Business Success Tips from author and career coach Kathy Sanborn


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Will Your Looks Get You the Job?

In these competitive employment times, job seekers are doing whatever it takes to find work, including sprucing up their looks in the hopes of gaining an advantage over the rest of the pack. Many feel an attractive appearance can be the key to getting that great job.

According to a survey conducted by author and career expert Kathy Sanborn of Life and Career Coaching, 70% of the HR pros and staffing experts polled believed an attractive person has the edge over the less-attractive applicant in many hiring situations. Only 20% of those surveyed thought the attractive job seeker didn't have an advantage.

Circumstances where good-looking job seekers have a definite edge include sales and entertainment jobs, and other fields where workers are face-to-face with the public. Thirty percent of staffing professionals surveyed thought that good looks were a key factor in getting a job in any profession.

Twenty percent of the staffing professionals think men tend to hire based on appearance, while women hire on qualifications.

Being attractive may backfire, however: An attractive woman may not get the job if her female interviewer is intimidated by her good looks.

Staffing professionals agree that employers tend to "look at the outside." Carla Yee, a career specialist in California, says her clients believe they're passed over for jobs because they're "too old" or "too fat."

When asked if a job seeker should submit a photo of himself with his résumé, 60% of those polled stated a photo could create problems for the job seeker. An employer might be tempted to prejudge an applicant based on race, age, level of attractiveness, or other characteristics displayed in the photo.

Forty percent of the staffing professionals thought that submitting a photo would not help or hurt a job seeker's chances. For those surveyed, the potential difficulties of using a photo as a hiring tool outweighed the possible benefits.

Resume Writing Tips

Nothing can be more important for a job seeker than a finely crafted and mistake-free resume. Read on for some helpful tips on resume writing from career expert and author Kathy Sanborn.

Be honest. The main thing is to be truthful as you draft your resume, because if your resume isn't honest, chances are you won't be honest on the job, either. Don't credit yourself with degrees or awards if you didn't receive them, no matter how tempting it may be to try to stand out from the rest of the competition. Dishonesty eventually will be uncovered anyway, so why risk it?

Target your resume for each position. Yes, it's a bit more work to craft a new resume for each job you apply for, but it's worth it in the long run. Human resource professionals note that most job seekers submit resumes that don't match the job they're seeking - meaning that your resume will end up in the wastebasket if you don't target it correctly.

Develop a new resume style. The trend for resumes is to focus on your contributions in previous jobs, involvement in your community, and your own fundamental values. (Take care, though, that you don't emphasize activities in groups that may be considered controversial, like particular political or religious affiliations.) Employers today want to know more about you as an individual - they need to know that you have integrity and a solid work ethic. It's okay to write in a slightly narrative style, rather than emphasizing your skills and duties with bullet-points.

Explain your work history. On your resume, give details about any gaps in your work history in the most positive way you know how. Because you are human, you may have had periods when you had to take care of a family member, go to school, or relocate to a new area. If you take the time to clarify your work history, a potential employer will feel that you are being sincere - and thus be more open to hire you.

Avoid posting your resume on Internet sites you don't know. Several Internet job sites have been guilty of selling resumes to other companies for various purposes. Some individuals even harvest email addresses from posted resumes in order to send spam to unsuspecting job seekers. You may want to use an alternate mailing address and phone number on your Internet resumes to protect your privacy.

I'm a New Graduate--Now What?

As a recent graduate, you're new to the employment scene after years of academic work. Are you ready to find a job in the competitive work world out there? Let the top woman career coach and author Kathy Sanborn show you how to be a career success!

Watch your appearance. No more jeans, sandals, and nose rings when you go looking for work -- you do want to get a good job, right? Don't fall for the myth that the employer should accept you "just the way you are." There is too much competition out there, so look the part of a polished professional -- unless you want to be flipping burgers!

Common courtesy isn't so common, so be polite. Good manners are still in style with employers, so make sure yours are first-rate! Have a thank-you note ready to mail after each job interview to make you stand out from the rest of the crowd. On the phone or in person, be friendly to the company staff as well. You never know, the receptionist might be the one making the final hiring decision!

Add volunteer and community work to your résumé. Because you may not have a lot of experience in your career field, make sure you list any relevant unpaid work as part of your work history. And if you don't have any relevant volunteer work in your field yet, get busy and find some! By volunteering in your area of interest, you'll meet people who might hire you for a permanent job.

Make the phone your friend. Follow up with a phone call soon after your interview, to keep your face and name in their memory. Being persistent without being a pest can be an excellent strategy in getting a job. Make cold calls out of the phone book to companies you're interested in, and set up an informational meeting. You'll learn a lot by networking in your field of interest!

Don't get discouraged too quickly. If you are new to being a job seeker, you might find yourself getting discouraged after putting in some time and effort with little to show for it. Finding a great job could take longer than you planned, but that doesn't mean you should give up before you even start. Eventually, your hard work will pay off -- so keep going for it!

Ethics and the Workplace

It seems that every time we turn around, another story appears in the news about unethical behavior at work. Unfortunately, unethical (and sometimes even illegal) behavior seems to be more common on the job than ever, and hits all of us in the pocketbook one way or another.

