After sending a resume to a prospective employer, you may be called for your first of probably two or three interviews. The initial interview is critical because that is when the employer will likely decide whether to hire you and how you might fit with the company. This step is crucial, and you need to be prepared to enhance your likelihood of a successful interview and eventual job offer.

Before you even step one foot in the door of your prospective employer, you should completely research the company, its background, corporate goals, top executives, and anything pertinent to the position to which you have applied.

Additionally, knowing the background of the company and what you are going to be doing for that company will help you prepare for questions that will be asked of you. It would be time well spent to practice answering test questions with a friend or family member so you are able to provide confident, knowledgeable answers during the interview that make a positive impression.

When you show up on the day of the interview, it is best to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to the planned starting time. An early arrival shows you are punctual and that the job interview is important to you. You should be prepared with a couple extra copies of your resume in case additional people sit in on the interview, and you should always carry copies of any documents that they may require, such as certifications or school records.

Make sure your attire and general appearance reflects the standards of the company. It is best to show up in business appropriate clothing that is clean, ironed, and sharp looking. You do not want to be wearing excessive makeup or jewelry; and for a man, you should be clean shaven and neat.

If, for example, this is a “suit and tie” company and you come to the interview in jeans, you might as well cancel the interview altogether. By looking professional, you show you are ready to blend in with their business needs. Maverick thinking may help you land a great position, but a maverick appearance will not!

On meeting the people who will be interviewing you, it is best to smile at them directly, greet each with a firm handshake, and offer an enthusiastic hello. The more upbeat you are – without appearing contrived – the more apt they are to be drawn to you.

Always maintain good eye contact with the person who is interviewing you during the meeting. You do not want to appear intimidating, however, so occasionally look away when they are speaking with you. Conversely, you do not want to keep looking up or down because they could mistake this for dishonesty or disinterest. (You may be surprised by what is surmised from a person’s body language.)

Lastly, when the interview has concluded, make sure to shake each person’s hand again and thank them for their time. State how interested you are in the job and that you look forward to hearing from them. A brief follow up thank you letter to each person for their time and interest in you will not hurt your chances either.

Though following these tips certainly does not ensure you will be hired, they do help to maximize the positive impression you make on hiring decision-makers!

By: Mort Ferguson

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Did you know that there are many different job interview tips to help wow your interviewer and land the job that you desire? Yes, that’s right! There is a secret formula of success that every potential job interview candidate should know and understand prior to the first interview.

Now, I am about to share these secret job interview tips with you! Remember, the job market is slim these days. In order to make the mark and land the position that you want and need, you have to have a competitive edge. The following is a list of what I consider to be the top five job interview tips to help you put the “WOW!” into your interview!

1. Now, we have all heard the whole spiel about “presentation” and “first impressions”. While I would love to say “hey, take all that and throw it out the door”, I can’t. The truth is presentation IS everything! First impressions DO count! Keep this in mind as you’re preparing for your interview. This is a process where you get to urge an interviewer to “buy-in”. It is much like a sales presentation. In this case, however, YOU are the product.

You should ensure that you carry a copy of a professionally written resume, as well as any other valuable paperwork that can display how you can be an asset to the company in which you are applying. Practice the sales pitch, work on the objections, and above all – push for the final purchase.

2. You’ve got your eye on a particular company. You want a certain position. If you want to WOW! your interviewer, learn that company and the description of the position that you are seeking inside AND out! This is an essential job interview tip! Not only does this tell the interviewer that you are quite serious when it comes to the position that you seek, this company will develop the same respect for you that you have for them! Be in the “know” – now!

3. The next step to ensuring the overall WOW! factor of your interview is to ensure that you practice questions that may be asked of you and consider good interview questions to ask the interviewer. This will BLOW the interviewer AWAY! The “average” interviewee comes in with their nerves tied in a knot, fear blatantly etched in their faces. This is common. Most of these individuals do not have the nerves to ask questions.

Then, here you come with all this confidence and start asking away! This is impressive! By the time you get done with the interview, you will find that the person interviewing you is actually SELLING YOU the job! Pretty amazing how this works, but I have personally experienced it more than once – successfully!

4. Now, we all know looks are not everything – and, truly, they aren’t! However, a professional image IS everything if you are looking to WOW! your interviewer. Make sure that your interview clothes are appropriate, that you are well kept and that you display a visible level of confidence! By taking the time to focus on these areas, you are sure to be pleased – in the end – when it comes to the overall results of your interview!

5. Last, but not least, WOW! your interviewer by ensuring that you remain confident, act truly interested in every word that they say and interact with them! They will gain a comfort level with you, and you will do the same with them. This, above all, is sure to convince them that they absolutely MUST hire you!

That’s IT! Everything you need to know to WOW! your interviewer and land the job of your dreams in here in these job interview tips! Apply these measures, and you will quickly and comfortably travel down the road to success!

By: Catherine Z Jones

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Ever been told to just relax, this is an informal interview? At Sequence Staffing we have learned that there is no such thing. If you consider every type of interview as a formal, serious affair then you will always be at your best, will give your best performance and will most likely land the job.

