Guide to Women's Suiting

http://corporette.com/shop/shopping-guides/guide-to-basic-womens-suiting/

It can be tricky for women to find a great interview suit — where to start?

A General Note on Women’s Interview Suits: If you are interviewing for a conservative job (law, investment banking, etc.), the whole point is that your brain is what the interviewer is interested in — not your fashion sense. Your resume and your words should speak louder than your clothes, and to that end, the entire goal of the interview outfit should be to make sure that it doesn’t distract the interviewer. Show personality through your words, not your clothes. 

What color suit should you get? Most people will tell you that a navy or a dark charcoal is the way to go, if only because both colors are less severe than black. Personally, I think a black suit is fine as well — and if you’re on a budget, it’s easier to break the suit into separates once you’re working. If you’re only buying one or two suits, though, do your best to avoid pinstripes — they tend to be more memorable, harder to accessorize, and the pieces tend to be harder to wear as separates. (If you do end up buying one, though, check out our tips on how to wear a pinstriped suit.)

What to wear beneath the suit? From a practical perspective, sleeves are a good thing — even if it’s a short-sleeved silk sweater rather than a camisole or “shell.” This will help you extend the number of wears before you have to dryclean it (and you shouldn’t have to dryclean your suit that often). Otherwise, for an interview you want something that isn’t too fussy — a white, blue or pink button-down can be great, provided there is no gaping. (Check out our Guide to the Best Tops under Suits!) A short-sleeved silk sweater can be great (like those made by August Silk; you can also occasionally find them at Banana Republic, Talbots, and Ann Taylor), or even a silk jersey t-shirt can be fine provided that it looks like new and is opaque enough. While prints are acceptable, the safest way to play it is probably to go with a solid color that flatters your skintone. (In fact, while a white blouse with a black suit is fine, it sometimes has just a hint of “I might be a waiter — or a hired killer” look about it with women — so be warned.) Some people think a square neck is the best look of all with suits, other prefer to wear blouses beneath their suits.

What accessories (shoes and bags) should I wear? Note that you can wear black leather with navy (as well as cordovan, reddish burgundy that can be difficult to find in women’s shoes). In the men’s world, brown is often thought to “dress down” a navy suit. Our Guide to Comfortable Heels may be helpful to you, as well as the readers’ comments there — ultimately you should be looking for a closed-toe pump that you can walk in. In terms of what bag to carry — I always like to carry a tote bag that is big enough to hold a folder with copies of my resume in it. (I just put the usual contents of my purse into the tote bag and just carry the one bag.) The bag doesn’t have to be leather (a nylon one is lighter, in fact) but it should be as nondescript as possible. We’ve done a few round-ups of tote bags, but in general note that TJ Maxx and the like can be great spots to find a black tote bag. As for jewelry — think conservative here. Your earrings should be posts, or at the very least things that don’t swish about if you nod your head. (See above re: distractions.) You should wear a watch (yes, even if you use your cellphone to check the time — they signify reliability to the interviewer). I’m always a fan of a simple, high-quality pearl necklace; a chunkier statement necklace would also work provided that it fits with the rest of the outfit. Avoid wearing bracelets that will make noise if you shake hands.

OK: on to the suit itself.

Skirt or pantsuit? The most conservative answer here is a skirt suit — which, of course means yes, pantyhose. This may change as more members of the “old guard” retire, but for now know that many older people in the business world (and their proteges) take the skirt suit seriously as a sign of respect. (I’ve even heard of a blind judge who cared so much about it that he made his clerks tell him when a woman appeared before him wearing a pantsuit.) Avoid a mini-skirt at all costs, and be careful of vents in the skirt — what seems like an acceptable side-slit may reach your mid-thigh once you’re sitting down. (Always, always, always pull your chair to the front of a full-length mirror and sit down in front of it, to assess your outfit.) You may also want to check out our poll on hem lengths — it seems like just above your knee is a good length.

Separates or a set? A number of suits are sold as a set, with one price (and one size) for both the jacket and the bottom. In general, suiting separates are better — you can buy multiple pieces, and in the size you need for each part. For example, there may be both a matching skirt and a pant, or sometimes even multiple jackets in different cuts. Just make sure you dryclean all of the pieces together so they wear the same.

Before you wear your suit… be sure to open any vents that are sewn shut (particularly on the back of the jacket or on the back of the skirt). Pockets may also be sewn shut, but you don’t have to open these — a lot of times items seem to lay better if the pockets are closed.

