Job interview

Getting Ready for Your Job Interview

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Once you get your foot in the door with your resume, the next major obstacle is the interview. The interviewer already knows the basics about your work experience. The point of the interview is to see how you fit with job and how you’d fit with potential co-workers. That means they’re looking for someone with a good personality who will mesh well.

The first step in preparing for the interview is to research the company. It helps to know what the company does and find a reason why you want to work there. Is there a product they’re producing that’s exciting? Are you interested in the service they’re providing? Knowing what the company does goes a long way in impressing the interviewer.

The second step in preparing is knowing how you’ll answer key questions. Find negatives in your past experience (such as not having experience with an aspect of the job) and find a way to turn it around so it’s more positive (such as saying, “Although I don’t have experience with that, I’m excited to learn. It’s something I’ve wanted to know more about, and this is a great opportunity to learn and grow.”). Practice these answers in front of a mirror. This will help you to know whether your facial expression matches what you’re saying. Also practice with someone who can give you feedback.

The third step is to pick out a professional outfit to wear to the interview. Men should wear suits and women should wear a modest business outfit that is moderate in color.

Filed Under: Ethics, Interviews Tagged With: Interview, Job hunting, Job interview

The Language of Leaving

Interviews — you’re certain — are defined by their questions, by the answers you must provide. All impressions are crafted from words and their meanings. There are no other elements to consider. There are no others skills to master. You must merely provide phrases that appeal.

This… is not quite true.

Interviews are instead shaped by body language — specifically how you offer your farewells:

Give A Smile

The conclusion of an interview shouldn’t be met with a sigh of relief. It must instead be granted a smile. You must appear confident with the answers you have given (as well as personable). Be certain to match an employer’s gaze and grin.

Shake Hands

It’s all too easy to reach for a manager’s hand when introductions are being made; it’s all too easy to forget, however, to do the same once a meeting is done (when you’re wanting only to escape). You must shake hands at the end of an interview. Have a strong — but not overwhelming — grip. A touch will reaffirm your abilities.

Walk Steadily

The desire to flee an office will be great (with you wanting to hurry back to your car, tuck yourself away from scrutiny). That desire must be tamed, however. You must walk calmly from the room, striding into the building’s main area without a trace of anxiety. This will intrigue an employer — as well as intimidate any potential candidates who are still waiting. You will appear secure.

Earning a career isn’t easy. It demands an understanding of both words and gestures. These suggestions can help to soothe the strain, however, and allow you to impress all companies.

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: Employment, Interview, Job interview

Ten impressive questions to ask your interviewer

If you’re preparing for a job interview, you’re probably rehearsing your fantastic answers to all the questions you expect to be thrown at you. What may make more of an impression, though, is your arsenal of impressive questions designed to showcase you as the employer’s leading choice for the job.

Use these memorable questions to fit your specific situation:

1. What does this company place the most value on, and how will my work for you promote these values?

2. What do you look for in an ideal candidate?

3. How will I be able to work collaboratively here?

4. What’s an area of your team that could use some polishing?

5. Can you tell me the most important accomplishment I can make in my first 60 days?

6. What are some examples of the strongest and weakest aspects of this company’s culture?

7. Will I be someone’s mentor, or am I going to be mentored by someone?

8. By what criteria will you judge my success? How will I be able to show in six months that I have met your expectations?

9. How do you see my potential for fitting in here?

10. Do you have any concerns about my potential for success in this position?

Questions are a strong way to show that you understand the challenges the company faces, reveal how you can help the company meet them and actually ask for the position. By asking pointed questions, you can direct the interview into areas where you excel.

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: Company, Interview, Job interview

The Art of the Interview

Jobs are in low supply these days, so the interview process is more important than ever. Your resume will show your qualifications, but personality is what matters after that. Here are some tips to help you nail your job interview and be remembered.

Practice for the interview before it happens. This may seem cheesy, but it is important in order to make a good first impression. People may be able to point out flaws in your interview skills that can be fixed, like saying, “um…” too much or using too many hand gestures.

Don’t chew gum – it might offend your interviewer. Plus, it looks very unprofessional.

Dress the part. If you are going for an office interview, be sure to look smart. Jeans are out of the question. A white shirt and suit are your best bet. The same goes for women. If you are going for a job interview in a warehouse, however, a little less dressed up may be in order. Use your best judgment, and be well groomed no matter what you choose to wear. This means shave a few hours before and check your appearance in a mirror before showing up to the interview.

