1.) Describe to me how XYZ technology works.
2.) What kind of training sessions have you had to ensure that your XYZ skills remain up to date?
3.) How do you go about retaining your competitive edge?
4.) Tell me about a particularly challenging project that you’ve completed and what result it achieved.
5.) How well developed would you say your technical writing ability is?

If you come from a consulting environment, there are a number of areas in which you will be expected to demonstrate proficiency. Your future boss is going to be interested in your answers to the following:

1) Describe a time when you were asked to explain a difficult issue to one of your clients?  How did you do it, and how well-received was your explanation?
2) Have you ever encountered a situation where your client literally changed his/her mind in the midst of an on-going project?  How did you handle this?
3) When was the last time you had to juggle multiple priorities?  How did you prioritize these and what was the outcome?
4) Please discuss a time when you exceeded your client’s expectations.  What kind of a reward did you receive for your efforts?
5) Have you ever encountered a problem that you did not know how to handle? What was it, and how did you ultimately resolve it?
6) Do you enjoy delegating authority?  Describe a time when you needed to do this. What was the outcome?
7) What techniques do you use to manage a client? How successful are you at this?
8) What is your role in making client presentations?

When applying for a position as a manager, it makes sense that you will have already had experience in leading a team. It therefore makes sense that you will be able to discuss the following areas:

1) What would you say is your personal leadership style?
2) Tell me about a project where you had to assume more responsibility than you had originally anticipated.
3) How do you keep your department/group producing quality work? What steps do you take to motivate your staff?
4) Discuss a situation where you had to handle a difficult employee. How did you retain control?

If you are not given an opportunity to answer these questions, you should work some of the above information into your interview.  It is a common practice to ask a prospective employee whether he/she has any questions or comments. 

At this point, you can say, “I’d like to describe for you if I may, the management style that I have always found to be effective.” Or, I’d like to tell you about how I deal with difficult people.”  Pick an area that is going to be relevant to the position for which you are interviewing and volunteer the information yourself.

One caveat here: make sure you don’t sound as if you’re boasting: nobody likes a braggart!) Stay with a factual description of the situation and review what steps you took and why you took them. 

If you can paint of picture of how your experience dovetails with the requirements of the new position, you’ll already be a step ahead.

It wasn’t that long ago that jobs were plentiful, perks were handed out like candy and workers changed jobs at will.

Fast forward to the year 2010, and this situation is decidedly different. Now, employees are scrambling to find a position—any position. Employers are tightening their belts and  trimming their workforces.

If you are one of the lucky ones who has actually landed a job, you need to be concerned about keeping it.  The secret to doing just that is to make your boss believe that you are irreplaceable. So, how can you make that happen? This article and the ones that follows will give you some insight on just how to do this.

During the course of your career, you have undoubtedly seen what happens when the Boss asks his employees to do Task Z. His request is usually met by grumbling and discontent.

Regardless of whether you think the task is stupid, making yourself indispensable is all about being the first to step up to the plate and say “Yes! I’ll take care of that for you, Mr. Johnson.!”  If you systematically do this, over time Mr. Johnson will come to rely on you as his ‘go-to’ person and your job is likely to be safe.

Of course, as with all things, there IS a down side to this…And that is, that you are bound to antagonize your co-workers with what they perceive to be a ‘goody two-shoes’ approach.  Ask yourself this:  Would you rather win a popularity contest with your fellow employees or bring home a paycheck that will enable you to take care of your family? (Well, gee: THAT was a tough one, wasn’t it??)

When you’re given an assignment to complete, show some initiative by taking things beyond the basics and elaborating on what you’ve been asked to do. Try to conceptualize other projects that would be of assistance to your boss and do them without asking.

If you’re truly in the dark as to what would be helpful, complete what you’ve been given and ASK him/her whether you might lend a hand anywhere else.  Chances are, the answer will be a resounding YES!  And, chances are, as well, that your boss will be surprised and pleased by your spirit of volunteerism.

Finally, try to come up with problem-solving ideas to present to your Manager. Just showing him/her that you care is the first step in becoming indispensable.

Graphic artists have one. Authors have one. Painters have one. Sculptors have one. Do YOU have one?  (We’re talking, of course, about a portfolio!)  A ha: what’s that, you ask?

It is a job hunting tool that provides an employer with a complete picture of you as a person and a professional.  It highlights your experience, education and accomplishments by providing samples of projects you’ve done, memos you’ve written and studies you have conducted. You’ll also want to include any advertising brochures or promotional fliers you’ve created.

Think of it as a giant scrapbook into which you put your most important achievements to show your family and friends. Even if the employer only flips through the pages, during the 60 seconds he is doing so, you are already a horse of a different color. Your other competitors aren’t likely to go to this much trouble.

You’ll want to make your portfolio as attractive as possible. Separate your work into categories, and include a couple of descriptive sentences at the top of each document, describing what it was and its importance to your previous company. (A word of caution, however: be sure to sanitize parts that are company-specific or proprietary in any way.)

You’ll want to create a table of contents at the beginning so that your reader may scan through it briefly to identify items of interest. Using page protectors to house your documents, insert dividers for each section.  Make sure you have a section for any certificates, awards or honors you’ve received and be sure to include copies of your transcripts, degrees and professional licenses.

It’s also a good idea to incorporate any letters of commendation you may have or testimonials you’ve received from clients, customers, colleagues, previous employers and so on. It would also be appropriate to include the names, telephone numbers and contract information for people that can vouch for you and your work product.

Once you’ve prepared your portfolio, it’s easy to keep it up to date.  As you complete new projects or articles, remove the earlier ones, replacing these with more up-to-date  items..

While a portfolio may not necessarily get you the job of your dreams, it sure gives you a fighting chance!

How many times have you gone to a function that has been billed as a ‘Networking Event’ with the expectation that you would be coming home at the end of the night armed with a fistful of job leads and interview possibilities? And how many times have you been disappointed? If you’re like most people--probably quite a few.

Whether you’re selling a product or selling yourself, the process is one and the same. And, not surprisingly, the ground rules are the same as well. This is to say that the most effective way of selling either a product OR yourself is to develop mutually beneficial relationships with other people so they can get to know you--and hopefully like and trust you--as they learn about your qualities, personality and what it is you are looking for in your next position.

 You’ve probably heard the saying “People tend to do business with those they like.”  This also goes for recommending others.  SO: how does someone determine who it is they like?   Obviously, the first step in this process is getting to know you. Be aware, however, that this takes time, effort and energy. It can not be forced or hurried, but nurtured over time.

By exchanging information about your likes/dislikes, passions/hobbies and skills/capabilities, you can forge common bonds and interests. Over time, when the conversation turns to jobs, your new-found contact will become walking advertisements for you.

Bear in mind, however, that a relationship is all about give and take. You’ll want to be on the lookout for things you can do for them as well.  This may consist of sending along articles or information they will find of interest, or helping them accomplish various projects or tasks.  Or perhaps you will be able to refer clients to them for their businesses.

When you take the time to give others the same level of interest that you would like to establish for yourself, you will ultimately be able to build relationships with people who can spread the word about you and lead you to your next position!

And, a happy by-product of your efforts is the possibility of widening and diversifying your current circle of friends.  

HAPPY NETWORKING!