Job interview
Tips on getting noticed during a job interview
September 26, 2012|employees, How to find a job, Job interview| No comments yet
With a large amount of candidates applying for jobs today, it’s imperative that once you’ve landed an interview, you need to make sure the attention stays on you as a candidate. An interview is a “make or break” situation and it’s more than just answering questions. It’s about preparing for the interview, understanding the organization’s needs, and responding to those needs.
There are several ways to prepare for an interview and make yourself noticed. All of these tips need to be researched and prepared before you attend your interview if you want to be noticed.
Understand the Roles in Interviewing
Most people don’t realize that many recruiters dislike the interview process as much as the interviewee. A recruiter tries to do three things during the interview: Sell the organization, assess your interest in the organization, and determine if your qualifications match those on your resumé. Likewise, your role during the interview is to sell yourself, understand the company’s needs and respond to those needs.
Know the Prospective Employer
You’ve heard this a million times but if you’ve done your homework and researched the prospective employer, your efforts will stand out. Know what the organization is about by reading their mission statement and any other information you can find about them. Understand what they sell or what services are offered to their client base.
Sell Yourself
Now that you know the business of the prospective employer, take a look at your background and choose 3-5 achievements or abilities that will be an asset to this organization. Choose instances that show initiative, good performance, and/or leadership. Write down those specific items and take them with you to the interview. Rehearse them to the point that you can comfortably discuss them without your notes.
Dress Appropriately
Research the prospective company to determine what the appropriate business attire is. It could be jeans or suits and whatever it is, you’ll need to wear clothes geared towards their dress code.
What Do Recruiters Look For?
Recruiters will look for several behaviors during the interview process. Each recruiter is different but if you realize the following behaviors, your chances are better at getting noticed.
Assertiveness: This attribute wins job offers. Assertiveness is a good balance between self-assurance and cockiness. Your goal as an assertive candidate is to draw others to you and your thoughts or words. When you come across as an assertive person, that means that you’re confident in who you are as a professional.
Experience: Recruiters like to hear responses that are focused on results. Gear your responses to the end result. This will make you more appealing.
Versatility: Candidates that are adaptable and versatile are more apt to succeed in an organization and recruiters know this.
Ask Questions
If the recruiter is doing all the talking during the interview, it’ll be assumed that you have no interest in the open position. Ask questions throughout the interview to gain a better understanding of the position. Show enthusiasm and interest.
What questions you might get during the interview
June 8, 2012|employees, Job interview, Tips At work| No comments yet
The interview is one of the most difficult parts of obtaining a job. It is important to be properly dressed for the occasion as well as have answers to questions that impress the potential employer. Preparedness is the key to staying calm, cool and collected during the process. That is why it helps to know some of the questions that you might be faced with prior to going to the interview.
Top Questions Asked during the Interview Process
Where do you see yourself in five years?
There are variations of this questions and can include a series of like questions. Where do you see yourself in six months, one year and five years are all common questions. The potential employee wants to see how determined you are to stay with the company prior to hiring. They want to hire people who are willing to stay around for the long haul. Think about these questions prior to the interview so that you know exactly what you want to be doing in five years. You will be able to answer the question without hesitation which gives you the upper hand.
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
This is one of the most difficult questions. There is no way to know what qualifications the other candidates have so you cannot compare yourself to others. That is not why the interviewer is asking the question. He or she wants to know what you think makes you the best match for the company. The question must be answered from your viewpoint as to what makes you the best candidate. For instance, your qualifications mixed with your personality can make the difference in whether you land the job. You have all the basic qualifications, but what sets you apart from anyone else for the job?
Why did you leave your last position?
This is a question often asked on job applications as well. It is important to remember what you put on your application so that the interview answer matches the application answer. Be as honest as possible when answering this question. Do not include things such as the fact that you did not get along with or agree with your last employer. Keep it as upbeat as possible and remember that the employer may have already checked references for the previous job.
What were your greatest strengths and weaknesses in your former job?
This is a very tricky interview question and must be answered with care. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses in their work. It is only natural. Be honest when answering this question. Be careful to not accentuate the negative too much. Weaknesses are anything that was more difficult than anything else in your prior position.
Preparing for a job interview usually causes a nervous reaction. Ease the worry by preparing the answers to the most commonly asked and difficult questions. This will allow you to answer the question without hesitation. That gives you a better chance at impressing the potential employer.
How to dress for a job interview
March 6, 2012|employees, How to find a job, Job interview, Tips At work| No comments yet
Your resume is the most important piece of information you can give to a prospective employer. This information lets him know that you have the experience, the drive and the intelligence to do the job he’s hiring for. But when it comes to conducting an actual interview, most employers base at least some of their hiring decisions on how you look when you walk in the door. Make sure your clothing is appropriate for the occasion. In a tight job market, any little advantage may be enough to get you the job. Take advantage of this fact and look the part when you go to a job interview.
Begin with scrupulous personal hygiene. Shower, shampoo and brush your teeth. Fix your hair in a neat and uncomplicated style. Avoid colognes and perfumes; some employers may be allergic to them or find them offensive. Do wear antiperspirant deodorant.
