(Updated links from August 7, 2017 Blog Post and 3/4/2019 Updated Post)
 
Consulting companies that utilize case interviews will often offer tips for preparing for this interview style. Since this interview focuses on problem-solving, the key aspects are:
Listening and understanding the case details
Asking about missing details or for clarification
Showing your thought process by thinking through the case out loud.

The case interview is typically used to show how you would interact with clients and organize projects. Treat the case interview as if it is a client problem or project proposal.

Some companies, like McKinsey & Company offer sample cases. If your targeted employer doesn't offer sample cases, check for actual client or project stories under the "About" or "Services" tabs.

For additional tips on preparing, review these company pages:

• Bain & Company - https://www.bain.com/careers/hiring-process/interviewing/
• McKinsey & Company (Includes sample cases) - http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/interviewing 
• Deloitte (Includes practice case) - https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/careers/articles/join-deloitte-case-interview-prep-tool.html

Other companies may incorporate a case study as a written essay.

Review your prospective employer's career pages for information on their interview process. Also, check sites like Glassdoor.com for other descriptions of the interviewing process with comments from other candidates.

#career #interviewing #mondaythoughts

One of the biggest challenges when applying for that job or preparing your self-evaluation is deciding what to say. In my coaching and my personal career, I use a two-column analysis to brainstorm accomplishments and highlight strengths. I've put together a handout to help you get started.

How do you best brainstorm?

You can use a text document, spreadsheet, hand-written, mind map, or crayons on the wall. Whichever format you use, it is important to get you thought down and organized.

A two-column analysis helps you look at either your current position or a targeted position. Use the left-side to write out the requirements and responsibilities of the job. On the right, you will brainstorm your related accomplishments, including outcomes and skills used. 

Don't edit or eliminate yet.

In brainstorming, you want to make note of everything.

After you've gotten a good list, you can go back and highlight your strengths. If you are struggling to brainstorm, work on the list in short bursts of time, put it away, and come back to it. 

Identify the 3 to 5 strengths that reflect what is most important to the employer and you biggest accomplishments. These strengths are then the focus of the resume, cover letter, interview stories, or self-evaluation.

If you like structure, I've put together a 2-page, 2-column Job Analysis Worksheet (PDF) that uses skill categories that are highly sought after by employers. 

The time is ripe for you to develop a great answer to the interview question, "Tell me about a time you had to overcome a challenge."

During the 2020 virus outbreak and shelter in place order, I....

> I quickly identified what our teams needed to work from home and got them the equipment and software so we could be productive, stay connected with each other, and stay connected with our clients.

> I worked with our clients to help them develop alternative services for customers sheltering in place and sought out new customers impacted by supply chain breakdowns.

> I was furloughed until work demand picked up again. I analyzed trends in skills in demand and completed online classes in [lists skills here]. In the capstone project, I ..."

Think about the challenges you are currently facing and how you've overcome these challenges or how you could.

Write your STAR stories:
Situation
Task
Action
Result

See more tips about interviewing in my Resource pages or other blog posts.

Individuals have several options to pursue to achieve their long-term goals. Different career paths can lead to similar career goals, like different geographic paths to the same map location. I developed the Career Path worksheet to help you brainstorm where you are, what you want to achieve, and the possible paths for achieving your goals.

You can move through the worksheet from top to bottom or bottom to top, but spend time on each section:

• Your current strengths, knowledge, skills, and experience (bottom)
• Long-term goals and the knowledge, skills, and experience needed (top)
• Immediate career options and the knowledge, skills, and experience needed (middle)

Career Path worksheet

Take a first pass at filling out the worksheet based on what you already know and ideas you've already developed. 

If you get stuck, check out these resources.
​
Current strengths
Self-assessment resources
Strengths Based Leadership – ($$) Assesses your top leadership strengths and provides specific strategies for leading with your top five strengths. 

Immediate career options
Career transition resource page and other worksheets,

Long-term goals
Career transition resource page and other worksheets, 

And, don't forget that networking with other professionals is the best way to discover career options and what those jobs look like today. 

There isn't just one way to achieve your goals. But, with a little work, you can figure out your best options.

​I don't always hear back from clients. Our work tends to happen early in the process. When our work leads to a successful transition, their focus is usually on starting that new position. I love hearing from clients. I definitely love hearing about their success and how I helped.

Recently, a client shared:
"I wanted to let you know I was offered the ... position at (a non-profit organization) this morning and have accepted it.  I can’t thank you enough for all the work you did in helping me prepare.  I didn't realize how unprepared I was until we went through the coaching process and resume updates.  Your assistance made a huge difference."

If you need help with a current search or with prepping for a career transition, check out my Blog and online resources or contact me about coaching.

I can work in several areas of my home and regularly move my laptop depending on what other equipment I need and how much my back and neck hurt.

