It’s never too late to make a great first impression. No matter what stage of life you’re in, once you commit to making the next great thing happen in your career, you will find that you have a tool box of skills – just waiting to be used. At 52, freelance writer Kelly K. James was an almost happily divorced, self-employed, single mom. But the rising costs of health insurance and the impacts of perimenopause fueled a constant anxiety, as she strategized to get her work, home, and love life in order before retirement. Kelly’s solution? A first-ever full-time job that led to The Book That (Almost) Got Me Fired: How I (Barely) Survived a Year in Corporate America (MSI Press, June 15, 2024) a highly relatable, totally entertaining, midlife memoir that shares what (and what not) to do when you make that corporate leap.
Here are:
TEN TIPS ON NAILING THAT CORPORATE INTERVIEW
Dress for Success: Looking polished not also shows you take the interview seriously, it also helps you to feel good and act with confidence.
Say Thank You: Listen to your mom; send a follow-up thank-you note afterwards.
Take a Pause: It’s okay to think a moment before giving your answer. Aim for a real conversation with the interviewer, instead of answering questions robotically.
Nerves Can Be Normal: It’s not only okay to have them, you can turn it into a positive by sharing you’re a little nervous because you’re excited about the opportunity. And then smile – winningly. ☺
Show Off: You’ve read up on the company and done your homework, so slip a tidbit into the interview. Or ask a question that shows you did some research — it’s a great way to engage.
The Early Bird Catches the Worm: Give yourself plenty of time to get there on time. In fact, it’s best to arrive a bit early.
Be You: You are the candidate they brought in, and you want to be hired for the person you are.
Rehearse: Do a mock interview with a friend and practice answering common interview questions like: So, why are you interested in this position? Doing this beforehand will give you more poise and assurance.
The Name Game: Make a point of using the interviewer’s name when you meet and during the interview.
It’s Never Too Late: A new career, at any age, can be rewarding and satisfying. Be fearless, go for it!
“After 22 years of full time freelancing I took a day job as a tiny, creaky cog in the corporate American machine where I was decades older than most of my coworkers,” says Kelly, a Downers Grover resident, former attorney, ghostwriter (30+ books), contributor (1000+ articles), novelist (Did You Get the Vibes) and non-fiction author of a dozen prescriptive books like Writer for Hire: 101 Secrets to Freelance Success and Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer’s Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition.
“It was super challenging to get a grip on today’s corporate culture alongside my sweatshirt-wearing millennial colleagues,” says the author, “but I learned that while a lot is different not everything has changed.” To support her readers, Kelly has ended each chapter with a fun and helpful Action Plan. For example:
TOP TEN BIZ SPEAK TERMS HEARD WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK (Thanks, Sales Guys!)
- Onboarding
- Metrics
- Populate
- Conversion
- Migrate
- Platform
- Deliverables
- SOW (statement of work)
- Bandwidth
- Metadata
The book includes many lists and business tips like these at the ends of chapter. Library Journal observed, “With a mix of openness and humor, James captures what it means to work in content farms that help small businesses with their online presence.” In addition, a good portion of the book is also memoir, inviting the reader into the madcap and moving midlife world of a single, working, dating mom.
No matter where you are in your life, if you’re entering or re-entering the job market this book is for you!
Photo credits: “Courtesy of WFLD and KELLY K JAMES”
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