Likewise, if you drop your guard and approach the interview in an overly relaxed, informal way you may well have handed your interviewer the reason to drop you from contention. Why? Because you can come across as too laid back, or say something out of turn or out of character. If you are called by a recruiter or employer, then consider the conversation to be a serious interview and they are trying to obtain key facts and information about you, and they are seriously sizing you up on every response.

#1 Be on guard.

The manner in which an informal interview might be employed can be deceptive and purposely done. You might be at a social function, perhaps a trade association luncheon and a professional associate may begin asking you all sorts of questions related to your professional background and experience. You might interpret this as someone who has a keen interest in you, and that might be the case, but chances are that person is beginning to conduct an informal screening interview and you do not even know it.

#2 Give thoughtful answers.

If you keep this in mind and recognize it as an opportunity to respond with thoughtful answers that are provoking as they are interesting then you will be well on your way to the next step in your career. This is an excellent manner that many recruiters use and candidates have no clue they are under the spotlight. But a recruiter can quickly size you up and if you provide the sort of response they are looking for then you have a better chance to land that next job you covet.

#3 Stay focused.

As flattered as you might be when someone begins asking you many inquisitive questions about yourself and your professional background, accept in terms that you are being formally interviewed. That way you will be in the frame of mind to give strong answers; answers that promote follow up questions and incite the interviewer to dig deeper into your experience.

#4 Take advantage of social settings.

Not only do recruiters take advantage of social settings, but so do smart owners and managers of successful enterprises. It is a great way to scout out future employees. So it is good to join professional associations, attend the social gatherings, and treat every one as if they are your next boss because maybe one day they will be. Or at least they might be the one helping you climb up the next rung of your career ladder. Always be on your best behavior; people do notice. You especially want to always put your best foot forward around professional associates with whom you want to be associated with or wish to work for in the future.

#5 Mind your manners.

That said, watch what you say, eat and drink. Stay away from controversial subjects like religion or politics. Do not tell off color jokes or stories. Likewise, avoid gossip and hearsay. Always speak well of others. Find safe, common ground and keep your conversation along those tracks. Keep an eye on your table manners and watch your alcohol intake at social gatherings. If you believe getting drunk and acting silly makes you popular and gains you friends, you are sorely deluded in the business world. Remember, people are always watching you, taking mental notes and making judgments about you, your actions and your character.

#6 Good impressions count.

When you make a good impression on professional colleagues, it does not go unnoticed or is easily forgotten. You want to put yourself in the situation that the next time you are looking for a job you can call the president of a competitive firm and your call will be gladly accepted because they are eager to learn you are available to join their firm.

By: Craig Travis

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Common sense tells most of us the bare minimum for attending a job interview. You should always be on time, you should look neat and tidy, you should speak clearly and make your point, and you should make eye contact. However, there are times when things get out of your control. In this article, we will look at suggestions to help you when things start to go wrong. We will look at ways to get your momentum back and turn tragedy into triumph.

Something to avoid at all costs is arriving late to an interview. This sets the wrong tone and puts you in a negative light. However, sometimes things happen that are beyond your control. If you fear that being late is inevitable the first thing you should do is inform the company. Let them know why and when you are likely to arrive. If your lateness clearly isn’t your fault then it shouldn’t count against you in the interview. Everyone has been stuck in traffic because of an accident or had some other mishap causing them to be late, the interviewers should sympathize.

Something you should also avoid is going off on tangents that have nothing to do with the question asked or the position. People tend to do this when they are nervous. If you feel like this is likely to happen or has already started, stop, take a deep breathe and try to relax. Interviews are not designed to be fun but they shouldn’t be torture. Take sometime to gather your thoughts so you can express them clearly.

Finally, don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. Many candidates fear this because they think it will make them look incompetent. However, better to understand the question and give a good answer then pretend you understand it and look like a fool. There is no harm in asking the interviewer to restate something if you are unsure. This shows you are listening and take pride in your answer.

Interviews can be stressful. It is easy to say, relax and concentrate but much harder to actually do. Things can happen that are beyond your control to set things off on the wrong foot. However, your damage control skills can help get your through. Through careful explanation and taking the time to stop and think, you can quickly regain your momentum and make that interview a success.

By: Wildfire Marketing Group

About the Author:

CK Tan is the owner of JobAsiaSearch.com, a web site dedicated to assisting job seekers secure a job in Asia. If you need help in your Asia job search or looking for a job opening in Asia, visit http://www.jobasiasearch.com

The interview process is a very important phase of your career search. Due to the current layoff trend and projections of a recessed economy, both recent graduates and seasoned professionals are competing for the most menial of entry-level positions. Possessing sharp interview skills is necessary if you want to maintain an advantage in today’s highly competitive job market.