Which suits are best? Suit quality differs from brand to brand, but in addition to quality it can be a matter of finding which suits fit your shape. For example, Theory suits are loved by women with a straight figure — but they can be problematic for curvier women, who tend to prefer Ann Taylor or Tahari lines. Meanwhile, petite women’s suiting, tall women’s suiting, and plus-sized workwear and blazers all have their own challenges. Roughly, here are the different tiers:

Lowest price (under $150 for the suit): Some of the stores you frequented as a teenager do have a surprising number of lower-priced suiting options, such as The Limited, Express, and, yes, Victoria’s Secret — but while they may be more affordable, the quality may be lesser (and their cuts a bit more sexy) than the sometimes frumpier brands you can find at a sales rack at Smart Bargains or Overstock.com (or their in-real-life equivalents like Filene’s Basement or TJ Maxx), such as Kasper or Le Suit. Macy’s has a great selection suiting separates and sets that are made for Macy’s by designers (their “Everyday Value” or EDV line” includes AK Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, and Tahari by ASL). Spiegel or Chadwicks can also be a source of inexpensive suits if you’re really in a bind. Great deals can also be had at some of the brands’ websites themselves; Anne Klein and Jones New York both hold regular flash sales.

Mid-level ($200-$400 for a suit). Many readers will swear that the quality has changed/is changing on these lines, but for the moment, I consider all of these brands to be the staple of many working women’s wardrobes: Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and J. Crew. Brooks Brothers cuts can be a bit boxier, but they’re also a great source for mid-level suits; Talbots has also recently started making less boxy cuts for suits.

Expensive. Theory suits are considered the gold standard by many (and sold at Saks, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom). Hugo Boss also has lovely suits (particularly the Boss Black line, also available at Saks); as well as the Classiques Entier line at Nordstrom.


Read more: http://corporette.com/shop/shopping-guides/guide-to-basic-womens-suiting/#ixzz21eSrvJ6i

Interview Boot Camp 101

http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/interview-boot-camp-101/

by Debra Wheatman

If you haven’t interviewed in a while, or if you have gone on more interviews in the past year than you care to admit, it may be time to go to Interview Boot Camp 101. Even senior executives can sometimes forget the basic things that can make or break a good job interview. Please keep in mind that boot camp, as the name implies, can be fairly rough – think of it as tough love.

Dress

Unless you are going to work at a downtown art gallery, professional business attire is a must. Don’t ask the interviewer if it is okay to dress casually – he may say yes. I recently heard a story of a medical billing professional who asked if she could wear scrubs to an interview. She did, and the impression she left was not one that screamed ‘hire me’!

Even if the company is business casual, wearing clothing that says you are polished and poised sends an important message. Show the interviewer that you take the role very seriously and that you want the job. Choose clothing that is basic. Go with solid colors and tailored suits and jackets. Avoid wearing tight fitting clothing. You are not interviewing to be a pole dancer. Also, don’t wear anything you don’t think is flattering. You will be nervous enough without worrying about your skirt riding up or your buttons popping.

Appearance

Teeth – white as can be, nails and cuticles clean, and well manicured, shoes polished, jewelry – understated, deodorant, but no heavy perfumes or colognes. Yes, this means you soldier! No stone should be left unturned when it comes to maximizing your appearance. There is ample research that shows the importance of attractiveness. You don’t need to be a movie star, but being your personal best is a must. If you need to, enlist the help of a trusted friend or two. Do a mock interview preparation and ask them for their honest opinion about your appearance. Is your hair well combed, does your breath smell fresh. Do you have a beard? Off with your head – or at least the beard! All of it matters.

Etiquette

Give me 20 handshakes NOW. OK, so you may only shake the hand of a few managers, but how you shake should be firm and confident. If you have a limp handshake or conversely, have been known to squeeze someone’s hand off, you should practice. While the handshake may seem trivial, body language is an extremely important component of a successful job interview.
Try to match the body language of the interviewer. By leaning in when she is speaking, you are showing interest. Do not cross your arms, bite your nails, or fidget. These behaviors send out the wrong signals and can be misinterpreted. Concentrate on making good eye contact. Smile often.

Attitude

If you are job hunting, it is likely you have been disattisfied in some way with your past or current role. Whether you feel you are not able to advance to the next level, or you have been laid off for 6 months, you do not need to share the negative details. While the facts are the facts, negative experiences should be reframed into the most positive light. Focus on your value and the good attributes you will bring to the role. Provide honest answers, but don’t dwell on any ‘’’woe is me” stories. That will only label you as a loser. I told you this was going to be boot camp.

As a career coach, I find that those who live in a place of negativity have more trouble getting hired than those who learn from their experiences and believe that good things will come to them. Attitude really is everything. You can have the best suit and the most well groomed hair, but if you have a stinky attitude, hiring managers can smell it a mile away. When I teach my clients to reposition themselves in a more positive way, viola! Suddenly, after months of rejection, they are getting second and third interviews like never before.

