|
Seriously Impress at Your Interview With These 7 Hot Tips
So you've managed to secure a job interview for a position thatfits you PERFECTLY. Now comes the moment of truth: Are youREALLY ready for the interview? If you've rehearsed what you'regoing to say and know the perfect answer to every potentialquestion, you're half way there. There's just one importantthing you've forgotten: Yourself. How do you sell yourself and show your potential employer howvaluable you can be to their company? You want to make them hireyou TODAY and not even THINK about other applicants. You knowyou're the right person for the job, so how do you make THEM seethat? Here are seven easy steps you can take to really makeyourself shine during the interview process. 1. First, find out everything you can about the company you'd beworking for. Who are its customers? What is its missionstatement? How does the job you'd be performing relate to thecompany's goals? Finding out this type of information gives yougreat insights on what kinds of questions to ask your interviewerand shows them that you've done your research and already havesome background in the company's business and objectives. 2. Read over the job description carefully. Analyze your ownstrengths and see how you can tie the two together. If you haveprevious experience, make note of those times where you helpedachieve a specific result. Employers give more seriousconsideration to applicants who have a background and a trackrecord in their industry than those who do not. 3. First impressions count. It should go without saying that youshould arrive 15 minutes prior to the interview, dressappropriately (if not above) the position you're applying for,greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and maintain eyecontact throughout the discussion process. Be enthusiastic,personable and outgoing. Show a sincere interest in the peopleyou meet and the work you'd be doing. Interviewers can tell ifyou're desperate! 4. Show that you can solve problems and work well under pressure,since nearly every job will require both skills. If you canidentify a particular problem in your industry or that you mayface when doing this job, give the interviewer some ideas of howyou would solve it. Be calm, relaxed and confident. Somenervousness is expected, but your overall mannerisms (such asfidgeting, nail-biting, slumping in your chair) will be aninstant giveaway on how well you REALLY work under stress. Likewise, if you project confidence and security in how you carryyourself, the interviewer will definitely notice. 5. If your mind goes blank when asked if you have any questions(and you should ALWAYS have a couple of questions ready),consider asking why this position is open. What's the company'strack record and turnover rate? Are they performing well andkeeping employees on board? Remember, you're not just sellingyourself on how you'd be a great fit for this company, butfinding out how this company could also be a great fit for you. 6. If an interviewer asks a question that makes you feeluncomfortable, smile politely and ask, "Why would you like toknow?" Remember, your employer is prohibited from asking youpersonal questions, including references to your race, gender,sexual preference, marriage status and child care situations. Your interview should be focused on how well you can perform thejob, not your home and family life. 7. After the interview, be sure to follow up with a thank-younote. Recount your strengths in the letter and highlight yourqualifications. Touch on specific discussions or conversationsyou had with the interviewer to help them remember that polished,professional, enthusiastic candidate (you). Close the note byletting the interviewer know of your sincere interest in theposition and your confidence in doing it well. If you keep all of these suggestions in mind, you'll not onlyhave seriously impressed your potential employer, but you'll comeaway from it feeling like a winner too! Good luck! Roger Clark is senior editor at Top Career Resumes and Career Information Resources who provide free information to job seekers on all aspects of finding a new job and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.
MORE RESOURCES:
Jobs City of Rochester (.gov)
Careers Washington State University
Careers Freedom of the Press Foundation
Careers Gwinnett County Public Schools
JobFeed NSW Department of Education
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Shades of Grey
A paperweight sits on my desk, etched in silver the message: Life isn't always black and white. It serves as a reminder there are few absolutes at work (or in life).
What is a Career Anyway?
A career is the sum total of all of your work-related contributions to society in a lifetime. This includes time and effort spent to provide goods, services, or benefit to others.
Alert! An Over-50 Jobseeker Has Just Entered the Building
Interviewing Tips for the Older Job-seeking PopulationA red alert is probably melodramatic, but I'm sure jobseekers in this age bracket probably feel there is one. The bulk of the job-seeking population is currently facing job-search woes that the elderly population has been experiencing for years.
Resume Software - The Hidden Pitfalls
Disadvantages of Resume SoftwareFormatA large majority of software requires the use of their format; most commonly using the chronological resume style. While the chronological style is certainly the most traditional manner to write a resume, it is not always advantageous for everyone.
How to Evaluate Job Offers and Zoom In On the Right Opportunity for You
You've been successful in your job hunt and have received a job offer. Maybe you received more than one offer.
Corporate World: Jungle Or Paradise?
The road to the top is not easy, it is bumpy and dirty. Along the way, we meet interesting creatures.
3 Questions No Job Seeker Ever Wants To Be Asked?
Employer and interviewers expect you to answer tough question during interviews. Take a few minutes to brainstorm on how you might elaborate on the following answers.
Career Change: From Suits & Sales to Boots & Rails
Peter Humleker had it made. As the general manager of a successful car dealership, he was earning an impressive income.
The Career Athlete: What It Takes to Manage Your Career
Managing your career, just like managing your life, requires preparation and ensuring that your time is directed meaningfully. Don't wait and see; make things happen.
Creating Traffic Jams
It's hard to imagine why anyone would pick up a newspaper to find a job any more. With a seemingly endless array of career sites, mailing lists, corporate sites and newsgroups, job seekers have more options online than ever before.
Get Your Dream Job!
Anyone who is a jobseeker knows that looking for a new job or career is a job in itself. Once you have completed the laborious task of writing your resume and submitting it to various companies, you now have to pass the screen test to get the job.
Active Listening Skill Tips for Interviews
During a job interview, a potential employer asks, "Can you take on more than one project at a time?" If you respond, "Yes," you may want to rethink that answer. According to Dynamic Listening: Interview Skills, a computer based training module from Mindleaders in Columbus, Ohio, you should avoid one-word or one-sentence answers.
Writing A Great Resume, Part 2
TIP: Update your resume often. Be sure to add details of any training course, new interests and areas of responsibility.
Searching for a Federal Job
Many years ago searching for a federal job was a long, complicated and drawn out process. Today, it has been become far less complex and is now just a three-step process.
The Five Most Common - And Most Avoidable - Résumé Errors
Writing an effective résumé can certainly be challenging. There are numerous rules and none of them apply 100% of the time.
Out Recruit The Competition
We hear from our clients that they "hope the candidate takes the job." Hiring a candidate shouldn't be a guessing game.
Job Interviews: What to Wear
It takes between seven and seventeen seconds for a person to make an impression of us and much of that impression is based on how we look. It stand to reason, then, that what we wear to job interviews will make a far greater impact on our success than anything we're likely to say once those first crucial seconds have passed.
Interview Presentation Skills: Dealing With Your Nerves
Sooner or later, the interview invitation is going to say you are required to give a presentation as part of the selection process. And like most people you may dread having to do it.
Thank-You Notes: Your Thoughtfulness will be Rewarded
I get asked these questions over and over: "Should I send separate thank-you notes to everyone who interviewed me? Can I just send one thank-you note to the hiring manager and ask him/her to thank others involved in the process?"The answers are yes and no, respectively.Send a separate thank-you note to everyone who interviewed you, whether it was an informal pre-interview phone call, an interview lunch meeting, or the final formal interview after a lengthy process.
Free Resume Template: The ONLY One Youll Ever Need
WARNING: This article is likely to make you mad.In fact, I'm pretty sure it will.
|