Author: Mike Balof

A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Mike used to lay in bed at night and worry about what would happen if his plant closed or found himself without a job. One day his plant closed. Rather than panic and hysteria (OK, maybe a little) Mike found himself carried away on the adventure of his life. Mike started with the best job he ever had working at Home Depot. He spent 8 years working with job seekers at a local workforce center, helping them to find employment. He then started his own company developing courses, writing books and urging others to follow their own paths into the future. Mike holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Business Management, earned through the University of Phoenix and an AAS degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mike is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society.

Tips and Tricks for Success in a Technical Interview 

This week I would like to talk about technical interviews. They can be tricky, and I can give you some insight. I have been on both sides of this type of interview. 

If you are going for a technical position, the people hiring you will be your fellow workers and managers. They have a significant stake in hiring the right person because they will suffer the most if someone gets hired who cannot keep up with the job demands. 

Candidates get judged on their technical knowledge and ability to understand anomalies and respond to them quickly. I have seen this done best by having the interview in one room and a set of colleagues in another. 

One member has another appointment and will leave when needed. After a few general questions, the board will get into a ‘what would you do if’ question to see how you can think on your feet. As they go through the questioning, the person may have to leave for their appointment. And the test goes on. 

What is happening is the board member goes to another room and tells the group of engineers the question and your answer.  They check it for validity and give a few more questions to ask. 

The board member returns to the interview room and asks the new questions as a guise for catching up. These interviews can continue for a few hours until the company people feel they know your abilities. 

The remedy, Be Prepared! 

Look Forward 

I find it interesting sometimes to look at how our body design works. Did you ever notice that we are built with Eyes in the front of our head looking forward? We don’t have them on the sides like horses. We have no physical way we can look behind ourselves. I think we were built this way for a specific purpose. We need to look forward. We must keep an eye on where we’re going, not where we have been. 

The best things in life are out in front of us. We should be looking forward and aiming at the good things in life. If we cannot change the past (and we can’t), why keep dredging it up? Our history is often cluttered with various pains. If we could go back and change the past to make it better. It might be worth looking behind us. Unfortunately, the past is gone. And whatever we do today, we cannot change what happened. 

Although tomorrow itself is out of our reach, if we keep our eye on the future and plan, we can see the possibilities of great things. And actually, work to bring them to fruition. If we’re always looking at the past, we will miss the good things that happen now and in the future. 

I highly recommend eyes forward. It is the best way to see what you desire from life, are willing to work for and make it within your ability to obtain. Never sell yourself short. I believe in people and that they can do whatever they truly put their mind to and are willing to do the work to accomplish.  

Considering Relocation or Remote Work Opportunities 

Sometimes work plays out in one area, and those wanting to stay in that field must move to a new location where the jobs are rising. It happens for many reasons and is often bad for those unwilling to relocate.  

 I have met people who will not change location or learn new techniques or software to stay viable with the current market needs. Some tell me they would not even look for a job until their old one returned. Unfortunately, their old job ended due to technological changes that removed the need for her position. It would not be returning. 

We must keep up with the new changes and innovations within our career fields if we do not want to become obsolete. It is not that our corporations don’t like us. They just cannot keep up with the competition by using older technology. 

Find trade publications you can read online and watch what the competition is doing. It will pay off in the long run. 

Reaching Out to References and Former Colleagues for Job Leads 

A bit of lore in employment talks about being good to people on the way up because you will see them again. That is true. The smaller the career field, the more often you will see them. It is especially true in finding who is looking to hire when you or your former cohorts are looking for a new position. 

Having someone in another company who knows your worth and abilities can be a large part of gaining new employment. Keeping in touch with people you know and have worked with is always good. Sometimes they will be looking for something new, and sometimes it might be you. 

It never hurts to do good for others, especially when you may need something good in return one day. 

Keep a page of those you know and where you worked together. Trying to remember at a time of need is not the most reliable way to contact them. 

Use Feedback from Others to Refine Your Job Search Strategy  

Using any tool or data you can find when looking for a job is essential. It is even more critical when chasing a career. One of the main tools you should use is feedback from the people you interact with during your job search.  

Sometimes it is good to try the advice in small doses until you know how it works. If it works, keep it and use it. If not, at least you tried. Not everything works the same way for everyone. 

