Quotes from Robin Ryan

You'll never know what you can achieve until you try. Just never, ever give up.

This 60-second calling card will summarize your skills, abilities, and previous experience in a well-thought-out fashion that will immediately make the employer want to listen.

Interview etiquette is now on center stage in corporate America. Dress, image, and personal presentation are undergoing greater scrutiny than ever before.

Point 1: Four years of software engineering experience. Point 2: Data analysis was his major job function. Point 3: Had C# and C++ programming experience. Point 4: Supervisor constantly said he had excellent report writing skills. Point 5: Trained new team members.

What are your strengths? What makes you think you are qualified for this job? What makes you think you will succeed in this position? Why do you want this job?

To set yourself apart from any stereotyped group, learn to project what all employers desire: the "ideal worker persona." These are quick learners, adaptable, flexible, and willing to try to succeed at new tasks. They take their own professional development to the highest level possible and excel at core strengths.

Many workers are now searching for employers with a mission they can believe in. Whether it is to fight for a political cause, to safeguard the environment, or to help other people overcome life's problems, they select jobs and employers because they feel they can make an important difference by working there.

On the other end of the phone sits the employer who decided to call you in for an interview. Three thoughts are running through his mind: Can you do the job? Will you do the job? Will you work out in their organization so they can manage you?

The most effective way to capture attention is to use your enthusiasm to answer each question succinctly in a concise, brief manner. Never use more than 60 seconds on any answer.