NOTES FOR INTERPRETATION

CLIP 11 (BODY LANGUAGE)

* Interview: u r judged on more than what u say (how u stand, gesture &
sit)
I'M CAT MILLER, AND THIS IS DICE TV.
* Interviewing: pay as much attention to your physical presence as u do
to your words (voice --> fact; body --> everything else)
* Start in reception area (waiting): unwind, breathe deeply, & relax any
tense part, breathe naturally & keep it throughout interview
* --> interview room: stand tall, put shoulders back, & smile (act as if u
belonged there + ready to shake hands)
* Maintain eye contact all through interview (without staring)
No eye contact --> look nervous
Look down at floor --> don't want to be there
Though hard, helps connect with interviewer (builds trust + lets u know
how u r coming across)
* Emphasize main points with deliberate arm/hand gestures (don't sling
head to 1 side; don't nod excessively) while appearing relaxed
* How? Practicing (role-play w family member/friend who acts as
interviewer; video rehearsals & watch together --> feedback)
* Body language use learned --> more persuasive during any interaction
(interview / 1-on-1 meeting / presentation to a team / conference speech)
CLIP 12 (TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF)
* "Tell me about yourself" sounds pretty benign? Saying wrong thing here -->
lethal
I'M CAT MILLER, AND THIS IS DICE TV.
* Smart to think ahead about answering what seems to be simple question (go
on too long + ramble too much --> suddenly lost shine u've been trying to
present to potential manager)
* Key: not to make question jumping-off point for career version of
autobiography required by 3rd-grade teacher (I was born in Metropolis, Ohio.
My father's a car dealer. I have a sister - Patty, 2 brothers - Joe & Bill, and a
dog...)
* Interviewer: not looking for completeness but a coherent story --> indications
that u r good fit for opening (answers: briefly convey a sense of who u r &
where u r going + why opening's logical next step); no need to make it explicit
but suggest it --> score points
* Mention previous career ---prepares--> this role & focus on accomplishments
(not just responsibilities/functions) + tell brief anecdote about
challenge/project/lesson directly relevant to new role (don't talk about every job
/ why u left them)
* Best answer: Goldilocks (meaning "not too extreme") quality: just enough
details without getting tedious/long-winded / concise but not too concise
(maybe 2' long assuming interviewer doesn't break in)
* Watch yourself from outside while answering --> against rambling (catch
yourself delve deeper & deeper into 1 situation / past job --> cut yourself off &
move on)

CLIP 13 (CUSTOMIZING YOUR APPROACH)

* Talk turkey! Want to get job --> customize your approach
I'M CAT MILLER, AND THIS IS DICE TV.
* Job hunting is a "no one size fits all" process: want company to see u as
perfect match --> connect their needs & your solutions, but how?
* Step 1: homework (demonstrate u r match on all levels, not just
technical skill --> study job description & company's website, including
news releases, mission statement, & CEO's message in annual report -->
learn tone set by executives + corporate values + company's priorities)
* Step 2: get yourself some corporate culture (google for company &
executive info., check social networking sites & blogs written by
company employees, ask recruiter about business's challenges & what
interviewer will be looking for)
* (Step 3): cover letter & resumé --> show u understand position's
requirements & demonstate why u r best job candidate (employers want
people who can think --> mention sth that needs solving & how u can
help)
* Finally: preparation will pay off once you score (interview)
Anticipate some questions --> give u more confidence

CLIP 14 (NEVER SAY "I'LL TAKE ANYTHING")

* May feel desperate or very well BE desperate, but
"I'll take anything" (job interview) --> may blow your chances of being
offered job
I'M CAT MILLER, AND THIS IS DICE TV.
* Interviewer hears those 3 words ("I'll take anything") --> total red flag
(worst thing u could say) b/c it implies: do anything while looking for job
u really want
* Keep in mind: employers look out for their best interests (not yours)
interviewer (HR person / manager) interested in meeting company's needs
--> your job: demonstrate your advanced thinking about what they need
& how u can help --> calls for preparation (show u r the one with skill &
passion for job / person who's taken time to research company & given
real thought to how those fit in)
more u know about company & job --> more attention u'll get
* Also score points by playing it cool (candidates a little too excited -->
managers nervous) but cool & relaxed (not cool & aloof)
Reply to phone calls, messages, & emails promptly (or u'll be moved out)
bottom line: be confident, not desperate!
* Interview to sell yourself & your skill --> company: remember u (if not
get job --> be invited back later)

CLIP 15 (HOW LONG SHOULD YOUR RESUMÉ BE?)

* Want to stand out from crowd? Stick around & I'll tell u how.
I'M CAT MILLER, AND THIS IS DICE TV.
* Competition for jobs: heating up (an economic thing) --> if u want
employers to notice u, your resumé has got to show them just how
professional u are --> BE BRIEF!
* Most HR departments: understaffed & overworked (1 job posting can
inundate them in just hours) --> what u say, consider: 10-30'' for most
resumés to be moved up or thrown out (too long / crowded --> rejected)
* Purpose of resumé: get u interview --> guidelines:
(1) resumé, not autobiography --> work history & skills (don't
mention race/religion/politics/gender
(2) powerful objective/headline & strong summary (1 st things
employer will see --> best-selling points: right at top / blow name &
address)
(3) resumé: look crisp & clean (type size: no more than 12 pts & no
less than 10; if struggling for space --> look for some more to cut)
* Remember: 10'' (resumé: well designed + easy to follow + tight +
demonstrate why u r best candidate who should be called in for
interview

