Women & Interviews

Held on America Online May 29, 1996. Sponsored by The Motley Fool, our Foolish and gracious good buddies.

This event was a special feature of Ask The Headhunter, and it includes a collection of articles written exclusively for this event.

It was organized and conducted by Nick  Corcodilos (Nbgroup) of North Bridge Group, host of Ask The Headhunter. Gabrielle Loperfido (MF Dryad) of The Motley Fool was the emcee. Please see the Women & Interviews introduction for information  about our guests and the articles they contributed.

If you have questions or comments about this transcript, please contact Ask The Headhunter.

OnlineHost:Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc.

MF Dryad:I am Gabrielle, your emcee for tonight.
MF Dryad:We are pleased to present Nick Corcodilos, Headhunter Supreme (Nbgroup)
MF Dryad:Tonight with Nancy Austin (NKAustin), Patti Bush (Patti B 10), and Connie Gray (CAGRAY).
MF Dryad:discussing and taking your questions on WOMEN & INTERVIEWS.
MF Dryad:Nick will do the honors of introducing our guests tonight. . .
MF Dryad:Nick, take it away!
Nbgroup:Certainly. . .
Nbgroup:Nancy Austin is the author of The Assertive Woman, the first book on that subject for
Nbgroup:women, and co-author (with Tom Peters) of the classic
Nbgroup:A Passion for Excellence. She's also writes a column for Working Woman magazine.
Nbgroup:Nancy's recent article about interviewing is what actually spurred this whole event!
Nbgroup:Connie Gray is Assistant Executive for the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.
Nbgroup:She's responsible for some of the most progressive student mentoring programs on
Nbgroup:any college campus - at Simmons College in Boston.
Nbgroup:Patti Bush is owner of StrataGEMS, a marketing and Internet consulting firm.
Nbgroup:She's got a "motley" (varied) professional background. Her experiences
Nbgroup:have taught readers a lot on the Ask The Headhunter forum.
Nbgroup:I want to welcome -- and thank -- them all for joining us tonight.
MF Dryad:A big welcome to Nick, Connie, Nancy, and Patti!
MF Dryad:Please go ahead and send your questions up here to us onstage via
the Interact button on
MF Dryad:your screen.
Nbgroup:Nancy, would you give us some of your thoughts to open up the
discussion?
NKAustin:I hear that one big advantage women have in interviewing is: they
aren't men. Agree?
MF Dryad:Here, here!
Nbgroup:Absolutely -- women tend not to have men's terrible interviewing
habits
Patti B 10:Such as?
Nbgroup:Being very "clubby": "so, where do you play golf?"
Nbgroup:Or, that EXTRA firm handshake. . .
NKAustin:Of course, it's possible to go too far the other way, as when women
hold back or try too
MF Dryad:We have a great question from CanD Slic. . .
Nbgroup:that says one thing: you're very nervous!
NKAustin:hard to be liked.
Question:What is the best way to handle a phone interview?
Patti B 10:It's REAL easy to get too casual... you have to visualize being
there in person!
Nbgroup:As a headhunter, I advise candidates to be the one to initiate such
a call
Nbgroup:so as to take immediate control.
Nbgroup:The shorter the discussion, the better. The point is to meet in
person.
MF Dryad:We have a question from Battlsr5 tied more closely to the issue of
women & interviews. . .
Question:How do women interviewers differ from men
Nbgroup:The purpose of the call should be for YOU to gather info you need to
prep for the mtg
MF Dryad:Excellent point, Nick.
MF Dryad:What about the flip side that Battlesr5 is talking about.
NKAustin:Women interviewers get to the point more quickly and comfortably, I
think. They also
NKAustin:put candidates at ease because they see that as a big part of the
process.
Patti B 10:I've noticed that women tend to get more "personal". That can be
good or bad!
MF Dryad:We have a specific question about interviewing in the field of
technology from CCoburn. .
Question:What are some of the challenges that women face in interviewing for
a position in a
Question:technology field?
Nbgroup:The conventional wisdom says that women are more empathetic. . .is
that why they're
Nbgroup:better interviewers?
Nbgroup:Here's a situation where "getting comfortable" is critical. Maybe
women help
NKAustin:Oh, technology is tough because of the company cultures--very male,
in my
Nbgroup:that happen earlier in the meeting. I think it's very true.
NKAustin:experience. You have to shake that off and carve out your own
niche there, which
NKAustin:ironically can be much easier to do in those companies.
Nbgroup:Why easier?
NKAustin:If the company is successful, they focus on performance, and don't
care that you aren't
NKAustin:a pilot or a duck hunter. Differences are less important than
talent and quirkiness is
Nbgroup:Ah, that's why it's easier to succeed in California? :-)
NKAustin:actually an asset. I was at Hewlett-Packard and found it a relief.
Patti B 10:technically oriented interview tend to go to problems at hand,
