Q. How should I start and end an interview?

The key to your start is to build rapport immediately. The first thing to do is smile. Do it sincerely. Then tell the interviewer that you appreciate the time taken to meet with you. You can also add that you have been looking forward to the interview and believe that the interviewer will find you to be a candidate that can bring tremendous value to the organization. 

If this is a virtual interview, there will be no handshake. After the pandemic has passed and in-person interviews may become standard again, you would also shake the interviewer’s hand, a firm handshake that is not too hard but not weak, either. If you do not know how your handshake feels, practice on someone else.

At the end of an interview, you want to smile, tell the person that you enjoyed the conversation and you are very interested in the role. You want to remind the interviewer that you will provide significant value to the organization. Additionally, you want to inquire as to when you will hear back about your candidacy and who would be contacting you. You can also ask if additional interviews will take place.

This way, you provide a positive impression both initially and as the last thing the interviewer remembers about you.

Q. Why would a job posting require a cover letter in addition to a resume?

There are several reasons why an employer would require a cover letter as part of a job application.

1. To see if you can follow directions. Many people do not read the entire job posting before they apply. So if you don’t read the job posting, you would not know to provide a cover letter. If following specific directions is essential in the role, this is a way to check whether you have this skill.

2. You are not truly invested in the job. Writing a cover letter is not too difficult, but it does take extra time. If you decide that it is too much of a hassle to write one and submit your resume and see what happens, then the employer knows that you are not serious about the job. An employer may use the lack of a cover letter to weed out people.

3. Written communications are a critical part of the role. A cover letter is a way to judge a person’s ability to convey information interestingly and compellingly. This writing is different than in a resume. Reading what is written can help determine those that have stronger writing skills.

If a job posting says that a cover letter is required, do not think that this is just a suggestion. It is there for a reason, and if you do not want to comply, do not bother to apply.

Q. Everyone at my company was asked to take a 15% pay cut due to COVID-19. That was in April. It was hard to manage my budget, but I have been able to do so, mostly because my family does not go out much, and we did not take a vacation. I have not heard anything that the salaries are going to be reinstated any time soon. I know I cannot permanently live on less money. What should I do?

First, there are no right or wrong answers to this question. I will give you some things to think about as you are trying to decide the right path for you.

Look at what is happening with your employer.

You must look at your current work situation and evaluate the positives and negatives. You know that the lower salary is a negative. Are there others? Has the workload increased? Has the type of work changed negatively? Is the work environment one of more stress? I would also take note if any of these were present before the pandemic started. Has a negative situation gotten even worse?

What are the positives about where you are working? Do you like the work you are doing and the people? Do you like the company culture or the mission? Has your work changed since the pandemic, and is that a positive? You may find that you have been asked to take on additional challenges that you find exciting and beneficial to your career.

Then look at the financial health of your business. Do you see the company performing better than it did immediately after the start of the pandemic, or has it stayed the same or gotten worse? Has the competitive landscape changed? Did the company undergo layoffs or furloughs, and how did that impact the operation?

Compensation is just one aspect of happiness in a role. Looking at the totality of your employment, do you feel more positive or negative about it? Do you think that in the next 3-6 months, you will feel more positive or negative about it? 

A big question, of course, is when your employer may restore salaries. Has there been any hint on this? Do you think this will become a permanent change?

Look at what is happening in the job market.

Moving from your current employer would mean finding other employment. What does the job market look like in your industry and for your type of role? How easy or hard will it be to find another position, and will it pay as much (or more) as you made before? Some people are finding that if they are in an industry or a role that has seen many layoffs, the market has depressed starting wages, so they have had to take a pay cut. Make sure you look at up-to-date salary data to know if this might apply to you. Are there jobs for what you do in your geographic area? Can you work remotely? Are you willing to relocate?

You also need to look at the type of salary you should expect if you move and the ease or difficulty of finding a new job. Also, look at the kind of work you want to do. Will another employer provide you with the type of environment, the people, and the work you enjoy? Don’t underestimate the importance of this. Many people find that yes, they may be making more money, but they are miserable in a new job.

Lastly, you need also to consider the time and energy you have to focus on a job search. You will need to spend anywhere from 10-15 hours per week looking for a job if you are working. Do you have that time available? With children learning remotely or elderly parents needing your assistance, do you have the bandwidth right now to be pounding the pavement looking for a new position?

There is a lot to think about, right? So there is no one answer to this question since it will depend on your particular situation. Answer these questions, and you should find the right solution for you. One suggestion I would make, should you decide to say put is to update your resume. Then, should you choose to move forward with your job search, or an exciting opportunity comes your way, you at least are in a position to apply.

Shelley Piedmont is a job search coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. If you need career coaching, resume preparation, interview skills assessment, or LinkedIn profile assistance, she can help. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.