Take the individual who was fabricating stories for one of our major newspapers. He didn't travel to interview folks for his articles (one of his interviewees was supposedly rescued POW Private Jessica Lynch), but instead sat in his apartment, making up the stories off the top of his head.

It turns out that he may have a book and movie deal in mind, detailing how he was clever enough to fool the bosses at his newspaper. Should his unethical behavior be rewarded?

In your own workplace, have you run into people of dubious ethics -- for instance, individuals who say one thing and actually do another? Whether by lying, stealing someone's ideas or property, falsifying documents, or failing to do the right thing, unethical behavior has no legitimate excuse at work or anywhere else.

One can fall into the trap of saying that "everybody does it," but that won't fly. Honesty is always called for, even when those around you refuse to honor a higher moral standard. It's called being courageous.

It takes courage to stand up and say, "I won't join in," when other people are taking inappropriate action that is clearly wrong. It takes courage to speak the truth -- even when you sometimes have to say the emperor has no clothes.

Practicing ethical behavior will keep you on the right road as you reach for success in your career. Taking unprincipled shortcuts to achievement will never be the appropriate path for the truly successful person.

Your Work History: Don't Go Too Long Without a Job!

One of the toughest things a career changer or job seeker can do is to try to explain any large gaps in work history on a resume. If you have been out of work for several months or longer, the best thing to do is address that fact upfront on your resume in a positive way.

For example, if you were laid off and have been seeking work for six months, point out the community activities, schooling, and volunteer work you did in the meantime. By explaining your gap in work history beforehand, you'll show that you've been keeping busy with worthwhile pursuits, and you'll demonstrate that you have nothing to hide from an employer.

Tip: Avoid listing dates on your resume if you have a lot of gaps in your work history. Instead, mention how many years of experience you have at each job. If you are a mature worker, don't refer to specific dates -- a potential employer could be able to pinpoint your age and put you out of the running for the position.

There is one thing that still holds true: the longer you've been without a job, the less likely you are to find one. This is because employers tend to hire those who already have jobs, or who've been out of work for only a short time. Knowing this fact can help you decide to take a job primarily to bolster your work history.

That said, you don't have to take a job far beneath your skills or educational background if you can hold out for a better position down the road. It's a judgment call on how long you can wait gracefully for a job in your preferred profession. Make sure you know the risks involved of waiting for a break in your career field instead of accepting temporary work in an area you really don't want.

Many out-of-work professionals find that they are better off changing careers rather than holding out for a job that just isn't available, especially for individuals in certain technical industries. You might find that being jobless can be a blessing in disguise -- you can begin your own company and write your own ticket to success.

Tips for the Mature Job Seeker

What happens to workers over forty who are laid off with no warning? Plenty! If you're a mature worker, you're feeling fear and desperation as you face an uncertain future after getting your pink slip. You suddenly may realize that you're not prepared to look for work in this tough job market. Author and career expert Kathy Sanborn has the tips and techniques to help you find a place back into the workforce.

1) Watch Out for Hidden Age Bias.
Although you may have all the skills in the world, you need to be aware that some employers may be biased towards hiring a younger worker for several reasons. They may believe a mature person may be sick more often or work more slowly than a younger employee -- both myths. An employer may think you will leave the job sooner, because of your age. Never, ever tell a prospective employer your age in an interview or on a resume.

2) Network Your Way to a New Job.
Instead of sending numerous resumes over the Internet that may end up in the round file, focus on using your networking skills to gain entree to companies you wish to work for. Make phone calls to different firms in order to set up informational interviews. Employers tend to hire people they already know, or those referred to them by trusted individuals.

3) Craft Your Resume Carefully.
Only list the last ten years of work on your resume. Try to avoid any reference to your age on your resume, such as putting the year you graduated from college. Don't give a potential employer any excuse to screen you out of an interview before you get the chance to sell yourself in person.

4) Be Open to Career Change.
If you can't find immediate work in your field, be open to using your current skills in a new area. There is nothing wrong with taking a temporary position in a different career in order to pay your bills while you keep your eyes open for work in your area of expertise. This can be your golden opportunity to start a fresh career.

5) Be Prepared to Relocate.
Many job seekers are not willing to move in order to find work in their specialties. You may want to consider relocating if it means you can continue working in a career you love. Part of the excitement of life is creating positive change for yourself, including living in different locales.

What Makes a Cover Letter Stand Out?

Because there are many people vying for the same jobs due to the tough economy, you have to make sure you stand out from the pack when you send your cover letter and resume to prospective employers. Take a look at these tips on how you can make your cover letter rise above the rest.

Your Letter Shows You've Researched the Company.
Nothing flatters a company representative more than the fact that you've done your homework on his or her business. In your cover letter, mention a couple of key items about the company in a complimentary tone.

There Are No Typos and Your Grammar Is Excellent.
Almost every cover letter I've reviewed has incorrect grammar usage, poor spelling, or typos. It's always a good idea to ask several individuals to review your cover letter for errors before you send it.

