We all know that what you SAY in a
job interview is important. This QuintZine
looks at some of the vital types of
nonverbal communication that go along with
job-hunting, including "dressing for success"
and career etiquette.
A SAD FAREWELL
We received the sad news recently that
Yana Parker died peacefully among family
and friends in her Oakland, California, home
on Sept. 18 of cancer. As the author of
The Damn Good Resume Guide, and other
best-selling books in the career development
field, she helped job seekers around the world
through her unique approach to resume writing.
Unfailingly enthusiastic in her approach
to resume advice, Yana was a true friend to jobhunters
and career counselors. We will truly miss her.
Feature Article: The Pantsuit vs. Skirtsuit Debate
What Should Women Wear to a Job Interview?
by Katharine Hansen
Whenever I want to watch my students' jaws drop down
to their desks, all I have to do is tell them that the
"safest" attire for women to
wear on a job interview is a skirted suit and that pantsuits - while almost
universally acceptable in the workplace - are still
somewhat risky attire for interviewing.
While this site doesn't deal exclusively
with career attire, and the emphasis is
much more on women's clothing than men's,
we found some very helpful information
at Dressing Well.
Mary Lou Andre, the face behind the site,
answers questions regularly on the "Ask Mary
Lou" portion of the site. The archived
questions often deal with complex clothing issues
such what "business casual" attire is
really all about. Her "Fashion Focus"
tells what styles are in each season, and
more specifically, her Top Ten lists
offer "seasonal must-haves." She also offers
weekly tips in an e-mailed newsletter that
visitors can sign up for.
Power Etiquette falls into the category of "books
you didn't have any idea you needed, but once you read
it, you know it's an important addition to your business
and career bookshelf." If you have any doubts, just read
the business etiquette quiz that kicks off Casperson's book.
Sample question: "After an interview how long should I wait
before I call and ask if I am hired?" We didn't know the
answers to many of the quiz's questions, and we're betting
most people don't either.
Handiwork
Online -- a site that brings together employers and job-seekers,
where disabled job-seekers can search for jobs as well as submit your resume. Free to job-seekers.
ISHunter.com
-- provides a jobs search engine offering computer job listings for programmers, engineers, systems
analysts, network administrators, and other high tech professionals. Currently more than 16,000 jobs listed.
Free to job-seekers.
MBA depot
-- where current MBA students, MBA grads, and MBA prospects can get the stuff you need to succeed. This site is
designed to address the educational goals of typical MBA students or alumni. Includes member forums -- a
great networking opportunity. Free.
Snag A Job
-- a job sites for high school and college students looking for part-time, seasonal, or summer jobs. Search for a
job by type of job or by location, and than apply online. Free to job-seekers.
Find even more additions to Quintessential Careers by visiting our
Latest
Additions section.
Speaking of etiquette, Kristina writes: "Do you send a
thank you letter after you interview with a prospective
company and if so what do you write???? Also how long
does it take for an employer to call you back after an interview?"
After leaving a couple of interviews confident that he
would get an offer, Andrew received rejection letters
instead. Now he wonders what processes the employer may
have undertaken between the interview and the rejection
letters. Did the company find something negative in his background,
for example?
Karen, whose college major as a nontraditional student is totally
different from her work background, can't get an interview after
sending out nearly 100 resumes.
Q TIPS: Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips
Nonverbal behaviors that make job candidates
appear to be lying in interviews include licking the lips,
coughing nervously, blushing, or restricting hand gestures,
says Peter Thomson in his book,
Secrets of Communication.
The lesson that you shouldn't lie in an interview is
obvious. What may be less obvious is that exhibiting
these nonverbal behaviors may make you seem dishonest
even when you're completely truthful.
In our experience, the two most important nonverbals
in a job interview are a smile and a forceful voice (yes,
we know voice is verbal, but we're talking more about HOW
you project your voice than what you say). Employers
frequently cite lack of enthusiasm as a major reason for not
hiring a candidate; a warm and consistent smile in the interview
is the best way to show enthusiasm. And the best way to show confidence
is with a voice that's not timid, but strong and forceful.
Interested in freelance writing or providing online content?
You might want to check out the classified ads area
of Content Exchange in which employers seeking freelance
or staff writers or other content
professionals advertise opportunities. Writers seeking
assignments can place "Seeking Work" ads to get the
attention of potential employers.Check out the
classified section.
Quintessential Careers: Tooting Our Own Horn
Quintessential Careers
has just been cited with a "Best Pick"
award and the following review:
"Congratulations! We think your website rocks.
Our editors filtered through hundreds of sites
to find yours, and chose you for a coveted place
on our Dorm Survival Planet. We are awarding you
our "Best Pick" status and our signature "U"
trophy icon to prove it.
QuintZine: Topics in Upcoming Issues
WATCH FOR feature articles on these topics in upcoming
issues of QuintZine:
* Case-based and behavior-based interviews
* Online Assessments
* Interviewing: It's more fun than you think
* Graduate school for working professionals
* Phone etiquette in the job hunt
* Guide to the company visit
* Letters of recommendation and references
* Completing a job application
* How to choose a college
* Changing Careers
* How to land an internship
* Temping
* Build your career through volunteering
* Hot jobs for 2001
* Q&As with well-known career experts
. . . and much, much more!
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RESUMES * JOB SEARCH CORRESPONDENCE FROM TRUSTED EXPERTS * COVER LETTERS
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QuintZine
A publication of
Quintessential Careers
Publisher: Dr. Randall S. Hansen
Editor: Katharine Hansen
ISSN: 1528-9443
