Getting A Job » job interview

Top Job Interview Tip: They’re All the Same — Important!

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:53:50 +0000

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

About the Author:

For over 25 years Craig Travis has successfully been marketing people with his keen insight and is aptly noted for his highly effective and commanding communication style that’s as bold as it is innovative. He has redefined the way candidates are marketed and his creative approach has helped his clients capture the finest jobs in their fields.

Today, he’s the foremost writer producing exceptionally powerful resumes and persuasive cover letters for Sequence, a premier executive search and staffing firm for the construction, engineering, environmental and light industrial industries. Sequence is dedicated to supporting the core industries responsible for building and maintaining the nation’s infrastructure, natural resources and environment by recruiting and marketing personnel to work for the finest organizations throughout the United States. For more information: www.sequencestaffing.com.

Telephone Interview Tips – Land Your Dream Job

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:15:42 +0000

Telephone interview tips can help you land your dream job. How? The amount of telephone job interviews conducted by employers has dramatically risen over the past five years and the trend shows no signs of slowing. This is mainly due to the fact that employers are searching for ideal candidates who live out of town, not just those who live locally. Chances are that you may have to “attend” a telephone interview. When you do, these tips will help you out.

Keep in mind that an interview conducted over the phone is just as important as one conducted in an office. You need to prepare for your interview just as you would any other interview. Review questions and practice your answers in front of a mirror or with a friend. Make a list of questions you want to ask. You might also want to study up on the employer you are interviewing with.

Always keep your resume and the classified job ad in front of you during the interview. This will keep vital information within reach. Avoid preparing a pile of documents. If you have a stack of papers in front of you, you will be tempted to browse through papers which will create a noisy distraction during your interview. It will be very difficult extracting information from a huge pile anyway. The key is to keep it simple.

If at all possible, use a home phone line for the interview. Cell phones can be unreliable. A home phone is both more reliable and free of static. Set aside time for the interview. Make sure you are in a quiet place and that will allow you plenty of time to talk. Your interviewer may request to conduct the interview through a video conferencing system on the computer. This is fine, but there could be technical difficulties if you don’t make sure you are up and running ahead of time.

Make sure you set aside plenty of time for your interview. You never want to abruptly halt an interview or disrupt it in any way. One of the best telephone interview tips that you can follow involves getting into an ideal frame of mind before the interview. Schedule time before the interview to relax. Take steps to limit disruptions. Take the call in a private room located away from kids, animals and other potential distractions.

Try to speak up and pronounce your words clearly. Remember; the quality of your voice is your first and only impression. Speak passionately, but avoid becoming too animated or excited. This could make it difficult for the interviewer to understand you.

Another great tip is to dress for a telephone interview just as you would in an in-office interview. While no one will actually see you, you will feel more professional and your voice will convey this.

Telephone interview tips will only help you if you have time to prepare beforehand. If an employer cold calls you and asks to do an interview on the spot, politely ask if you can call back at a better time. Always give a time when you will call back.

By: CK Tan

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

12 Job Interview Tips You Should Know to Nail that Job

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:22:06 +0000

So you want to further your career and go for a manager job or something of the same level. That’s great – ambition is always good.First, make sure your job resume is in good order. You can hire a professional resume writer if you want a great presentation or study some online resume writing tips if you want to have full control over your CV.

Once your resume is out there, the next thing you should do is prepare for possible interviews. Here’s where a little career planning is in order and so here we present not just a few but TWELVE job tips you should know before you face your interviewer for that manager job.

Job Interview Tip #1 – Know the Company.

It is good business etiquette to know as much as you can about the organization to which you’re applying. If you are quizzed about the company’s history it’s paramount you know something about them to prove you’re serious about work for them. Your manager job description will be tough to live up to if you know nothing about the people with which you want to work.

Job Interview Tip #2 – Prepare for Questions.

Our second interview tip is crucial. Be prepared to answer questions about the company and about yourself. There’s nothing more awkward than being stumped, flustered, and speechless. Avoid saying “Uhh” or “Ahhh” too much. Answer confidently by being knowledgeable about yourself, your goals, your skills, your achievements and what you can bring to the table.

Job Interview Tip #3 – Prepare Your own Questions.

Employers are impressed if you ask good, intelligent questions. Ask about work processes, quality control, common challenges within the company, and others. Demonstrate that you really want to understand the nature of your work so that you can function better in the organization.

Job Interview Tip #4 – Look Good.

You must be well groomed when showing up for an interview. Get a haircut if you need one; buy a new suit if your old one looks too tatty. Take a bath (heaven forbid you don’t!) and iron your clothes. If you’re a woman, wear moderate make-up, make sure your nails are manicured, and tone down the perfume. You don’t want to make the interviewer choke as he/she takes a whiff of your scent!

Job Interview Tip #5 – Be Punctual.

Tardiness is bad and will immediately put a damper on things. Leave early so you will get to the office early. Don’t waste your interviewer’s time by showing up late. If you really want that manager job, you must demonstrate responsibility and be determined to keep appointments.

Job Interview Tip #6 – Shake Hands Firmly.

A good handshake shows you are confident and willing to engage. Always make eye contact when shaking hands; this coordination can accomplish much in establishing positive vibes.

Job Interview Tip #7 – Don’t Overdo It.

Avoid unnecessary body movement; don’t fidget. Keep still and punctuate your points with limited hand gestures. Don’t ever point your fingers, especially at the person talking to you.

Job Interview Tip #8 – RELAX!

Many people panic at interviews and start biting their nails, toying endlessly with their wedding ring, drumming their fingers, or jiggling their legs. Stay calm, breathe deeply, and think of happy memories. Don’t worry yourself sick about something that can be dealt with positively if you just take time to relax.

Job Interview Tip #9 – Listen Closely.

Pay attention to what is being said. Maintain eye contact, especially when it’s obvious your interviewer is making an important point. Focus on the discussion at hand and keep your ears peeled for important details. If you mishear a word, don’t be afraid to clarify rather than pretend you understood what was said.

Job Interview Tip #10 – Communicate Clearly.

Speak clearly and choose your words carefully. You may want to make a humorous comment but what if it backfires? Also, don’t be obscure – use words and ideas that make sense and can be easily understood. Avoid being superfluous.

Job Interview Tip #11 – Don’t Ever Talk Negatively. About Your Current/Previous Employer.

This is very important – don’t be negative, especially when it comes to your previous employers or colleagues. It will only show that you have a tendency to bad-mouth other people and that’s not something to advertise when gunning for a manager job. Always be positive and enthusiastic.

Job Interview Tip #12 – SMILE!

Smiling is important so pay a tremendous amount of attention to your teeth. Make sure they’re immaculate and presentable. If you have discolored teeth (and most of us do), try a good tooth whitening product.