During the interview, be sure to make eye contact. This shows that you are serious about the job and that you have confidence in your ability to do it.

It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your resume in case the interviewer does not have it on hand. Some people will ask for it just to see if you are prepared. A sheet of paper with your references may also come in handy.

At the end of the interview, leave your business card so they can contact you easily. Business cards also show you’ve had a position of importance in the past, which means you know how to handle yourself.

With a little luck and the advice mentioned above, you’ll nail the job.

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: Employment, Eye contact, Interview, Job interview

Tips For A Successful Interview

Getting that call to set up an interview can feel astonishing. However it is important to prepare beforehand to ensure that you can leave a great first impression during your interview. By following some simple steps and doing some research its possible to approach the daunting task with confidence and grace.

Personal appearance is one of the most important factors to consider before attending an interview. Depending on the job type it might be preferable to wear a suit or dress, while other job-interviews can be successful in casual dress or normal clothing. Remember to get a haircut beforehand and shave if necessary. While it is important to look professional, overdressing can make you appear desperate for the job. Just dress to impress, but don’t overdo it.

Do some additional research on the position the company is offering as well as the company itself. Walking into an interview knowing some of the company history makes it easier to decide on what to highlight about yourself. An interview can be short making it necessary to show how well qualified you are for the position using as few words as possible. Should you feel nervous about what you will say practice talking about your qualifications with a friend or loved one. Ask them to pretend they are interviewing you and put yourself on the spot. If you can answer all of the interview questions confidently a real interview should go flawless.

Bring all the necessary paperwork and information with you to the interview. You may be asked to fill out paperwork before or after the interview. Remember to have your social security number, previous employer information and drug test results if necessary during the interview. Not having vital information can be embarrassing and show that you were not prepared for the interview.

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: Interview, Interview Advice, Job interview, Job Search

Preparing For A Successful Interview

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A successful interview is an interview that you feel leaving good. It doesn’t always mean that you got the job but at the very least you impressed the employer and left a good impression. Having successful interviews is important since it increases your chances of getting the position and prepares you for future interviews. You also never know when the company might require new employees, which could result in a potential job opportunity later in life.

The first aspect of an interview that you should prepare for is the initial phone call. Make a list of the positions you have applied for at various companies so that you can recognize who is calling you when you receive the call. It would be embarrassing to not know what position you applied for when you get a return call. Make the phone call brief and professional. Remember to not get too excited and to save it for your interview. The person on the other end of the line likely has many other potential candidates to call and does not want to waste time discussing your credentials.

Remember to dress appropriately for the interview and have a professional appearance during the interview. This means getting a good night of sleep beforehand and putting yourself in a relaxed yet confident mood. The last thing an employer wants to see is anxiousness, stress or nervousness. Take a few deep breaths before the interview and remember that the worst thing that can happed is not getting the job.
When at the interview you must show that you have an interest in the position. Ask questions to maintain a conversational flow and try to have an in-depth conversation. If you can’t socially relate to the person during an interview how could they expect to interact with you as an employee?

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: Anxiety, Employment, Interview, Job interview, Job Search

Coming To An Interview Prepared

The worst thing that can happen to someone at an interview is the embarrassment of coming unprepared. The person interviewing you will know immediately and the chances of getting the job will drop drastically. Showing that you are prepared for an interview requires confidence and a little bit of knowledge as well. By doing some simple research and preparation beforehand you can ensure that an interview will go smoothly
Do some research about the company you are being interviewed for before going to the interview. By knowing the ins and outs of the company you can better present your skills at the interview by relating to how you would use them if chosen for the position. Remember that the purpose of an interview is to evaluate your character and potential for success at the company. Researching beforehand allows you to illustrate how you would benefit the company if you are hired.

Part of your character is defined by your appearance at the interview. Remember to look professional with a good haircut, nice dress clothes and a fresh shave. This could depend on the type of job you are interviewing for, so do not appear dressed in a suit for a factory job. The second part that defines your character is how you speak during the interview. Talk calmly at a slow pace and do not slur or jumble your words. Answer questions with confidence and pride but never lie about past experience or jobs. By being honest you are gaining the trust of the person interviewing you. An honest person with some skills has a better chance than a dishonest person with more experience
Remember to leave the interview on a high note. Do not try too hard to impress the interviewer with your qualifications and skills. That is what your resume is for. Be personable and try to have an actual conversation.

