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Don't be scared. Be prepared!
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E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
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2. 1
Don't Be Scared. Be Prepared: Interview
Tips and
Stories From Top Career Experts
An eBook by Marty McDonald
Produced by Bad Rhino, Inc.
PERMISSION
The author grants full permission to distribute and share this
eBook freely, in your website, blog, forum, RSS feed, print
publication, or via social networks like Twitter, Facebook,
and Linkedin. To do so, please share this URL for free
download to your readers: http://martinjmcdonald.com/ebook
The author also grants full permission to republish excerpts
provided it remains in the proper context and is accompanied
by an attribution link back to http://mjmcoaching.com or
http://martinjmcdonald.com as the originating source.
DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this eBook was compiled through a
series of interviews with the top minds in recruiting and
career coaching. Interviews were conducted by Marty McDonald,
and later transcribed to gain the most useful and helpful
information for the eBook. This eBook is opinion based rather
than fact based. Opinions are of Marty McDonald and the
contributors, not of the company or organization that employs
them.
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
www.BadRhinoBlog.com
3. 2
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Michael Long 4
Jessica Miller-Merrell 5
Kirk Baumann 6
Jenny Foss 7
Steve Levy 8
Katie-Madonna Hindes 9
Rich DeMatteo 10
Amy Adler 11
Craig Fisher 12
Jennifer McClure 13
Mark Babbitt 14
Jon Kujala 15
Christine McKenzie 16
Karla Porter 17
Jeremy Fanning 18
Tracy Brisson 19
Marty McDonald 20
Suggested Career Resources 21
About Marty McDonald 22
Twitter Contribution List 23
About Bad Rhino, Inc. 24
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
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4. 3
Introduction
I get lots of ideas…in fact I get them all the time. Many I have ran with and many sit waiting in my
notebook for the right time to pop out. I had this idea of helping my coaching clients with a book of funny
interview stories (after 14 years in recruiting, I have plenty). When I wrote them all out it wasn’t quite
right, so I shelved the idea for a year. Last summer I was working with Rich DeMatteo and we talked about
the idea. He thought it was a good idea and wanted to help me bring the idea out of the notebook for the
world to see.
When I dug out my notes and started thinking more about the book, I came up with an interesting twist to
my initial idea. I decided to invite some of the great minds in recruiting and career coaching to share their
ideas, experiences, and stories. I sent Rich out to pull together a great team of contributors and he did just
that! I’m so excited about the folks we have in this ebook! Our contributors aren’t just on Social Media
pretending to be experts, they’ve conducted hundreds, if not thousands of interviews, coached just as many
job seekers, and are successful doing it.
The purpose of this book is to help the job seeker get better and feel more comfortable at interviewing or
inspire someone to strike out on his or her own entrepreneurial adventure.
The contributors of this book are more than willing to help. Make sure you read their blogs and books,
listen to their advice, and connect with them.
Thank you to all the contributors, I greatly appreciate your time and expertise.
I want to thank all of my business partners and also Cornz (Rich DeMatteo) for helping me bring this idea
to life.
Most of all, I want to thank my coaching clients that I’ve worked with for the past 5 years. I’m excited for
the future and I look forward to your continued success.
Thanks for reading,
Marty
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
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5. 4
Michael Long
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I started in 2004 as an agency-side recruiter and loved it. The funny thing is, when starting out, my future
manager originally thought I was too quiet to be a recruiter. Within 2 ½ years, I was running a $5M
staffing office. Currently working with Rackspace Hosting, as the Head of Culture Branding.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
I’ve conducted at least 5,000 interviews.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
Allowing background noises, like crying babies or barking dogs during your phone interview. Distracting
noises could bother the recruiter and detract from your interview. Your phone interview is the best chance
at getting your foot in the door, so take it seriously.
The biggest mistake during face-to-face interviews is lack of eye contact. Not looking someone in the eyes
shows a lack in confidence and, worse, a potential lack of trustworthiness.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
My candidate was a no show for an interview, then called to reschedule. Later on, I found out what
happened to her. On the way to the interview, she and a friend stopped at Dairy Queen where they were
carjacked at gunpoint. They were then forced out of the car and into the trunk, where they were driven
around Phoenix for 24 hours! I said, “No Way” because it sounded too crazy, but she even had the police
report. She ended up getting the job!
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
You might get stressed because you feel like you absolutely NEED the job. Realize that not every place
will be right for you, so getting any old job can be more hurtful to your career. Find a place where both
your skills and personality fit. If you take a job just for the money, you will be unhappy sooner than you
can imagine. Consider the people, the environment and the work you’ll be doing before making your
selection.
