Comments on: Check The Forecast

By: David Brooks

David Brooks — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 11:32:53 +0000

Lisa, I understand the point that you are making about looking at the bigger picture and trends in industry directions. To me trends are a very difficult gage to go with just because I.T. is changing rapidly. It seems that I’m always behind the curve and that’s not where I want to be. For example, health care has been promoted as a growth industry, but in my short time there it’s a business with the same issues as all other businesses. On the other hand, health care givers in certain areas are in demand and just like any other position they will not always be there because of changes in technology. Perhaps you can give me some direction on ways to follow trends, Thanks !

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 23:51:54 +0000

David, that doesn’t surprise me. In those situations the key is finding a way to show off what you know while leaving the interviewer thinking adding you would help them fill in a missing gap in terms of knowledge. You certainly don’t want the person interviewing you to be left feeling dumb. My post wasn’t so much about researching companies ahead of interviews, however. Though I’m totally down with that. My point is more about taking a look at the big picture and following trends so job seekers can better guess where opportunity is likely to be down the road and what they’ll need to be equipped with to capture it. For example, it’s stunning to me so few job seekers know the platforms of those running for political office and are ignorant of pending or newly passed legislation that directly affect business in their state. To me that’s a tactical error.

By: David Brooks

David Brooks — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:48:48 +0000

Lisa, I have taken the time to do research before an interview and I agree with your post however, when using the information found, I find that some or most interviewers don’t know that information about the company and can’t answer my questions. It left me woundering if I may have lost a possible position because the interviewer didn’t know how to answer my question about their company. Maybe its a company that I wouldn’t want to work for anyway or maybe its my presentation and how I asked the question. That said, I will always know the company that I’m interviewing for.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:56:06 +0000

Scot, it is pretty obvious. Your last sentence is the heart of the issue. So often when I hear “I don’t have time” it’s also evident the person doesn’t have the interest. My Grandfather told me at a young age to always stay curious. The curious go places, have a more interesting existence and are less likely to make the mistake of believing/acting on what they see on the surface exclusively.

By: Scot Richards

Scot Richards — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:44:01 +0000

Insightful commentary Lisa. Sometimes hearing relatively obvious things from a voice other than one’s own is enough to take another look at how one is spending the their time. It is always a matter of priorities; not having the time means not making the time.

@Scot_R