much easier than formal
NKAustin:Yeah, Calif. is great as long as the ground doesn't move!
Patti B 10:questions and answers
NKAustin:Maybe it's the project orientation that helps here, too.
Nbgroup:Patti, you make a great point. . .
MF Dryad:We have an interesting question from LJHawk. . .
Nbgroup:In technical interviews it may be easier to get to THE WORK at hand.
Question:Do you believe women take more time completing the interview
process than men?
Nbgroup:Oh, that's a GOOD one!
Patti B 10:YES!! They want to hear more about the job!
CAGRAY:Yes, I think women like to talk about a number of things related to
the job.
MF Dryad:We have a question from PPerfumo about the more material
differences of being a woman. . .
Question:How detrimental is it to be an UNattractive woman (i.e. overweight,
a large nose, or a bad
Question:overbite)?
Nbgroup:Well, the current nightly news would have us believe that it's not
good to be ugly
Nbgroup:if you're a women, or short if you're a guy. . .
CAGRAY:Another factor I've found is that women wait for the questions rather
than asking them .
MF Dryad:On which side of the interview, Connie?
Patti B 10:I think it's true... but I think that Engaging your interviewer
is more important
NKAustin:People who are "attractive" -- both men and women -- do have an
edge in most industries.
MF Dryad:As the interviewer or interviewee?
Nbgroup:There's that word: ENGAGING. More power to ANY candidate who can do that
MF Dryad:Just want to welcome all of you in the audience who have recently
joined us here onstage.
Nbgroup:in an interview, rather than sit like a bump on a log answering
questions as fired at them
MF Dryad:We're here
MF Dryad:Tonight with Nancy Austin (NKAustin), Patti Bush (Patti B 10), and
Connie Gray (CAGRAY).
CAGRAY:Women being interviewed often don't realize they can and should ask
questions, too.
MF Dryad:Thanks, Connie.
NKAustin:But personality and preparedness counts a lot more than a tiny
nose!
Nbgroup:I think we're getting to an important point here: the candidate can
be at her most
Nbgroup:powerful when talking about the WORK (this applies to guys, too)
MF Dryad:Here's an interesting question from BSSchecte. . .
Question:How does one respond to - all candidates are equally qualified, why
should I pick you?
MF Dryad:Does/should the answer vary between men and women?
Patti B 10:I've always gone to an interview with more questions than there
is time for.. makes
Patti B 10:for a more dynamic interview
CAGRAY:I totally agree, Nick that if the women can start talking about their
work, they do better
Nbgroup:If all candidates are equally qualified, is it then good to turn the
discussion away from
CAGRAY:Why pick me? Because I can show you that I know your problems and can solve them.
Nbgroup:qualifications -- and on to something else?
NKAustin:Yes, yes, yes. Learn to focus on the work and take control of the
interview. This will
NKAustin:take practice.
Patti B 10:cagray, do you know how often interviewers find people who have
no clue what your
Nbgroup:Yup, I agree. Time to DEMONSTRATE while the other candidates are
just talking.
Patti B 10:business is about?
MF Dryad:On the subject of the dynamics of the interview. . . we have a
question from Tnkrbel:
Question:What's the best way to turn around an interview when you know
you're just not clicking
Question:with the interviewer?
NKAustin:I've taken it for a walk--literally. Gone on a quick tour of the
place where we can meet
CAGRAY:Both men and women go looking for a job without researching the
organization.
NKAustin:up with other people and maybe get a new person.
MF Dryad:Excellent strategy, Nancy.
Nbgroup:What a concept: change interviewers in the middle of the interview!
I love it!
Patti B 10:My suggestion.. stop it right there, tell the truth... ask, what
is it you really want to
Patti B 10:know?
CAGRAY:It is a critical error not to somehow indicate during the interview
that you have done
Nbgroup:That takes brass.
CAGRAY:your homework before hand.
Nbgroup:Connie, that's a very important point. Sometimes the candidate never
gets the chance
Nbgroup:to do that.
MF Dryad:We have another thoughtful question from CCoburn. . .
Question:As a woman you can carve out a niche after you are hired - but what
is the best way to get
Question:accepted in the interview?
Nbgroup:I don't get that question: does CCoburn mean how to get an
interview?
NKAustin:Assuming there's a basic fit, you have to persevere. Do all
homework. Show you really
Nbgroup:Or how to get along with the interviewer?
CAGRAY:I believe that you can carve out a niche: I have done it, but you
have to be sure what you
Patti B 10:I'll tell you a story about getting hired in a male-dominated
sporting goods area
NKAustin:like the place and the people and the purpose. Is that what you
meant?
CAGRAY:are willing to do to get your foot in the door.
Patti B 10:They said "but we've never hired a woman"