Drop and give me dress, appearance, etiquette and attitude. There you go. That wasn’t too hard now, was it? Being prepared properly for interviews may take a little muscle, but the results are well worth the effort. If you aren’t doing everything you can to make the best possible impression, you may be sabotaging your job search efforts – even if you have a great résumé and an outstanding work history. Hut 2-3-4.

A 2L’s Guide to Job Searching: Creating A Plan For the Weeds

http://pslawnet.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/a-2ls-guide-to-job-searching-creating-a-plan-for-the-weeds/

By: Maria Hibbard

Last year, a law school professor of mine used the phrase “in the weeds” so often that it became his trademark – we all knew that we were “getting into the weeds” whenever we were talking through a difficult or laborious issue to understand. As I look forward to the next few months of job searching for my 2L year and next summer, I’m trying to create a plan to avoid getting overwhelmed – with a tough job market, limited opportunities, and the pressure to figure out what to do with my whole life – I know I need to create a roadmap to navigate through “the weeds.” Here’s a list of some things to think through:

• Dream the ideal. What is your dream job? At what organization? Where? Dreaming up “the ideal” and then pursuing opportunities that show some similarity to that ideal position is not settling – it’s taking steps in the right direction. I’ve become acutely aware of the way in which location plays into the legal job search – if the ultimate goal is to work in Los Angeles, for example, then taking a job in LA that might not be ideal can show interest and commitment to staying there. Harvard has a great self-assessment guide that can help in figuring out what that ideal may look like.
• Think through the deadlines.Like me, you may be at a law school that is starting the beginning of the on-campus recruiting process – and the pressure to find your next summer job or clerkship has begun to mount. If you want to apply broadly to a number of types of employers, it may be best to think about the different stages of applications in chunks based on general recruiting schedules. If you can, front-loading your semester with job searching can get the most time-consuming part out of the way before finals come up in November and December. For example:
• • July-early/mid August: focus on OCI applications as per your school’s deadlines
  • August: research opportunities at large federal and state agencies and organizations, some of which have application deadlines in early September.
  • September: focus on networking with and researching smaller organizations and agencies in your target location
  • October: invest time in following up on applications and networking contacts
  • Think long term. Knowing where you want to be and what you want to do long term can help give direction to your 2L job search – but you don’t have to have it all figured out yet. For example, if you’re committed to a certain issue and thinking about applying for a sponsored fellowship after graduation, you could target your internship applications toward organizations that advocate for that cause. Interning during your second summer could allow a potential sponsoring organization to get to know you and your work, and could give you the opportunity to develop specific fellowship project ideas.
  • Create short term goals. Once the school year starts over again, we’re all going to be balancing new coursework with the job hunt – but it doesn’t mean that you need to be sucked into a vortex of class/schoolwork/job searching/sleep/eat/repeat. If you can create short term goals for yourself, just like school assignments – like “I will write two cover letters tonight after I read the cases for criminal procedure,” you’ll make slow and steady progress on the job hunt without spending days on end aimlessly looking for jobs.

Obviously, I’m a novice at all of this myself, but hopefully planning ahead and thinking intentionally about my 2L job search will help me -and you- avoid “going into the weeds.” As you think through your job search, check out PSLawNet’s Career Central section, as well as the site’s continually updated public service job postings!

Seven Deadly Interview Sins

http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/deadly-interview-sins/

Posted by Donna Fuscaldo

With the job market extremely tight, even the small stuff counts, especially when you’re on a job interview. That’s why it’s so important not to say or do the wrong things, since that first impression could end up being the last one. With that in mind, here are seven deadly sins of job interviewing.



Don’t Be Late To the Interview

Don’t Show Up Unprepared

Don’t Ask About Salary, Benefits, Perks

Don’t Focus On Future Roles Instead Of The Job At Hand

Don’t Turn The Weakness Question Into A Positive

Don’t Lie

Don’t Ask If There’s Any Reason You Shouldn’t Be Hired

What to Wear to Court? Tips for Guys on Building a Professional Wardrobe

http://lawyerist.com/suit-colors-for-the-clueless/

by Leo Mulvihill, Jr

Suits

The solemnity of a suit’s color is almost directly proportional to the depth of its shade. Lets examine some of the most common colors of suits, and their varying level of appropriateness for the courtroom.

Black

Black is as dark as you can get, and is most appropriate for funerals and evening events. As GQ’s Style Guy Glenn O’Brian says, “I don’t favor daytime black because I don’t want to be addressed as Father except by my kids.”

For us non-clergy, black often washes out the complexion of its wearer. Moreover, there’s no subtlety — no nuance — to a black suit. Many defend the black suit from a fashion standpoint, or argue that it’s the most versatile color for suits. Let them wear black suits. You know better.

