New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/28/2011 -- Job Interview Advice for Anthony Weiner. Interview Coach Pamela Skillings’ Top 5 Tips for Job Candidates with Dirty Secrets

Now that Anthony Weiner has officially resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives and apologized again for those saucy photos, it’s time for him to start thinking about the next chapter in his career. Job interview coach Pamela Skillings has tips for Weiner and anyone else trying to find a new job after a firing or high-profile failure.

“A big mistake doesn’t mean your career is over,” says Skillings, a professional interview job coach who works with hundreds of job candidates each year. “In fact, it’s possible to turn a high-profile embarrassment into new opportunity. Look at Kim Kardashian, Donald Trump, and Eliot Spitzer.”

Skillings has coached many job seekers who have survived ugly terminations and career lows and gone on to land enviable new jobs. Here are her tips for turning a scandal into strength:

1.Step Away from the Drama
Take some time to process what happened and let any scandal or gossip fade away. For Weiner, it’s likely just a matter of waiting for the bloodthirsty hordes to be distracted by another politician love child, celebrity sex tape, or reality star bankruptcy. Most people are already sick of hearing him apologize (and seeing those photos).

For the average job seeker, it takes time to deal with the hurt and anger caused by getting fired (even under the least embarrassing circumstances). If you rush out to start interviewing while you’re still bitter and defensive, you’ll just do more damage to your reputation.

2.Find the Lesson
Use your time out to think about what you’ve learned so far. All great success stories include a spectacular failure or two along the way. People want to root for that indomitable underdog who can persevere in the face of hardship. This is the stuff that fairy tales and blockbuster screenplays are made of.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy to accentuate the positive – or to sell it to a job interviewer. However, a great story of learning an important lesson the hard way can make you stand out in a good way.

3.Get Your Story Straight
Once you’ve identified an upside to your breakdown, it’s important to practice your delivery until you’re able to discuss your awkward moments with grace. You must also think about what red flags your story is likely to raise with interviewers and be prepared to counter concerns with stories of your strengths and accomplishments.

If your particular story hasn’t been splashed all over CNN, you may be able to avoid telling the whole ugly truth in your interview. You should never lie in a job interview. After all, look at how that “My Twitter was hacked” story worked out for Weiner. However, you can be smart about the details you share and the words you use.

Don’t improvise. Conduct practice interviews with a trusted friend or coach. You don’t want to memorize a script or seem overly rehearsed, but you must feel confident and prepared to handle the tough questions.

4.Know Your Audience
Before every job interview, do your homework and learn as much as you can about the opportunity, the organization, and your interviewer. This advice should be followed by every job seeker. However, it’s particularly critical for anyone with blemishes on their resume.

Traditional, risk-averse companies and managers are less likely to welcome a candidate with an “interesting” back story. However, some interviewers will be drawn to candidates with battle scars – or even a little notoriety. Anthony Weiner already has a job offer. Sure, it’s from porn king Larry Flynt, but it’s a start. Know who you’re dealing with before you pitch yourself.

5.Do Some Damage Control
Take a proactive approach to rehabilitating your personal brand. If the phone isn’t ringing, spend your free time adding new positives to your resume to divert attention from those negatives. Sign up for volunteer work, enroll in new training classes, reconnect with fans and advocates from your past, seek treatment for your “exhaustion,” or boost your confidence a more flattering haircut.

Remember that it is always possible to recover from a career disaster. It’s up to you to take charge of your reinvention story.