So You Think You Can Dance

The job search process from the initial research and resume writing stage to interviewing and the job offer and negotiation stage is far from an exact science. Therefore to be successful it’s imperative you attain skills similar to a ballroom dancer. You need to be flexible, confident, polished, have nerves of steel, be quick on your feet at all times, and stay in synch with your partner’s lead, because in each stage you are faced with challenges you need to dance around. So let’s look at challenges you may face.

Research Stage
Finding out about companies you may want to work for and about job postings in your field is the first step in a job search. This information is relatively easy to find. What is often difficult is finding the right internal contacts. As you know most job postings do not include the name/s of the people who will be screening and reading your resume and cover letter, so Dance Step # 1 is to find out who they are, and Dance Step #2 is to find out who the players above them are and how to start a dialogue or get referred to them to hopefully bypass the first step. For this your dance instructor is Linked-In. Learn how to maneuver around this tool and you can come up with contact information you are looking for, and get fresh leads that fall below your competition’s radar.

Resume Writing Stage
There is a lot of information out there in books, blogs and other social media venues about how to write a winning resume. However much of it is outdated although it is less than 3-4 years old, and there are varied opinions on what works. Furthermore when you get advice that is spot-on, the secret is not what works best for someone else but knowing what works best for you. Over time I have found that very few people can write a resume without dancing around at least 2 or 3 issues. Some need to dance around gaps and age, others how to edit or expand their resume to the proper number of pages, and some need to dance around how to present their profile, achievements, credentials, experience, bonifides, and choose a style and format that is best for their industry, level, and area of expertise.

For some it is like learning how to dance a tango, waltz, mambo, and cha-cha all at once. If you’ve been a human capital decision maker in the past the odds are much better that you can navigate the maze of information overload and arrive at the best decision on your own. If not you may need a dance instructor like me to help you look like a true professional on the resume dance floor.

Interviewing Stage
The keys to being an outstanding dancer and interviewee are anticipation, practice, knowing your partner and developing the right chemistry.

So to improve your interviewing skills you can work on anticipating and preparing answers to the most commonly asked generic interview questions such as “tell me about yourself “and “what is your biggest weakness”, and to industry and job specific questions you are bound to be asked. Next you need to rehearse them in mock interviews – with or without video – and them critique yourself in terms of content as well as body language, tonality, speech patterns like ‘um’ or ‘you know’ etc.

You also need to research who you are interviewing with and find ways to establish instant chemistry starting with the proper wardrobe appearance and a firm handshake.

Much of this can be done with a professional coach or by assembling what I describe as a ‘Board of Directors’.

Salary Negotiation Stage
This is the one area in the job search process where both sides dance around each other more than any other. So here are some dance steps that you should prepare when the topic comes up.

First off show excitement about the position you are applying for and the company. Passion, good vibes high energy and desire to succeed are all indicators of positive productivity. So in a sincere, not over the top way you need to convince the employer that you would love to work here if you can arrive at a mutually acceptable comp package.

Next at all costs do not bring your personal life into the negotiation. The person who you’re negotiating with in most cases does not care how much you pay in rent, tuition or school loan repayments, auto expenses, health insurance etc. All they know is the extent of their budget and the value they place on your services. You can dance around all you want, but keep it about business. The second you interject your personal life into the negotiations the quicker they will think about looking at entertaining another candidate. Just like excitement and passion are indicators of productivity, airing family concerns in negotiations sends up negative red flags.

Another common sense tip is to go into the negotiations being aware of your minimum expected salary and be prepared with alternative solutions that can be bargaining chips in lieu of cash. Do this because the person/s on the other side of the desk know the maximum they are willing to pay, how low they would like to start the bidding at, and they already have planned alternatives they’re saving as fall back positions in the negotiations.

Last but definitely not the least, be calm and in control at all times. Don’t let them see you sweat. Keep a poker face and do not act hastily. Let the employer lead and you follow. Show strong signs of conviction about how much you are worth, but at the same time allude to the fact that you are somewhat flexible. By all means never turn negotiations into a test of wills; you are much better off making it a mutual benefit collaboration effort.

Author:

Perry Newman, CPC CSMS is a nationally recognized executive resume writer, career coach, AIPC certified recruiter and SMMU certified social media strategist known for his ability to help his clients get results. You can view his sample resumes at http://www.perrynewman.com/, and email him your resume at perry@perrynewman.com for FREE resume critique.

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Perry Newman

Perry Newman, CPC/CSMS is a nationally recognized resume writer, career transition coach, certified social media strategist, as well as a AIPC certified recruiter and former executive search firm owner known for his ability to get results. You can view his sample resumes and client endorsements at http://www.perrynewman.com, and request a free resume critique by emailing your resume with contact information to perry@perrynewman.com.