Charcoal and Navy

Yes, I know these are two different colors, but I’m lumping them together because they should be the suits most prevalent in your courtroom rotation. Both are dark enough to be formal, and versatile enough to be paired with most colors of shirts and ties. The colors themselves complement virtually every complexion, and will rarely cause the wearer to appear washed out. Both charcoal and navy are less severe than black and can be paired with more colors without appearing too overpowering. No one will bat an eye at a properly fitting navy or charcoal suit.

You can’t go wrong with a solid charcoal or navy.

Brown

There’s an old English saying that cautions “never wear brown in town.” This is a holdover from the days where the gentry would change into browns and tweeds while sporting in the English countryside. While this rule may be somewhat outdated, it’s still somewhat applicable even today. Brown remains a relatively informal color, and is best reserved for the office, rather than court.

Olive

Olive gets a bad rap. Back in the 50s and 60s, it was considered the third suit a man should get, right after navy and charcoal. You don’t see it worn much today, unless the wearer is sporting a suit from the early 90s.


There’s a good reason for this. Olive is a tough color to properly pull off. It doesn’t suit many complexions, and has the potential, if not paired with the right colors of shirt and tie, to make one look drab and dull.

That aside, I like olive. An olive suit, done right with a complementary shirt and tie — can look magnificent. Do it right, and you’ll fit right in all but the most formal situations.

Tan

Now that the weather’s starting to warm, you’ll likely see many men who, eager to embrace the summer, wear tan suits. Tan is an excellent summer color — for the office. Tan has a few strikes against it for use in the courtroom, as it’s a lighter shade of the inherently informal brown. I’d caution wearing tan to court until you’ve got a few years under your belt.

White

Are you a drug kingpin? No? Good. Then say goodbye to your white suit while on business.

Seersucker

I know that’s I began this article by cautioning K.I.S.S. Sometimes, one simply must run afoul of the rules.

I am going to break with my own rules for a minute. Remember To Kill a Mockingbird? A sweltering, Alabama summer in the courthouse, and there was Atticus Finch, articulate and posed in a seersucker suit. He looked like an attorney you’d want fighing for you.

Seersucker is an anglicization of the Persian words for “milk & sugar”, a reference to the fabric’s texture. Though it’s quite the attention getter, seersucker has a long enough tradition among professionals to be acceptable courtroom dress in many courthouses; just keep your shirt and tie sedate.

What about Shirts?

Step into any menswear store and you’ll likely see more colors than a Crayola crayon big-box. Your first step is to ignore most of them.

If you’re starting out with a professional wardrobe, the easiest mistake to make is to buy fashion colors – like pink, or brown – or intricately striped shirts. Not only are these colors unprofessional, they make even the simplest suit and tie ensembles difficult to pull off. Court is not a nightclub.
I could devote an entire article to men’s shirts. In fact, I probably will in the future. But for now, I’ll leave you with this pro-tip: stick with solid white, solid blue, or white and blue patterns (stripes or checks).

What about Ties?

Leave your Jerry Garcia and novelty cartoon character ties at home. Or better yet, burn them.
You can never go wrong with regimental stripes, whether british or American style. You’ll find them in classic red and blue, green and blue, blue and gold, black and white, etc. While they’re not the most exciting ties around, they’ll pair with virtually any suit and tie combo.

Another sure bet is solid, dark colors, like burgundy, navy, brown, or hunter green. While they’re completely soporific, you’ll never look a fool in those colors.

If you’re feeling fancy, try pin or polka dots — so long as they’re tastefully scaled, not overwhelmingly large.

Finally, unless you’re an investment banker, please avoid those little critter ties.

Uh Oh, You Have a Lot of Rules. I Don’t Even Want to Ask About Shoes …

After all the choices and rules above, this will be pretty easy.

You have two choices: black or brown.

Traditionally, black was considered the proper color for business — and it’s still the more formal of the two colors — but it would be rare to have anyone give you a hard time about a classic brown cap-toe. And this should go without saying, no flip flops.

There you have it, gentlemen. Now, armed with the basics building blocks of color, we can start to assemble a professional wardrobe, and how you can use this newfound understanding of color to avoid getting roped into the “that guy” genus.

Top 10 Tips to Ace a Telephone Screening

by Mardy Sackley

http://ms-jd.org/top-10-tips-ace-telephone-screening-mardy-sackley

You got the call. Your dream employer wants to interview you! You’re doin’ the happy dance, envisioning a face to face meeting that involves a series of interviews followed by a swanky lunch. Then they let you know – this is a telephone screen. Say what?

Lucky for job seekers everywhere, the lateral legal market is greatly improved from the dark days of 2009. Since the recession, however, employers have been forced to do more with less. Hence, the telephone screen, a cost effective way for an employer to figure out if a candidate has the basic skill set and demeanor for the position at hand before investing in a full round of interviews.

In 2012, we have seen an uptick in the number of law firms and corporations requiring a telephone screen before an in-person interview. The screen may last anywhere from ½ hour to an hour and it is generally conducted by one or two interviewers.

