Recently I reconnected with a dance teacher I had not seen in 30 years; I found her daughter though a social networking site and she told me that her mother was still working in her dance studio in New Jersey at the age of 80! When I reached her by phone, she immediately asked “So tell me about yourself, how are you doing?”

I first felt at a loss for words; where should I begin?

Should I tell her about my life since I was a teenager, that I had  earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in career counseling, married, raised three children, lost my husband to a fatal heart attack, remarried, moved across the country, reinvigorated my new career, and work with an urban ministry with my church?

OR

Should I tell her that I had never forgotten my experience taking dance lessons from her for 10 years, how I later taught dance part-time at a YMCA for 9 years, and that my daughters now dance competitively? Should I discuss with her how much dancing has changed since the early 1970s when I was her student? Should I explain how her creative dancing instruction techniques highly influenced my methods and philosophy of teaching?

Obviously, the second answer is correct. When asked this question during an interview, “So tell me about yourself,” think about what an employer wants to hear. “Tell me about yourself… as it relates to this specific position for which I am interviewing.” My dance teacher might have fallen asleep if I had shared with her my whole life story, so wasn‘t it better to relate details that dealt with how she had impacted my life personally in the field of dance after she had shared her wisdom and knowledge with me?

When interviewing for a position, always keep in mind the employer’s needs. He or she wants to know if you are a match for the job. So whatever question an employer asks during an interview, add on this ending in your mind: “…as it relates to this position.” Employers spend time interviewing you for one reason, to see if you are a right fit for the job. They don’t care where you grew up, what your favorite hobbies are, or what you had for breakfast. Always keep that perspective in mind, keep your eyes on the goal, and aim for it!

P.S. By the way, in the picture above, it’s me in the lower left corner…

First, many employers don’t even bother to read cover letters. They know from experience that most cover letters are glorified form letters that simply state the job seekers qualifications without referring to specific company needs. I wouldn’t want to read one of those letters myself.

However, if someone has taken the time to find out exactly what would help a potential employer’s business grow, expand, or save money, that letter will get attention.

Here are some tips to make sure that your cover letter will get noticed.

1. Address the letter by name to someone who has the power to hire you, avoiding the HR department if at all possible. Research the person’s background on LinkedIn and/or Google to see if he or she has been quoted, has contributed to any publications, or has participated in some noteworthy event. Look for something in common that you share. The person will be impressed that you took the time to find out more.

2. Find out specific company needs and how you can meet them. You may have to dig deeply by talking to someone who actually works there or by reading recent news stories. Don’t limit yourself to the company website, as you will get a one-sided impression from the company’s point of view. Try www.glassdoor.com and www.linkedin.com as good resources to find out from insiders what it is like to work at that company.

3. Make your letter short and to the point. No cover letter should be more than one page or one screen long.

4. Say how you plan to follow up, then do it. Never end a cover letter with “I hope to hear from you soon.” Politely take the initiative, mark a date in your calendar to follow up, and keep your commitment.

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Another time while attending a seminar presented by a woman who specialized in writing executive resume portfolios, I was intrigued when she mentioned that many CIOs began their careers as accountants. My son is in college studying accounting and hopes to obtain a summer internship with a major accounting firm. After the seminar I approached her, complimented her on her superb presentation, and told her a little about my son. She related that another conference attendee’s husband works for a top accounting firm, and recommended that I talk to him. Both he and his wife were delightful and went out of their way to help. She told me a year ago a resume she had written for a college student seeking an accounting internship had been featured during the conference, and had resulted in an interview and a job offer for the student. She graciously emailed that sample resume to me on the spot. Her husband shared some informative inside information on his employer, and offered to give my son tips on securing an internship in his company as well as advice on the accounting profession in general. I immediately called my son so he could follow up.

Are you embarrassed to talk to strangers? People love talking about their jobs, and rarely do people in our me-centered society think to leave their comfort zone and make the first move. Not only can you learn details about about a profession, a company, and pros and cons of working there, but you also will be fostering and nurturing networking relationships that can last a lifetime.

During these informal conversations, don’t forget to offer help to others as well. Find out how your expertise may benefit them or someone they know. Nothing beats investing time in personal relationships, even if you do embarrass your kids in the process!

If you are concerned about future job security, don’t procrastinate and hope that things will turn out for the best. Start now! It is better to be prepared for a change than to have it thrust upon you unexpectedly.

So where to begin? First, avoid the temptation to tell anyone at your present company you are looking for another job. It almost always has a way of getting back to your boss, which could result in you needing another job more quickly than you had envisioned. Caution and discretion are the keys to keeping the job you have.

