First I must offer an apology. It has been difficult to pay close attention to this blog, and its sister: zerotonetwork.blogdrive.com. In the midst of a very positive and intense job search, there was not much bandwidth for writing. I was maintaining my current position while searching for something new & greater.

However, the search is over and I cannot wait to share with you the experiences and learning’s - and offerings of advice. I will not identify the company; however it is an excellent opportunity for me and a great group of individuals.

For today I want to share with you how this position came about. Did you guess it was business networking? You're right on!

I will admit when my voluntary journey began in November, my focus was on headhunters (oops sorry, recruiters), job boards and some light networking. I did not have the time to begin cultivating a new network. I was hunting, no time for farming. And in the end, it was my pre-existing network that I built in the past three years that came through, plus one bit of technology.

Here is my story:

A friend and fellow blogger, Jim Stroud (Jobseekers Revenge) sent me an email that described the new job listing tools on LinkedIn. Even as a linkedin member, I was not aware of this new feature. I scanned the jobs and found one that was very interesting. Although not an advocate of submitting my resume through job boards, I thought it might be an interesting experiment. Plus, my thinking was that select and focused job boards might be more receptive to resumes (less volume, higher quality). More on this subject shortly.

However, immediately after submitting my resume I realized - DUH - use LinkedIn to see if anyone I know can assist me with handling my resume at this company. And right there, someone I have been networking with extensively (yes you David), not only knows this team of people, but worked there previously. David S. quickly sent an email to his contact that carried my praises to the hiring executive. An effective one-two punch. And it worked; it got me in the door! The rest is interview history!

What's the lesson here: You never know how your network will come to your assistance, so keep it evergreen. For both of the individuals listed in this entry, I have provided assistance and support - and it came back in a great way. Thanks Jim, David and LinkedIn !!

Stephen

Blog Revision (Feb 12):
After completing a full day interview at Microsoft (MSN Redmond, Wa.), I found the use of these Competency (aka behavioral) interviews to be incredibly excessive. In the mix of questions that an interviewer can leverage, if used properly, this type of questioning can be important, in moderation. I find it important to see how well a prospect can think on his/her feet, gauge their body language, and handle the stress of a "think on your feet" line of questioning.

At Microsoft, every manager & executive (10) all spent 90% of their time with me utilizing Competency questions. Thankfully no one asked me about my deep desire to be a poisonous killer snake (smile). I was left wondering just how much insight they could ascertain, especially when some questions were asked repeatedly by different managers. The other negative outcome, by the time I met the last person – the top executive in this group, my poor brain was fried (and I was intensely hungry – another topic, interview lunches). She hit me with the classic: “Explain to me two things that others see as positive and negative from the perspective of a Peer, A client and a Manager.” Folks, that is '6' positives and '6' negatives. At this point, I nearly surrendered to my intense hunger and brain melt down.

It was disappointing, because their coordinate use of this type of interviewing left little time for what I believe is more valuable - a good strong business discussion. I was well prepared to have strategic and tactical level discussions regarding the MSN search strategy (you can read my thoughts on this at my other blog; Think-ebiz).

However as the interviewee, we do not have much of a choice on how a company wishes to conduct their interview, so you should be aware of this style and approach. In these types of interview situations, my best advice is to simply relax and let your answers flow (it's impossible to study for a competency interview). After each question is given, take a moment to reflect; use the age old delay tactic “Very interesting question..”. Then proceed to slowly provide a short overview of the problem and your approach or solution.

However, prepare yourself to shift the playing field when an opportunity presents itself. The few times I was successful at shifting the interview agenda, it led to very interesting and meaningful conversations. That is until they themselves found a break and reverted back to another competency question (I kid you not!). They actually attend training classes on this type of interviewing.

So read my initial thoughts below, written as I was prepared for the MSN interview. But keep in mind; especially if you are a hiring manager that this approach may not give you the information you need to find someone that is going to help you in your business today. IMHO   Stephen

================
Original Article:

I have a confession, and it should come as good news to you, the readers. I am in a voluntary job search, having determined that it was time to move on. Unlike my last career transition, I am well prepared and in fact, doing great.

I will chronicle in detail my latest journey and the incredible lessons, so please stay tuned. At this moment (besides writing this blog entry) I am preparing for one of the most important interviews in many years. I cannot say with whom, except that this is my 4th and final round - and to get there - must fly to the other side of the country. Their interview approach, as prescribed on their website and in conversations, is what is called "Competency Based". This is actually a very effective interview strategy, one that allows the interviewer to get a clear picture of your ability to think, demonstrate relevant skills and communicate in a clear manner. There are often no right/wrong answers - just simply your manner of approaching the question, thinking through the question and responding.

What's a typical competency question?   

Please describe a time when you had to respond to a situation with a key customer that was disappointed with a recent service call? 

 

Please discuss a time when you had to make a difficult and unpopular decision?

 

Give me an example when you failed at a task, and what you learned from this experience.

Click here for a list of other sample competency questions.

How should you respond to these types of questions? Think PAR for resume - use STAR. STAR stands for Situation, Task, and Approach & Results. In other words, frame up the situation, what your task was, your approach to the problem and the outcome. I recommended reading this website for details on STAR. 

