All About Interview

16 job interview tips How to ace a telephonic job interview Job interview tips from a hiring professional Whats your meta message 10 steps to a successfull interview Appropriate attire is a must Art of interviewing well
16 Job Interview Tips By Kevin Donlin Prepare for the Interview The best way to ace your next job interview is to prepare for it. This may sound obvious, but it's not. Too many applicants walk into an interview without knowing as much as they should about the industry, the company and its problems. Remember: You are there to solve a problem. Otherwise, the company wouldn't be hiring. Follow these steps: 1. Know the company. Find out as much as you can about the position, the company and its needs, so you can show how your background meets those needs. Telephone the receptionist and ask for copies of company brochures. Be friendly and professional on the phone and when you go pick up those brochures. (A receptionist who takes a liking to you can be one of your most important allies in getting a job.) Whenever possible, get a copy of the company's annual report. Research the company at your local library and on the Internet. 2. Know yourself. Mentally review the skills and character traits you have that will help the company's bottom line. Think in terms of the value you can add to the position and the company. 3. Know your job history. Mentally review your past achievements and be prepared to describe your work experience in detail. Gather letters of reference and samples of your work to present to the interviewer as proof of your past accomplishments. Practice describing your experience in terms of your responsibilities and accomplishments at each job. 4. Know the questions. You can almost bet on being asked: "Tell me about yourself." Approach this from the employer's point of view. Ask yourself, "If I were hiring someone for this position, what would I want to know?" Then answer those questions. And be ready for tough ones, too. Think of the worst questions you could be asked about your experience and abilities, then prepare positive responses. 5. Prepare questions of your own. Employers are as interested in your questions as they are in your answers. And they'll react favorably if you ask intelligent questions about the position, the company and the industry. (Examples: Where does this position fit into the company as a whole? Is there any problem on this job with waste/accuracy/meeting quotas, etc.? What is the largest single problem facing your staff now?) 6. Get the big picture. Visualize the entire interview, from start to finish. See yourself as performing with style and confidence. How will the interview end? Will you get a job offer or be called back for a second interview? How much salary do you want? What kind of benefits? The research you did in step 1 will give you an idea of what to expect. Be ready for any eventuality. Make a Good First Impression The outcome of the interview will depend largely on the impression you make during the first five minutes. To succeed, you must project a professional, competent and enthusiastic image. Your aim is to convince the interviewer that you would be an asset to the company. Keep the following in mind: 7. Punctuality. Do whatever it takes to arrive a few minutes early. If necessary, drive to the company the night before and time yourself. Allow extra time for traffic, parking and slow elevators. 8. Dress. Your clothing should be appropriate for the position you're seeking. Attire must fit well within the office and be immaculate. If you don't know what the typical attire at the company is, call and ask! Shoes should be polished; pants/skirts and shirts pressed. 9. Grooming. Clean hair and fingernails are essential. Hair should be styled conservatively. Avoid excessive make-up, jewelry or cologne. 10. Handshake. A firm handshake is appropriate and projects confidence. Make eye contact when you shake. 11. Body language. Send the right message by standing straight, moving confidently, and sitting slightly forward in your chair. Conduct the Interview Have your own agenda and know where the interview should be heading. This will give you confidence and help you move from one area of questioning to the next. Remember: Most interviewers are as uncomfortable as you are. They just want the position to be filled as fast as possible. If you can put the interviewer at ease by helping things move smoothly, you'll improve your chances of being hired. Remember the following: 12. Enthusiasm and eye contact. Show your enthusiasm by making eye contact and keeping an interested expression. Nod and gesture in moderation; excessive body movement can distract and annoy the interviewer. 13. Listening skills. Listen carefully and ask questions to probe deeper into what the interviewer is telling you. Most interviewers are delightfully surprised by a question such as, "How could I help you solve the problem you've just described?" 14. Communication skills. Good grammar and articulate speech are essential. If this is an area where you're weak, work on it. Practice on your family, practice in front of a mirror, record your voice, take classes -- do whatever it takes to become a more effective communicator. 15. Negative statements about previous jobs or employers. NEVER make them. Instead, be diplomatic. No matter how bad your last job or boss was, there's probably something good you learned from the experience. Emphasize the positive -- with a smile. Follow Through This is a crucial and often-overlooked final step in the interviewing process. Remember: No home run or 350-yard golf shot was ever hit without a proper follow-through. 