Michael Long serves as the Head of Culture Branding for Rackspace Hosting. In 2008, he took an interest in the use of social media as
it applies to the real m and launched his first blog, The Red Recruiter. Michael is married and working towards a degree in F atherhood
with the recent arrival of his daughter Sophie. Follow Michael on Twitter .
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
www.BadRhinoBlog.com
6. 5
Jessica Miller-Merrell
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I have been in Human Resources and the Recruiting industry as a corporate recruiter for 11 years. I
currently work on my own as an HR strategist for companies, helping them reach out to jobseekers.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
During mass hiring times, there were days when I was doing 20 interviews a day. I’ve probably conducted
25,000 - 30,000 interviews.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
Candidates sometimes don’t sound eager, friendly, or confident when I’ve called them. They can also just
be totally unprepared for my call. Need to always be prepared and pay attention to small details. For
example, call me Jessica, not Jennifer.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
The first one I can think of is when I conducted a phone interview and the person was taking a bath. I
heard bubbles and water swishing. This was for a District Manager position. The other one was when a
woman brought her baby and breast fed during the interview. Not good!
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Already have interview questions prepared, and what I mean is have some scenarios in your head that you
think they might ask you at the interview. Think of six or seven different scenarios, then record yourself
and practice so that you have several possible answers down already.
Jessica Miller-Merrell, SPHR is an author, HR consultant, new media strategist, and author who writes at Blogging4Jobs. Her company,
Xceptional HR offers social media strategies, hum an resources, and recruiting consulting with an eye on digital media. Jessica is the host
of Job Search Secrets, an internet television show for job seekers on Sundays at 9 PM E ST. She is co-presenting a 4 hour “Social Media
Bootcamp for HR” pre-conference session at the 2011 S HRM National Conference.
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
www.BadRhinoBlog.com
7. 6
Kirk Baumann
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
Currently work at SIFE as the Director of Career Connections, which includes serving as a Recruitment
Consultant. I work with companies to help them plan recruiting activities around our students. Prior to
SIFE, I have been in corporate recruiting positions.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
100’s of job interviews and 1000’s of conversations around careers and job searches.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
Simply being unprepared and doing little to no research on the company. Sounds simple but it is far too
common these days.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
About 7 years ago, an individual showed up with his mother. Yep, his mom! Interview started and his
mom followed him into the interview room! When we said, “no, we just want to interview your son and
we don’t allow anyone else”, she said, “I am here to help him answer the benefit questions”. The kid
didn’t flinch when his mom came in and he acted like it was normal. It was more shocking than funny and
it threw everyone off during the interview! And NO, he wasn’t hired.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Clean up your social media profiles and take off anything that can put you in a questionable light in the
employer’s eyes. Also remember to Google yourself and see what comes up. The best thing to do is to
create your network and connect with people at the company. Be sure that you are networking before and
after the interview to build good relationships. Social media can be a valuable tool to build this network.
Remember, the interview starts when you walk in the door, be friendly and courteous, say hi to people in
the office, and be professional at all times. Finally TAKE NOTES during the interview!!! It shows that
you are not only detailed oriented but prepared.
Kirk Baumann is a passionate recruiting advocate preparing the next generation of talent. His blog, Campus to Career, is dedicated to
jobseekers of all kinds, covering a variety of topics from the job search to personal branding to social media. As Director of Career
Connections for SI F E U SA, he consults for Fortune 500 companies, helping them recruit top talent as well as working directly with
students, alumni, and young professionals on career development. Follow hi m on Twitter - @kbaumann
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
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8. 7
Jenny Foss
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
Most people find me today on JobJenny.com, a combination of job search support. I also run a resume and
cover letter writing service there as well. My recruiting clients can find me at ladderrecruiting.com, a
small recruiting group called Ladder Recruiting Group.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
I’ve been recruiting for 8 years, so I’ve probably interviewed close to 1,000 people.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
The most glaring mistake candidates make on the phone screen is when they ask about salary, vacation,
benefits, or anything of the sort before I even have 10 words out of my mouth.
Appearance is huge for in person interviews. Wear a fresh pressed shirt, wear clean shoes, and just
generally put some effort into how you look.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
I had an engineer interview in the final stage, a peer interview with people he would be working with if he
got the job. Things got a little silly and the interview was pretty casual. My candidate ended up making a
joke about Rogaine to one of the bald engineers at the interview, and then when they asked him about how
he would handle the challenge, he said, “Well you can just strap a saddle on my ass and ride me!” He
thought that since they were all friendly with each other that he could join in the fun and loosen up a bit. It
didn’t work out for him in the end.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Practice always helps with nerves. Have someone sit down and act as the interviewer. Go through certain
questions and scenarios that you think will come up. Do your homework on the company, opportunity,
industry the company is in, and the people interviewing you. It’s also important to have a job search
strategy. Know exactly how you are going to go about your job search.