A few quick suggestions for a successful compentency based interview:

• Take a moment to think through your response.
• Answer the question in the first person: "I handled this situation by..."
• Do not be concerned if the outcome was negative; if you can express how you learned from this situation. Remember, learning comes often from failure.
• Speak slowly, confidently and keep good eye contact and strong body language.

Your blogger will be providing further updates and advice as I proceed through this journey. I hope that my latest venture through the transition zone will be beneficial to you in your travels!

Interviews represent a test of your ability to persuade and convince others to hire you, to have confidence in your ability to be a contributor on their team. In today's market, interviewing can be more intense and focused. Interviewing is a skill that can be built up and strengthened with practice.

Look at each interview not only as the opportunity to gain employment, but also to improve your persuasion game. As building blocks that will help you to win in the championship round, the prize being a great job.

As a reader of this blog, you are prepared with questions and have researched the company. Then the interviewer focuses on one narrow aspect of your credentials, and you find you cannot properly reply to the inquiry. Or she throws a scenario at you, that you are not well prepared to answer.

Cliché time: You can't win em all - and all you need is one "you're hired"!

After the interview, reflect on the areas the interviewer focused their questions, where you felt your reply was weak. The interviewer put you through a series of scenarios that you were not prepared for. A tennis player loses a match because the opponent took advantage of your weak backhand play. Practice more on your backhand - prepare for scenarios.

stay confident. Look at each interview as a practice round, as a pre-test for your ultimate interview. In this way, you will be ready for the next match, the interview that you can win.

Interviewing, like any other contact sport, requires preparation, training and experience. During previous hot markets, I used to take "throw-away" interviews just to proactive the art of the interview. Today, there are rarely throw-away opportunities, with each chance to interview a possible job.

Preparation; Interview Basics:

Study the company website and product(s). Then review their competitors. Begin to compile your questions, asking about their strengths and weaknesses - and where their pain points are. Resolving the pain is where you come in.

Read the job specification carefully and repeatedly. Ensure that you can address each point, with examples of your past achievements. If any item or phrase is unfamiliar to you, look it up - at least establish a familiarity, if you do not  have expertise.

If you know the names of the people you will meet with - Google them. You can uncover articles or quotes, and background material that can help you to completely understand the role - and the players. In addition, this investigative work may yield "small talk" material.

Preparation also includes:

Get clear directions to the interview.

Obtain phone numbers in case there is an emergency.

Print out a set of your resume (use a nice stock paper).

Write your questions out neatly, along with any notes or mind-ticklers.

I carry these in a nice folio, and include other "interview survival" gear, including:

• Extra Pens
• Coins/Change
• Small bottle water
• Aspirin/Small mouthwash/Breathe Mints
• Brush/Comb/Deodorant/Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Pad of paper

Geez Stephen, where are you going for this interview? The Amazon?

For instance, when traveling by train to NYC, then by cab, you can become quite disheveled by the time you reach your meeting. Or recently I had lunch in the city (NYC to y'all) and my sandwich has bacon - and oh how bad my breathe felt afterwards. This is just the kind of emergency you need before the big interview. Thus, my reason that I have included these important items in my interview survival kit. You'll thank me later!

Training; Get in Interview shape:

Think about the types of questions you might be asked, and proactive on delivering a solid concise reply.

The typical questions that have been tossed in my direction include:

• Why are you leaving your current company?
• Why should we hire you? What sets you apart from anyone else we might have met?
• What are you strength and weaknesses?
• Tell me about a challenging project and how you managed through it?
• How do you resolve conflict with others on your team?
• What would your co-workers say about you?

And keep in mind you may be asked how you would handle certain scenarios:

• How would you handle the following situation if it came up on your team?
• If someone on your team was a disruptive factor, how would you resolve this situation?
• You are completing a programming assignment and have reached a dead-end, how do you work through the problem to come up with a breakthrough solution?

I was given sound advice from an agent who told me, it is ok to think about your answer when  given a question. Take a small breathe, using this moment to consider your reply.  And of course, if you do not have an answer, don't force one. There is no fault in saying; Could you rephrase your question? Or, I am sorry, I do not know the answer to that question, however - I can research it after our meeting and get back to you.

Experience: Learn from your mistakes.

When in the actual interview, stay focused on the meeting but keep a "mental" recorder running of the questions you receive and how you responded. This is important information that you will need to analyze afterwards, to improve your interview game.

And, if you are truly a professional when it comes to the Art of the Interview, you will make mid-course adjustments while in the interview itself.

In some of my best interviews, I was able to sense whether my answers for to long or that I need to change my verbal cadence. If I have been on the defensive, shift to offense by firing off strong thinking questions.

As soon as possible after the interview, recap for yourself what went right and where can you improve. Keep this in mind as you prepare for the next interview.

Conclusion: 

Like any professional athlete, with frequent proactive, you will get better with each interview, making you a formidable candidate and a true professional at the Art of the Interview.

"Zerg, a former actress who lives in Ventura, Calif., told the AP that she psyched herself up before the game by repeating to herself: "Someone's got to beat him sometime, it might as well be me."

Hanging out backstage with fellow contestants, she saw some Jennings opponents had essentially lost before the game. She heard one person say that it looked like he was playing for second, and another just wishing not to be humiliated.

"I heard another one say, `It's no great sin to lose to Ken Jennings,' and they went in and lost to Ken Jennings," she said. "I thought, `That's no way to play the game."'