Update your résumé before contacting potential employers so you can provide one immediately upon request. Prepare a references list of people who know you in a work capacity but don’t include any from your current job.

Begin networking with people who may have an inside track to openings in their companies. Join a local professional group such as Toastmasters or the American Business Woman’s Association. Volunteer for a nonprofit agency that supports a cause you believe in. Offer your expertise and assistance; don’t merely join for what you can get out it. Be a good listener, and don’t be tempted to criticize your current employer. You never know who may relay your discontent to your boss.

Don’t be surprised if the contact to your next position is found where you least expect it. One person told a museum tour guide she was looking for a job as a legal assistant. The tour guide’s fiancé worked at a law firm, who introduced her to a lawyer who offered her a job. The only people you cannot talk to are those at your current company. That leaves the field wide open.

A few more tips on subtle job hunting. Don’t use company office equipment to prepare your résumé or to make phone calls. It isn’t fair to your current employer and makes it more difficult to keep your job search a secret. Rather, use vacation time and time before or after work to go on interviews, write letters and make calls.

Be wary about responding to job postings that don’t mention a company name. Your own employer may have placed the advertisement that “fits” you so well. Only respond to those postings from clearly indentified employers.

Don’t let fear, anger or self-pity keep you from performing well at your current job. Your fears may be unrealistic and your job may be secure. Take advantage of training opportunities to update and improve upon your current skills. Complete the degree you have been putting off. In this competitive job market, it is important to have appropriate credentials and transferable, marketable skills. Prepare yourself well; maintain a positive outlook and you will be prepared for the next step in your successful career.

Other generous employers not only provide a severance package, but also provide former employees with a range of outplacement services to help them quickly find a new job, including resume preparation, skills analysis, retraining opportunities, and or other job search assistance.

Yesterday I spoke with someone who had been a successful retail store manager for more than 10 years. He had participated in SWAT teams to bolster performance at other stores, more than doubled his own store’s earnings, and retained 100% of his full-time employees. One day he was briefly told that his services were no longer required, and was offered no severance at all. It just doesn’t seem right.

What is the case in your experience? Please respond. I still want to research the topic further and see how we can help both companies and job seekers alike.

Everyone has something in their past they wish had not happened. Very few people possess a spotless work history. Besides the obvious “What if I get caught?” concern, deep down you would know if you got a job under false pretenses. You would know the truth.

I have a friend in the insurance business. Early in his career, he made an error that resulted in a large premium increase for one of his customers. Instead of trying to hide his mistake, he made an appointment with the customer, admitted his error and humbly waited to accept the consequences. Instead, the customer admired his honesty, and told his employer he only wanted this man to work on his accounts, because he knew he could trust him.

Are trust, honesty, and integrity no longer valued in corporate America? I don’t think so, and if you are tempted to lie you may get short-term rewards, but long-term disappointment.

So what to do if you are currently struggling to find a job, and worry that your less-than-stellar work history may be to blame? This is not an easy question to answer in one posting, but consider these suggestions:

1. Ensure your résumé is targeted to a specific job, and include relevant reasons why you should be selected.
2. Don’t rely on one job search method. Instead employ a multi-faceted approach.
3. Make the most of your personal and professional network, and expand it as much and as often as possible.
4. If trying to change careers, consider volunteering or shadowing someone you admire in the field.
5. Update your professional education to increase your knowledge and employability.

But never, never lie on your résumé, no matter how tempting it may seem. It is never worth it!

First, there are still work out there that needs to be done. Many employees are overwhelmed, doing the work of numerous people who were let go. Many employers are using temporary or contract workers to get by until they have authorization to hire someone. If you research which companies are doing this sort of thing, you may be able to get your foot in the door until something more permanent materializes. In the meantime, you can evaluate an employer from the inside and decide if this is a place where you want to work long-term.

Second, consider volunteering. Pick a cause you believe in and have perhaps supported financially in the past, and give an organization the gift of your time. Not only will you feel good for making the world a better place, but you may also come into contact with someone who may know someone who can refer you to a great job. Spend at least one hour a week making a difference in someone’s life, and you can’t go wrong.

Third, identify companies where you want to work, whether or not they are currently hiring. Once positions are advertised to the general public, you will be competing with hundreds if not thousands of other applicants. Conduct in-depth research on these companies and their current needs. Locate people already employed there, preferably in departments where you want to work. Let them know how you can add to their profits or improve their procedures.

Finally, enlist a buddy or a coach to help you through the rough patches. Meet regularly to evaluate your progress and cheer for each other’s efforts. The more targeted time you spend on your search, the more quickly you will find a job. The less time you spend… well you know the answer to that!