A half hour may not seem like a big deal. After all, what can you mess up in a short thirty minutes? Plenty, believe me. My advice to interviewees – don’t underestimate the power of the screen! Remember, the purpose of the screen is to convince the employer that you are worthy of a face-to -face meeting. If you don’t pass muster, then you will not pass go, will not collect $200 dollars, and will not get the opportunity for a face-to-face meeting.

So, here are some tips from me to you. Happy hunting! Now go out there and grab your dream. And give me a ring if you have any questions.

1. Set the Tone- Set aside ample time for the interview and put yourself in a place where there are minimal distractions. Put away your cell phone and computer until the interview is over. Avoid distracting background noise, like eating, smoking, chewing gum or shuffling papers. Use a phone that will give you good reception. No cell phones, unless reception is flawless.

2.Dress for Success - Dress for the phone interview as though it is face to face. Tempting as it is, you won't do as well if you are laying on your couch in your jammies.

3. Do Your Homework - Review your resume and transcripts in detail and be prepared for questions. If you can, get the name(s) of the person(s) who will be interviewing you and pull their picture and bios from the law firm website, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. It is always good to have a visual picture of your interviewer.

4. Slow Down - A disadvantage to a phone interview is that you can't read facial cues or body language as you speak. Be clear and speak deliberately. Avoid butting in when the other person is speaking. It is perfectly fine to take a moment to collect your thoughts. Smile! It projects a positive image and will change the tone of your voice. Because you can't read facial cues, you can't tell if you have lost the interviewer's attention. Thus, as a general rule, you should keep your answers on the short side.

5. Write it Down - An advantage to the phone interview is that they can't see you! Have your resume in front of you and make a crib sheet outlining your skills, tough questions that might be asked, answers to those questions, as well as any questions you want to ask.

6. Prepare Questions – Asking questions shows that you are interested and have thought about the position for which you are interviewing. Good questions to ask the interviewer are: 1. What skill set are you looking for? 2. What type of work will I be doing? Unless the interviewer brings it up, generally avoid asking questions about salary, benefits, and when you can start the job. Leave these questions for another day.

7. Practice makes perfect - Practice answering questions with a friend or colleague, preferably over the phone. Your interviewer can give you feedback about how you come across and can alert you to any problems in advance.

8. Sell yourself - A phone interview provides an excellent opportunity to sell yourself! Be sure to convey why you are a good fit for the job. Speak naturally and confidently! Think about giving an example of a great piece of work that you did.

9. Winding It Up - Thank the interviewer for his or her time and consideration. This may be a good time to inquire about next steps.

10. After the interview – Take notes on everything you talked about. Follow up with a THANK YOU e-mail. Make it short and to the point. Review your e-mail for typos.

Mardy Sackley is the Managing Director of the Texas Region for Lateral Link Group, LLC and can be reached at msackley@laterallink.com.

New Federal Government Program, Pathways, Now Open

(from PSLawNet.org)
http://pslawnet.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/the-pathway-to-federal-employment-is-now-open/

A few weeks ago we outlined the ways that federal hiring will change via the new Pathways program created by an executive order in 2010; as of today, the new “pathway” to federal employment is in effect. It will take a while to for jobs to become available under this new program, however; if you visit usajobs.gov/studentsandgrads, the opportunities will be posted as they become available. Check PSLawNet and USAJobs for postings throughout this hiring season!

http://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads

How to Answer Seven of the Most Common Interview Questions

http://www.careerealism.com/most-common-interview-questions/

by ZipRecruiter

Interview questions are not as straightforward as they seem, and answering just one question incorrectly may put you out of the running for a job.

The moral of the story? Be ready to read between the lines.

Here are seven of the most common interview questions, what the hiring manager is really asking, and how you should respond:

1. “Tell me about yourself.”

What the hiring manager is really asking…

“How do your education, work history, and professional aspirations relate to the open job?”

How to respond: Select key work and education information that shows the hiring manager why you are a perfect fit for the job and for the company.

For example, a recent grad might say something like, “I went to X University where I majored in Y and completed an internship at Z Company. During my internship, I did this and that (name achievements that match the job description), which really solidified my passion for this line of work.”

2. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

What the hiring manager is really asking…

“Does this position fit into your long-term career goals? Do you even have long-term career goals?”

How to respond: Do NOT say you don’t know (even if you don’t) and do not focus on your personal life (it’s nice that you want to get married, but it’s not relevant). Show the employer you’ve thought about your career path and that your professional goals align with the job.

3. “What is your greatest weakness?”

What the hiring manager is really asking…

“Are you self-aware? Do you know where you could stand to improve and are you proactive about getting better?”