CLIP 16 (HOW TO BE A BETTER WRITER)

* No getting around it; to get anywhere in job market today --> an
effective writer
I'M CAT MILLER, AND THIS IS DICE TV.
* Your resumé, cover letters, thank-yous, follow-ups, presentations, even
your daily email are all judged on how skillfully u arrange & rearrange
those 26 letters of the alphabet in a persuasive, lively extension of your
personality --> writing well takes practice --> some things to think about:
(1) Nifty trick (Buddhist) in teaching awareness: notice what u r seeing --
> it works --> do same thing when reading (seek out good literature, e.g.
well-written business book --> aware of how authors use words to make
strong points / good authors' effective techniques --> adapt them for
yourself)
(2) When u can, start early on written work and make changes to memos
& presentations based on lessons learnt by reading others' work (--> also
catch simple mistakes driving some managers crazy, e.g. loose vs. lose)
(3) Smashing Magazine has nice little list of 50 writing helpers --> check
it out & keep practicing

CLIP 17 (HOW TO MAKE A WORLD-CLASS PORTFOLIO

PRESENTATION)
* Spend days writing code / managing projects, so how to bring more
than words --> interview?
I'M CAT MILLER, AND THIS IS DICE TV.
* People think visually --> answer: a career portfolio (mini-presentation
used to illustrate your answers & provide proof of your technical skills; +
copies of resumé, certifications, & publications + powerpoint slides of
timelines/charts illustrating your projects
* Laptop OK, but have hard copy handy --> open it up quickly wherever
interviewing (office / conference room / cafeteria)
Ready --> place it in front of interviewer + maintain eye contact (even if
changing seat / adjusting chair)
Know content inside & out --> navigate through various sections without
getting lost / flustered
Press fingers on binder edge --> u maintain control
Stick to highlights & tell interesting stories (not share vacation photos
with friends)
Explain your projects: express ideas clearly & confidently; point out
critical items & project timelines/diagrams
Ask if u have answered his questions --> expand if u need to
Remember: just go with flow --> he: impressed by presentation --> offer
CLIP 18 (SURVIVING THE RECESSION)
* How to survive a recession? Make yourself valuable. Stick around & I'll
tell u how.
I'M CAT MILLER, AND THIS IS DICE TV.
* No way around it: If we want job security nowadays, we have to go the
extra mile --> some ways to make managers keep u on board
(1) Align your goals w your company's objectives (what u do every day
<---> company's business plan)
(2) Don't jump to cool new technology (create efficiencies & deliver
basics through technologies installed & proven)
(3) Transfer to mission-critical project (improve & maintain existing
applications / improve productivity)
(4) Suggest ways to increase operating efficiencies (e.g. figure out way to
streamline accounts payable)
(5) Acquire new skills (--> increase your present value & your future
marketability)
(6) Create revenue opportunities (network w other techies at client
companies --> uncover unmet need & suggest new service to meet it)
(7) Be team player (don't rush to ask for a raise)

CLIP 19 (MAKING MEETINGS WORTHWHILE)

* Meetings: some afraid to open mouths --> show up their lack of
technical skill --> listen & take a lot of notes; old saying "90% --> that's
exactly what everyone in the room has already done." --> how you can do
more
I'M CAT MILLER, AND THIS IS DICE TV.
* To be effective in a meeting, you need agenda (not organizer's agenda
but your own list of what you want to accomplish)
Without that --> not have much influence
With that (prepared) --> your voice heard + measure outcome
* Old-rule fun (theater): start big as u can always tone it down -->
directly translates to conference room (the longer u wait to speak, the less
impact u have) --> moral: participate early
Don't know enough to expression intelligent opinion --> ask questions
Seat location: crucial --> sit directly across from chair person / if they're
at table end --> sit 3 spaces down on either side --> talk to chair without
anyone having to lean out of way & speak loudly enough (heard by rest
of attendees)
* After meeting: 5' at desk --> write what u did right & what u could've
done better (private notes for u) --> set personal benchmark for next
meeting

CLIP 20 (IS IT TIME TO CHANGE CAREERS?)

* Thinking of making a change? address the change in the direction of yor
career? old saying "Look before you leap" was invented for this
I'M CAT MILLER, AND THIS IS DICE TV.
* Before you embark on new career, take long look back at what u r doing now
What u don't like about your job? happy doing same thing somewhere else that
offers potential for advancement? your boss jerk? too much pressure all
around? Don't mistake these things for signs you feel have nothing more to
offer!
* Think about what u do like about your job (your specialty & IT in general);
times tough --> easy to overlook good things
Avoid the greener grass syndrome! (new field: solve problems identified? new
set of issues u don't face in IT? --> consider carefully)
Make a switch --> wrong move --> right back where u started
* Decide to move: fresh start doesn't mean abandoning assets u developed
Reassess your abilities from an outsider's perspective
Make list of your strengths (not just techincal skills) & consider how they
might translate into new role --> KEY: effectively market your transferrable
skills
Remember your network (never more important than when switching careers)
--> re-establish contact (e.g. go to conferences & professional association
events in IT / any new field)
Look for ways u might be able to try out new direction without diving in head
first (e.g. volunteering / short-term consulting)
Approach career change as long-term investment (might take years to pay
dividends)
Taking close look at all reasons & possible consequences: time well spent -->
be able to go or stay with confidence