Jenny Foss operates an independent recruiting firm, Ladder Recruiting Group, and is creator of the blog JobJenny.com. Your job
search B F F and tough love expert on finding career passion, Jenny just launched her first ebook, To Whom It May Concern: Or, How to
Stop Sucking at Your Job Search, which is designed to help job seekers craft and execute a winning plan. You may also find Jenny on
Twitter @JobJenny.
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
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9. 8
Steve Levy
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I’ve been recruiting for 25 years, currently involved with Global Recruiting at Veeco Instruments based out
of Plainview, NY.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
I’ve conducted close to 20,000 interviews.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
For a phone interview, candidates need to go to a quiet place, and use a phone that won’t cut out on them.
Most people use their cell phone, and there is no guarantee that the phone will keep a signal.
For in-person interviews, there are on-going discussions about if a candidate should wear a suit to an
interview. I believe that someone should dress to the interview how they would dress if they were
employed at that company. I’ve gone to a career fair at Columbia University in shorts and t-shirt because
that was the company couture.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
When I was at Pitney Bowes, I was doing internship/co-cop recruiting at Cornell. I was interviewing a
student when all of a sudden I stopped talking. I leaned forward and looked to his side and he had no idea
what I was doing. Then I said, “You paid how much for that suit?” What he had done was he forgot to
take off the tag on his new suit. It was widely known that students would buy interview suits and return
them after the interview. The utter look of fear on his face when I asked him that question was priceless.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
My pet peeve is when a person only reads the company website. Candidates can go to places like Yahoo!
Finance and read up on what the top Financial Analysts are saying about that company. You’ll be able to
see the good, the bad, and the ugly about the company. This will help you decide if you want to work for
them, as well as the type of questions you can ask on the interview.
Steve is a corporate talent acquisition leader, recruiting blogger, and social media strategist who is known for his outside the box
approaches to recruiting and career counseling. He has been an engineer, management scientist, patent engineer, and lifeguard before
crossing over to the dark side into HR.
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
www.BadRhinoBlog.com
10. 9
Kate-Madonna Hindes
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I am Director of Recruiting and Marketing at Brigham Group Staffing. On the side, I own Girl Meets
Geek Media, a blog about tech and humanism in the electronics world.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
I’ve conducted at least 400 in person interviews and 600 phone interviews.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
When people say “hmm”, or “umm”, and are generally just not prepared. I hate sitting through a bunch of
“umms”. It just drives me crazy and I don’t feel inspired by the candidate. Candidates should have cards
or a sheet of paper in front of them to make sure they are prepared and have key accomplishments written
out. I also hate when people reek of smoke or body odor. It can be worse when they try to disguise
themselves with cologne or perfume.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
I had volunteered to help out on a Saturday with some mock interviews for unemployed job seekers. I was
performing a mock interview when a guy pulled out a flask and said, “I know this is pretend, so I just want
to get my best face on”. My mouth drops, and he then says, “Oh, it’s just Orange Juice”. But I could smell
it on his breath and you could tell it wasn’t orange juice. I wish that was the worst part, but it’s not. At the
end, he wanted to know if anyone could find out that he committed a crime last year. He wanted to keep it
under wraps and wanted to know how guilty he looked. It was then that we escorted him out.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
The first thing I tell people is to be the CEO of their own job search and treat it like a presentation. I don’t
mean have a PowerPoint ready, but bring five folders to each interview, even if you’re interviewing with
one person. Put resumes on one side, and then print out your Linkedin profile on the right side with
recommendations. When going into the room, shake their hand and pop the folder in front of the
interviewer. If they stumble, they’ll have their own folder to help them out.
Kate-Madonna Hindes, is an industry leader and national author and speaker on emotional integrity and authenticity in today’s online
media. Her columns are regularly published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Women of HR, Girl meetsGeek, Brazen Careerist and
JobDig. She’s also the Director of Recruiting and Marketing for Brigham Group. With 15+ years of combined, published, experience
for news media, state government and Fortune 500 businesses, she regularly covers national Social Media Technology events from an
HR / Recruiting perspective, including C E S 2011.