Consider the job for which you are applying when choosing your clothing for an interview. Interviewing for a job in a bookstore is much different from from interviewing for a position running a bank. A good rule of thumb is to look at the average wardrobe of the person doing the job you’ll be doing, and dress one or two steps up from there. This may mean nice khaki slacks and a Polo shirt for a theme park summer job, or your best business suit and briefcase for an office position.
Pay attention to your shoes. Wear the best pair of conservative leather shoes you own, and polish them until they are clean and shiny. Every employer has a certain quirk he bases decisions on; a surprising number of them name the state of an applicant’s shoes as one of them.
Keep jewelry to a bare minimum. Wear a watch, a wedding ring or small ring and very small earrings, at the most. If you have facial piercings and you are interviewing for a more conservative position, remove them or replace them with clear plastic placers. The subject will most likely come up, so be prepared with an answer as to whether you are willing to permanently remove them for the sake of getting the job.
Wear clothing that is freshly washed or dry cleaned. Don’t try to get away with wearing anything on the second day. You want this to be your best impression. Don’t wear your interview clothing for half a day before showing up for the interview, if you can possibly help it. Save the outfit until right before you leave, then change your clothes into the fresh interview wardrobe.
Choose conservative colors when picking out an interview outfit. Bright colors and splashy prints will come across as not as serious as dark colors and solids. Wear black, navy blue or charcoal gray. If you feel a need for a splash of color, go as far as hunter green or burgundy in an accent piece. If your clothing looks almost boring and forgettable, you’ve probably chosen exactly the right outfit. After all, you want them to remember you, not what you wore.
Applying for new job? The grass may not be greener elsewhere
February 4, 2012|Interesting Facts, Job interview, Tips At work| No comments yet
The working world is a fluid and unstable place for an employee. Even when you think that a job is secure, you never really know if you have solid footing at all. Is it a surprise that employees are constantly scouring job postings for a better opportunity elsewhere? However, is it worth leaving your current employer simply for the sake of change?
Relationships Are A Big Component To Successful Careers
You may be fed up with working at the same company you started with right after college. The pay might be lower than you wanted it to be, and you think that you might go crazy if you have to stare at the same pale blue wall for another week. On second thought, there might be something to be said for having a familiarity with your employer. The relationships you have developed over time can be a big part of your success. Patience could be the one ingredient that is holding you back from a promotion. Why skip out before you know what your true ceiling really is?
The New Employer Might Not Be A Good Fit
A new employer could blow you away during the interview process. They could promise you the moon and the stars while they are trying to recruit you. However, you could find that you are simply another cog in the machine once you are on the payroll. An employee never really knows how he will be treated upon starting employment. Working for the devil you do know can be better than working for the devil you don’t.
What If You Have A Change Of Heart
You have to be really sure that a change in scenery is what you truly want. There is no guarantee that you are going to be able to get your old job back should you decide your new employer isn’t for you. No company is just going to let an idle position lay dormant in the hopes you return. No, your old employer is going to start interviews as soon as possible to fill your spot.
Not all job opportunities are as great as they sound on paper. You have to think long and hard about what a new employer could offer you before you take a new job. Make sure that you are ready to make a change and will not come crawling back to your old employer in a few days.
How to succeed at the interview
December 4, 2011|How to find a job, Job interview, Tips At work| No comments yet
Interviews can be intimidating for even the most seasoned professionals. Each company performs interviews differently. However, there are several important guidelines to follow to help you succeed at your next interview.
You should begin preparing for your interview long before you walk into the interview room. First, go online and research the company. You should become familiar with the company’s history, goals and objectives. Also ensure that you are aware of any recent news stories regarding the company. You can use this knowledge to frame the answers to your interview questions. The employer will be impressed if she can tell that you have thoroughly prepared for the interview.
Interviewing is a skill that can be strengthened through practice. Practice answers to the most common interview questions. Ask a friend to interview you and give their honest feedback. It is also helpful to practice in front of a mirror so you can see your posture and facial expressions.
Make sure that you get plenty of rest the night before your interview. Dress professionally in an outfit that gives you confidence. For most interviews, a freshly ironed business suit is appropriate attire. An interview is not the place to make a fashion statement, so stick with classic and tasteful colors and accessories. Gather several copies of your resume and recommendations. Place your paperwork neatly in a folder, and take it, along with a notepad and pen, to your interview.
First impressions are crucial, so it is important to arrive on time for your interview. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early in case you have traffic problems or other last minute delays.
Before you begin the interview, greet the interviewer with eye contact, a smile and a handshake. Listen carefully to the interviewer as he asks the questions. If you are having difficulty answering a question, take a moment to collect your thoughts. Keep calm and remain confident during the interview.
At the conclusion of the interview, it is common for the interviewer to ask you if you have any questions. This is a great time to reflect your knowledge of the company by asking a question about one of the current issues the company is facing. You can also ask questions about the job responsibilities of your desired position.
After the interview, take a few minutes to write a handwritten thank you note. The note should thank the interviewer for his time and let him know why you would be a great fit for the position.
