Interview Tips, How to Get the Job You Want

Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. This is the state from which great basketball players or Olympic skaters operate. You'll need to quiet the negative self chatter in your head through meditation or visualization prior to sitting down in the meeting. You'll focus on the present moment and will be less apt to experience lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation.

Expect to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself." This is a pet question of prepared and even unprepared interviewers. Everything you include should answer the question, "Why should we hire you?" Carefully prepare your answer to include examples of achievements from your work life that closely match the elements of the job before you. Obviously, you'll want to know as much about the job description as you can before you respond to the question.

Set goals for the interview. It is your job to leave the meeting feeling secure that the interviewer knows as much as he or she possibly can about your skills, abilities, experience and achievements. If you sense there are misconceptions, clear them up before leaving. If the interviewer doesn't get around to asking you important questions, pose them yourself (diplomatically) and answer them. Don't leave the meeting without getting your own questions answered so that you have a clear idea of what you would be getting yourself into. If possible, try to get further interviews, especially with other key players.

Act spontaneous, but be well prepared. Be your authentic self, professional yet real. Engage in true conversation with your interviewer, resting on the preparation you did prior to coming to the meeting. Conduct several trial runs with another person simulating the interview before it actually occurs. It's the same as anticipating the questions you'll be asked on a final exam.

Be smart about money questions. Don't fall into the trap of telling the interviewer your financial expectations. You may be asking for too little or too much money and in each case ruin your chances of being offered the job. Instead, ask what salary range the job falls in. Attempt to postpone a money discussion until you have a better understanding of the scope of responsibilities of the job.

Know the question behind the question. Ultimately, every question boils down to, "Why should we hire you?" Be sure you answer that completely. If there is a question about your meeting deadlines, consider whether the interviewer is probing delicately about your personal life, careful not to ask you whether your family responsibilities will interfere with your work. Find away to address fears if you sense they are present.

Consider the interviewer's agenda. Much is on the shoulders of the interviewer. He or she has the responsibility of hiring the right candidate. Your ability to do the job will need to be justified. "Are there additional pluses here?" "Will this person fit the culture of this organization?" These as well as other questions will be heavily on the interviewer's mind. Find ways to demonstrate your qualities above and beyond just doing the job.

Follow up with an effective "thank you" letter. Don't write this letter lightly. It is another opportunity to market yourself. Find some areas discussed in the meeting and expand upon them in your letter. Writing a letter after a meeting is a very minimum. Standing out among the other candidates will occur if you thoughtfully consider this follow up letter as an additional interview in which you get to do all the talking. Propose useful ideas that demonstrate your added value to the team.

Josh Nay
Employment Solutions 4u

---

Thankk-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career

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

5 Ways to Combat Job Burnout

Job burnout happens when the stress or prolonged frustration of... Read More

The Global Work Marketplace - The Revolution Of How Work Gets Done

Will cubicles be a distant memory for today's workforce? Will... Read More

Petite Modeling: is There a Career for You?

PEtite modeling is a tough industry to break into. Especially... Read More

Writing Powerful Resumes ? 10 Golden Rules

Your resume is your sales letter. It may not get... Read More

Seeking A New Job While Currently Employed : Tiptoeing Through the Minefield

So, you currently have a job but you are looking... