AndreaKay.com: Talk like a business person

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From my new book, Life’s a Bitch and Then You Change Careers, discover how to change careers at any age. Plus interview questions to be prepared for, how others made successful career changes, if you have what it takes to make a change, how to get an offer in a new career when you have no experience and how to stay focused and motivated.

For help on negotiating alternative work schedules, researching companies that have family friendly policies, defining the environment and job you want that gives you the balance you seek, then positioning yourself on your resume for this job, see Resumes That Will Get You the Job You Want, Greener Pastures: How to Find a Job in Another Place and Interview Strategies That Will Get You the Job You Want.

Job Interviews

"Talk like a business person"

Dear Andrea:

--Trapped

Dear Trapped:

You can start by talking like a business person, not someone in the Navy. When you describe your experience use language business people understand. Businesses do not have storekeepers. Translate what you know so potential employers can understand what you can do for them.

Create a strategy. If you're serious about finding a job in purchasing, for example, make a list of companies in your geographical area that have a department that procures goods and services from suppliers.

Get very clear on what a purchasing agent does for businesses so you can relate your background: negotiating and administering contracts, locating and arranging the purchase of goods or services, developing policies and procedures for bid proposals, analyzing price proposals and other information to determine reasonable prices, preparing purchase orders, reviewing requisitions, monitoring contract performance and maintaining records. Have you done that? If so, arm yourself with examples of how you've done those functions successfully. Write your examples in English, not Navyese.

Develop a resume that incorporates this and supports your objective, then start your job hunt. Write and call managers of these departments and follow up.

One more thing: When people ask you why you're looking for a job, don't say things like, "My job is going nowhere...I feel trapped." Tell them instead how effective you were in your previous role and how with your new business experience, you want a position where you can contribute the knowledge you acquired early in your career.

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