As you go through the process of finding a job, you may discover that some things change as technology and hiring standards grow and change. Some companies will hold tight to the traditional ways, and others will go with newer ways that may show better results and less cost in hiring. You must follow each company’s trend when pursuing jobs with them. 

The good thing is that much data is easily gathered through the website and talking to company employees. All you need to do is collect the data and put it to good use. 

Visit Job Fairs, Expo, And Technical Events 

Whenever you can go to a technical gathering that deals with something you do or are interested in, you should take advantage and go there. These meetings help you to go out and see what the latest ideas and techniques are in the industry, and it allows you to gain notice of people who may be interested in hiring someone like you. 

Everyone likes to meet and talk to share ideas at these events. You should not ask for a job or interview because that would be problematic. Instead, have a good resume with you (in a portfolio) and only bring it out if they ask for your resume. This way, they would have a copy for talking with you later should a job come up they thought you were suitable for. 

You can still apply to open jobs on their website anytime. And making acquaintances at this type of event always helps people within the company to know you. It always helps to know someone in a company. 

Tomorrow we will look at using feedback to refine your job search. 

Continuously Evaluate and Improve Your Job Search Strategies 

The same approach will not always work when looking for an excellent job. You will have to look at each company you are applying to. Go over their website to call your skills by the company’s terminology. Many companies have different names for the same work. 

If possible, talk to someone who works at the company so you can better understand what the company is like. It will help the interviewers to see you as part of their team.  

Knowledge is power. The more you know, the better off you are when looking for a job. 

Need Help? mikeb@reveille.rocks

Making Yourself a Better Job Candidate 

If you have time when your company lays you off or lets you go, make sure your resume shows what you did during that time to make yourself better and more knowledgeable for when the work does come back. Take courses on new techniques within your field. Maybe take a class at a local Community College that will give you a better understanding of your career field.  

Spend time talking with other companies and their management to find out what new techniques they are using that you may want to learn more about. Overall, just show that you did not just sit at home and watch shows all day. Show that you did something to contribute to your ability to help a company. 

We cannot control when a company hires or lays off. And we cannot control our nation’s economy by ourselves. What can we control? We learn what we do to make ourselves better candidates and workers for our next company. 

Please join me again tomorrow. We’ll look at what other actions you can take to make a company want to hire you after you get laid off or let go from your last job. 

Volunteering or Interning to Gain Experience and Make Connections 

Volunteering and interning can be excellent ways to gain valuable experience and connections in your field of endeavors. Whether you are a student or a professional looking to advance your career, these opportunities can provide you with hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to give back to your community. 

Volunteering allows you to work with organizations that align with your values and interests. You can work in various settings, from hospitals to schools to non-profit organizations. Volunteering helps you develop new skills and deepen your understanding of your community’s issues. Additionally, it can be a terrific way to meet people and expand your professional network. 

Conversely, interning provides a more structured and focused experience in a specific industry or company. An internship can allow you to work on real projects, gain industry-specific skills and knowledge, and make valuable connections with professionals in your desired field. Many apprenticeships also offer the opportunity to earn academic credit, making it a great way to combine academic study with practical experience. 

Whether you volunteer or intern, both opportunities can help you build your resume and stand out to potential employers. They can also give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment as you work to impact your community and gain valuable experience positively. 

Building A Personal Brand and Online Presence 

You want to be noticed for your brand and presence online today. Your brand is how the world views you. We rely more on the internet to connect and conduct business. Everyone from friends to hiring companies will be looking at your social media, website (if you have one), and anything else you may have put on the internet. Make sure that what you have on the internet is what you want people to see and think of you. 

Here are some tips on building a solid personal brand and online presence: 

  1. Identify what makes you different from others. What are your unique skills and strengths? What do you have to offer that others do not? 
  1. Once you have shown your unique strengths and skills, you can develop your brand, including a clear and consistent message that communicates who you are and what you stand for. 
  1. Having a website is an effective way to establish your online presence. Make your website easy to navigate, visually appealing, and highlight your skills and expertise. 
  1. Creating content is essential to establish yourself as an expert in your field. It can include blog posts, videos, podcasts, and social media 
  1. Engaging your audience is vital for building a robust online presence. It includes responding to comments and messages and participating in online communities related to your field. 

Building a personal brand and online presence does take time and effort, and it is well worth it in today’s digital world. Follow these tips to establish yourself as an expert in your field and stand out.