The Black Interview Suit

I enjoy job interviews. It's probably the WOO'er in me, but I love to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself?" I've got it down to an exact science and it's pretty good, if I do say so myself. I also have a standard go-to interview suit. It's a black, Banana Republic classic three-button pants suit that says classic and conservative. For the first interview, I always pair it with a button down shirt that's got a little flair that to me says, "Take a closer look, hiring manager. There's more than meets the eye."

Since I've started interviewing again, I've been noticing lots of advice for people like me looking for a new job. From The Today Show to the Omaha World Herald, there are lots of media sites that have some great tips on what to wear, how to answer the inevitable, "What motivates you?" and great questions to ask.

But I've noticed there isn't a lot of advice for hiring managers in terms of protocol and tactics. So, with the help of some friends who are/were in the same boat as myself, I have put together some tips for hiring managers that will make your jobs simpler, alleviate any confusion on the interviewees part and hopefully be a win-win-win.

1) Spell check is your friend. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I actually saw a communication job spelled "comminication". What's crazy to me is that it never came up in spell-checker. Like in this article I'm writing, it's clearly highlighted. Need I say more?

2) Make sure the job description matches the actual job. My friend *Bob says, "I'm trying to match my stengths with what you are looking for. So, if the job is in communications, but really there's a lot of math and science involved, obviously I wouldn't be a good candidate." Makes a lot of sense and it saves both the hiring manager and the person looking for the perfect fit-- a lot of time and effort.

As a sidebar, it's also a good idea to be upfront on whether the position is new or just being filled. Because many times with a new position, no one knows what exactly that job is or will turn into--so it's difficult to determine how to answer questions based on something that's not clear in the first place.

3) Communicate. Once you make it through the formal/in person interview, get back to us on where you're at in the hiring process. Interviewing is really like dating, so if you know immediately it's not a good fit, don't string us along, let us know that you're not that into us. We can handle it, at the end of the day, it's business and we want to find a place where we belong too and feel comfortable. Adds another friend, Stephanie, "If I have to roll out of bed and put on my suit for an interview, the least you can do is get back to me. It's just respectful and only takes two minutes of your time."

4) Follow the standard interview protocol. I once went through an interview process where I drove to the business (farther than 50 miles) for the first interview and then the hiring manager says, "Okay, let's schedule your phone interview for next week." What? Doesn't the phone interview precede the in-person meet and greet? It confused me and needless to say I didn't get the job, nor did I want it.

5) Tell the truth. I recently received the following email: "Good Morning Lora, Hope your weekend went well.  Unfortunately we have decided to fill the role...with a different candidate.  Thank you so very much for your interest...Please let me know if you have any questions." Here's my question, why is my friend now being interviewed for the position if it's already been filled?

I'm sure there's more of these tips for hiring managers that I'm leaving out. If I've missed something or you have a story you want to share, please chime in!


*Actual name has been changed.

Rediscovering your worth

A couple weeks back my position was eliminated with virtually no warning. I was a marketing assistant for a senior living community based in Omaha, Neb. and generally liked my job and the people I worked with. I'm pretty sure they were happy with my work too. Though, looking back, the last couple weeks of work, my gut was telling me that things were off, though I couldn't put my finger on what that meant. That was until the day I had a meeting with my boss and the HR director that confirmed what I probably knew all along.

This isn't the first time I've dealt with a job loss, as two years earlier, I dealt with the same thing when I was doing social media and video production for a local health care organization. So, after allowing myself to cry in front of my boss (I couldn't help it) I went to my parent's house and told them the news and then followed the expert's advise on coping with the stress that comes with a job loss--you know face the facts, reach out, network, stay positive, etc.

Every day my family, friends and co-workers at my part time job ask me how the job search is going and are, for the most part, empathetic. I always answer with the same, "I'm doing fine. Thanks for asking." And for the most part, my spirits are up. I believe life is a journey and that when a door closes, a window opens.

I wanted to let you in on routine day-in-the-life of me, now that I'm unemployed. Don't get me wrong, I do want a full-time job for the money and the stability that comes with it, but I have to admit, I'm enjoying this time of rediscovering old hobbies, my worth and the beauty of being alive. 

• The opportunity to hang out. 

when was the last time you visited your grandmother just because she's 93 and lives in a nursing home 85 miles away? I did that the first week I wasn't working because I could. I felt like I was in grade school because I rode with my parents (in their "new" car) and met my sister and her daughter at the nursing home. We got there in time for lunch and stayed for the afternoon, playing King's Corner and just talking. It was great.

I also have had the pleasure to hang out with one of my friends and her new baby--watching movies,  seeing some local sites and reconnecting with one another.

• Literally "running" errands.

I enjoy running--it's what I do to keep me stress-free and in shape and probably to keep me busy. But there are times that I don't feel like running. So recently I decided to ditch the car and run to my nearby grocery store to cash a check. It was great. All of a sudden, I found my purpose again and a reason to run. I took a new route and re-discovered the reason I love running so much.

• Try your hand at stitching.

Although I grew up in the city, I was a 10-year 4-H'er who once sewed a fuchsia lined wool suit (yes my friends make fun of this). But since I quit 4-H, I haven't threaded a needle, save for the handful of buttons I've sewed back on my shirts or the pants I've re-hemmed by hand. Anyway, I've had these IKEA drapes that I've been meaning to hem properly for the past five years. So what better way to spend a Tuesday morning than by firing up the serger and sewing?

And while I haven't sewed for at least 15 years, I felt pretty confident that I would rock it, especially since I read the directions, looked at the pictures, etc. However, after breaking the thread and re-threading the machine at least eight times, I finally frantically called my sister and using choice words, asked what I was doing wrong. Of course, it was a simple solution and after that I serged away, finishing the hem on my drapes which now are hanging nicely.

• Reaffirmation of worth. 

I have filled out dozens of applications along with updating my resume. So, I am constantly reaffirming to myself the great things about me. What are those, you ask? Well, according to Gallup's Strengthfinders test, my top five strengths are: "woo" (win others over), communication, harmony, adaptability and positively. Let's face it, everyone needs a cheerleader on their team who, despite an uphill battle, will be positive and say, "Go team, you can do it!" If that's not your work place, that's probably not where I want to be.  

• Take a cat nap.

When in doubt, I take Gus' (my cat) lead and take a nap. These naps usually fall in the mid- to late-afternoon and can last anywhere from 2-3 1/2 hours. And I love them and don't feel guilty about taking them. I've discovered that there are times when every job possible has been applied for, I've updated my blog, I've networked with everyone I can think of--have even put in a second load of laundry. In other words, I've done all I can do for today...Now I just have to sit back and wait...