Job Search Blurts

I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous and apprehensive way of saying something in the job search that makes you feel like a buffoon. A "blurt" is a catchy way of saying: Gaffe.

When is a blurt inappropriate? For example, the interviewer has explained to you what the job duties are and you say: "Oh, I can't work on Saturdays". The interviewer has not said anything about Saturday work, only about what the job duties are. You, as the job seeker, not only made a "blurt", but you jumped ahead of what the inter- viewer might or might not have ready to say. You were not listening and fumbled your way out of the next phase of the interview, if there is to be one.

Since "blurting" is a common occurrence and often done because of nervousness, here are some tips to keep it under control.

1. When approaching a friend or acquaintance about who you might want to talk to about an opening , don't talk about your predicament or previous employers. Your network probably knows more about why you're not in that last job than you do.

2. Prepare a simple script when approaching anyone about a possible job. Memorize your script when you are talking to people or just gathering information. It will help keep you on track.

3. Rehearse for an interview. Know enough about the employer for you to feel comfortable and knowledgeable. Be friendly and relaxed. Stay on the subject, even if there is a long period of silence. A "blurt" often happens when you feel the need to fill in a silence void.

Sure, you can't help but make some mistakes and gaffes along the job search route. Some may be really funny and need to be kept in context. A gaffe MIGHT get you a job if it is not too pronounced. A potential employer with a sense of humor might want you to come in on Monday! Don't always count on that, just do your homework.

c, 2004

Marilyn J. Tellez, M.A. Certified Job & Career Transition Coach Email: doitnow@nwinfo.net Web: http://www.doitnowcareers.info

In The News:

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.nogalesinternational.com/articles/2008/12/02/news/doc493555c8e0c2d099934045.txtcid=0ei=Z9Y1Se3PBYPK8ATulrAJusg=AFQjCNGi0UWDpdG7pZ2LIWyYwAF8L9K9tQbCareer/b fair set for students, public/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fNogales International,nbsp;AZnbsp;-/font nobr8 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Employers, all branches of the military, and post-secondary training programs are invited to show students bcareer employment/b and training opportunities. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php%3Fid%3D370902cid=1274028095ei=Z9Y1Se3PBYPK8ATulrAJusg=AFQjCNFDQQFXurJ0VswGIl1m8WLmjnq6wARecession-proof your bcareer/b - bEmployment/b expert offers job b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMyWebTimes.com,nbsp;ILnbsp;-/font nobrNov 23, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b understandable to be concerned about bemployment/b, there are steps workers can take to help them be more indispensable and “recession-proof” their bcareer/b. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.weehawkenreporter.com/pages/home_top_section/push%3Farticle--B-Scared-about-your-job-prospects-B-BR-%2520%26link%3Dpush::target_page%26id%3D732662--B-Scared-about-your-job-prospects-B-BR-%26instance%3Dup_to_the_minute%2520lead_story_left_columncid=1276957067ei=Z9Y1Se3PBYPK8ATulrAJusg=AFQjCNErBegDSKdd2e1avjH6ZAY14QX03gScared about your job prospects?/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fWeehawken Reporter,nbsp;NJnbsp;-/font nobr3 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1They say you will “learn how to save your job, conduct a successful job search, or change bcareers/b! Ethan Chazin, professional bcareer/b coach and bemployment/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Research-Markets-Personnel-Economics-Practice/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257BAB786A5C-4D9B-4ED1-8D38-F41F8BF753C6%257Dcid=1276881571ei=Z9Y1Se3PBYPK8ATulrAJusg=AFQjCNHkEoPd2lkvTSID99M9BLmv96FXlwResearch and Markets: Personnel Economics in Practice, 2nd Edition b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobr9 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1bCareer/b-Based Incentives. 12. Employee Stock Options amp; Executive Pay. Applications. 13. Benefits. 14. Entrepreneurship amp; Intrapreneurship. 15. The bEmployment/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.kbtx.com/state/headlines/35410259.htmlcid=0ei=Z9Y1Se3PBYPK8ATulrAJusg=AFQjCNHB8UsAuuG3_mD4T1rXJFfcSsZQFATexasTexas Motor Transportation Association Launches New b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fKBTX,nbsp;TXnbsp;-/font nobr1 hour ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b will function as a clearinghouse where professionals can post a resume, search job availabilities and learn about possible bcareers/b. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.jobjournal.com/thisweek.asp%3Fartid%3D2523cid=0ei=Z9Y1Se3PBYPK8ATulrAJusg=AFQjCNEeYlTIdCMF2mW1dr9Qh8juIUjmsANonprofit bCareer/b Paths/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fCalifornia Job Journal,nbsp;CAnbsp;-/font nobrDec 1, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1By Commongood bCareers/b Today’s nonprofit sector is growing faster than ever. In fact, Independent Sector.org reports that nonprofit bemployment/b has doubled to b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.javajournalonline.com/articles/art_careeroverhaul_122008.phpcid=0ei=Z9Y1Se3PBYPK8ATulrAJusg=AFQjCNGw8FLEGVwSGu_zqxd8rXoLaH0GMwbCareer/b Overhaul or a simple tune-up/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fJava Journal,nbsp;Missourinbsp;-/font nobrDec 1, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Galan: Do you have bemployment/b assistance services after graduation such as resume building and job placement? Peterman: Yes, we offer these services. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/Work/article/148404cid=1276317808ei=Z9Y1Se3PBYPK8ATulrAJusg=AFQjCNElQX06pDBTRQZBzmB97rTSBqBnmASecond bCareer/b options for laid-off workers/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMetro Canada - Toronto,nbsp;Canadanbsp;-/font nobrNov 30, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1For more information on how to apply to Second bCareer/b visit an bEmployment/b Ontario assessment centre, or call 1-800-387-5656 or visit the website: b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html%3Fid%3Da0b76fac-1990-4d66-86a7-4462ac8a1c1fcid=1275549878ei=Z9Y1Se3PBYPK8ATulrAJusg=AFQjCNFhx08RDLtqHdsixTVoNcbYGdW0swLiberals, NDP rush to fill positions in ministers#39; offices/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fCanada.com,nbsp;Canadanbsp;-/font nobr14 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1But some well-qualified potential employees could prove to be uninterested because the Federal Accountability Act would narrow their bcareer/b prospects after b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D1624:tackling-career-issues-3%26catid%3D89:learning%26Itemid%3D276cid=0ei=Z9Y1Se3PBYPK8ATulrAJusg=AFQjCNHorUfN4V3URZ2f9Eau_e-00ZeJFATackling bcareer/b issues (3)/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fBusinessDay,nbsp;Nigerianbsp;-/font nobr23 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Whilst a few conventional opportunities might recede for those who choose entrepreneurship, it’s likely that any experience of self-bemployment/b will be of b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
careers employment - Google News