Proper preparation is key. When accepting an invitation to interview, make sure you obtain as much information from the appointment setter as possible. Learn the name and title of the interviewer and/or the department head, the full title of the position being recruited for and the department in which the position will be held. If you did not retain a copy of the job announcement or if the advertisement was too vague, try to secure a complete job description as well. Visit the office prior to your interview, identify yourself as a potential candidate to the receptionist and let him/her know that you just wanted to make sure of the exact location of the company so he/she won’t be alarmed by your impromptu arrival. You can also request company literature and a job description if you had not previously obtained one. Usually, the receptionist will be willing to oblige. You can then use the information you have gathered to learn more about the company and what your expected role will be. Browse through the company website and locate your interviewer’s (or the department head’s) bio if there is one available. Take special notice of the company’s mission and think of a statement that would allow you to speak sincerely of how your own values align with the company’s objectives.

Don’t just leave it at company-specific research. Check out similar positions and other companies that operate in the same industry. Read the business section of local newspapers and trade magazines paying close attention to the status of public holdings. Look at current developments in the industry and the projected outlook of the field. Talk with people you know who hold comparable positions. Perform a salary comparison so you will know what type of compensation to expect and be in a better position for negotiation when the topic is broached. The information you obtain will prove valuable in letting the interviewer know you are truly interested in the position and will give you more ammunition during the inevitable small talk that occurs at the beginning and end of an interview.

Give yourself a mock interview. Think of answers to some of the most commonly asked interview questions such as “tell me about yourself?,” “what are your strengths…weaknesses?” and “where do you see yourself in five years?” Make sure your responses are positive. Turn negative experiences and weaknesses into strengths. For example, “I am very focused which is both a strength and a weakness because it prevents me from moving on to another task until I have completed the one I am currently working on” or “I am a really good listener which often allows for people to take advantage of my time with unnecessary chatter.” Jot down three to five facts from your research that can be developed into a great answer to the popular question, “why do you want to work for this company?” Also, create a list of questions to ask the interviewer. This is just as much an interview for the company as it is for you.

Knowledge is just half the battle. You must also look the part. The popular advice is to dress business professional. While this is not bad advice, it is not always practical to follow it. During your fact-gathering visit to the company, you should have also taken a good look at how the employees were dressed and keep in mind what is the industry standard. You don’t want to show up for an interview in four-inch heeled pumps to discover that you have to walk across a slippery factory floor nor should you be in jeans and sneakers to sit down with the Chief Financial Officer of a major marketing firm. The rule of thumb is never wear less than a pair of slacks and loafers and always be well-groomed with minimal jewelry (you can pull out a few piercings for a day) and without excessive makeup. Times are changing fast but old traditions still hold true to form. Unless it is an acceptable practice to the company at which you seek to be hired, cover up tattoos and save another day to try out that new green and purple hair dye.

This really should go without saying but be on time. You should arrive approximately ten to fifteen minutes early for your interview. You don’t want to be too early as this tends to just confuse your interviewer and you don’t want to be late at all. Tardiness is not an attribute you want to give your potential employer as a first impression. Now this may come as a shock to you but your interviewer should not be late either. Remember, you are there to interview the company just as the company is interviewing you so your time must also be respected. An appropriate wait time for an interview is no more than thirty minutes. Most employers allow ten to fifteen minutes for your arrival and an additional fifteen minutes for any paperwork you might need to complete. Anything in excess of an half hour is an abuse of your time and grounds for you to reconsider your candidacy at the company.

During the interview, be energetic and upbeat. Be articulate and self-aware. Use good attentive body language and refrain from chewing gum, cracking knuckles, twiddling thumbs and any other annoying habits. Turn off cell phones or pagers. Wear an authentic smile and maintain good eye contact. Ask the interviewer if you may take notes and actually do so, marking off any of your prepared questions that get answered. Take your time so you don’t rush responses. This will be especially helpful if you are asked a difficult or unpredicted question like “if you were a fruit, what type of fruit would you be and why?” Many interviewers like to throw these types of questions at you to see how you might handle stress or the unexpected. Taking your time will allow your senses to get over the initial shock so you can think of a creative response to the question. Ask the remaining questions from your prepared list. Stay away from salary and benefits talk. Most interviewers will bring it up themselves but if they don’t, make sure it is not among your first questions. End the interview with a firm handshake and request a business card. Make sure you ask how soon it will be before you can expect a response.

Follow up the interview with a thank you card or letter. In the letter, you should tie in any information you may have left out during the interview that might enhance your qualifications and recap significant points of discussion to demonstrate that you were listening. It helps to throw in a personal tidbit using any small talk that may have been offered up by the interviewer. For instance, the interviewer may have mentioned that his wife is expecting. You could say something like, “Congratulations on joining the ranks of fatherhood.” The interviewer will be flattered by the sentiment and more apt to remember your name.

Interviews can be difficult but with the proper preparation, you can set yourself ahead of the competition. Be as sincere, courteous and professional as possible. Remember, skills and qualifications are only a fraction of the screening process. Most companies hire based on who it was they liked the most rather than who was the most qualified.

By: Niquenya Fulbright, PLC

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