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: Interview, Interview Advice, Job interview, Job Search, Question

Just Be Yourself

Interviews can be intimidating, but it’s important to remember to relax and breathe. The hard part is over, you’ve found a job and they like you enough to bring you in for an interview. This is the getting to know you stage. Think of it as a date. You don’t want to pretend to be someone you’re not, the same way you don’t want the hiring manager to lead you on about the position. And the interview is the perfect time to find out if your personality fits with the climate of the company.

If the position you’re interviewing for requires skills you don’t have, don’t panic. They brought you in for a reason, and sometimes a willingness to learn is more important than possessing the skill to begin with. But don’t lie about it, or stretch the truth. If you don’t know how to do something, tell them, because getting hired to do something you don’t know how to do but claimed you did could cause you to lose the job.

Act yourself. If you have a nickname, ask them to use it during the interview. You can tell right away if they’re going to be open to you expressing your individuality that way. If you strongly identify yourself by a shortened form of your name, but they insist on calling you properly then you might have some problems later down the road.

Also pay attention to your language and how you’re received when you use certain words. Having a regional accent or vocabulary shouldn’t affect your interview, but sometimes it does. If you’re judged poorly because you used words acceptable where you grew up, that company probably wouldn’t be a good fit for you.

It’s important to maintain a professional attitude during an interview, but it’s also important to be open about who you are and what you can do for the company.

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: Employment, Interview, Interview Advice, Job interview, Job Search

The Job Finding Maze

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

In this precarious economy, finding a job can be a full time job. There are so many people in lay-off or down-sizing situations, who have found themselves out of a job, maybe for the first time in many years. If you have been out of the job searching business for even a few years, things have changed. With the introduction of the Internet, advanced technology, and people whom you can hire just to find you a job, things have changed considerably. No longer is job hunting just a door knocking, hand shaking deal. You have to “sell” yourself to prospective employers. You need to make them feel that you are doing them a favor by working for them.

The process obviously starts with the job hunt. You have sifted through newspapers, on-line job finding search engines and “NOW HIRING” signs. What comes next? Was your search successful? You can get help at jobcorpsworks.org. This sight will even help you find the available jobs suited to your needs. Tell them what you are qualified to do and they will find employment prospects for you. If you are searching on your own, you can get advice on the job search. Once you find a job or a few jobs that you think might be a good fit, you need to apply for employment. When was the last time you had to write a resume? Have you gone on a job interview lately? What are the right things to say, what is the best way to present yourself? At jobcorpsworks.org you can get advice on resume writing tips, as well as job interview tips and advice.

You know you are amazing, your family knows you are amazing, your friends know you are amazing. With jobcorpsworks.org now your future boss will see how amazing you are, on paper and in person.

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: Business, Business and Economy, Employment, Job hunting, Job interview, Job Search, Résumé, Web search engine

Job Market Roulette

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Keeping a job in the current unemployment situation in the country is difficult and competition has never been more fierce. Getting a job, if you are unemployed, is even more difficult and the competition, even more fierce. There are just not enough jobs to go around. We all need to be working. We have houses to pay for, children to feed and sometimes, mountains of bills piling up. You have confidence in you skills, you know you are the right person for the job. How do you convey that to a possible future employer, and do it better than everyone else vying for the position?

You can do all the right things, keep your resume current, be ready for an interview at a moment’s notice, keep your pressed clothes ready and waiting in the closet, and still, someone else can have the edge. How do you make that edge yours? You can start at jobscorpsworks.org. A lot of the application process to jobs is on-line these days. This is probably one of the most difficult ways to make yourself stand out among many, maybe even hundreds, or candidates for the same job. This site can help you from start to first day at work. You can start by learning the best way to present your resume, how to polish it, give it that extra something that every employer is looking for. However, the application and the resume are just the first step. Once you garner the all important interview, jobscorpsworks.org can help get you ready. There is advice on job interview tips, many ways to make you “the right one for the job.” In the country’s current situation, where jobs are fast becoming almost a luxury, it is time to put your best foot forward, and with a little help, the next time you need this website may be to hire people, not have people hire you.

Filed Under: Ethics Tagged With: Business, Business and Economy, Employment, Job interview, Job Search, Labour economics, Résumé, Unemployment