NKAustin:How do you respond to "we've never hired a woman?"
Patti B 10:I said, well it's about time you did, don't you think?
NKAustin:Good Answer!
Patti B 10:women have over 50% of the purchasing power in the usa
MF Dryad:We have a question along these lines from Deb of OZ that has to do
with the experience
MF Dryad:factor.
Question:Do women that have experience, such as 20 years Air Force, have a
good chance with a
Question:technical company, simply because of the experience
CAGRAY:Ask why not? Were none of them qualified?
Nbgroup:I saw a recent stat that said 60% of women like working...compared
to 37% of men. ..
Nbgroup:What does THAT say about who you'd want to hire?
Patti B 10:women are easily pleased?
CAGRAY:My father always said he preferred women on his staff because they
were easier to
Nbgroup:Experience doesn't mean that much to me.
Nbgroup:I want to know, can you do THIS job NOW?
CAGRAY:manage and were more careful workers.
NKAustin:20 years with the Air Force speaks of commitment and guts, I'd say,
and fitting into
Nbgroup:Connie: Ah, a stereotype that might MEAN something. . .:-)
NKAustin:a pretty tight group.
MF Dryad:LADYHUB has a question that plays off the issue of stereotypes in
just this context.. . .
NKAustin:Members of a high-tech, new product launch team, say, would find
that compelling.
Question:With women trying to compete in the technology field, don't they
run across individuals
Question:who take offense at women who are agressive in order to compete?
CAGRAY:Women in the military have lived with a male
CAGRAY:dominated system and if they have lasted they have proven themselves.
Good bets!
Patti B 10:Men, seem to have weird sensibilities about that issue
Nbgroup:About aggressive women, Patti?
NKAustin:Yes, it is still a fine line. Assertive is not the same thing as
aggressive. It helps to
Patti B 10:Yes, It's hard to predict how they will respond
Nbgroup:Are they "acting" aggressive, or are they really aggressive?
NKAustin:remember that the interview is the start of a long relationship.
Patti B 10:I think that when you run into "resistance" back off and think of
a new way to
MF Dryad:Going back to the attractiveness issue, what about the
converse--women who are very attrac
MF Dryad:tive?
Patti B 10:approach the issue
Patti B 10:but don't give up!
MF Dryad:We have a question along those lines from Deb of Oz. . .
Question:What about the opposite of that, does attractive cause a problem
in a technical field???
MF Dryad:(Excellent point, Patti.)
NKAustin:Yes, definitely. I knew a VERY talented woman who had long red
fingernails and
Nbgroup:Patti, you've worked in Silicon Valley; what's the story?
NKAustin:every (male) engineer I knew called her "the Barracuda" behind her
back.
CAGRAY:When women dress professionally - suits, etc. - they convey a
different image - one of
Patti B 10:They like you to use buzz words
Nbgroup:Are buzz words sexy? :-)
CAGRAY:being serious rather than frivolous. It helps in many professions -
even with long finger
CAGRAY:nails.
Patti B 10:Yes, it's like "club" entry.. in a new career situation, learn a
few
MF Dryad:What about women interacting with other women? Kay Butle has an
excellent point to make. .
Comment:Women want to get ahead, but still haven't learned that WOMEN need
to help each other.
Comment:It's not dog-eat-dog... it's lend a hand.
MF Dryad:Have you all found this to be true?
CAGRAY:Women who have made it by struggling often are the hardest to
convince they should
Nbgroup:I think one needs to be careful about re-inventing the "old white
guys" club
Patti B 10:no, unfortunately....but enough times to make it worthwhile to
"relate"
Nbgroup:rather than creating a truly supportive environment that really
MEANS something
Nbgroup:among women.
CAGRAY:help their "sisters'' just starting off. I have heard horrid tales.
Patti B 10:women have the same career issues as men, we have to balance our
personal goals
NKAustin:Yes, it is still true that if you've climbed up on your own, you
don't understand why
Patti B 10:with our professional goals
NKAustin:or how to assist someone else.
NKAustin:I can count on one hand the number of companies that would say to
their people,
MF Dryad:To change the focusa bit, we have an outstanding question from
MewLady2. . .
Nbgroup:Do men help one another because they're men?
Question:I had to take time off to care for my father and have temped since
then. Do I stop
Question:apologizing for it? And how do I make that into less of a minus?
NKAustin:"Go get a life!"
Patti B 10:Not any more Nick....
Patti B 10:YES< stop apologising!
Nbgroup:That's my point. I think women face a similar situation whether they
know it or not.
CAGRAY:I think men are quicker to help each other than women. Women need to
be taught how to
NKAustin:I agree. You are getting superb project management skills by
temping. You are
CAGRAY:mentor. They haven't had the same experience, generally.