How to respond: A good way to answer this is with real-life feedback that you received in the past. For instance, maybe a former boss told you that you needed to work on your presentation skills.
Note that fact, then tell the employer how you’ve been proactively improving. Avoid any deal breakers (“I don’t like working with other people.”) or cliché answers (“I’m a perfectionist and I work too hard.”).

4. “What motivates you to perform?”

What the hiring manager is really asking…

“Are you a hard worker? Am I going to have to force you to produce quality work?”

How to respond: Ideal employees are motivated internally, so tell the hiring manager that you find motivation when working toward a goal, contributing to a team effort, and/or developing your skills. Provide a specific example that supports your response.

Finally, even if it’s true, do not tell an employer that you’re motivated by bragging rights, material things, or the fear of being disciplined.

5. “Tell me about a time that you failed.”

What the hiring manager is really asking…

“How do you respond to failure? Do you learn from your mistakes? Are you resilient?”

How to respond: Similar to the “greatest weakness” question, you need to demonstrate how you’ve turned a negative experience into a learning experience.

To do this, acknowledge one of your failures, take responsibility for it, and explain how you improved as a result. Don’t say you’ve never failed (Delusional, much?), don’t play the blame game, and don’t bring up something that’s a deal breaker (“I failed a drug test once…”)

6. “Why do you want to work here?”

What the hiring manager is really asking…

“Are you genuinely interested in the job? Are you a good fit for the company?”

How to respond: Your goal for this response is to demonstrate why you and the company are a great match in terms of philosophy and skill. Discuss what you’ve learned about them, noting how you align with their mission, company culture, and reputation.

Next, highlight how you would benefit professionally from the job and how the company would benefit professionally from you.

7. “How many couches are there in America?”

What the hiring manager is really asking…

“Can you think on your feet? Can you handle pressure? Can you think critically?”

How to respond: When faced with a seemingly absurd question like this (there are many variations — just ask anyone who interviewed at Google before December), it’s important you not be caught off guard.

Resist your urge to tell the interviewer the question is stupid and irrelevant, and instead walk him through your problem-solving thought process. For this particular question, you would talk about how many people are in the U.S., where couches are found (homes, hotels, furniture stores), etc.

As with other parts of the job application process, it’s a good idea to solicit feedback from family, friends, and former colleagues. Try out your answers to each of these questions on at least two people, then revise based on their feedback.

20 Email Mistakes that Can Kill Your Job Chances

http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2012/06/04/20-job-search-email-mistakes/

  By Susan

On the employer’s side, understand that your messages are usually viewed as typical of how you would perform as an employee. So, demonstrate your understanding of email etiquette, your good judgment, and your ability to communicate clearly with colleagues and customers or clients.

Tip: Expect that your emails may be saved and searched so be sure to include keywords important and relevant to your job search in your messages as well as in your resume and other job search documents.

Some of these mistakes are fatal all by themselves (see 1 thru 4). Others may be tolerated if your message is read, you don’t make more than one or two of them, and you are the only qualified candidate. Best to avoid the whole list!

These are 20 most common mistakes:

1. Bad FROM: address.Use a good, private, not-related-to-your-current-job email address, not full of numbers (particularly not your birth year). A Gmail or Yahoo mail account is usually good. Add accurate, relevant, and tasteful personal marketing to your name, like MJSmithCPA@…, MJSmithMBA@…, MJSmithMarketingManager@… , or MJSmithMIT2012@…
2. Bad TO: address.Typos, incorrect information, and format errors can all blow away a message. The system is very unforgiving, and you may never know. So be careful.
3. Bad SUBJECT:Relevance, interest-generation, clarity, and keywords are critical. So is brevity. The subject is the “headline” of your message – the reason someone will click on it and start to read it. ”Subject: Your Branch Manager job opening in Quincy (#165-06)” is specific and contains important keywords. And it doesn’t look like spam.
4. Bad opening.Double-check the gender and spelling of the name before you click Send, particularly if you have typed “Dear Mr. (or Ms) Whoever”! When the name is wrong in the opening, it’s obvious the sender doesn’t know what is correct, doesn’t care, or is in too big a hurry. Not impressive! “Dear Sir or Madam” feels like spam. When accurate, a better opening is “Dear [first name]” or “Hello [first name]” or “Hi [first name]” if you have met the person, spoken on the phone, or have some prior connection. Addressing medical doctors, college professors, and generals/admirals usually requires use of the formal title rather than the first names. Err on the side of being too formal rather than too informal in your job search.
   [When responding to a message, I often take cues from the message I'm answering. If someone starts out "Dear Mrs. Joyce," they are probably expecting "Dear Mrs. Smith" in response, and someone who starts out "Hi Susan" should be OK with "Hi Mary Jane" in response.]
5. Bad closing.“Hugs!” or “Cheers!” is much too familiar to use in a business message, particularly to a stranger or almost-stranger. More conventional closings like “Best regards” or “Sincerely” are more appropriate.
6. No signature.In business email, the very bottom of the message, below the closing, is an excellent location for additional information, restrained self-promotion, and keywords. Type your target job title – or, if employed, type a standardized version of your current job title – below your name, plus your job search contact information and your LinkedIn Profile URL. A business email without a signature block below the closing looks very informal and inexperienced to me. Most email software makes it easy to append this to the bottom of every message.
7. Too much signature.Typically, 4 to 6 lines are considered appropriate. Longer may be ignored or look a bit self-obsessed.
8. Most important point saved for the end/bottom of the message.
   This is a common mistake and a fatal one. The first paragraph is where the most important point should be, with the supporting information below it – not above it. Email is more like a newspaper article than a research paper.
9. Too complicated.K-I-S-S! (Keep It Simple S…) Email is typically read on a computer (or smart phone!) screen by people in a hurry, which means most people scan it. Something complex may be mis-read, misunderstood, or ignored (see # 10).
10. Too long.The simple goal of email is to convey a message. But the message is only conveyed if it is read. A message longer than one printed page may be too long. For some people, a half-page may be too long. Remember those tiny smart phone screens!
11. No context.Sometimes a response gets separated from the message or conversation that triggered it, and the message’s meaning is lost because the context is unclear. ”I will meet you there” is a nice, short message, but without specifying where or when, the outcome could be bad. When responding to a message, include the complete message or the portion to which you are responding. Make sure the relevant details are documented for the reader of your message.
12. Too pretty.The patterned and/or colored background may not look as great on someone else’s monitor (or smart phone screen), and most business email does not use a colored background. Stick to plain white for most situations.
13. Too similar (cookie cutter).Sending the same message to different people can be a good idea if you want to get the same idea across and the people are not apt to compare messages. But, particularly in a job search if you are thanking several people or sending your resume to several people in the same organization, customize each message to the person receiving it.
14. Bad language.Use of swear words and other potentially offensive language can end an opportunity very quickly! So, don’t.
15. Too many acronyms/texting shorthand and cute stuff.A business email is not a text message to your BFF! If only! LOL! ;-)
16. Bad timing.Try to time your message so it will not be lost in an avalanche of other messages or when the recipient won’t have the time or interest to read it. Friday afternoons and Monday mornings can be very poor times to send email to people working in offices.
17. Missing attachment.My personal favorite, given how many times I’ve forgotten to include the attachment. My colleague and Career Coach Cafe team member Chandlee Bryan calls this “attachment disorder.” When the attachment is your resume or other job search document, it pays to double-check to be sure it is there (and it is the correct version!). Attach the .doc version of your Word document rather than the .docx version, enabling more people to read it.
    [Note to Microsoft: Shouldn't smart email software notice use of the word "attached" and the lack of attaching anything? Just saying...]
18. Bad grammar.You know this one is not good!
19. Bad spelling.Avoid this one, too.
20. Typos.Ditto.

And, of course, NO YELLING IN YOUR JOB-SEARCH EMAIL!

Bottom Line:

You are “on” when you send email in a job search. So, take the time to demonstrate your understanding of good business email as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Show them what an asset you will be to the organization smart enough to hire you.

Aceing Video Interviews

http://jobmob.co.il/blog/job-video-interviews/



Talk to the lens
I mentioned it above but it’s worth repeating. Don’t talk to the interviewer appearing in a window on your screen, talk to the webcam.

Speak extra clearly
You don’t know the quality of the sound or of the Internet connection on the interviewer’s side. If you have a tendency to speak quickly, some of what you say may be garbled if you don’t slow down just a bit.

Avoid ambient noise
Don’t tap your fingers, shuffle notes, bounce your legs or do anything else whose noises the microphone will pick up.

Address interviewers by name
Since you’re looking at the camera and not at people, address people by name if there are multiple interviewers, since they have no other way of knowing who you’re responding to.

Happy Independence Day

                                                                          Fourth of July, Childe Hassam

O say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

--Francis Scott Key

It’s Your Legal Career, Take Charge

http://lawyerist.com/legal-career-take-charge/

by Allison Shields

As a young lawyer, it’s your responsibility to take charge of your career from the moment that you graduate from law school. After all, if you’re not going to nurture your career, who will? Whether you think you’ll ever open your own firm or merely want to get the most out of your law firm experience, there are a few things you can do to get your career going on the right track from the very beginning.

Build and cultivate relationships

Relationships are at the core of what you do as a lawyer. It’s never too early to begin building relationships that will boost your career.
The clerks in the courthouse and the people working behind the desk in the records room or at the bank are all good allies. They usually know ‘the system’ better than anyone. Knowing them helps get things done.

