Hiring that Entrepreneurial Spirit, not the Entrepreneur

CorneliusI have a lot of experience when it comes to interviewing. I have been the interviewer and the interviewee on several occasions, and one of the most unnerving questions asked during any interview is “where do you see yourself in five years?” Most of the time, people with an entrepreneurial spirit, although they plan on being with the company for the long run, also have personal goals outside the job. That’s why this question can be a deal maker or deal breaker. I believe that every company would want someone with an entrepreneurial spirit rather than a person who is simply an entrepreneur. These are the people who challenge the norm, have original opinions that move a discussion forward, and act with tenacity and determination.
Continue reading “Hiring that Entrepreneurial Spirit, not the Entrepreneur”

Dumbing Down a Resume: Is It Smart?

Often people with excellent job skills and extensive years of work experience sit with me and complain that their job search is stretching out far too long. They begin to consider taking jobs below their level of expertise just to make ends meet. Their first questions to me are “What should I do about my resume? Should I dumb down my experience and qualifications to get a lesser level position?” Continue reading “Dumbing Down a Resume: Is It Smart?”

Should You “Apply Down” for Jobs?

The ups and downs of a fallback position.

With a finance degree and five solid years as a financial analyst, Tamara did not picture herself working as a restaurant server again. “Times are tough right now, you do what you have to do in order to pay the bills,” she says with a shrug. Continue reading “Should You “Apply Down” for Jobs?”