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
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11. 10
Rich DeMatteo
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I’ve worked in both agency and corporate recruiting for about 5 years. On the agency side, I worked as an
IT Recruiter, and then in corporate I’ve recruited for all full-time, part-time, and contingent positions at
companies.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
I’ve conducted close to 500 face-to-face interviews and another 2,000 phone interviews.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
On the phone, many candidates just don’t know their work history or skill set. It may seem silly, but most
phone screens are very basic and to the point. If we hear you say “umm” a lot, we can tell you’re looking
down at the resume to make sure what you say matches the resume. Know your resume like the back of
your hand so that when we ask you a question, you provide a quick answer.
For in person interviews, I hate when candidates show up too early. Show up about 10 minutes before it’s
scheduled. That’s perfect. Don’t show up a 30 or more minutes before the interview. Don’t rush us. We
don’t like to be rushed.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
There have been so many, but the interviewees that stick out are usually those who have poor hygiene.
This one time I had a candidate smell of funky cheese. It was so bad that my coworkers smelled him
through the closed door. I had to cut the interview short. I just had to.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Along with researching the company and interviewer, ask about their interview process and methodology
before the interview. You’ll be surprised how much HR or the Recruiter will share. Jump on Google and
research their method. Knowing what to expect is more than half the battle!
Rich DeMatteo is the Founder of Corn On The Job, an award winning job search/career blog. Rich is also the Founder of
#JobHuntChat, Twitter’s first and most visited job search community on Twitter. Most recently, Rich announced he’s the Co-Founder
of Bad Rhino, Inc, a new startup Social Media Agency in Philadelphia. Tweet Rich @ CornOnTheJob or on @BadRhinoINC.
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
www.BadRhinoBlog.com
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Amy Adler
Explain your resume writing background and how you got
into it.
I entered professional resume writing with the intent of combining my business experience and MBA with
my decades of editorial experience. I opened Inscribe / Express to provide concierge-level resume writing
and career search strategy services to job seekers who are experts in their fields but not experts in job
search strategy.
How many resumes have you reviewed and written?
I write more than 100 resumes every year. Additionally, I write as many cover letters, plus professional
biographies, LinkedIn profiles, and other documents that job seekers need to power their job searches. I’ve
reviewed about the same number on behalf of clients.
What is your resume tip for job seekers?
Job seekers don’t often realize that although the resume is about them, it’s not for them. The resume is an
outwardly focused piece of marketing collateral that focuses on the needs of the hiring manager who is
holding all the cards and making all the hiring decisions.
Why should they use a Resume writer?
It is true that when a job seeker hires a professional resume writer, he or she is hiring someone who knows
the language and is an experienced writer. However, it’s been my experience that job seekers don’t know
what they know about themselves. Even if they are experts in their field, they are probably not expert
resume writers. Therefore, when a job seeker hires a professional resume writer, he or she is actually
hiring someone who can ask the right questions and elicit the accomplishments that belong in the resume
and cover letter.
Why is it good to hire a career coach or experts in
your job search?
Nobody is an expert at everything; I always tell job seekers that if they had a toothache, they’d go to a
dentist rather than pull their own tooth. Clearly, there are good reasons to hire the professional who will
tell you if you need a filling, an extraction, or some other complex procedure. Job seekers think about the
job search in zero-sum terms—they don’t have the job they need, and they don’t have an advocate in the
process. A professional career search strategist can help them figure out if their job search is on track and
heading in the right direction—or if they need additional tools and strategies to get them into the job roles
they’re seeking.
Amy L. Adler is the president and founder of Inscribe / Express, a résumé and career strategy company, and the only Certified Advanced
Résumé Writer with an MBA and Master of Arts in Publishing. She asks the right questions, listens carefully, and crafts career search
strategies that distill candidates’ personal brands and promote their job search success.
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
www.BadRhinoBlog.com
13. 12
Craig Fisher
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
Started in 1995 as an agency recruiter with a focus in IT and Executive search. I have also have done
corporate recruitment and consulting. I am currently the owner of Social Media Talent, and VP of Ajax
Social Media.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
Approximately 10,000+ and most importantly placed 1000’s of people!
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
A huge mistake is when candidates say, “I will take anything right now, and I just need a check”. As a
candidate, you need be specific as to what you want in a job and know where your skills fit best. Know
exactly what you want from the job. Things like quality of life, the type role you want, the type of
company you want work for, and what makes you a good fit.
