Friday, May 13, 2016

INTERVIEW TIPS - L Fentress - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I often have people who I’ve met at church contact me because they want to write a book. Laneshia is one of those people. I try to meet with each one. Sometimes I can’t because of my writing schedule, but I could meet with her. Most of those people aren’t anywhere ready to write a book. But when we met, she came prepared, and we were able to look at what she had and move forward quickly. There are so many people looking for jobs, and her easy-to-read book is a valuable tool to help them get a job.

Welcome, Laneshia. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?
I am very passionate about people. I find joy in helping others. I have a motto, “see the need … meet the need”!

Tell us about your family.
My father is a jazz musician, but has also had the same job for almost 40 years. My mom is a stay-at-home wife who is the best homemaker I’ve ever met. I am the oldest of three girls and the aunt of two nieces and one nephew. My family is hard-working, reliable,and very involved in ministry. I have a wonderful husband who supports my every endeavor, even the things that make him nervous, and we have an adult daughter. I am learning the tough part in raising her but letting her fly. I am grateful that we are known for good character and integrity.

Have you written other nonfiction books?
This is my first book. I never thought I would write, but what better way to reach an audience!

Do you have any other books in the works right now?
Not at this time, however I am open to whatever God would have for me to do.

What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?
I love to sing. Coming from a family of musicians and marrying a musician as well helps to keep my singing hobby pretty active. I also enjoy going to new places and trying new restaurants. I am always on the prowl for a new dining experience.

Readers, her husband plays in our worship band at church. Laneshia, why did you write the featured book?
Working in human resources and recruiting over the past several years has given me the desire to reach out to those who may seem to be underprivileged in the areas of education and the career. I have talked to many individuals who were clueless in the job interview process. I wrote this book from my heart to the jobseeker, who needs to brush up on interview skills.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?
This book is designed to make you laugh at yourself and learn from the mistakes you have made. Even if you feel confident in your interview skills, you can use these tips to keep you aligned with general office etiquette.

Is there anything you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?
Ultimately, I want you to know that my heart is for helping people. This is the sole purpose of me writing this book.

Please give us the first page or two from the book.

1 ATTITUDE

                  Interview Tip #1

When you have an interview, the moment you arrive, you are being watched.  It is always a great idea to be kind to the people who greet you at the front desk! Drop your bad attitude in the trash! YOU need the job, they already have one! #interviewtips

As a hiring manager, I have seen many good people with bad interview habits walk through my door. Interviews are perfect observation grounds for both the front desk staff and potential coworkers to study how you act in a professional office environment. From the moment you walk through the door of the building, you are being judged by front desk personnel who are often considered the “face” of the organization. If you have a bad attitude, leave it at the door. Be kind to everyone you meet in your prospective next job. You never know who may have input in the hiring decisions being made. Interviews can be a nerve-wracking process, but being prepared both physically and mentally will ease the nerves and increase the chances of you leaving the interview with a job.

Successful candidates know that anyone they interact with once they step foot inside the building can be a steppingstone or roadblock towards being considered for a position. Candidates may only think to put their best foot forward when trying to impress hiring managers, but forget about the other people that are also important facets of the organization. There was one particular occasion where a candidate I interviewed was one step away from the hiring process, but disclosed to a lower level employee that he was wearing nail polish, a forbidden item on the company dress code. The lower level employee immediately reported his findings back to the hiring managers and his offer was immediately rescinded. Lower level employees, such as receptionists and front desk personnel, can be a liaison between hiring managers and other upper level management. Receptionists can be the first interactions between candidates, and their impressions hold more weight than some candidates may think in the hiring process. At a previous job, my employer had a system in place designed to weed out undesirable candidates. Transportation representatives would deliberately interact with the potential candidates to gauge their personality and stress level. The transportation representatives kept mental notes of their interactions with candidates and reported their findings back to the hiring managers. The candidates who were rude or had dismissive attitudes were not hired and were not even allowed to continue to the next step in the hiring process.

As you can see, Readers, this is valuable information. Laneshia, where on the Internet can the readers find you?

You can find me at my website www.laneshiafentress.com or my Facebook and Instagram page which is Laneshia Fentress or my twitter handle which is @favoredfentress. 

Thank you, Laneshia, for sharing your book with us. I hope all the readers who have someone in their families looking for a job or seeking a better position will get a copy.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Interview Tips: Transforming the Workforce One Interview at a Time - Paperback
Interview Tips: Transforming the Workforce One Interview at a Time - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

9 comments:

Laneshia Fentress said...

Thank you for sharing your platform with me Lena. I am looking forward to meeting some amazing people here on your blog!

Mary Preston said...

Invaluable information.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Conway SC

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Even if we aren't job hunting, this sounds like a great resource for all of us!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Brenda Arrington said...

This book sounds like it will be a help to most. Thank you for sharing and thanks for the giveaway.
Brenda in Va

Unknown said...

Thank you Mary!

Laneshia Fentress

Unknown said...

Brenda,
It is my true intention to help people. Even if one feels as if they are in a place where they don't need the information, we all know someone who does. Thank you for sharing your comment.

Unknown said...

Thank you Connie! I hope you get a chance to read and share it.

Unknown said...

Well wishes to you in the contest!