The sofa is comfortable, but I can use other notes and books. The dog (pictured above) will also kick the computer or use it as a pillow while snuggling against my side.

A desk in one room has the cleanest look for conference calls, but the old wooden school chair gets uncomfortable after a while. The desk also isn’t the best height for lots of typing.

Another provides the most workspace for my genealogy research, but the bookcases are over filled with books, projects, and toys. They don’t provide the cleanest backdrop for conference calls.

In all these spaces, I regularly correct my body posture when my neck and back start screaming.

To keep your body from protesting, check your home office set-up and your body posture. Use pillows and cushions to more correctly align body, eyes, keyboard, and monitor if you can’t change your equipment.

Check these resources:

• Workstation Review Flowchart from HumanTech: https://www.humantech.com/special/enewsletter/Workstation_Flowchart_Humantech.jpg
• Mayo Clinic Tips: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169

Stretch out those muscles when you start to feel aches and pains. One of my favorites for the neck is the chin tuck.

#Career #ShelterInPlace #SIP #WorkFromHome #WorkFromHomeTips #SocialDistancing

The biggest decisions households need to make are: 

1. which days and hours you will be working and need privacy, 
2. when you will be monitoring work (phones and emails), but will multitask with other obligations
3. when you will be dark to work unless it is an emergency. There will also need to be an agreement for how emergencies / priority items will be communicated and designated so appropriate decisions can be made.

Post hours, if needed, to remind each other when you are available for interruptions and when you need privacy. The is especially critical for conference calls. Dogs and kids interrupting can be cute and provide a smile when we need it. But, inappropriately dressed partners just lead to viral video that you can’t get back. 

Other items you need to discuss or decide on:

• How will household assignments and roles be shared and divided.
• Workspace for each person (equipment and physical space away from as many distractions as possible)
• Record Retention and Protection
• Tax implications

The biggest thing to discuss or decide on is how to bring in a little fun. Go for walks, reading, garden, have a game night, and hold video chats with friends and family.

#Career #ShelterInPlace #SIP #WorkFromHome #WorkFromHomeTips #SocialDistancing

Previously, childcare and pet care could be managed so work from home hours and practice could more easily be structured. With remote schooling and closed doggie day care, childcare and pet care need to be fitted in with work responsibilities.

Since we are going to be working and schooling from home for at least the next month, have conversations with employers/employees and housemates about what this will look like.

The biggest decisions the employers and households need to make are: 

1. which days and hours you will be working (full attention), 
2. when you will be monitoring work (phones and emails), but will multitask with other obligations
3. when you will be dark to work unless it is an emergency. There will also need to be an agreement for how emergencies / priority items will be communicated and designated so appropriate decisions can be made.

Common elements with company work from home agreements include:

• work hours, assignments, and responsibilities (work, monitoring, and dark hours)
• pay, benefits, and attendance
• leave needs approval
• overtime needs approval
• Equipment and workspace approved for use
• What if anything will get reimbursed
• What if any HR policies apply
• Tax and legal implications
• How work will be evaluated
• Record retention and protection
• Termination of work from home agreement

Check the following for agreement templates and language examples:

• Berkeley: https://hr.berkeley.edu/policies/policies-procedures/university/telecommuting/model-agreement
• Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM): https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/policies/pages/telecommuting_policy.aspx
• Global Workplace Analytics Template: https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/sample-documents/sample-telework-agreement
• Think HR Template: https://www.thinkhr.com/hrhotline/alerts/Sample%20Telecommuting%20Agreement.pdf

See Part 2: Elements to Discuss and Decide While Sheltering In Place

#Career #ShelterInPlace #SIP #WorkFromHome #WorkFromHomeTips #SocialDistancing

Each day brings more worries and questions. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) manages the unemployment benefits process for Illinois and has added information to their website for people impacted by COVID-19.

"Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. IDES recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible." (https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/Pages/COVID-19-and-Unemployment-Benefits.aspx : accessed 27 Mar 2020) Check the website for frequently asked questions and up to date details.

In addition to other questions, the page answers the following:

• What determines if I'm able to work?
• What determines if I'm available for work?
• What determines if I'm actively seeking work?
• What if I'm temporarily laid off because the place where I work is temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 virus?
• What if I quit my job because I am generally concerned over the COVID-19 virus?

If you live in another state, check your state's criteria for unemployment benefits.

#career #COVID19 #unemployment

The Resource pages that were visited most often were:

• Self Assessment
• Career Transition
• Linkedin and Resumes
• Interviewing
• Networking 101

2020 Vision
Through coaching and online resources, my vision is helping you understand today's job search process, identify and communicate your strengths, and tell your story.

If you have questions that aren't covered by these posts and pages, ask me.