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. Interviews are the gateway to landing your ideal job. These five tips will help you get own your way to making that job yours.
Tip#1
Be Confident
"Your first impression is your only impression."
Nothing is worse than a limp handshake, slumped shoulders, poor eye contact or poor communication skills. A potential employer can tell immediately if you are the man or woman for this job by your body language. Although aggressiveness is a turn-off, being passive gives the indication that you are not sure of yourself or your qualifications. Keep eye contact when answering questions or when the interviewer is speaking directly to you. Smile occasionally to show your interest and enthusiasm. Keeping a steady gaze on the interviewer can be disturbing to an interviewer. Look away occasionally. Lean forward to show that you are interested in what the interviewer is saying. Speak in a concise and clear voice. If you have problems annunciating certain words, don't try to use them on an interview. If this is difficult for you, practice with a mirror and pay attention to your facial expressions.
Other interview killers:
-Slouching in a chair
-Crossing your arms
-Playing with your hair or jewelry
-Leaning back in chair
Tip# 2
Act As If
"You are what you believe."
Act as if you had the job. What would you do if you had this position? How would you act? How would a person in this position act and speak? What are your responsibilities in this position? What is a typical day like for you in this job? Change your attitude towards yourself and your strengths. If you start thinking that you won't get the job, you will do small unnoticeable things to sabotage your chances. Great free resources: www.confidenceworld.com.
Tip#3
Know The Company
"Know your business."
I once sat on a couple of interviews where the interviewees did not do any research on the company. This sends a message that you are looking for any job, not this specific job. Once you're interview is scheduled, get on the net and start finding out everything you can about the company. A good place to start is www.hoovers.com., which gives you industry information, top competitors, names of CEO, etc. If you'd like to know what current or former employees have to say about the company, try www.wwetfeet.com. Beware of disgruntled postings. Call the company headquarters and ask for the marketing department to get specific information. Weave your research into the interview by stating. "I read an article in the Wall Street Journal, which mentioned that your company is thinking about XYZ." This lets the interviewer know that you have taken the time to know more about the company. You can ask questions about something you read, but don't challenge them or you'll come across as a know-it-all.
Tip# 4
Be Prepared
"Know what to say."
Most interviewers ask the same standard questions about your strengths, weaknesses, former employers, work history. If you are being interviewed by several people, this might be a good cop, bad cop situation. Pay attention to who is playing bad cop, they are looking for signs of weakness and dishonesty. To be well prepared, before the interview, write out all your accomplishments, both personal and professional. List your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest, it's easier to remember the truth than it is a lie. Extra Tip: Write out situations in which you have demonstrated: leadership skills, determination, stress management, creativity, and flexibility. Be prepared to answer the question: "Why do you want this job?" If you're not sure, reevaluate your decision. If you arrive a few minutes early, review what you wrote in the waiting room before the interview. Great list of interview questions: Tested Interview Questions.
Tip#5
Ask For The Job
"You get what you ask for."
The most important step in the interviewing process is one most people miss. ASK FOR THE JOB! Most interviewers are waiting for that closure. If you have done everything exceptionally well during the interviewing process, but have not asked for the job, you've just wasted an interview. Asking for the job shows the potential employer that you are assertive, confident and right for the job. It might feel uncomfortable, but this is your only chance to ask for something you really want. Make sure your voice is firm and you make eye contact. Think of it as your closing argument, you've got to win over the jury. You should also ask the interviewer if he or she thinks you are right for the job. Even if they tell you something unpleasant, think of it as a lesson learned. However, do yourself a favor and ask for the job. You deserve it!
Marie Magdala Roker is helping parents and their children to live extraordinary lives. Smart Bee Coaching LLC helps you get from where you are in life to where you want to be. http://www.smartbeecoaching.com
Making a career change is nothing new in today's job... Read More
Closing the InterviewKnowing how to successfully close an interview can... Read More
As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People... Read More
All of us involved with helping you get a new... Read More
1) Build a Relationship With Your BossLike it or not,... Read More
The labor recession is over. During the course of the... Read More
Q & AQ: Are people sometimes cautious of 'headhunters'?A. Yes.... Read More
Are you one of the thousands of job seekers who... Read More
Any online recruitment agency can help you to submit for... Read More
You've been successful in your job hunt and have received... Read More
If you want a drink of water, do you hire... Read More
Many people's idea of networking relates to the 'size of... Read More
Warning: Lying on your resume could cost you your job... Read More
1. Be CompleteMake sure that your resume includes EVERYTHING your... Read More
Doesn't every job search start with Google?Way back in another... Read More
Research suggests that as many as 8 out of 10... Read More
You've just been granted an on-site interview in another town.... Read More
I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More
So, you need to submit employment references. A simple task,... Read More
Other than actually landing the interview itself and living through... Read More
In a day of background checks, pre-employment drug screening and... Read More
Which of the following would you chose? Doing your lifework... Read More
Most of us are aware that we need to grieve... Read More
For the person crafting their first résumé the task can... Read More
We've all heard it before: "Just get out there and... Read More
Congratulations. You've been asked to write a letter of recommendation... Read More
1. Define Success for YourselfClarify and write down what success... Read More
In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their... Read More
Feeling that it never works is not a good excuse.... Read More
Are you doing what you really want to do or... Read More
Too many job seekers set themselves up for failure before... Read More
My experience working with thousands of leaders world wide for... Read More
There are lots of free resume examples (or free resume... Read More
Many employees do not care too much for their bosses... Read More
I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More
So you are interested in seeking a job with an... Read More
Q. "I wasn't happy with my last performance review. Should... Read More
"You ain't going nowhere, son. You ought to go back... Read More
It has been over twenty five years since I started... Read More
Retirement might be the answer when you ask yourself "why... Read More
Sophisticated job seekers know and understand that sometime during the... Read More
by Lesli Peterson, Business Analyst, VCGwith Phil McCutchen,... Read More
Determine your ideal career--one that's in alignment with your values,... Read More
While identity theft is nothing new, the Web has opened... Read More
You've been through an employer's interview process successfully and have... Read More
Jobs and employment on the Costa BlancaThe Council of Europe... Read More
I received the following questions from a visitor to my... Read More
A winning CV has 2 objectives: To illustrate... Read More
A career is the sum total of all of your... Read More
It hangs from the ceiling above your bed while you... Read More
You've seen the commercials and web sites about starting medical... Read More
Don't get discouraged! A "no" answer to any of the... Read More
Despite how important fair pay is to most of us,... Read More
Of course, she then offered me a six-month process, costing... Read More
In this day and age it can become increasingly difficult... Read More
You're interested in becoming a nurse. How do you get... Read More
Are you looking for new writing work? It can be... Read More
Since the world started hair has been a very important... Read More
Down-sized? Outsourced? Burned-out? Wizened up? That's what I said. Wizened... Read More
It is a well-known fact that more and more people... Read More
Searching for a job has become easier than ever for... Read More
Many people turn a beloved hobby into a vocation. They... Read More
In todays Business and economy, starting any business service requires... Read More
Throughout the past decade, workplace diversity issues have allowed organizations... Read More
Research indicates that we retain only 10% of what we... Read More
Are you thinking about switching careers? If you are, you're... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |