For many people, interviewing is not a natural act any more than going on a blind date is. You are asked a bunch of questions about your work. You answer them. They ask a bunch more; you answer them. You're graded on your performance (you receive a job offer or not). Yet interviews are predictable processes and as such can be planned for
What does an employer want to know about you?
1. Do you have the skills to do the job that needs to be filled?
2. How will you fit in with my company?
3. If I hire you, are you someone I will need to worry about?
How does this get determined in an interview?
1. By asking questions about what you have done and how you did it or decided it should be done.
2. By asking behavioral questions that will give an employer a sense of the scope of your experiences
3. By asking concrete questions to ascertain your knowledge
4. By observing your body language or physical response to questioning to observe whether it is consistent with a successful person.
The fourth way (observing body language or physical response to questions) is particularly interesting because it is not skill or experience based and is completely subjective and emotional. AND it is part of the decision process.
And want are firm's trying to find out about you? Leadership. Honesty. Trustworthiness.
You can practice with a friend or family member but they may not be much better than you. So how do you practice you presentation and get immediate feedback in order to improve your presentation and demonstrate these attributes?
Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org) offers people an opportunity to practice how to speak throughout their program. Whether you answer extemporaneous questions off the cuff for 1-2 minutes in Table Topics ("It's warm! It's summer! People start to go to the beach and spending time outdoors. Tell us about a time you had fun at the beach, Jeff." Notice that you only find out when you will speak at the end when you hear your name) or by doing actual 4-6 minute speeches, Toastmasters offers concrete opportunities to get used to being "on the spot" as happens in an interview. It also gives you an opportunity to observe others and learn from them and from the evaluations that are given.
There are Toastmasters clubs throughout the world. To find one, you can go to http://www.toastmasters.org/find/.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director of Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify management leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines since 1971. He is also co-founder of Your Next Job, a networking group focused on assisting technology professionals with their job search, a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist. For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.newyorkmetrotechnologyjobs.com
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you're looking for a new position, include your resume).
Here's a newsflash: Cover letters work, plain and simple. This... Read More
There are definitely things that you can do to avoid... Read More
Q. I'm about to graduate High School and I don't... Read More
You've taken the police officer selection test or law enforcement... Read More
Aptitude tests measure your skills, abilities, values, interests and personality... Read More
"I have lived in this city all my life. My... Read More
One of the most important parts of a job... Read More
Mobile oil change and mobile lubes are great for fleet... Read More
I always look forward to the December issue of... Read More
Tips on writing your Skills and Achievement Based CV (ABCV)... Read More
Closing the InterviewKnowing how to successfully close an interview can... Read More
What is FraudFraud occurs when a person knowingly or intentionally... Read More
Have you used feng shui around your desk? It's a... Read More
Are you looking for new writing work? It can be... Read More
If your current CV or resume is not generating the... Read More
Is Monday the worst day of your week? Can you... Read More
Marketing shouldn't be limited to advertising companies. Finding a job... Read More
Going through the motions of a bad interview is like... Read More
* Has it been awhile since you explored career options?*... Read More
PEtite modeling is a tough industry to break into. Especially... Read More
Why Career Advice Is So ImportantChoosing a career presents a... Read More
They're only words. Some believe the school-yard taunt: "Sticks and... Read More
You know you're good...real good. The problem, though, is that... Read More
Finally! Your youngest is in school and you are ready... Read More
As much as you are yearning for career-change, and as... Read More
Powerful questions to get below the surface1. Ask for specific... Read More
You may be astonished to realize that retrenchment may occur... Read More
How is your job hunting going? Have you had problems... Read More
I am going to give you a breakdown of my... Read More
(Percussion sounds emanating from who knows where while you listen... Read More
Mystery shopping is an excellent way to make extra money.... Read More
A friend of mine laments that work would be great... Read More
My experience working with thousands of leaders world wide for... Read More
According to a recent survey, 52% of job candidates polled... Read More
Do you want to double, or increase significantly you're income... Read More
There are definitely things that you can do to avoid... Read More
Do you dislike making decisions and avoid the challenge whenever... Read More
Hello Fellow Seekers!I don't know about you? but I'm pretty... Read More
You have heard the phrase, "Dress for Success." This is... Read More
When an employer decides to conduct an interview with you,... Read More
You've been a model employee: responsible, industrious, creative and productive.... Read More
As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People... Read More
Submit a poorly written cover letter and the chances are... Read More
1.Define your objective: Know what kind of work you most... Read More
In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their... Read More
It's startling to discover how having kids changes the way... Read More
Let's face it. Monitoring employees' e-mail, tracking their Internet use,... Read More
For many Americans, an important component of the American Dream... Read More
When a client asks me if I think he or... Read More
Your resume is your sales letter. It may not get... Read More
The hidden job market has been touted as the place... Read More
"I have lived in this city all my life. My... Read More
Despite constant calls by politicians and policy makers to reign... Read More
So, you need to submit employment references. A simple task,... Read More
The best cover letters are 'one-page wonders.' Why? Because they... Read More
There is a major difference between conventional resumes and executive... Read More
This article relates to the Career Opportunities competency and explores... Read More
Landing a telecommute position isn't easy. Finding them in the... Read More
Non-verbal interview behavior can drown out your verbal self-presentation.Practice interviewing... Read More
How many times have you been asked, "What is your... Read More
It takes a lot of time and effort to get... Read More
The fastest way to make a good interview go bad... Read More
Have you ever heard of liquid air? The process of... Read More
It's never too early to update your resume, even if... Read More
Many people today have lost jobs after decades of service;... Read More
Being a reflexologist is one of the top five career... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |