We all know someone who tends to over share. Whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter, or in plain ol’ person, this individual goes overboard with personal information and gossip. Some do it out of nervousness and others just like to hear themselves talk or post.

It’s alright to over share with friends and family, but there is one time, in particular, when you should not share personal information or gossip.

Can you guess when and where that may be?

That’s right – your office.

In an office setting there is a time and a place to talk about personal relationships, shopping, parties, and after work activities. When you start a job sit back and observe the setting of your new office space and co-workers.  You’ll figure out when “show and tell” is appropriate.

Try to avoid being that person who is the talker or sharer.

A majority of us have been so nervous in an interview that we’ve “blundered” somewhere, somehow.

Whether you’ve answered something like:

Interviewer: Why do you think you would be a good fit for this position?

You: Because I’d be good at it.

OR

Interviewer: We’re looking to pull the trigger at the end of the month.

You: Well, I hope I get shot.

We’ve all been there.

This post is to reassure you that getting tongue tied, being speechless, and lying by accident, happens to all of us.  While we’re under the spotlight, in front of one or more people, there’s a chance you will crack under the pressure.

Here are some great ways to ensure you won’t leave your interview feeling like a star in some movie’s blooper reel.

• It Takes Two To Tango – As much as you are being interviewed, remember, you are also meeting with this person to see if the position is a fit for you as well. Try and make it more of a conversation than a “grill fest.”

• Deep Breaths - We read on Yahoo! Finance that a girl took  Xanax to relax before an interview. She was so relaxed that the interviewer was actually worried about how slow she was speaking.  Concentrated deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth, work wonders.

• Sleep Tight – Early to bed and early to rise is in your best interest the night before your interview. Whether it’s an early morning interview or an after lunch meeting, make sure you fill the empty time with some activity to get your mind off the nervousness. Focus!

• Mirror Talk – Stand in front of your mirror and practice smiling, making eye contact, and speaking precisely and slowly.

These are just few tips to help you prepare to be calm, cool and collected for your next interview.  Good luck and let us know if you have any questions.

When you are actively looking for a job, your resume is most likely posted on various job boards.  Due to the easy accessibility of your contact information, you must be aware of how, when, and where you answer all private and unrecognizable phone numbers. You never know, it could be your future boss on the line.

Below are some tips on how to answer these calls and make the most of the time you have to speak.

HOW

• Be professional. Do not answer your phone with a “Yo” or a “Hey.”  Something more along the lines of, “Hello, this is insert name.”  Make sure you have a pen, paper, and your agenda – in case you’re asked to schedule an interview. Take down the person’s name, number, and email address. Do not hang up without this information.  If you feel awkward asking for it, simply say:

“What is the best way to contact you if I have further questions?”

WHERE

• If you are not in a quiet and calm place, do not answer the phone.  Find somewhere enclosed, where you know you won’t be disturbed, answer or call back.

WHEN

• Do not answer these calls when you’re in your office or with current co-workers. If you see a private number on your phone step out and answer in a quiet place.

Do you have more questions about how to handle incoming calls from hiring managers? Please post on our wall. Have a great weekend!

Photo by: Inside Job Productions

With Valentine’s Day around the corner we start to think about all the love in our lives. Speaking of love, how much do you love your job?

If you don’t love your job, there are ways to see past these obstacles:

• There is little fulfillment in your workplace
• Few promotional opportunities
• Office bullying
• Lack of say
• No work/life balance
  

One of the first points we would like to stress is to make the most of what you do. If you go to work every day and you feel negative, sluggish, without a daily plan, then there is a good chance your day will start spiraling downward.

But, if you walk into a new day with a positive outlook and a to-do list, things can change. Check off the items on our list and start to feel like you’re accomplishing goals!

You may also want to ask yourself if it’s the job or if it’s you.

If it’s you : Change your attitude and find the good in your job. Find the challenging spots and face them head on. Accomplish and you will see a difference in your attitude.

If it’s the job : Stop making excuses and start searching. You’ll be surprised at how much better just applying for a job makes you feel.

So if you don’t love your job but you are not in the position to make a move, here are some ways you can start to really like and bond with your current job.

• Get motivated
• Stay positive
• Consider the bigger picture
• Remember that you are more than what you do
• Don’t forget to take a break
• Once you leave the office, turn off! Don’t bring a bad day home with you
• Take action at work and find a niche that you love
• Take on more responsibility
• See if you can change departments
• Switch gears in some way where you can find LOVE in what you are doing
• Improve your workspace: plants, flowers, pictures, etc.
• Build relationships with your co-workers

While you’re in the process of falling in love with your job do not socially broadcast this process.

DO NOT:

• Announce on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn that you hate your job, boss, or co-workers. Remember that current and potential employers see your posts.

How do you find the love in your job?

One main purpose of The Job Pyramid is to offer you, the candidate, insight to your rights and wrongs during your job search process. We are the “in-between” and are happy to provide feedback to help you along the way.

In the past, we have encountered candidates who, after scheduling an interview, will call or email  asking for directions on how to get to our, or our client’s, offices.

Why is this wrong?

• If you are not resourceful enough to search for directions on your own, the Hiring Manager can assume you won’t be a problem solver in this new role
• The Hiring Manager may have missed a step in telling you the address. If this is the case, you can always look up the company and check the Manager’s signature. If you’ve looked up the address on your own and want to confirm, it’s acceptable to email or call to confirm the address is correct

You may be shunned for calling for directions when you are fully capable of looking it up yourself.  Remember, first impressions are important. You don’t want the Hiring Manager to think poorly of you and your abilities before you get the chance to interview!

Do you have some questions on how to go about finding your next interview’s location? Comment on our Facebook page.

When compiling the “experience” portion of your resume it may sting a little when writing end dates – especially if it wasn’t a smooth “break up.”

In your next interview you know you will be asked, “Why did you leave your last job?”

It’s a question that takes some preparation because you don’t want to:

• Over divulge information that is unnecessary – like how you clashed with some co-workers or didn’t like the management team
• When we get nervous we tend to ramble. Practicing can prepare you to go slow and focus, rather than get caught up in nerves

Here are some great tactics on how respond to this question:

• Short and sweet – As mentioned above, don’t over talk
• Honesty is the best policy – If you were let go, be honest and tell the Hiring Manager why. They will find out anyway and you want to make sure you portray the experience in a positive light
• Positively sure – Even if your last experience was a horrible one, don’t let that show through in your interview. Prepare and note some great qualities your last job possessed and mention what you learned

Do you have some great tactics that you would like to share when asked this question? Please share on our Facebook Page.

By now you have probably sent out all of your holiday cards. You’re sure you covered everyone when you realize that you should send holiday cards to the hiring managers you’ve connected with in 2011.

This is a wonderful way to touch base, follow up, and send warm wishes to someone who you hope will call you for an opportunity in 2012.

Sending a holiday card is easy. Just call the company, ask for the contacts address, and stamp!

The hard part is picking out a tasteful, general card that isn’t too much glitter but will stand out nonetheless.

DON’T

• Assume this person celebrates a certain holiday. You don’t want to send a Happy Hanukkah card to someone who is looking forward to a white Christmas
• Get a large card. The more space you have the more room there is for mistakes. You also have to come up with a lengthy “Happy Holiday” note
• Spell the name wrong
• Send an E-Card. Even if it’s personal it’s still “generated”

DO

• Make it personal. Remember the last time you spoke? I’m sure the hiring manager has had that baby, went on that vacation, got married…wish them well and make it personal if you can
• Play it safe and send “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings”
• Hand write personal messages
• Send the card to arrive on time (at least five or six days before Christmas)
• Follow up after the New Year – sending a card is a good way to open the flood gates of communication. Following up in 2012 is the perfect start to a new year full of networking

Do you have questions about your holiday cards? Feel free to comment on our Facebook page and we’ll answer all your questions.

Do you still have an objective on your resume?

Why? Do you think it makes you stand out from other candidates? Do you personalize the short paragraph for each job that sparks your interest?

Here at Pyramid Consulting Group we would suggest forgoing the objective for other, more important, information like:

Volunteer work

Hobbies

Continuing Education

Freelance Projects

*All work experience counts

We agree that an objective is a great way to sum up exactly what you are looking for but isn’t that what the cover letter summarizes?

Recruiters and hiring managers want to avoid “fluff” at all costs. The more “fluff” the more likely your resume will be pushed aside for one that gets straight to the point.

Have we made you rethink your objective statements? If you have any questions regarding this post, please comment!

Photo c/o Chicago Now

Do not let the excitement of a new job derail your manners. Saying goodbye to your current employer, no matter the relationship, sweet or sour, is hard.

Burning bridges in your career is not the best way to make progress and build solid, lasting relationships. Here are some ways to break the news lightly and professionally.

1. Give Notice

• Make sure you complete all projects and tasks that were assigned. If there is a deadline that comes after your end date, train and prepare the person taking your place. Or, if you are leaving before that person is set to start, draft detailed instructions to help them in their new role.

2. Face It

• There is no other option. Face your hiring manager/boss and tell them, up front, that you are giving your notice.

3. No Filters

• Be honest about why you are leaving – whether it’s for a higher salary, a more challenging role, or changing the path of your career.

4. R-E-S-P-E-C-T

• Like we said in the beginning, do not let the excitement of your new opportunity show through arrogantly. You may feel that you’re moving on to “better things” but leave that for your own personal celebration.  Give thanks for the opportunity provided to you and end on a good note. The more references you have the better!

5. In Short

• We have found that dragging the explanation along only leaves room for you to ramble and maybe say things you don’t mean in order to fill the silence. Keep it short and to the point.

How have you broken up with your past jobs? Did you find that it was easy, hard, complicated?

Pleas share!

First impressions are key when introducing yourself.  The cover letter you present to a potential employer is a proverbial handshake. To make a good impression it must be firm, strong and make an impact.

If your cover letter is a “dead fish handshake” your first impression will not be a lasting one.

Here are the top five things to leave out when drafting your cover letter.

• You Must Be Mistaken
  • Make no mistake about it – errors and silly oversights are unacceptable.
  • The Cure:
    • Ask a family member, friend, prior colleague – to read over your cover letter. A second set of eyes is crucial to perfection.
• What Are You Talking About
  • While standard cover letters may save you time – they are impersonal and generic.
  • The Cure:
    • Research the company and the position requirements. Personalize your cover letter and it will stand out!

• Too Little
  • While too much in the cover letter would overwhelm and force a hiring manager to skim through at the sight of too many words, too little can also be detrimental to your first impression
  • The Cure:
    • In 250 words (max) describe, in short, your accomplishments and successes that relate to the position your applying for.

• Save It, Don’t Spray It
  • While personal stories and accomplishments say a lot about a person’s personality, save it for the interview.
  • The Cure:
    • Hiring managers may ask you about your hobbies and spare time indulgences – this is when you can talk about how you climbed Mt. Everest, run marathons, and volunteer.
• There’s a fine line
  • Watch your confidence.  Promote yourself as humbly as possible. Don’t “inflate” your language. For example – “I am the best at________”
  • The Cure:
    • Express your expertise and “BEST” by examples.

If you have any other questions regarding cover letters please ask and comment on our Facebook page.