16. It's essential that you write a thank-you note to every person you met at the company. Your most important letter(s) should go to the interviewer(s). In your letter, be sure to summarize your conversation and re-emphasize the skills you would bring to the position. Thank them for their time and ask if it's all right to call later in the week to see how their search for a candidate is going. That candidate may well be you! -- Kevin Donlin is the author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. How to Ace a Telephone Job Interview By Kevin Donlin A job interview by telephone can be an exercise in frustration, full of awkward silences. Or, it can be a chance to set yourself apart from the competition. In either case, it's all in how you prepare. Here are three tips to help you prepare for and ace your next telephone interview: Do your homework. You can make a tremendous first impression by researching your potential employer online or in your local library. Your goal is twofold: know the company and its products (so you can talk intelligently) and know the company's problems and competitors (so you can offer solutions). Things to look for on a corporate website include annual reports, mission statements and service descriptions. And be sure to check out the job postings, which can shed light on a company's future direction. You should also use your research to devise two to three solutions to problems your potential employer might face. Examples: new technology from competitors, low-priced imports, etc. Consider writing your solutions down and e-mailing or faxing them to the employer before your phone interview -- this will REALLY give you something to talk about. Show your stuff. Since you won't be face to face with your interviewers, it's important for you to prove you can do the job during your conversation. Years ago, I did a telephone interview for a position as a high school German teacher and had to speak that language for 20 minutes. (I'm now a resume writer, which tells you something about my German ability.) What can you prove by phone? Try to anticipate the questions you'll be asked that demonstrate you can do the job. Then, prepare accordingly. Mind your mannerisms. When you talk on the phone, smile. Believe it or not, smiling as you talk makes your voice sound much more friendly and enthusiastic. For practice, put on a big smile and go re-record the message on your answering machine. Then listen to the difference. Finally, stay focused during your telephone interview. It's easy to get distracted by happy chat or background noises. There'll be plenty of time to discuss sports and weather after you've been hired. Best of luck to you! -- Kevin Donlin is the author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. Job Interview Tips From a Hiring Professional By Kevin Donlin, Guaranteed Resumes You already know enough to practice your answers to such commonly asked interview questions as "Can you tell me about yourself?" and "Why do you want this job?" But what's really going through the mind of that person sitting across the table from you at the job interview? What are those HR people thinking as you sweat out your answers to their questions? To find out, I interviewed Ms. X, an HR Manager from a Twin Cities-based marketing firm. She agreed to share some of the things she looks for while interviewing candidates. Now, here's the transcript of my interview with Ms. X: Kevin Donlin: "What are some of the things you're listening for as candidates talk with you during a job interview?" Ms. X: "First, I'm listening for self-awareness. Do they have goals? Do they know what their goals are for one year, five years and further down the road? I'm looking for team players with good judgment, who will help my company out over the long term. Because I don't want to have to fill this position again in six months." Kevin: "So, candidates will help themselves by being self-aware but not self-centered?" Ms. X: "Yes, that's a good balance. I'm also looking for adaptability. How has the candidate handled change in the past? Given the fact that the world of work is changing so rapidly these days, I want flexible people who can adapt to new systems and processes." Kevin: "Other important points?" Ms. X: "I think that, related to adaptability, it's important to have a good learning ability. In any industry, you have to stay current on new trends and technologies. What works today won't work in five years ... maybe not even in five months! Candidates should be able to master new skills and information as quickly as possible. I look for this in resumes and during the job interview. "Overall, I'm looking for candidates who are a good fit, not just for the job description, but for the corporate culture here. But I won't come right out and ask: 'Do you think you're a good fit for us?' No. The whole interview gives me the answer to that question -- everything the candidate has said and they way they've acted." So there you have it. While every HR professional is different, you should at least be aware of the fact that your attitude and unspoken answers during a job interview can be just as important as your answers to the more direct questions. Best of luck to you! -- Kevin Donlin is the author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. What's Your Meta Message? Your job search could be in deep trouble ... and you may not even know it. All because you're sending a negative meta message. A what, you ask? The term "meta message" is a marketing concept referring to the overall impression you give when communicating with others. It's the "vibe" that extends beyond (meta) what you say (your message). Here's an example. You're sitting across from a prospective employer during a job interview. You say: "I'm really eager to be a part of your company, Mr. Jones. My five years of experience and training give me the tools to succeed as a Sales Rep for you." At first glance, that sounds like a convincing message. But if you're saying this with spinach in your teeth and wearing socks that don't match, here's your META MESSAGE: "I'm not really that eager to join your company because I couldn't find time to brush my teeth or dress properly. If you let me anywhere near your clients, you'll be making a big mistake." That's just one example of how a botched meta message can ruin an otherwise favorable impression. To avoid this and keep your career on track, it's crucial that you carefully analyze all parts of your job search campaign. Here's a list of areas to focus on, based on my experience helping nearly 2,000 clients since 1996. - Resume. Make sure yours is concise, clear and convincing. Use high-quality stationery to present the best possible meta message here. I recommend laser printing your resume on ivory-colored paper. - E-mail address. The address you use on your resume must look professional. If your current handle is "iluvbeer@party-time.com," consider changing it to "SMJohnson@hotmail.com," or something similar. - Answering machine. Make sure your outgoing message is brief and to the point. That means no laughing, loud music or dogs barking in the background. (I'm sure you've heard sillier things.) - Personal grooming. Comb your hair neatly every day, to prepare for that one day when it has to be perfect. Clean and press your clothes, too. And never eat spinach salad before a job interview .... Your meta message speaks volumes about you. Make sure yours says: "Hire me. You won't be sorry." Best of luck to you! -- Kevin Donlin is the author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. 