Posts
Monday, August 9, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Observations
Observations:
PERCEPTION IS REALITY…
I’m beginning to notice a trend when it comes to interviews. More and more students are showing up late to their interviews. This really surprises me because the biggest mistake you can make is showing up late to an interview.
Let me tell you something about the job hunt. When it comes to hiring somebody; it is surprisingly more about who “Wants” it the most, rather than who is the most qualified.
You have this one window to show this employer who you are and what you’re about; and if you’re late, you’re out. Take my advice “Perception IS Reality”. If my perception of you is that you can’t show up on time to an interview then my reality is that you can’t show up on time to work. If it is my perception that you do not take this interview seriously enough to be here, that becomes my reality.
You may be stuck in traffic, your grandmother may have died last night, or you may even be compulsively punctual person who has never been late to anything in their entire life. But I don’t know any of that, and I don’t know anything about you. My perception, my reality, will be simply that you are late right here and right now. I don’t have the time to wait on you, or hear your excuses when you eventually arrive, because I have 5 or 10 other people who want this job.
ANTI-LATE TACTICS…
1. It may be superfluous, it may be time consuming; but it is considered to be a best practice to scope out the location of the interview the day before. One the worst excuses for being late to an interview is to say “I just couldn’t find the place.” To that I would say to you, “Why? I gave you the address.”
Google map it and find it before you need to be there - not the morning of- the day before. New York is a complicated city, its easy for a native to get lost let alone an out-of-towner. Understanding your train route and the approximate time it took you to get there will save you time and anxiety the day of the interview. Why do I say anxiety? Even if you think you know where you are going, there might be a lingering concern in your mind about how much time you need to get ready and to arrive. If you just scope the place out the night before, you’ll know all of that information.
2. Know the building. At the risk of sounding redundant; you need to know everything about your route. Offices in New York can be on the tenth floor of a restaurants or be co-located with a law-firm or any number of other weird and wacky combos New York Commercial Real-estate has created. Small boutiques can be on the street or in a design firms building. The D&D and A&D building on Third Avenue, for example, are interior design showrooms buildings with dozens of sellers and designers. Not knowing where you need to be might cause you to be late and might cost you a job.
3. If you have to be late, if you absolutely can not make it on time, if you broke your leg or your grandmother died; just call ahead.
Here it is guys and girls; I’m going to let you in on a big secret about being an adult. Everyone is late sometimes, it happens and sometimes it’s really not your fault. This is New York; there could be a wreck, or train construction or a circus on parade. All you have to do is call ahead.
It’s not embarrassing, it’s responsible. It’s not being flaky, its humility. Even if you show up on time; call ahead if you think you’re going to be even 2 minutes late. It shows a level of maturity and time management skills your peers may lack.
To summarize, don’t be late to an interview.
Just to recap; don’t be late to an interview with out calling ahead
What’s that? A hand in back, you have a question? DON’T BE LATE TO A JOB INTERVIEW.
PERCEPTION IS REALITY…
I’m beginning to notice a trend when it comes to interviews. More and more students are showing up late to their interviews. This really surprises me because the biggest mistake you can make is showing up late to an interview.
Let me tell you something about the job hunt. When it comes to hiring somebody; it is surprisingly more about who “Wants” it the most, rather than who is the most qualified.
You have this one window to show this employer who you are and what you’re about; and if you’re late, you’re out. Take my advice “Perception IS Reality”. If my perception of you is that you can’t show up on time to an interview then my reality is that you can’t show up on time to work. If it is my perception that you do not take this interview seriously enough to be here, that becomes my reality.
You may be stuck in traffic, your grandmother may have died last night, or you may even be compulsively punctual person who has never been late to anything in their entire life. But I don’t know any of that, and I don’t know anything about you. My perception, my reality, will be simply that you are late right here and right now. I don’t have the time to wait on you, or hear your excuses when you eventually arrive, because I have 5 or 10 other people who want this job.
ANTI-LATE TACTICS…
1. It may be superfluous, it may be time consuming; but it is considered to be a best practice to scope out the location of the interview the day before. One the worst excuses for being late to an interview is to say “I just couldn’t find the place.” To that I would say to you, “Why? I gave you the address.”
Google map it and find it before you need to be there - not the morning of- the day before. New York is a complicated city, its easy for a native to get lost let alone an out-of-towner. Understanding your train route and the approximate time it took you to get there will save you time and anxiety the day of the interview. Why do I say anxiety? Even if you think you know where you are going, there might be a lingering concern in your mind about how much time you need to get ready and to arrive. If you just scope the place out the night before, you’ll know all of that information.
2. Know the building. At the risk of sounding redundant; you need to know everything about your route. Offices in New York can be on the tenth floor of a restaurants or be co-located with a law-firm or any number of other weird and wacky combos New York Commercial Real-estate has created. Small boutiques can be on the street or in a design firms building. The D&D and A&D building on Third Avenue, for example, are interior design showrooms buildings with dozens of sellers and designers. Not knowing where you need to be might cause you to be late and might cost you a job.
