Ask The Counselor
Questions & Answers
QUESTION: Dear counselor, I am a teacher in Florida. If I get my Master's degree, how much more money can I expect to make?
ANSWER: Good question. According to 2008-2009 teacher salary averages for the State of Florida, a teacher with a Master's Degree can make up to $10,000 more a year than a teacher with just a Bachelor's Degree. So, if you are able to get your higher degree, it will definitely pay off.
QUESTION: I recently had a job interview that I think went really well - only I can't seem to find out if I got the job or not. I've already called once to "follow up," but I'm not sure if I should keep calling. Will that make me seem desperate?
ANSWER: Good question. A second follow up call may be in order, however, there is one strategy that is almost always certain to result in a yes or no answer. This strategy must be used with caution and skill. You have interviewed with company A. You like everything about the position, and it seems to be a good match for your skills. You have written the thank you note, and expressed interest in the position. Now Company A is dragging their feet. Call the interviewer at Company A and tell him or her you have received an offer from another company. Go on to explain that Company A is really your first choice, and if there is interest on their part, you would prefer to see if something could be worked out. You will get an answer. There is the chance however, that by trying to force the issue, the answer will be no.
QUESTION: I'm a non-professional - do I need a resume?
ANSWER: Even though you may not be asked to present a resume at an interview, you will find that the process of putting a resume together will be very helpful when you are interviewing. Organizing your career and your accomplishments in resume format will certainly allow you to provide thoughtful and concise answers to interview questions about your background, strengths, and the contributions you have made in your past jobs.
QUESTION: Should I get letters of recommendation when I apply for a new job?
ANSWER: We do not advocate the use of letters of recommendation. They should be provided only upon request of the employer. Letters of recommendation are quaint holdovers from gentler times when communications were difficult and employers took a paternalistic interest in their employees. They are, in fact, next to valueless if not harmful. After all, the candidate is the provider of the letters, and as such, can ensure only the most glowing letters are presented. Only a foolish person would pass on a less than flattering letter. Going to an interview armed with letters of recommendation may well reduce the time you have to present yourself, and at the very least, “getting back” to your interviewer with them, if they are requested, gives you another chance for a conversation!
QUESTION: I have a chance to interview with a company I admire but I don't have much experience at interviewing. How is it best for me to prepare for the interview?
ANSWER: Having the chance to interview for a position with a company that you admire is certainly exciting. Since you admire the company, you must know at least a little bit about them and what they do, and you should supplement that knowledge with additional research. Take some time and conduct a mental inventory of your strengths. Focus on your top three or four strengths and envision how they would contribute to the company's success. Most people have a general idea what their strengths are but cannot talk about them in an articulate manner. Practice talking (briefly) about your strengths by demonstrating how your strengths helped you accomplish something measurable. Whenever possible, use accomplishments that show your positive work ethic, your problem solving abilities and your willingness to learn. You will then have an advantage over all but the most experienced interviewees.
QUESTION: I recently went for an interview but did not get the job. Any ideas?
ANSWER: It's frustrating to get through the interview process thinking you have the position only to find out differently. Even if the interviewer didn't have hiring and firing power, she likely had some input. Resumes get interviews; interviews get jobs. Since you made it to the interview, your resume did its job by getting your foot in the door. The focus now shifts to the conversation that went on during the interview. Were you prepared for the questions, or how could you have answered them differently? Did your answers push the buttons for the interviewer? When leaving any interview, make several notations about the questions asked and the topics you discussed during the interview, and analyze your responses. Some interviews are structured, others are not; so the responses you provide within casual conversation can also have an effect on the outcome. Think about the interview process as a one-sided relationship. Every answer you provide, every number or percentage you quote, and every skill you mention, should evolve around a core theme: the hiring company. Human resource managers don't care about whether you can use PowerPoint, unless it's relevant to them. They'd prefer not to hear about every task performed for the last 20 years.... again, be sure that what you mention is relevant. The interview meant you potentially had the job, but something went wrong during the interview process - they wouldn't have wasted time unless they thought you could do the job, right? Build a relationship with your interviewer and focus on offering answers that are solutions focused. You can try sending a follow-up letter outlining topics that you think you should have discussed, however, it may not help if the job has been given to someone else. You're probably better off cutting your losses and shifting efforts towards your on-going job search.
To learn more please Contact Us.