We Are So Proud to Have With Us
Aimee Tittlemier
Author of:
Rad-Reader: What
inspired you to write this book in the first place?
Aimee: Before
writing the book, I worked as a copy editor for blogs and documents including
resumes and cover letters. I loved making others shine on paper so that their
full potential could stand out among extensive amounts of resumes. It became a
passion of mine to help and coach people to prepare for interviews and improve
their writing/communication skills. I started getting a lot of wonderful
feedback from the people I had coached who felt so confident coming out of
their interviews. Most of the feedback included that I needed to get this
information out to more people so I started writing...and here we are!
Rad-Reader: Did
you have experience in hiring? Or at
least know people that had hired other and get their point of view?
Aimee: I've spent an abundance of time on both sides
of the interview table and was able to take my mistakes from interviewing for
companies and create a fool-proof guide to becoming the most professional
version of yourself. I was intrigued at the positive feedback I received from
potential employers, and tailored my techniques to better my interviewing
skills with each opportunity. I've also had the pleasure of interviewing many
potential hires and noticed how many people aren't familiar with putting their
best self forward. There were so many common mistakes, some of which were
decision makers for me, I felt inclined to provide the information to those who
want to excel in the interview process.
Rad-Reader: Do
you think this will appeal to all age groups or do you think is more for those
just coming out of college more?
Aimee: Though this book is targeted at college
graduates, the techniques can work for anyone looking to join the work force or
further their career path. It's a quick guide that can provide confidence,
clarity and professional polish.
Rad-Reader: What
do you think is one of the biggest mistakes we do when going for an interview
these days?
Aimee: One of my biggest pet peeves in interviews is
when my potential hire doesn't show much interest in the company or the
position. We have to keep in mind that the interview is not only for the
company to find out more about you, but it is also for you to see if the
company is a desirable place for you to work. The interview should work in both
directions.
I am
always offended and turned off when potential hires don't have any questions to
ask me in return. I've taken time out of my day to read their resume, come up
with thoughtful questions pertaining to their work history and set some time
aside in my busy work schedule to invite them in for an interview, when there
are no questions pertaining to the company or position, I feel as though that
effort has not been reciprocated. This isn't to say that all employers expect
questions, but it will surely impress each one to know how interested you are
in joining their company. Make your interest known and present yourself as an
investment for the company.
Rad-Reader: Have
the tips you given differ in any way from say what our grandparents and parents
have told us all along?
Aimee: Not all of my advice is new and modern, some
of it is definitely drawn from traditional ways of interviewing. What I've
drawn from my parents and grandparents were the ways they played games with me
to develop my expressions, vocal inflection, and word choice...it also helps
that Mom would correct our English every opportunity she had!
One
thing that my mom always used to say to us was that we were our own best
advocates. This is something I take with me to each interview and even allow to
saturate other areas of my life. What she meant was that though life presents
unforeseen situations and unwarranted surprises, we had control of our own
effort. No one is going to do the work for you -- you need to prepare yourself,
ask questions, do the research and use any/all tools available to you.
Rad-Reader: How
can we be less nervous when going on an interview?
Aimee: Oftentimes, nerves present themselves as
"ticks" or repeated actions we perform subconsciously. These can include
things like clearing the throat, bouncing knees, tapping fingers, touching the
face, messing with hair, or even space fillers like "uhhh" or
"ummm." The interview is going to be nerve-racking since landing a
job is a huge opportunity, but there is a way to quiet the ticks. First,
identify what your 'tick' is by doing mock interviews with a friend--recording
yourself can also be beneficial. Next, try to counter the tick. If your tick is
bouncing your knees, try crossing your ankles to avoid movement. If you clear
your throat as a space filler, slow down and think about your answers and
proceed with your conversation. By knowing our nervous habits, we can help to
mute them or even eliminate them all together. The main thing to keep in mind
is that your interviewer is also human and understands that this is a tense
process. Present yourself with confidence and the knowledge that you've
practiced and prepared for this moment.
Rad-Reader: What
is your educational background in order to write this book?
Aimee: I graduated from Loyola Marymount University
with a Bachelor of Arts in English and an emphasis in journalism. I've also
operated as the hiring manager for multiple companies, so am familiar with the
type of person that companies are searching to hire.
Rad-Reader: Did
you have to do a lot of research to come up with this final outcome?
Aimee: My book is based on my own experiences of
interviewing for jobs as well as having the responsibility of sorting through
numerous resumes and meeting with potential hires. I've been able to compile a
hands-on guide to getting hired that is concise and results-oriented, taking my
readers through each step of the interviewing and hiring process.
Rad-Reader: Okay,
where did you come up with the title? I
love it! It stands out that is for sure.
Aimee: When I happened to stumble on the invention
of this word, I knew I had to write a book! The word FLUCK was born when I was
coaching a friend in interviewing skills. This particular person kept going on tangents
when answering questions in our mock interview, and once they would go on the
tangent (or what I like to call 'fluff' the story), they'd get stuck in what
they were saying and forget what the actual question was. Fluffing gets you
stuck -- Fluff + Stuck = Fluck. By avoiding the fluff, you can be sure you
won't fluck up the interview. Of course, this naturally became the title of the
book to provide a lightheartedness and relate to my readers.
Rad-Reader: What
are the top 5 things you should do before going on an interview?
Aimee: 1.
Research the company. Find out its major mission statements, accomplishments,
and even downfalls.
2. Practice your physical presence:
vocal inflection, projection, eye contact and body language.