3. If you have to be late, if you absolutely can not make it on time, if you broke your leg or your grandmother died; just call ahead.
Here it is guys and girls; I’m going to let you in on a big secret about being an adult. Everyone is late sometimes, it happens and sometimes it’s really not your fault. This is New York; there could be a wreck, or train construction or a circus on parade. All you have to do is call ahead.
It’s not embarrassing, it’s responsible. It’s not being flaky, its humility. Even if you show up on time; call ahead if you think you’re going to be even 2 minutes late. It shows a level of maturity and time management skills your peers may lack.
To summarize, don’t be late to an interview.
Just to recap; don’t be late to an interview with out calling ahead
What’s that? A hand in back, you have a question? DON’T BE LATE TO A JOB INTERVIEW.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Who ever said getting a Retail job in New York City was easy is crazy!!
Who ever said getting a Retail job in New York City was easy is crazy. In this city Retail Sales, Waitressing or Bartending are careers and the interviews should be treated as such; with serious intent.
There are specific things employers are looking for. The look and feel of a store is maintained in their sales associates and managers. So the interview process can be quite arduous and time consuming. Store mangers have no time for people who are late or candidates who show a lack of enthusiasm. There are 3 attributes that are important to retail; 3 qualities that if demonstrated in an interview and performed on the job will guarantee your success in New York Retail.
They are:
1. Salesmanship Skills. Retail is a business built on sales, a business built on sales needs salesman. A very specific type of salesman too; one who is knowledgable, friendly and eager. Showing prowess of communications skills and customer service ability will be your first and best weapon in a retail interview.
2. Followership and Team building skills. Retail Managers are some of the hardest working people in New York. They are on their feet all day, managing anywhere from 5 to 200 people, and tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. They need you to work when you are scheduled and to do what you are told when you are there. Retail is a well oiled machine with little cogs and bolts. Those cogs are you. If you are broken you can be replaced in a week. Being able to follow directions and execute tasks when you are asked is invaluable in retail. Demonstrate this and you’ll be in like Flynn.
3. Theft Prevention Skills. In New York City theft prevention and Retail are intertwined like a pretzel. The most common questions are scenario based questions that deal with individuals integrity; both to the store and to themselves. The question most likely be asking what a sales associate would do if they caught a fellow employee stealing. What do you think the correct answer is? Go on. Ask yourself, what would you do if you caught a fellow employee (maybe a friend) stealing? If you said “I would confront them” or “I would deal with it is myself”; You are wrong. The correct answer is “Tell a manger.” Be a tattle tale, its okay in this scenario. If you feel that you are ratting out a buddy; realize that when they steal from the store, they are stealing from you. When things get stolen it costs the store and the chain money; that money is supposed to go to your paycheck.
Retail is a profession in this city, with details and nuances to rival any major corporation. Stay sharp. Stay motivated. Stay on point; and you’ll work in any store you want.
There are specific things employers are looking for. The look and feel of a store is maintained in their sales associates and managers. So the interview process can be quite arduous and time consuming. Store mangers have no time for people who are late or candidates who show a lack of enthusiasm. There are 3 attributes that are important to retail; 3 qualities that if demonstrated in an interview and performed on the job will guarantee your success in New York Retail.
They are:
1. Salesmanship Skills. Retail is a business built on sales, a business built on sales needs salesman. A very specific type of salesman too; one who is knowledgable, friendly and eager. Showing prowess of communications skills and customer service ability will be your first and best weapon in a retail interview.
2. Followership and Team building skills. Retail Managers are some of the hardest working people in New York. They are on their feet all day, managing anywhere from 5 to 200 people, and tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. They need you to work when you are scheduled and to do what you are told when you are there. Retail is a well oiled machine with little cogs and bolts. Those cogs are you. If you are broken you can be replaced in a week. Being able to follow directions and execute tasks when you are asked is invaluable in retail. Demonstrate this and you’ll be in like Flynn.
3. Theft Prevention Skills. In New York City theft prevention and Retail are intertwined like a pretzel. The most common questions are scenario based questions that deal with individuals integrity; both to the store and to themselves. The question most likely be asking what a sales associate would do if they caught a fellow employee stealing. What do you think the correct answer is? Go on. Ask yourself, what would you do if you caught a fellow employee (maybe a friend) stealing? If you said “I would confront them” or “I would deal with it is myself”; You are wrong. The correct answer is “Tell a manger.” Be a tattle tale, its okay in this scenario. If you feel that you are ratting out a buddy; realize that when they steal from the store, they are stealing from you. When things get stolen it costs the store and the chain money; that money is supposed to go to your paycheck.
Retail is a profession in this city, with details and nuances to rival any major corporation. Stay sharp. Stay motivated. Stay on point; and you’ll work in any store you want.