Candidates shouldn’t use the “tell me about yourself” question to tell the recruiter everything about their
life. Candidates should keep their answers to the high points about their career and point to the events that
highlight their skills.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
Had a guy fall asleep during the interview! He was visibly nodding off during the interview and to top it
off he was not prepared at all.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Make sure you understand the job description and ask questions about the job during the interview. Ignore
the jargon that is on every job description and concentrate on the keywords that are listed. Tailor your
questions to fit that job description so you can make your skills stand out during the interview. Also, make
sure to get some exercise, have a good night of sleep, and have an excellent understanding of your own
resume. Also, don’t smoke before you’re meeting someone.
Craig Fisher is recruitment consultant, social media strategist, and trainer. He helps people and businesses leverage social media,
mobile, and other new communication tools to get matched with the *right* customers, the *right* talent, and the *right* jobs. Craig
hosts the original social recruiting forum on Twitter, and live conference events, known as TalentNet Live (#TNL). Connect with hi m on
Twitter @ F ishDogs.
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
www.BadRhinoBlog.com
14. 13
Jennifer McClure
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
Started out my career in Human Resources and worked in Generalist and Leadership roles for over 20
years. I then spent 5 years as an executive recruiter. Most recently, in February of 2010 I started a
consulting business, helping companies with their talent strategies.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
This number is definitely in the thousands.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
Simply not being prepared, not doing research on the company, having a good story to tell, and not being
able to show why they are a good hire for the company.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
When I was a senior in college, I did an internship with a convenience store. They had me interviewing
walk-ins off the street for second and third shift cashier positions. One guy told me he couldn’t work 2nd or
3rd shift because he was a male stripper at night and wanted me to come see him dance.
Another girl came in with a McDonalds paper hat on and uniform. I said, “You must work at McDonalds”.
She replied with, “Not anymore”. It turned out she was giving away free food to her friends and was fired.
We didn’t hire her.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Always do your research before applying for a job at a company and prepare before an interview. It's
important to come across as knowledgeable and confident - but not arrogant. Be able to demonstrate in
the interview how you can provide solutions for the employer if you are hired. An open job is a problem
waiting to be solved.
Jennifer McClure is President of Unbridled Talent, LLC, a consulting firm focused on strategies for attracting, recruiting & developing
talent in organizations. She’s also a professional speaker - regularly engaged by conferences, organizations and corporate clients to
share about using social media for career development, Human Resources, Recruiting and employment branding. Connect with
Jennifer: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Unbridled Talent blog.
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
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www.BadRhinoBlog.com
15. 14
Mark Babbitt
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I am the CEO of YouTern, a website that connects emerging talent with internships in startup companies.
I’ve been recruiting sales and bizdev people for a couple decades.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
Including phone screens, I’ve probably interviewed over 2,000 candidates.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
People often aren’t prepared for phone screens. You can actually hear when someone isn’t mentally
prepared. When they aren’t showered, shaved, or dressed up, you can just tell that they haven’t taken full
advantage of the opportunity. You have to get yourself a little fired up, and ready mentally.
During face-to-face interviews, I’m impressed when people walk in with a plan. I don’t want someone to
just come in ready to answer a bunch of questions. Show me you’ve done research and you’re ready to
take this job. For instance, a sales candidate could walk in with an analysis of all the companies’
competition and what they are doing well and not so well.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
We were interviewing a gentleman who had been a mercenary in Iraq, but came in looking like a banker.
We had no idea what we were walking into once he told us he was returning from Iraq. So we helped him
take his “soft skill” experience from being a mercenary and turn it into marketable soft skills to work in a
corporate environment. He is now in a management position and most importantly paying it forward by
helping other returning vets who are in transition.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
It’s all about confidence! If someone is going to an interview for the first time in 10 years, then they are
going to be incredibly nervous. Old school things like solid eye contact and shoulders back will help with
confidence.
Mark Babbitt is C E O of YouTern, a community that connects emerging talent with entrepreneur-driven companies through mentor-
based internships. Mark founded YouTern after a distinguished track record with two online recruiting start-ups and a decade of
experience as C E O of a Silicon Valley marketing firm. Mark is also a serial mentor, and was recently honored to named on GenJuice’s
“Top 100 Most Desired Mentors” list.
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
www.BadRhinoBlog.com
16. 15
Jon Kujala
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I have been recruiting for five and half years and four and half have been in IT contract staffing. I currently
work for an organization that focuses in on placing SAP and Peoplesoft consultants on projects across the
country. I have been there for 15 months.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
I do all my interviews exclusively on the phone and I have done about 2500 phone interviews.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
During the phone interviews people forget to be in a quiet place, and that usually is when you catch the
candidate in an awkward situation, like with kids in the care or in the bathroom during phone interviews. I
do a lot of technical interviews and the worst mistake you can make is to make up an answer to a technical
question (best answer is always I don’t know, if you don’t know the answer).
