Why did you leave your last job?

Chris Wodke

www.summittrainingpublications.com

Don’t get tripped up if asked this question.  You want to answer in a way that highlights your career goals and skills.  Here are some do’s and don’ts of answering this question.

Don’t

• Never ever say anything bad about a former company.
• Never ever bad mouth a bad boss.
• Don’t tell someone you were fired for misconduct.
• Don’t dwell on any negative aspects of your employment or how you were let go.

Do

• Focus on the opportunity you gained by moving to another position.
• Talk about what you learned by changing jobs.
• Be honest about why you made a move. You can do this without saying bad things about a former boss or company.
• Focus on what you learned or accomplished and how you would apply that in your new position.
• Be honest if you were laid off due to the economy. It is a common experience many of us have had.

Here is how an answer might sound.  “I really enjoyed my work as a Materials Engineer for ABC Company.  Working in research gave me an opportunity to learn something new as a regular part of my job. ABC could not afford all the equipment we needed to do our research and we had to contract out parts of it to the local university.  I got a chance to move to Dynamic Corporation. They had a bigger research budget.  I not only got the equipment I needed to carry out research I also got a 25% increase in salary.  Unfortunately Dynamic has been hard hit by this economy and has begun closing the Milwaukee division of their research group.  I really want to stay in the area and am looking for looking opportunities using my Research skills. I was attracted to this position because of your company’s leadership in research and development.”

Work on your own answer to this question so you are ready during your next interview.

Summit Training Publications

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Is your name keeping you from finding a job?

Chris Wodke

www.summittrainingpublications.com

If you have an African American or minority sounding name the answer may be yes.  MIT and the Chicago School of Business sent in 5000 resumes to 1,250 advertised openings as part of a study. 

Tamika and Brendan were two of the names submitted for administrative and sales positions.  Greg, Emily and Anne got 50 percent more responses than Tamika and Brendan in both Chicago and Boston. White Family names for Emily, Greg and Anne were Baker, Kelly, McCarthy, Murphy, Murray, O’Brien, Ryan, Sullivan and Walsh. Tamika and Brendan used African American last names of Jackson, Jones, Robinson, Washington and Williams.

The applicants with white sounding names got one call, letter or email for every 10 resume’s mailed.  Those with African American names got one response for every 15 resumes mailed.  The study head Sandhil Mullainathan designed the résumés to match in terms of skills. Mullainathan is an associate professor of economics at MIT.

The researchers also tried then tried to give the resumes an advantage with unbroken employment, volunteer activities and other skills valued to see if they would then get if this made a difference.  Candidates with superior resumes got 30 percent more response than superior resumes with African American sounding names. 

It is not known if the companies did not look past the names or discounted the skills listed because they were listed on resumes with African American sounding names.  This is really troubling if employers are screening out non white applicants.

If you are in this position you can try using initials with you last name. It is quite common in the work place to see this.  It is also important to use your network. If you can get a recommendation from someone within the company, that can overcome the name barrier.  Also work as an intern can get you in the door where the company will be familiar with your work.  Internships are often arranged with the candidate’s school so there is no resume screening by the company. The proposed intern at least get the chance to make a favorable impression in an interview.

Summit Training Publications

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Should you take a pay cut?

Chris Wodke

www.summittrainingpublications.com

Many firms and even local governments are asking employees to take unpaid leave or are cutting hours.  If  this is a temporary move and you like your job it makes sense to stay put.  What if you are job hunting and the offer is less than your expectations. I would suggest it is ok to take a pay cut under the following circumstances:

• Relocation
  You may be moving from an expensive area like New York or San Francisco, to a less expensive area like Dallas or Milwaukee.  If the cost of housing is much less to your new area, then you can afford a pay cut.  Do you homework and check the cost of living index.  Your salary should be in line with others in your field with similar experience in your new hometown.
  
  
• Changing Role
  If you are going from being a manager to an individual contributor the salary offered might be smaller.  It may be easier to find a non supervisory job. If there is room for growth in your new organization it may make sense to take the opportunity and work prove yourself to your new company.
  
  
• Career Transition
  If you are moving into a new field you may not have the experience to command a high salary.  The field you are moving to may have a lower salary range. You may start out at the lower end of the position pay range. If there is room for salary growth, this may be a good move. If you are moving from the business world into teaching, expect a lower rate of pay. 
  
  
• Quality of Life
  May be you are tired of 60 hour weeks, working holidays and weekends. If this new job gives you a better quality of life, it may be worth a cut in pay.  Jobs that are dangerous have long hours or rotating shifts pay well because of the disruption to your personal life. If you want better hours, weekends off and less risk a pay cut may be worth it.
  
  
• Non Profit
  Are you at a point in your career where you are financially secure and you want a job that is more rewarding. If you want a chance to contribute to a worthwhile cause, then working for a non profit might be a good fit. They also usually pay a lot less than for profit organizations.  The non tangible rewards may be worth the pay cut.
  
  
• Growth Opportunity
  If you are joining a start up company or a new industry (think computers or the internet 20 years ago) the salary might be low. Companies often offer stock options or other perks. If the company takes off you will share in the success. Because of the potential for payback it may make sense to come in at the lower pay.
  
  
• Benefits
  Look at the overall benefit package. A little lower base pay, may be off set by a great benefit package.  Are there flexible hours?  Is there an opportunity to telecommute?  How much paid leave is offered?  Look at the whole package to determine your total compensation.
  
  
• Contract to Permanent
  If you work on contract or are a consultant you will be compensated at a higher rate than in house employees because you are not paid benefits. If you want the stability and benefits of permanent employment it makes sense to take a pay cut.
  
  
• Downsizing
  If you are in an industry that is downsizing, pay may be decreasing throughout the industry.  Opportunities in industries like manufacturing and airlines can be limited. Compensation and benefits are decreasing.  If you don’t want to transition to another industry it may make sense to take a lower compensation package then you have had to land a job.
  
  
• Over Compensated
  Some firms pay higher than market rates to secure the best talent. If you are downsized out of such an organization you may have to take a pay cut.  Do your research to find out typical compensation for others in your field in your area.  This will help you to know the average pay range to expect. If you were on the very high end, you may have to accept a smaller base salary.
     
  

Sometimes in a tough job market you may have to take a pay cut or fewer responsibilities to secure a position.   Do your research for typical salaries for your skills and experience.  If you accept a lower salary, it may take some time to catch up to your old salary. Typical increase is 2-3% in most companies. You will have to weigh if you can afford to stay out of the work force or if you really need to get back to work to support your family.

Summit Training Publications

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

-PowerPoint Presentation

-Instructor Guide & handouts

-Student Guide

-Quiz

-Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation