by Jill Hoel | Mar 11, 2010 | Communication Skills, Etiquette, Presentation Skills, Professional Image
I heard a great line at the beauty salon today – “You can teach skills. You can’t teach attitude.” How true. My stylist, Tina, who is co-owner of both the salon as well as Paul Mitchell the School-Chicago, and I were discussing the challenge of finding the right people to hire. Her business is really no different than any other and, as a small business owner and educator, she is constantly on the lookout for candidates who are a cut above the rest (no pun intended). And talent isn’t always the first thing she considers.
She said that people can be taught how to do hair, but attitude and work ethic are things you’re born with. You can’t teach them. And those are the elements she looks for. Are you going to show up on time? Are you going to take initiative to help build the business? Do you have some common sense? Is my team going enjoy being around you – in close quarters – day after day?
I think every person in a position to hire is looking for those same qualities. Talent is great, experience is wonderful, networking is crucial, but, when push comes to shove, do you have the temperament and character they’re looking for? Will you be an asset and a pleasure to be with, or do you look like trouble down the line?
How do you want to be perceived by others? The impression you make happens even before you open your mouth. What is your overall image – wardrobe, grooming, facial expression, posture – saying to the world? Let that interviewer see your positive attitude BEFORE they see your resume.
by Jill Hoel | Mar 4, 2010 | Communication Skills, Etiquette, Professional Image
DO research the job position and company via the internet and the relationships you’ve developed through networking. Know the organization’s needs and how you can help.
DO check yourself in the bathroom after you arrive – hair in place, teeth free of spinach, clothing tucked in and straightened, shoes shiny and dirt free?
DO turn off your cell phone. Turning it to vibrate is not good enough. Your pocket or briefcase should not buzz or “ding” during an interview!
DO prepare for small talk. Watch the news or scan the headlines before your meeting. A minute or two of small talk is to be expected before getting down to business.
DO be prepared to speak in depth about everything you have on your resume. If you can’t, interviewers may wonder if you even wrote it.
DO answer questions directly. When the interviewer asks a question, answer it directly and completely. Avoid going off on tangents. If they ask, “Tell me what you did on this project”, don’t tell them about the project, tell them what you did. What was your role, what did you achieve?
DO mention co-workers. If you always say “I” and never “we,” it can be indicative of someone who is not a team player.
DO ask insightful questions. Don’t use this time to ask about benefits or when you can take your first vacation. The questions you ask should show your interest in the position.
- What are the long term plans for this organization? For this position?
- What do you think are the most important skills for this job?
- How would my progress be evaluated?
DO send a thank-you letter. Few individuals actually do this follow up and sending one will make you stand out. A thank you letter can –
- remind the interviewer of you and your qualifications.
- expand on answers you gave during the interview.
- beef up areas where you felt you didn’t do well.
- add additional information, the things you wish you would have said during the interview.
© 2010 Jill Bremer • All Rights Reserved
by Jill Hoel | Feb 17, 2010 | Communication Skills, Etiquette, Professional Image
DON’T be late for interviews. Confirm the time, address, building number, parking. Remember that security check-ins may take time. Also – be no more than 5 minutes early. Too early and you advertise you have nothing else to do.
DON’T supply personal website addresses if they contain inappropriate information. Keep in mind they may be found anyway. You WILL be searched on Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
DON’T have unprofessional-sounding email addresses (no sexyvixen@…)
DON’T use too much jargon. This can be a red flag that you could be hiding lack of real experience behind a smokescreen of technical terms.
DON’T give rambling responses or attempt to fill in all “dead air” with talking. If you’re unsure as to whether the interviewer got enough information from your response, ask him/her if your answer was satisfactory.
DON’T be negative about past employers. Bad experiences can always be explained without rancor or extreme negativism. Employers are wary of an applicant who always blames others for problems.
DON’T answer online job boards with negative answers. Your answers to questions such as “What is your ideal job” and “What is your ideal location” gives them recruiters a snapshot of what you’re looking for. Don’t answer with “Whatever will pay me a lot of money” or “Anywhere but here.” This is not a place to be sarcastic. Show you have the skill set PLUS social skills.
© 2010 Jill Bremer • All Rights Reserved
by Jill Hoel | Jan 20, 2010 | Communication Skills, Etiquette
Have iPods become part of your workplace? The popularity of iPods and other MP3 players have brought with them an easy, unobtrusive way to listen to music at work. No more awkward CD players, thank you. But are you sending a negative message to those around you? If you choose to plug in to your tunes at work:
Keep volume low so you can hear people approach.
Remove BOTH buds when you start a conversation.
Let those around you know you’re listening to music because it helps you be productive. You’re not trying to be unapproachable, so go ahead and ask that question.
Never, NEVER sing along to the music, tap feet, drum fingers or whistle!
by Jill Hoel | Dec 9, 2009 | Etiquette
In general, professionals should avoid giving gifts that are too personal. Consider anything that touches skin as inappropriate (scents, bath products, lingerie). Also be careful giving gifts of alcohol or food. Research the recipient’s tastes as well as possible issues or allergies with either category.
Gifts to Co-Workers – Keep “Secret Santa” gifts simple and inexpensive. Gift cards can be a great solution. Gifts given to individuals should be done privately away from the office, perhaps over lunch.
Gifts to the Boss are not necessary. Do so only as a group, not individually which can look like apple-polishing. If the team or department wants to give one, consider the boss’s hobbies or outside interests. A work-related gift is always good—book, picture frame, desk accessory—or perhaps tickets to a game, theater, or membership to a museum.
Gifts to Clients/Vendors – First, check both your company’s gift-giving policy/traditions and theirs. Keep the gift professional and not overly expensive—see boss gift ideas above.
Make the presentation beautiful. Pay a pro to wrap it, present it personally, and attach a handwritten note. Happy Holidays!
© Jill Bremer 2016
by Jill Hoel | Nov 4, 2009 | Civility, Communication Skills, Etiquette
Overhead Compartments
Everyone is “carrying on” these days, so remember that your storage space is right above your seat, not the first open space you see. Airlines prefer that you slide your bag in vertically wheels first. Smaller bags and coats should be squeezed around the larger bags, not the other way around.
Armrests
Let’s all agree – the person in the middle seat should have rights of first refusal on the armrests in the middle. A personal pet peeve – armrest volume controls which have been left on “10” by the last passenger.
Conversations
It’s difficult to have a conversation on a plane with the aircraft noise and plugged-up eardrums. But please monitor your voice levels. Others are trying to sleep, listen to the movie or music.
Reclining Seats
Just because seats recline, doesn’t mean they should. We’re all tired, but also cramped for legroom and want to be able to work on our computer or eat without having our elbows in our ears. So, recline a few inches and no more – please!