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
The flushing of the toilet during a phone interview hands down. Make sure you are in the right spot and
remember we can hear background noise.
Another candidate was driving and she said that the interview was too intense and needed to pull over to do
the interview. Be prepared to be in a good spot for your interview and I wouldn’t advise driving and
interviewing!
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Be in a quiet place, be prepared, and research the company. Get yourself in the right frame of mind and
relax. Best advice for a candidate is to know what you can and can’t do. Be honest and tell the truth!
Jon Kujala is a graduate of UMASS Amherst and has been in Staffing for more than 5 years. He currently leads a recruiting team for an
IT firm specializing in placing SAP and Peoplesoft consultants around the country. He works with some of the top companies in the
nation and helps them staff their projects. F ind John on Linkedin!
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17. 16
Christine McKenzie
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I work for a large corporation and have been in successful in different corporate recruiting roles over the
past 9 years, in both Sourcing and Recruiting in a corporate environment. I’ve worked for agencies and in
house.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
I’ve conducted about 5,000 interviews. Both over the phone and in person.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
On the phone, candidates aren’t always engaging by asking questions to learn more about the opportunity
or position. During face-to-face interviews, posture is huge. If slouched in the chair, it tells me they are not
100% into the role. Sit up and pay attention. Dress well, be ready and attentive.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
Once had a very hard to find candidate, who was running late for an interview. When he finally arrived
and introduced himself to me he nodded his head and had his hand in his pocket. The hiring manager
reached her hand out to him and that’s when we noticed he had tissue wrapped around his thumb, which
was covered in blood. He explained that he had slammed his thumb in the car door when he arrived, so we
took him to first aid, where everyone came out to help. He was ready to crawl under the table from
embarrassment, but finally relaxed and started the interview. His presentation binder had broken pages that
fell onto the floor. He went to pick up the pages and on the way back up, he banged his head on the table.
After finally calming down, security guards knocked on the door asking for his name because he left his
car lights on and they found his wallet. Longest interview ever and he didn’t get the job!
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Always be prepared with up to the minute information on the company. Check Google, Twitter, etc even
the morning of the interview. Start following companies and see what others are saying.
Christine McKenzie is a Recruiter specializing in networking with Pharmaceutical Talent. Interests include: Internet Research,
Competitive Intelligence, Boolean Logic, Social Networking. Biggest Fear: Ronald McDonald. Find her on Twitter, friend her on
Facebook, & connect with her on LinkedIn. Hungry for more? Read everything else about her in her online interview with Dave
Mendoza.
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Karla Porter
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I’ve worked in both agency and corporate recruiting, currently Director of Workforce Development and
Human Resources in Wilkes-Barre, PA for the past 2 years.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
I’ve conducted thousands of interviews.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
Candidates often aren’t prepared to do phone interviews. Try to use a landline or the clearest line you have.
Move to a quiet room, speak into microphone and be prepared to answer open-ended questions in an
engaging way. Phone silence is uncomfortable and stumbling for information is like stumbling across a
stage. They can’t see you or your smile or body language so you have to impress them with your verbal
communication skills. It’s a skill you need to practice!
In person interview mistakes: Getting off track with answers, speaking without conviction and body
language that screams “get me out of here”.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
A candidate came in for an interview dressed in dingy long underwear, jeans with holes, and a ski cap. His
application was incomplete with a resume shoved inside. When I requested that he complete it he wasn’t
prepared and said he needed to go to the lobby to call references for permission to list them. When asked
why he came dressed unprofessionally, he explained that he lost his possessions during a flood and was
getting back on his feet. Then he talked about jumping into the river during the flood to impress girls and
getting arrested by the police for it. He was a mess, so I ended it.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Understand that the candidate drives the interview. Ask engaging questions and keep the conversation
moving. Interviewers want to like you; they want you to be the one who will solve their problems. They
are rooting for you. They do not want to interview an endless stream of candidates. They want to hire you!
Karla is Direc-tor of Work-force Devel-op-ment and Human Resources for a mid-size metro area cham-ber of busi-ness, indus-try and
eco-nomic devel-op-ment in PA. She is a fre-quent speaker on recruit-ment and reten-tion strat-egy, rela-tion-ship build-ing, new media
for HR and job search. Her website on human capital and new media is karlaporter.com.