10 Steps to a Successful Interview Arrive on time. Introduce yourself in a courteous manner. Read company materials while you wait. Have a firm handshake. Listen. Use body language to show interest. Smile, nod, give nonverbal feedback to the interviewer. Ask about the next step in the process. Thank the interviewer. Write a thank-you letter to anyone you have spoken to. Appropriate Attire Is a Must The clothing you wear to your interview should make you look like you will fit in at your prospective employer. When in doubt, err on the side of conservatism, suggest the experts. Even if the company has a "business casual" dress policy, you're better off dressing a bit on the stuffy side than in taking a gamble only to find that your idea of casual doesn't match that of your prospective employer. For Men Traditional business attire means a dark, conservative suit and a white, long-sleeved (even in summer), pressed dress shirt. Ties should be silk and coordinate well with the suit. Avoid flashy patterns on ties-the job interview isn't the time to prove how much of an individualist you are. If you wear an earring (or several), remove it before the interview. For Women Traditional business attire is a conservative suit or dress-those thigh-high skirt lengths alá Melrose Place won't cut it in the real business world. Avoid wearing jewelry and makeup that are showy or distracting. Forget the excessively long fingernails-they, too, are distracting. If you wear nail polish, make sure it's a subtle color and neatly done. For Everyone Avoid wearing too much cologne or perfume. Your hair should be clean and well-groomed. Shoes should be polished and coordinate with your suit or dress. An interview isn't a beauty contest, but how you dress and your overall appearance almost always get noticed by the interviewer. Don't give the interviewer a chance to rule you out because you didn't feel like ironing your shirt or polishing your shoes. Dress in a business-like, professional manner, and you'll be sure to fit in wherever you interview. Art of Interviewing Well When Lisa Portis first lays eyes on a candidate for a job at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, she makes sure that the person has clean, neatly groomed hair and fingernails and is wearing an unwrinkled, professional-looking suit and carefully polished, unscuffed shoes. She does not look kindly on tattoos or body piercings. When Christie Kallenbach chats for the first time with a candidate for a job at Intel Corp., she intentionally overlooks attire and immediately begins looking for a reason to hire the person for one of the firm’s many technical positions. Portis, a regional recruiting supervisor at Enterprise’s Oak Park, Illinois, offices, and Kallenbach, an Intel campus recruiting manager based in Chandler, Arizona, both regularly interview students who want to work for their firms. Both seek candidates who will perform well on the job and fit into their corporate culture. Both ask questions that focus on how a candidate has behaved in the past to help them predict his or her future performance. But it’s the differences in their techniques that can sometimes confuse students who are trying to figure out how to make the best impression on interviewers and secure the best possible position, pay, and benefits. “If you don’t dress seriously, we can’t really take you seriously,” says Portis, who meets with students from a variety of majors and hires them primarily for management trainee positions that require strong customer-service skills and high visibility. “If you come in not dressed well, you’ve taken away 50 percent of your chance to be hired.” Learn how to convince employers you’re right for the job. Portis says she follows a carefully structured 30-minute behavioral interview format that’s followed by most other Enterprise recruiters as well. Kallenbach is much more laid-back about appearance—and about the interview itself. But, like Portis, she uses behavioral questions to identify the best people for the positions she needs to fill. It’s just that those positions are different—she needs to find engineering and computer science majors who have strong technical skills and experience, and who don’t need to interact much with the public. Getting ready How can you know what your interviewer will be looking for? How can you prepare to speak, act, and appear as professional as possible in that brief and urgently important meeting? “Do advance work,” advises Eleanor Sanchez, associate dean of career services at Columbia University. “Learn everything you can about a company.” Sanchez says that means reading about the company, going to the company’s on-campus information session, and asking as many questions as possible of any company employees or interns you know—or who your friends or family know. She adds that savvy researchers focus not only on a company’s statistics—its profit margin; products; and number of divisions, locations, and employees—but also on its culture and values. “Make sure you know what is expected of you in that interview before you go in,” Sanchez says. “There is no excuse for not knowing about a company’s culture.” Once you’ve done your homework, Sanchez says, you’re ready to start practicing. “Think about the worst question you can face in an interview—the one you most dread,” she says. “Practice answering that. Do role playing. You must be prepared for that question. If you can answer it, the rest will be much easier.” Sanchez says that once you’ve crossed that hurdle, you can practice for the rest of the interview. “Be prepared to articulate your strengths and skills and what you can bring to the organization,” she says. “Even if you’re asked off-the-wall questions like ‘What is your favorite pet?’ or ‘What is your favorite color?’ be prepared to answer them in a way that focuses on what you can do for the company.” Sanchez says one good way to practice is by doing a mock interview with a career counselor, family member, or friend—or in front of the mirror. She adds that it’s good to practice both answering and asking questions. “Applicants are finding that they can be much more assertive and honest about their values than in the past,” she says. “Students are feeling much more at liberty to say something like ‘I want to know about your policy on sweatshops,’ or, ‘Are you an environmentally concerned company?’” But remember, Sanchez warns, that questions like those must be asked in a tactful, nonconfronta-tional way. And different recruiters will react differently.