There are few things more harrowing than that job interview at the company you've been trying to land during your job search. The job interview is a lot like going out on a first date with that girl or guy you've been pining for. Actually, it is probably more like going out with that date's best friends and having to impress them before you actually ever get that first date.
If you've ever been on a job interview that didn't go well, you probably wondered how and why everything seemed to go so wrong so quickly. While sometimes things just don't work out and we'd all love to believe that we were just victims of some cruel twist of fate, the truth is that interviewing for a job is about connecting with people. I have been involved in hundreds of interviews from both sides of the table. I have easily blown as many interviews as received job offers and I have watched in horror as someone who really looked good on paper worked their way out of a good job right in front of me. Heck, I've even had a guy request that the company he was being interviewed for pay him in e-gold... you can imagine where the interview went from there. I have had conversations with many other hiring managers and have traded war stories and have often found other interview train-wrecks are even more amazing than my own. There are a few things that seem to be a common thread through every ill-fated interview.
By Leslie Aires
Every so often, I feel like I should personally apologize for the bad and unethical recruiters and placement agencies out there.
After decades working as a recruiter with agencies and now in executive search, I've heard some real horror stories. In fact, there are websites chock full of long conversations about terrible experiences with recruiters and agencies.
Sometimes people's complaints are based in misconceptions about what to expect from a placement agency (more about that later), but many do point to less-than-professional business practices.
Image source: Rachel Mummey / for msnbc.com
Tyson Akers was turned down for a security job with the Iowa National Guard in the midst of a 13-month job search. The veteran juggles going to school full time at Iowa State University while raising two young sons with his wife, Amanda.
Tyson Akers joined the Marines straight out of high school and spent more than eight years in the infantry, including four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
City principals are up in arms over a new plan that gives bonus points this year to high schools based on graduates going to college — but doesn’t count those who join the military.
Department of Education officials met with a group of principals last week to explain changes in Progress Reports coming out this fall. Schools that send more kids to community or baccalaureate colleges within six to 18 months will get extra credit.
When a principal asked about points for grads who choose to enlist in the armed forces, he was shot down.
“The military isn’t college. It doesn’t count,” the group was told.
The other day, I was introduced to a man who, after hearing I was an executive recruiter and job search mentor, told me he'd been looking for a job for a long time.