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19. 18
Jeremy Fanning
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I’ve officially been a recruiter for about one year, but have been performing tons of recruiting duties as a
consultant for six years now. I currently work for a company called Cardinal Solutions here in Raleigh.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
I’ve interviewed probably 200 to 250 candidates.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
A lot of candidates tend to talk more about what their company has done, and not about their own work
and skill sets. It drives me crazy because I don’t get the information I need about the candidate.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
I had a guy that we used to call the “Members Only Guy”. He showed up for an interview 20 minutes late,
and when he showed up to the conference room we were interviewing him in, he ended up blaming us for
being late. He said it was our directions that made him late, however, every other candidate had the same
directions and there was never an issue. He was wearing a member’s only jacket as a suit jacket, which
just didn’t fly as professional attire.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
One thing that I feel everyone talks about but doesn’t do is coming prepared with questions. I love when
people come prepared with solid questions. Also, it’s great to connect with me after the interview for an
update or sending a simple thank you email or a hand-written note.
Jeremy Fanning is a Technical Recruiter for Cardinal Solutions. After consistent mediocrity as a business analyst consultant and done
with Ohio winters, Jeremy moved to his true passion recruiting, and relocated with Cardinal Solutions to Raleigh, NC. Jeremy is a
Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Reds fan, baconholic, and cake connoisseur. Connect with Jeremy on Linkedin or Twitter.
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Tracy Brisson
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I’m a career coach and my company is called The Opportunities Project. I focus on helping young
professional meet their career goals quickly and confidently. I recruited education professionals for 10
years before starting my career coaching business.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
Probably somewhere between 300 and 500 total interviews.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
It’s important to choose an appropriate place to have professional phone conversations. With mobile
phones, people feel it’s OK to have their phone interview at Starbucks, when it’s really not. You should
find a place where you can focus completely and eliminate as many distractions as possible.
People forget to smile on face-to-face interviews. One way to not get the job is to look intimidated or
insecure, which is how people look when they don’t smile.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
My favorite story is when we had a candidate who claimed she could only teach in Queens, NY because
she had a dying father and was the primary care giver, so she NEEDED to be in Queens. We normally
didn’t place teachers in Queens, but she had a rare skill set so we decided to interview her. Her interview
ran long and near the end, I saw a red blur run back and forth down our hallway, and then I heard someone
scream her name. It was her father who had been waiting in the car. He was worried because she had been
gone too long. It was very apparent that he wasn’t ill at all!
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Make sure that you are self-aware of your strengths so you are able to highlight them quickly. It’s
important to gain rapport and trust of whoever you are meeting and not just answer the questions.
Tracy Brisson is a certified career coach and the Founder and CEO of The Opportunities Project, an organization that specializes in
helping young professionals meet their goals quickly. Before launching her own company, Tracy worked in recruitment for over a
decade. Her career advice has appeared in the New York Post, The Star Ledger, and on Monster+HotJobs, and The Ladders.
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21. 20
Marty McDonald
What is your recruiting or career coaching background?
I’ve worked in both agency and corporate recruiting for the past 14 years. I also have a Career Coaching
business that I started in 2006.
How many estimated interviews have you done?
I have conducted approximately 3,000+ in person interview and over 10,000 phone interviews.
What are some common mistakes that interviewees make?
During phone interviews, one of the biggest mistakes is not giving 100% attention to the interview. For
example, driving or even texting while on the phone. As an interviewer, you can tell when you don’t have
their attention. Also, so many times a candidate will be unprepared for a phone interview.
In person interview mistakes are showing up and not being dressed appropriately. Look good, don’t look
like a slob, and look professional. Business casual is ok, but be smart about it.
What has been the most memorable interview mishap?
About 7 years ago, I had a computer tech come in early for an interview, because he told me he could only
interview before 8am. So I had him come in at 7am and we started the interview. He did well, so I had him
fill out some pre employment testing and left him to fill it out. When I came back, he was asleep with his
pen in hand on the application. I woke him up and he was startled but continued to fill out the application
and then nodded off again. It was really odd! He finished up and left, and the application had lines on it
from where his hand started slipping from falling asleep! Found out about a week later that he had two jobs
and just had his second child.
What’s your biggest interview tip for job seekers?
Tip #1, if invited to an interview, candidate doesn’t control scheduling. Be flexible! Tip #2, be prepared
and ready for an interview, this is a mark of someone who cares about their work. Tip #3, don’t be afraid
to seek help to improve interview skills. It makes the difference in a tight job market.
