interviews | Kaira Rouda

Mastering Phone Interviews

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:52:19+00:00April 2, 2009|entrepreneurs, interviews, marketing, promotions, reporters, small business|Comments Off on Mastering Phone Interviews

So, you’ve scored your first interview with a reporter. Woohoo! I know that feeling. It’s exhilarating the first minute; the next is filled with panic. Don’t worry. It’s time to get serious and start preparing. Do your homework. Check out the reporter. What beat do they cover? What’s their style? What companies have they covered in your industry? Nail down the key messages you want to get across. Put together your talking points. What are your three main points and supporting facts? Consider all questions you may be asked. What’s the worst-case scenario question? Make sure to do a mock interview with a teammate to help you get comfortable. Stand up during the interview. It sounds odd, and people walking by might chuckle, but it helps you get focused. You’re less likely to go off on a tangent in this power stance. Nix distractions. Shut [...]

Pay cuts and lay-offs affecting you?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:54:03+00:00February 25, 2009|interviews, job loss, personal branding, recession|Comments Off

If you are one of the thousands of Americans that has been laid off due to the recession, don’t fret! Your personal brand can handle it. You may view this as shameful, but it’s just part of life. Simply move on. Here’s how. First, don’t take it personally; this is business. Companies around the country are laying off employees, and thousands of people are having to pick up and dust themselves off. Just shake it off and start gathering as many references as possible—and take samples of your work with you. Next, stay positive and focused, and don’t waste time. Then, enter each interview with confidence, being quick and honest about your termination with potential employers. Remember, being fired may seem like the end of the world when it happens, but it can also turn into an opportunity to move onto something bigger and better.