CMS Career Blog

Today’s post is a list of 101 interview questions that are typical of any job interview.  I wanted to get this list out today, and plan on developing answers (or a methodology for developing answers) in the months to come.  For now, you should familiarize yourself with these questions as they WILL be asked on your next interview. (Continue reading . . . )

I’m going to tell you something that will piss you off.  If you have been spending more than 30 minutes a day searching the Internet job boards, you have been wasting your time.  I know the drill. This evening your wife/husband/mother/etc is going to ask you how many jobs you applied for. You feel that if you haven’t spent time online, and you haven’t actually submitted any applications, then you haven’t applied for any jobs.  You are WRONG! If you don’t believe me, just c0unt the number of responses you got from all those job applications you submitted last week online.

So if applying online doesn’t work, what does? (continue reading. . . )

In a recent post we discussed the difference between the old resume style and the new resume style. The new resume style focuses on key, quantifiable accomplishments to show a prospective employer what you are capable of and willing to do for them.  The new resume focuses on the ROI (Return On Investment) that your new employer can expect when they hire you.

One tool that we recommend our clients use to identify key accomplishments and show their ROI is the CARS (the Condition Activity Resolution Statement).  Here’s how they work.

• First you identify a specific condition (problem, situation, need) you worked on in a prior job or career position.  What was the need?  What was happening that needed your attention?  Whenever possible, use numbers to define the scope of the situation. Write two or three bullet points to identify the condition you encountered.

• Second you describe the activity or action you took to address this condition.  What did you DO to address the problem?  Describe it in a few bullet points.

• Third you describe the resolution that came about as a result of your actions.  What happened?  Be sure to use quantifiable results – how much money did you make or save?  How many people were involved?  How much time was saved?  How did you reduce waste or increase efficiencies? One or two bullets ought to do it.

• Finally, write one to two sentences that pull the 5-9 bullet points in the first three steps. These two sentences should pull all of your points together in a concise statement.  A simple format for this is: “did what”, “for whom”, “resulting in . . . “ Be sure to use numbers to show how the results were measured.  This is important because managers use numbers to measure the success or failure of just about ANY business activity.  When you quantify your results you are speaking their language, and that is more likely to lead to an interview for you!  Numbers make the accomplishment “pop” off the page.  They allow you to stand out among the competition.

We recommend you come up with 3-4 CARS for each key accomplishment area in your career.  Use different times, jobs, and situations to show a variety from throughout your work history.

You can use the CARS on your resume, in other marketing materials (i.e. blog, LinkedIn profile, portfolio, etc), and in interviews.  CARS are a helpful and important way to let your prospective employer know that YOU are uniquely qualified to solve their business problems.

The new style of resume focuses on the results you have had in the past to prove to your prospective employer that you are both capable of and willing to do something similar for them in the future.  CARS will help you get that point across in a clear and concise fashion!

1) KNOW the purpose of the interview FROM THE EMPLOYER’S PERSPECTIVE. Are they looking to screen applicants? Are they hiring a lot of people? Or are they looking for just one person who will fit the company culture?

2) ADJUST your goals for the iinterview to MATCH the employer’s goal. If they are using the interview to screen out applicants, your goal should be to make it past the initial screening to the next interview. Too many times applicants go into the initial interview trying to get the job and screen themselves OUT by being too agressive.

3) LISTEN. (My good friend Clara used to say, “That’s why God gave us two ears and one mouth — so we could listen twice as much as we talk.” Not bad advice!)

4) ASK questions — To clarify. To learn more about the company or position. To determine the next steps, how many people are in the running, when you will meet next.

5) Be COURTEOUS. Thank the interviewer for his/her time. Send a handwritten thank you note — a lot of memorable credibility for a little amount of work!

A great resource for learning more about interviewing can be found at http://www.interviewcoach.com/. Carole Martin is The Interview Coach. Check out her free stuff!