NKAustin:growing in number and, I hope, in respect. But never, never
apologize for your "lowly"
Patti B 10:I agree CAGRY, we don't know how to actually HELP each other!
NKAustin:status.
Patti B 10:Never, did anyone read my sister's article about taking a "lowly"
job?
Nbgroup:Never succumb to the idiot interviewer who is more concerned about
your "resume"
MF Dryad:We have two more comments on the women-managing-interviewing-women
issue:
Nbgroup:than about the work you can do for him or her.
Nbgroup:Patti's talking about the article in Ask The Headhunter titled "My
Adventures".
Nbgroup:Great reading. Answers THIS question quite nicely!
MF Dryad:PegyZ has always felt that women treat female bosses differently
and KMaczka. ..
CAGRAY:I have found it necessary to sometimes take a lowly job to get your
foot in the door.
MF Dryad:Is interested in hearing more about women managing women.
Patti B 10:I am too!! Tell us about managing women -- how is it different?
Nbgroup:Do women treat female bosses differently because they feel they
SHOULD, or is it
Nbgroup:a competition issue?
CAGRAY:Women can be the best of managers - caring, delegating and
supportive, but they can also
MF Dryad:I notice a difference myself, but I'm not sure what it means or in
whose favor it weighs.
CAGRAY:be manipulative and turf-oriented, just like men. Maybe we are not
that different when it
CAGRAY:comes to competition for a job or promotion!
NKAustin:It's a relationship we scrutinize more, and I don't know why.
MF Dryad:We have a fantastic question from KMLowell. . .
Question:What are some interviewing tips for women who have been out of the
job market for some
Question:period, either due to family issues or otherwise?
Nbgroup:Nancy, you're opening up a very interesting discussion.
CAGRAY:Look beyond the tasks they have performed to see what the skills are
so they can see
Patti B 10:Make it a positive... "I stopped working to really understand
that part of the consumer ma
Patti B 10:market (or whatever)
NKAustin:Here's an area where interviewing is changing--those unsightly
"gaps" in one's career
Nbgroup:I think this is where heavy-duty, raw research on the employer and
their business is
CAGRAY:these skills as transferable to the workplace - problem-solving,
organizing, service
NKAustin:aren't so ugly anymore. Actually mini-sabbaticals!
Nbgroup:most critical -- it can open the interview up for such a candidate.
CAGRAY:oriented, interpersonal communication competencies.
Patti B 10:Good point NK!
NKAustin:But you have to stand up for that experience and not sag underneath
it.
MF Dryad:We have time for just a few more questions. We have one from
JULGOUDY. . .
Nbgroup:Yes, I think companies are starting to see these "gaps" as something
they themselves
Question:When asked what is your main strength-what is the best reply when
your strength is that
Question:you have many strengths. This is a hard point to get across in a
resume and difficult to
Question:summarize in an interview without sounding like a generalist.
Patti B 10:Doesn't it seem that we have to educate our interviewers?
CAGRAY:Gaps are not as bad as they used to be. People are moving in and out
of the
Nbgroup:are inflicting on the pool of workers, so they're not as senstive to
them as they used to
Nbgroup:be.
CAGRAY:workforce for multiple reasons, including elder care today.
MF Dryad:And we have another practical question from Etherbudd:
Question:What about women who are older than their interviewers...any
special advice?
NKAustin:Try in your own mind to get it to 25 words or less; force yourself
to focus on what you
Patti B 10:Make sure in your interview that you really get the chance to
tell it like it is..
NKAustin:do really well, what those key strengths are.
CAGRAY:Pick the strength that is most needed in that organization!
Nbgroup:"My greatest strength is solving your critical Problem X like this.
. ."
Patti B 10:YES
CAGRAY:Older than their interviewers? I went through that 2 years ago. I
toned down myself and
MF Dryad:What about the age question? What if an interviewee is older than
the interviewer?
CAGRAY:asked more questions so that I did not come across as a know it all.
Nbgroup:An older interviewee should focus on the work, not the interviewer.
MF Dryad:Well, folks, we're going to have to wrap things up tonight.
MF Dryad:Everyone is invited back to The Motley Fool--keyword: Fool, where
we can continue our
MF Dryad:discussion in a more informal setting.
MF Dryad:Click on CHAT once you get to the Fool and voila!
Nbgroup:Dryad, thanks for a fine job tonight!
CAGRAY:Thanks everyone. It was fascinating and informative.
MF Dryad:Nick, Nancy, Patti, and Connie, THANK YOU ALL!
Nbgroup:And thanks to Nancy, Connie & Patti for joining us and writing some GREAT articles.
NKAustin:Ditto--it has been great. And I loved all the articles.
MF Dryad:And thank you to those of you in our audience for your great
questions!


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