Say The Right Things During Your Job Search

By Author: Deborah Brown-Volkman
Total Articles: 113
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Are you doing as well at your job search as you'd like? If not, maybe the problem is the words that are coming out of your mouth.

Job searching is an intense process. From the very beginning, you have to be and show your best. Your résumé and cover letter have to be impeccably written. Your interviewing techniques have to be masterful. Your salary negotiation skills have to be at their best or you will leave money at the table. Meanwhile, throughout the process, no one tells you how you are doing. A company may bring you in for a series of interviews, tell you that you are the best candidate for the job, and then you might never hear from them again. A recruiter could tell you that a position has opened up that you would be perfect for, and then he or she might never return your phone calls. It's a guessing game and it can play with your emotions and your view of yourself. But still, this is how many jobs are filled. This means you have to get good at being the person selected for these open slots. The better you are at saying the right things, the more likely you are to get the job you want.

What ...
... you say while looking for a job is crucial to your success. It can be the difference between getting a job or being passed by for someone who said something better than you did.

So, How Do You Get Better Ay Saying The Right Things? Follow These Four Points Below:

1. Expect To Be Terrible At First

You cannot get good at saying the right things without knowing what it feels like to get it wrong, too. If you haven't searched for a job in a while, you will be rusty. You may not be used to questions such as, What are your strengths and weaknesses? Or, Tell me about yourself. You may also be apprehensive about leaving your current position and not comfortable discussing the details. Expect that there will be mishaps in the beginning. This way, they won't throw you.

2. Put Yourself On The Court

A job interview contains two main components. First, you get ready for the interview. Second, you have the interview. No matter how hard you prepare for the interview, success or failure happens while you are there. Tell an employer what you can do for them. Let go of how you think you are doing. Trust that you have done the work and that's why an employer has asked to see you. You don't know what a job is truly like until you go there. You may be nervous about it, so don't let fear keep you from going. This principle holds true for other job search seeking activities such as job fairs and networking events. There may be many reasons not to go, so keep your eye on the bigger picture, which is they can lead you to a great new job.

3. Practice Makes Perfect

Some people make saying the right things look easy, but they work at it. They role play mock interviews with friends, family, and their coach several times. They say their 30-second introduction over and over again until it becomes second nature. They anticipate questions that make them uncomfortable and they have their answers spelled out and ready to go. You can do well without practicing. It's your pathway to job searching success.

4. Learn From Your Mistakes

Looking for a job can be tricky sometimes. You may be asked a question that you have no clue how to answer. You may say something foolish, and then realize when it's too late, that you can't take it back. Saying the wrong thing from time to time happens to everyone, so know that you are not alone. If you fall off the horse, pick yourself up and try again. If you don't do as well as you liked in a certain situation, be confident that you'll get it right the next time.

So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!

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About the Author:

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Deborah Brown-Volkman, PCC, is the President of Surpass Your
Dreams, Inc. a successful career, life, and mentor coaching
company that works with Senior Executives, Vice Presidents, and
Managers who are looking for new career opportunities or seek to
become more productive in their current role. She is the author
of Don\\'t Blow It! The Right Words For The Right Job, Coach
Yourself To A New Career, and How To Feel Great At Work
Everyday. Deborah can be reached at
http://www.surpassyourdreams.com