3. Familiarize yourself with commonly
asked interview questions so as to be prepared with an answer that coincides
with the particular job description.
4. Have a friend hold a mock interview
with you to practice answering questions on the spot.
5. Come up with a list of 10-15
well-constructed questions for the company, typed and placed in a folder or
portfolio. This is your secret weapon to pull out when you’re asked if you have
any questions. Even if the interview has been mediocre to that point, this is
your chance to turn the interview around and take control, ending on a positive
and impressive note.
Rad-Reader: What
is the funniest thing that ever happened to you on an interview?
Aimee: At
one interview, I was applying for a highly energetic, customer-service based
position and the interviews asked me what my favorite animal was. I obviously
answered with the velociraptor due to its awesomeness. They then proceeded to
ask me to do my best impression of one…I got the job J
Rad-Reader: What
do you do to relieve the stress before an interview to help you get through
it? Any rituals?
Aimee: My personal saving grace is prayer. It's
always a nice reminder to know that someone else is on your side, cheering you
on. I go into each interview confident in what I have to offer to that
particular position and company.
Rad-Reader: If
your book had a theme song what would it be?
Aimee: 'Eye of the Tiger' - the minute the song
comes on, everyone thinks of the Rocky Movies--putting on the gloves and
putting in the work to make you the best you can be. It takes hard work,
preparation and passion to fight in the ring of today's competitive job market.
Rad-Reader: Do
you have any other books you think you might want to write in the near future?
Aimee: I'd like to focus on getting this information
out to the public, but could definitely see a series of how-to guides. I
believe this information is too valuable to be kept to myself. My current goal
is to educate anyone looking to join the workforce, giving them confidence and
poise to present themselves professional to potential hires. There is no reason
that anyone who prepares correctly would not be a top candidate for any
position.
Rad-Reader: How
can our readers get in touch with you?
Aimee: Website: www.dontfluckitup.com
Twitter: @DontFluckItUp
Facebook:
/DontFluckItUpBook
Rad-Reader: We
would like to thank Aimee for being with us today. We have to say we are so proud of Aimee and
all that she has accomplished. She is a
special young woman that we have always wanted our daughter to grow up to be
just like (as well as like her sisters: Kaytie & Kellie.) Great role models to say the least. They are all exceptional women who we are now so blessed to call friends.
She was in grade school when I met her
and my daughter wants to be like her and her sisters. Career minded and college oriented. (I want to grow up to
be like her mama. She my go to person in a crisis and she has always been there.) That is just how
special this family is. Always kind
words, kind gestures, and lots of love.
This is our greatest way of showing “Baby Girl” our faith in her and her
book, this SHOUT OUT and our faith in her book.
We love you Aimee, and good luck with your
book and all that you do. You have always made your own luck and I know you will be guided now with love and your strong partner to with you, your husband, Troy. :)
Love you Baby Girl!!! :)
Love you Baby Girl!!! :)
Aimee: Love you so,
so much.
Miss
Char J
Are you about to enter the work force? Are wondering just how to succeed in business? The first step is standing out during the hiring process, particularly given today’s highly competitive job market. That means crafting a compelling resume, shining during the interview, and following up in a professional fashion.
Don’t Fluck It Up: The Perfect YOU for the Job Interview by Aimee C. Tittlemier is the hands-on guide to getting hired. Concise and results-oriented, it teaches you everything you need to know to prepare for an interview and find the job that suits your own skill set. Taking you through every step from the job posting to the thank-you note, this indispensable resource picks up where your college degree may have recently left off.
You’ll learn techniques that will transform your job hunt, including exercises designed to help you gain confidence during the interviewing process, such as make-or-break aspects like eye contact, voice inflection, expression, and demeanor. Learn how to control nervous habits and become more comfortable in your own skin. With a little preparation, you can become the most professional version of yourself possible, and land that awesome job.
MY REVIEW:
First off I need to say I know this author personally I have had the pleasure of watching her grow into the wonderful young woman she is today. That being said...I like that the way Aimee writes, it is the way she speaks. Laid back, funny, excited and ready for a new challenge head on. Believe me when I say... she truly wants you to succeed. That’s just Aimee and the way she was raised.
The feeling and approach I got from this book is the same thing I heard her mom talk about in speaking about the girls in every new challenge they would face school, dance, college, and jobs. Aimee’s mom and dad would sit them down and come out with a short and a long term goal plan then see where they were at. Then, they would see how the girls felt it was best to go about meeting those goals, critical thinking, is a great life skill. Then they would guide them, if need be, to either expand on a thought or give more input to another method or solution.
This book is more of an Aimee daily “Pep Talk” if you will, of hope for you to know you can do this. This book can help you get what she was lucky enough to be born into. I got a lot of the old reminders that use to be drummed into students about what employers will be looking for in the market place. Before you get there you have to know where to look and Aimee gives you some FREE websites in the book to tell you where there are job postings to help start you off. Yet, before you do that are you sure you have all your ducks in a row as they say? As chapter two states, “Only One First Impression.”
Aimee even gives you examples of questions that could be asked in an interview. So, what are the other things that you might need help on how about facial expressions, integrity of the interview, or maybe the job being the perfect job for you. She will help you weed this all out. This book has helpful hints, humor and Aimee’s personality, a willingness to truly want to help and the experience of being on both sides of this job force the job seeker and the interviewer that would be hiring maybe you. J
(Note: Errors found in these early copies due to publisher not author.)
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