware gave him his Indian name that he was most proud of… Opieihum or White Eagle.

He was proud to call Hogshooter Oklahoma, his home. Over the years, he explored the various caverns, caves and canyons that outlaws had used for hideouts around the area he lived. He went on to write a book on the history of outlaws in Oklahoma, from the James gang to the gangsters of the early 1900’s. He also wrote a weekly column for a couple of local papers, The Nowata Star and ****** *****, called the Hogshooter Philosopher. He wrote about everything from his adventures around the world to his point of view of what was happening in the world that affected daily living.

My dad never met a stranger. He would talk to anyone and could tell you their life story after a simple fifteen minute conversation. I always found this unique trait fascinating. Over the years the number of people I have met through my own travels that knew my father left me speechless more than once. It is amazing the number of people my father touched, helped and inspired. I was proud to receive an email containing this tribute to him from a friend he never met;

http://twofeetofftheasphalt.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/a-friend-i-never-met/

I thank Mr. Hoover for his kind words. Dad would have been happy to open his door and invite you in for a cup of coffee and a good conversation.

Dad was a talented artist that was accomplished in painting, wood carving to sculpting. Some of my favorite memories are those from when he was working on his projects. The earliest memories  have are those of him painting signs on the sides of trucks or the six foot painting of the Indian Chief he painted on the basement wall of one of our homes.  My personal favorite memory involves the look on my mother’s face when she came in and there was a 4 foot by 6 foot piece of wood on her dining room table with dad working feverishly carving away at it. All was forgiven after weeks of work produced an eagle with wings outstretched wide grasping the American flag in its talons that he proudly placed above the fireplace. That was until the next project ended up on her dining room table…

Dad inspired my favorite saying “Smile, It is contagious” with his simple 2 word ending of his column each week… Stay Happy.

Dad you are deeply missed, but will not be forgotten for generations to come.