Broderbund's Alan Byrne Unveils
Interviewing Techniques...
and a Lot More

If you missed the October 14, 1998 General Meeting, you missed a humorous and enlightening view from the other side of the Human Relations desk. Alan Byrne has been the director of human resources at Broderbund Software for three years. While his job is challenging, especially as the recent mergers are causing many changes, he enjoys the human interaction.

Byrne's presentation was well prepared and responsive to topics raised by his audience. Therefore, his advice (which he based on his experience and his company's philosophy) covered interviewing and a lot more.

Take responsibility for the interview.

Byrne emphasized strongly that it's your interview; you are the one who can make it effective. Most interviewers will want to know about your greatest skills and accomplishments and how you will fit in. Make the interviewer want to sell you to the boss.

He said that his first question to an interviewee is always, "What are you here to accomplish?" He wants to know right from the beginning if you have done your homework or if he has to do all of the work. To make an impression on your interviewer, find out all you can about the company and what they need. Use the internet, publications, or an informational interview. More than "how qualified" are you, they want to know what you can contribute to them.

Preparing for the interview.

From the moment you get up in the morning do something to mentally rev yourself up until you are thinking, "Who wouldn't want to hire me?" Try a motivational "quote for the day," some meditation, or talk to yourself in the mirror. Make the following part of your pre-interview process:

• Pump up your energy!
• Decide what to wear that will make you look and feel good.
• Coordinate everything.
• Review your resume and anything else that you sent the company so that what they know about you is fresh in your mind.
• Review what you learned about them so that you are prepared to take charge! Show the interviewer that you have a contribution to make!

To reiterate the main point, prepare mentally. Re-experience a proud moment in your life, and take that feeling in with you. You want "to feel like you've been touched by an angel, except - like you've been touched by the employment gods!"

Before you get the interview.

Every day you need to spend eight hours working on getting a job. Take charge during this stressful time. Make this time positive.

• Set daily goals.
• Agendize needed actions.
• Make 20 contacts each day.

Network!

The number one way to get employed!

Of each person with whom you speak, ask for the name of five other people you should call. Everyone you talk to should know who you are and what your focus is.

Talking to someone because they know someone one else, is a great start in networking. Positions may be made available if people make the right connection. Offer to start as a contract worker to see how it fits. Employers are looking for people who fit their culture. Chemistry is more important than merely being qualified. Get in the door and network! Make connections and keep in contact!

How else can you find out about jobs?

By law, jobs have to be posted for five days in-house, and then they can be posted outside. Sometimes the inside posting is done on a company's website. Other sites on the internet are Monsterboard or Career Mosaic. Headhunter.com is Marin based and you can sign on free and post your resume for employers to see. Check your web sites daily. When you find jobs posted, send a resume.

Phone Calls.

After sending your resume, call every few weeks until they return your call. Don't worry about how they feel. You're the one looking for the job. If after persistence you still get no response, maybe the culture of the company is wrong for you.

Job Fairs.

Here is another place to make contacts. Take your resume and business cards. Get there early! Remember, you want to make an impression. Do not just drop off your resume and run! If there is a long line, come back later. You need to make eye contact, shake a hand, and talk to the person at the booth. Help them out. Check out jobs which are listed and tell the person that you see a position is listed and tell them how that fits you. Or, if nothing fits you, tell them who you are and what you are looking for and that you are interested in any opportunity their company might have to use your skills. Ask if you may leave your resume and if they would call you if something comes up.

Your Resume.

Make sure it shows that you have worked hard on it!

• Check to see if it makes sense. Have people check it over. Have friends read it and give you feedback. Does it represent your talents? Does it represent the skills necessary for the job for which you are applying?
• "Embellish! Blow your ego onto the page." If you handed it to your mother would she say, "That's my child!"?
• Do not put your picture on your resume.

When you turn in your resume or application, talk with someone. An H.R. person is usually willing to see you. Early in the day their energy may be better than late in the day.

Motivational Coach.

Choose someone who will be positive towards you and keep you pumped up everyday. You can make it happen!