Get Your Dream Job!

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 a Personal Development Coach an Author of Successful Thinking for a Successful Life: How to Banish the Unhealthy Thoughts and Habits That Limit Your Success. Her Successful Thinking? program is an affordable coaching resource that offers support and encouragement when there are roadblocks to success. You can find out more about the program at http://www.thinkandbesuccessful.com or sign up for her free Be Inspired newsletter at http://www.smartbeecoaching.com

---

Working with Recruiters: 5 Critical Words for Candidates

As professional recruiters working both retained and contingency search assignments,... Read More

Just a Series of Choices

Steve's a pretty regular guy ? wife, 4 kids in... Read More

Your Goals Must Be Within Your Reach

FIRST STEP -- Set short-term, incremental goals.... Read More

Using Keywords to Find Legitimate Telecommuting Job Leads

Many people are choosing telecommuting as an option to bring... Read More

Career Job Satisfaction - Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!

Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!We can... Read More

Resumes OR CV : Get That Job

Your resume is your sales document. It tells the world... Read More

What Is Your Greatest Weakness?

The fastest way to make a good interview go bad... Read More

So You want to be a Bodyguard?

Then let me start by helping out. The politically correct... Read More

Finding Your Ideal Career

In the current climate, many people are looking away from... Read More

Interviewing Over Lunch: Are You at Risk?

Sometimes a hiring process will include having lunch with the... Read More

Losing A Career Can Feel Like Getting A Divorce

Most of us are aware that we need to grieve... Read More

CVs And Resumes Sometimes Just Get In The Way

As a head-hunter and Career Coach I see so many... Read More

Have You Been Fired? Laid Off? No? You Will Be!

It's true. Things have changed. You need to know the... Read More

How To Receive Payment as a Freelance Translator?

A problem most freelance translators are facing with is how... Read More

Self-Knowledge: The Key To Finding The Right Career Direction

Your career, like any journey, has a beginning, an end... Read More

Hunting the Executive Head Hunter

5 tips to win over an executive head hunter or... Read More

Make Your Résumé Sizzle with Success Stories

In today's competitive job market you can't afford a résumé... Read More

How To Choose The Right Resume Format

After a thirty (30) second glance lots of resumes get... Read More

Losing a Career When Youre Moving for Love

Those who watched HBO's Sex and the City (SATC, now... Read More

Federal Job Search Strategies: 7 Tips to Help You Succeed

Despite constant calls by politicians and policy makers to reign... Read More

Working Abroad - Employment Advice In Spain

Jobs and employment on the Costa BlancaThe Council of Europe... Read More

More Companies Using Job Interview Phone Screening

Planning and preparing before you begin to send out resumes... Read More

When Your Job Goes Away: Seven Tips

Q. "What do I do after a job goes away?"A.... Read More

5 Tips for Customizing your Resume

Gone are the days of the bland, generic one-page resume.... Read More

Your Resume Format - What Is The First Thing You Need To Do?

The first thing you need to do before you write... Read More

Acing The Interview

It's no secret that there is a lot of competition... Read More

Thankk-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career

There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More

Employees, Get Used to Working under Surveillance

Let's face it. Monitoring employees' e-mail, tracking their Internet use,... Read More

Resumes, Networking, Headhunters ? Useless Without Marketing Sweet Spot

A career transition is no longer about getting your hands... Read More

Ready to Move -- Anywhere!

"I have lived in this city all my life. My... Read More

The Secrets to Interview Success

Many well qualified and extremely able candidates fail at job... Read More

How to Think Like a Headhunter to Find Your Dream Job!

In this ever changing world, we need to think out... Read More

Bartending School Online- Earn Your Bartender Training From Home

Many young adults flock to bars, lounges and clubs on... Read More