Hip Interview Tips

As JHubbs embarks on the exciting trail ride that is the job hunt, I thought we could share some of our die-hard (and newly earned) tips for Interviews – both getting them and attending them

Getting the Interview

Personalize your cover letter. If the interviewer reads it, a thoughtful and personalized cover letter is all they have to go on. Think about it. They see hundreds of resumes with dates and schools and key words, but the only time you can differentiate yourself from the crowd is in a cover letter. If you’re looking for professional cover letter advice, contact me through www.EditImpress.com for some help. I’m that good.

Apply to every and anything. Even if you don’t quite have the experience wanted or the number of years in your back pocket, apply, apply, apply. I have friends whose applications have reached into the 100s, and JHubbs is constantly submitting. Submitting, submitting. If you give a conservative estimate and you only get 10% called back…. That’s a lot if you’ve submitted 100 apps! Not to mention the fact that what HR puts into the job description is their ideal candidate. Everyone settles, and when HR settles sometimes it means offering you an amazing opportunity.

Source - of POWER = Red!

Going to The Interview
Wear red. Not all red, mind you, but use it as a prominent accent (tie, scarf, or shoes, etc). This comes straight from JHubbs. He took a public speaking course that described it is a power color that conveys responsibility and confidence. On the other hand, people who wear green are viewed as not trustworthy, and yellow gives you a headache if you look at it too long. However, your suit doesn’t have to be black (news to me). He and a coworker both approved of a dark navy blue suit, though I prefer the classic black or pinstripe!

Shake hands. Half the purpose of an in-person interview is to make sure you aren’t a creeper. A solid handshake with eye contact, and maybe even a good-natured laugh is the first step.

Send a note. I can almost guarantee you that every job JHubbs or I got was 25% a result of remembering every name you ever came across and sending a handwritten note to thank them for their time. Regardless of whether you get the job or not, the person who interviewed you is a human being who very likely is going through a stressed time trying to fill the position. A genuinely appreciative note that notices their investment of time? Solid.

Make sure you check out the job hunt tips, too!

Plus Size Shopping

Plus Size Clothes

Okay - trick question! I am actually still on the lookout for plus size clothes - brands, websites, stores... you name it. Bring it on!

Plus-Size Shoes


www.zappos.com - The most obvious and clearest benefit to Zappos is a description that needs both underline and bolded text. FREE. SHIPPING. BOTH WAYS. That's right. Like it? Free to get to your house. Don't like it? Free to send it back! And I can vouch for their flexibility. I had the perfect jeans from Zappos, so I ordered a second pair for my honeymoon. Same style, same size. So, when they came, I tore the tags off and stuck them in my suitcase. Imagine my disappointment when I put them on and they are easily 5-6 inches smaller than the original pair! With any other store, I'd be in a lot of trouble , but Zappos took my tagless (clean and unworn) jeans and gave me store credit!

www.dsw.com - Might not have the free delivery and return, but shipping online to store or returning your order in a store to save the return shipping is a huge benefit! I have found comfy 11Ws and size 12s that were fashionable (finally!) and not at all matronly.

That's all, folks! Happy Friday - and have a relaxing, cuddly weekend!

Newest Obsession: Re-purposed Dishes

So pretty.

I hate to give away trade secrets, but here's the newest best thing:

Re-purposed dishes!

The model here has been turned into (by me) a fruit holder. It has fulfilled its purpose masterfully, and adds some old-fashioned charm to the kitchen.

No really - any photo that has this beauty in the background (or my clearance Crate and Barrel bell jar thing you can see here).

I also make smaller and larger versions that serve as cupcake, cake, and general dessert holders.

This version has been painted, while others I have left with their original china patterns.

These are not for sale in my Etsy shop just yet, because I am still perfecting the painting process so as not to leave lumps and to give it a glossy sheen.

Once I figure it out, Watch Out! I am so excited by the possibilities (fuscia, hot orange.... it goes on!).

Tutorial to come! If it doesn't put me out of business.... ;-)

What are you working on?

Job Search Tips

Job Search Sites

I never thought job search places were all that great until I realized everything is 100% online nowadays. You just can't escape it, so you might as well embrace it. For me, it was especially difficult to get used to the big-box feeling search sites like Career Builder and Monster. Nevertheless, here you are.

Here are a few classics, from which I personally have know folks to find and be hired for jobs:

Look into the future!

www.careerbuilder.com - I haven't used it quite as much as I have the others, but it's there. So you should know about it.

www.monster.com - Ditto Career Builder!

www.simplyhired.com - Love it! One of my favorits. Very clean interface, and very easily searchable.

www.indeed.com - This is my personal favorite, along with Simply Hired. It seems to have good security in place to keep out spam.

www.craigslist.com - I'm not kidding! Personally, this seems to be the sketchiest site of all, but I've met someone who got a legitimate job by searching the craigslist want ads. Just weird! Be very careful about providing personal information (especially your Social Security number) or giving away your address.



Source!

Search Tips

When you choose a site for your search, maximize your return by following the following tips:

Break down your search query into basic nouns. Training becomes train. Teaching becomes teach. HR development becomes… well, human, I guess. This makes it so that your query looks for key words in the job descriptions, not just specific titles.

Widen your search location. Instead of Alexandria, VA, look for the DC/Metro Area (in our case). Instead of some crazy town on the outskirts of a big Texas city, look at Austin or Houston. Big cities are big cities for a reason – people move there for jobs.

Now, have at it! Interview tips to come!