Your Letter Is Not Too Long or Too Short.
A long-winded cover letter can put someone to sleep, while a very short one won't offer enough information. Two or three paragraphs would suffice as long as you make sure to include the essentials.

Your Cover Letter Contains Essential Information.
Be certain to include the purpose of your letter (whether you are requesting an informational interview, applying for an advertised position, etcetera). Your letter should have your contact information, the date, and be in proper business format. In the body of the cover letter, emphasize some of the accomplishments and skills you bring to the table of the prospective employer. At the end of the cover letter, mention you'll be following up with a telephone call soon.

Ace the Job Interview

Still having trouble scoring high on a job interview? Career expert and author Kathy Sanborn shows you what you have to know to ace that interview. Everyone can improve their job interviewing skills, and Kathy Sanborn's practical and effective tips will keep you head and shoulders above the competition.

1) Always be on time for your interview—and better still, be fifteen minutes early. If there is a receptionist at the front, smile and be pleasant. Receptionists have a lot of hiring say-so in many organizations.

2) Keep the cologne and jewelry on the light side. Remember, some people are allergic to certain scents. Accessories should be tasteful—no obvious body piercings!

3) Be considerate and let the interviewer run the show. If you take over the interview, you'll look aggressive. Conversely, if you appear timid, you may be out of the running as well. The interviewer is responsible for beginning the interview and ending it.

4) Watch your attitude! A cheerful smile and a friendly personality are the most important assets at your command. The interviewer will make up his mind on whether to hire you in the first few seconds of your interview. If he likes you, you stand an excellent chance of being hired because he thinks you'll fit in well with the company.

5) Practice typical interview questions well before interview day. Your answers need to be smooth and natural, so run through them several times for familiarity. Try not to memorize your responses—you'll sound stilted.

6) Always say only positive things about yourself. Avoid saying, "I just did secretarial work." Instead, mention the actual skills you used on the job.

7) Remember that most interviewers are not really skilled at the interview process. They might even ask you illegal questions because they aren't familiar with the law. For example, they might ask you if you are married, or if you have kids–both illegal questions. You always have a choice as to whether you wish to answer an illegal question.

You could say, "What does my being married have to do with this job?" That sounds fairly diplomatic and gives the interviewer the chance to revise his question. If you say, "That's an illegal question and I don't have to answer it," you may annoy the interviewer and thus lose your opportunity to get the position.

8) Avoid placing any personal items or your elbows on the interviewer's desk. There is such a thing as personal space, and the interviewer may feel uncomfortable if you move beyond her comfort zone of about 18 inches.

9) Ask the interviewer when she will make her hiring decision, and the best time to contact her. You'll avoid spending valuable time waiting for the phone to ring if you know when to expect the news. Be sure to follow up with a phone call if you don't hear anything within a reasonable period of time. It's okay to show that you're still interested in the position—sometimes a simple phone call can mean the difference between getting and losing a job.

How to Handle a Long-Term Job Search

In this economy, it's becoming more common for a professional to run into challenges finding employment in his or her specialty. Review these tips on how to handle a job search that may turn out to be longer than you'd planned.

While you're pursuing a job in the career you know best, you may wish to take a "survival" job to pay the bills. You might even want to take the opportunity to try out a job that you've always wanted to try, or turn a hobby into a fulltime business. As Helen Keller says, "When one door closes, another opens." The one thing you know for sure is that circumstances always change -- and so will yours.

Keep a positive outlook. In my upcoming book, The Seasons of Your Career (Contemporary Books/McGraw-Hill, May 2003) I stress the importance of keeping an upbeat attitude, and share my keys to staying positive. It could be that you need to evaluate your attitude for possible adjustment. Most people are hired not for their skills and experience, but because they are liked.

Brush up on your interviewing skills. It may have been years since you've faced a job interview, and you're a little rusty. Practice common interview questions to get familiar with the best way to respond to what the interviewer is really asking you. For example, how would you answer, "What is your greatest weakness?" (Tip: respond in a positive way, without saying anything negative about yourself.)

Avoid the temptation to pad your resume because you need a job. No matter how desperate you feel, falsifying your resume can put you in the horrible position of being found out and losing your job and your reputation. Lying is not an ethical way to approach getting a job.

On the other hand, your resume should put you in the best possible light. If your resume doesn't sell you on the spot, you'll want to rework it until it does. Remember, you're a product, and your resume has to reflect how you will be an asset to a company. Have a career coach or counselor critique your resume. It never hurts to get a second opinion.

Use your personal network to spread the fact that you are seeking new employment. Keep in mind that whom you know is more important than what you know. Instead of sending a lot of resumes blindly, work on generating personal contact by phone or in person. The truth is that it may take several contacts with the same person in order to build a solid rapport.

You could schedule informational interviews with companies that you're interested in, to gain access to people with the ability to hire you. You will always stand a better chance of getting a job if someone else recommends you, or if the company is familiar with you.

Last, never give up! The right job will be there for you, so have confidence and faith that you're moving in the right direction. Listen to your feelings and take action on your dreams. Be a steamroller on the way to success!