Active Listening Skill Tips for Interviews

During a job interview, a potential employer asks, "Can you... Read More

Resume Posting: Tips for Jobseekers

Recruiting firms, like most businesses today, must embrace technology in... Read More

Taking Job Loss Seriously

Anyone reading this article and hassuffered a job loss recently... Read More

Nine Career Zappers

Today, everyone is looking for the secret to business success.... Read More

Ten Great Careers That Don?t Require A Four Year Degree

One of the great myths associated with the "American Dream"... Read More

What You Should Never Put on Your Resume

Liars Get Caught! What NOT to Put on Your Resume"Everybody... Read More

Do You Need A Mentor? And How Do You Find One?

Whether you're self-employed or you work for someone else, you're... Read More

Writing A Resume That Gets You Noticed

As the old saying goes, "you never get a second... Read More

Surviving in Corporate Amercia: Part 1 - Email

There is a saying that goes, "The best offense is... Read More

Rekindling Passion for Work

Passion comes in many forms. I'm focused on the version... Read More

Unemployment Survival: Creating a Sense of Security

In a time of economic downturn, international turmoil, company restructuring... Read More

It is Still Possible to be Upwardly Mobile in America!

Yes, it's still possible to be upwardly mobile in America:... Read More

The Path of Least Resistance

I spend a bit of time on airplanes. So, I... Read More

Are Your Intentions Clear in Your Job Search?

1. Do you REALLY know what you want?2. Do you... Read More

Shades of Grey

A paperweight sits on my desk, etched in... Read More

Vocational Experts 7 Proposals to Solve the Unemployment Problem

The subject is constantly in the news and may decide... Read More

Wishing and Hoping

Years after Disneyland was built, after the completion of Walt... Read More

5 Proven Steps To Easily Master The Art Of The Interview And Get The Bartending Job Of Your Dreams!

Your mouth is dry, your palms are sweaty, your heart... Read More

Using The Internet For Job-hunting

The Internet is a very useful tool for job seekers... Read More

So You Want To Be a Nurse When You Grow Up?

You're interested in becoming a nurse. How do you get... Read More

Top 10 Super Job Interview Tips

Use these interview tips for job hunting success!It's a tough... Read More

Where Do I Go From Here?

Making Your Future Work Better For YouIt's the commonest concern... Read More

Job Search Advice for Desperate Job Seekers

Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You... Read More

Managing Change -- Endings Are Just Doorways to New Beginnings

Every May we celebrate Mother's Day-a time to tell mothers... Read More

Can You Actually Fail A Personality Quiz?

Q. I didn't get a job that I interviewed for.... Read More