Marty McDonald is a Entrepreneur/Career Coach at MJMCoaching and is Co-Founder of Bad Rhino. With over 14 years of Recruiting
experience, Marty has a REAL approach to helping his clients change careers or land new jobs. Marty is a personal development junkie
and when he isn't masterminding, networking, reading or attending a seminar... you might find hi m on a golf course. You can find Marty
on Twitter @Martymj m
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
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22. 21
Suggested Career Resources
Karla Porter: Why You Should Turn Your Résumé into a Tag Résumé
Kirk Baumann: Are You In It to Win It?
Jennifer McClure: Social Recruiting Where to Start
Jessica MillerMerrell: Increase Your Odds: Candidate Job Board Tricks
Rich DeMatteo: The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Linkedin
Tracy Brisson: Don’t Be This Guy: Bad Social Media Manners
KateMadonna Hindes: The Secret Sauce to Resumes
Jenny Foss: Passive search tactics: How long do ya feel like wating for
that job?
Mark Babbit: Don’t expect me to take your job search seriously
Michael Long: Empire Avenue: The Social Media Stock Market
Steve Levy: Toughest Interview Questions Ever
Craig Fisher: How to Find a Winning Job on Facebook
Amy Adler: Networking Over a Hot Stove
Job Seeker? Check out #jobhuntchat on Twitter, Monday’s at 1011 PM EST
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23. 22
About Marty McDonald
Basics: Born in Philadelphia and raised in Bucks County, Pa. Oldest of 3 siblings. Graduated from
Lansdale Catholic High School and from Shippensburg University with a Bachelors Degree in Business
Administration.
After graduation from SHIP and two HR internships, I entered the corporate HR world as a Human
Resource Representative at the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union. I quickly gravitated towards the
Recruiting piece of HR and learned as much as possible about how to recruit professionals. I was then
recruited to Environmental Resources Management to work as the Lead College Recruiter/University
Relations, where I managed the hiring process for 22 offices and the College Recruiting process. In Early
2001, I was recruited to a small start up staffing firm, InSource Inc. In a short time we made the Phila 100
(Twice) and the Inc 500 as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the USA. Starting in
December of 2004, I started to invest in myself with education on creating multiple income streams for
retirement and wealth creation. In December 2005, I started a Real Estate Investment company and Small
Business Consulting company, both of which I remain involved in. In January of 2006, I joined TWC
Group (now Tapfin) as a Recruitment Consultant where I consulted on Recruitment projects at Solstice
Software and DuPont. Since 2010, I have been the Lead Recruiter for Leading Business Intelligence
Software Company.
What I love to do outside of Recruiting, Social media, Public Speaking and working with Small
Businesses: Good Cigars, Traveling (7 countries and counting), Live Music, Career Coaching/Personal
Development, Philadelphia Flyers Hockey, Golf, Entrepreneurship, Standing at a Craps table (Vegas), and
most importantly, helping others succeed.
Learn more about Marty’s work, coaching, and entrepreneurial philosophy:
Marty’s Blog
Tweet Marty
Facebook Marty
Marty LinkedIn
MJM Coaching
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24. 23
Twitter Contributor List
Michael Long @TheRedRecruiter
Jessica MillerMerill
@Blogging4jobs
Kirk Baumann @Kbaumann
Jenny Foss @JobJenny
Steve Levy @LevyRecruits
Katie Hindes @GirlMeetsGeek
Rich DeMatteo @CornOnTheJob
Amy Adler @InscribeExpress
Craig Fisher @FishDogs
Jennifer McClure @CincyRecruiter
Mark Babbitt @YouTernMark
Christine McKenzie @CMcKenzie77
Karla Porter @karla_porter
Jeremy Fanning @jeremyfanning
Tracy Brisson @oppsproject
Marty McDonald @MartyMJM
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
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25. 24
About Bad Rhino Inc.
Bad Rhino Inc. is a Philadelphia based Social Media agency, Co-Founded by Marty McDonald and Rich
DeMatteo. Marty and Rich first began discussing and building on the idea of Bad Rhino in late 2010, and
they later launched the company in April 2011.
Bad Rhino Inc. works with entrepreneurs, small businesses, and mid-sized businesses from all industries
and geographic locations. Bad Rhino’s goal is to grow a company’s online presence through engagement,
creative content, and innovation.
W ant to learn more about Bad Rhino Inc.?
Bad Rhino Company Website
Bad Rhino Blog
Bad Rhino on Facebook
Bad Rhino on Twitter
E Book created and edited by Marty McDonald and Rich DeMatteo
A BAD RHINO PRODUCTION
www.BadRhinoBlog.com