Begin business development activities

You may think that as a young lawyer you can’t do anything to bring business to your firm or to become a rainmaker. Don’t make that mistake. Having the opposite mindset puts you far ahead of the game. Building business is, ultimately, all about relationships and trust. The earlier you begin to build those relationships, the better off you (and your career) will be.

• When you meet people, begin thinking about what you can do to help them, rather than what they can do for you.
• Maintain your relationships with the clients you come into contact with.
• Accompany others on client meetings to see how they handle clients and how business gets done.
• Get involved in something you’re passionate about.
• Become active in the bar association; make connections with other attorneys in the community who might serve as mentors, strategic partners or referral sources.

Learn about your client, their businesses, and their problems

Being a lawyer is all about helping other people, whether you are helping them solve a problem, prevent a problem or take advantage of an opportunity. The more you know about your clients, the better you’ll be at identifying their problems and opportunities. Clients like to work with people who show an interest in them as people or as businesses, not just as sources of revenue. Find out what’s important to your clients.

Build relationships within your office

Relationships are not only important for client development, they’re important within your office, too.

• Get to know the specialties, the legal skills, and the diverse personalities within your firm. A good relationship with a higher level attorney provides many opportunities.
• If you have an opportunity to socialize with other attorneys in your office, take advantage of it.
• Keep those relationships and connections alive if and when you change jobs – don’t burn your bridges with those at your old firm. Your old boss may be your best referral source in a new practice.
• Even if you leave due to a problem or conflict or because you didn’t like something that was happening at your old firm, part ways with integrity.

Find out how things work within your firm

There’s a lot to learn about who’s who within your firm and how things work. Who gets promoted and how? Is partnership something you want for yourself? If not, are there other options or opportunities for advancement?

Are you interested in a particular aspect of firm life? Does the firm have committees that associates can join? If you have no committees, which partners or associates work on which projects within the firm? Can you approach them to work with them on a particular project, whether it involves substantive law or firm management?

Develop good relationships with staff. A good secretary or assistant often has a lot of “pull” with higher-ups, and they usually know the inside “scoop” about the firm.

Be an effective employee

Often, as a young lawyer or associate, you’re the one the work flows down to. Make yourself valuable:

• Listen carefully to instructions as they are given – TAKE NOTES!
• Ask intelligent questions and repeat your understanding of the assignment.
• Find out what the deadline is and advise your supervisor of any conflicting (or potentially conflicting) assignments to establish priority.
• Ask whether there is a particular time or point of completion at which you should check in and ask whether the supervisor has a ballpark figure for the time it should take to complete the task.
• Follow up with your supervisor for feedback and to learn the outcome of your work.
• Ask for criticism as well as praise.
• Look for opportunities to volunteer without being asked.

Find a mentor

Find yourself a mentor, either within or outside of the office. A mentor is someone that can guide you and whose experience you can learn from. You can have more than one mentor – perhaps a mentor that will help you with your technical legal skills, one that will help you with your business development or client relationships, and/or that will help you navigate the office politics, etc.
Mentors don’t have to be lawyers. You can have mentors from other businesses or mentors that are family members, former law professors, or friends. Having someone who can help guide you will help you keep things in perspective.

Don’t neglect your family and friends

Your personal and family relationships are important to your career, too. Life isn’t all about work. You need the support of your family and friends. Make sure you continue to cultivate your relationships outside of work to stay healthy.

Develop your reputation

As a lawyer, your reputation is everything. Integrity and credibility go a long way. This means the little, day to day things, not just the big things. Integrity means doing what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. Develop a system for following up on all of your commitments. If your firm doesn’t have a good system in place, create your own. Integrity goes a very long way in establishing relationships.

Learn the art of apology

Integrity doesn’t mean that you’ll never make a mistake. But how you deal with mistakes, unforeseen circumstances or crises says a lot about your character, and ultimately carries a lot of weight with clients and partners. Rather than hiding your mistakes, learn how to ‘fess up, apologize and find out what it will take to make it right. Then do it.

Don’t just sit around waiting for work to land on your desk. Ask for it. Seek out the clients and the kinds of work you want.

If your firm works in more than one practice area, ask for assignments in different areas to broaden your experience. Not only will this give you a better idea of what you’d like to do with your legal career, but you’ll have some inside knowledge about what others in your firm are facing.

Keep learning

• Attend CLE programs in your area of practice to learn from others in the field.
• Try attending seminars on other practice areas.
• Take courses, read books, listen to audio on all subjects, not just those that you think will help you in your area of practice.
• Look to other industries. Expanding your horizons will always make you more creative and innovative.
• Be an observer. Want to learn how to do a deposition, try a case, handle a closing, or negotiate a contract? Ask another attorney if you can follow along and see what they do – or observe on your own time.

(photo: Image of confident businessman from Shutterstock)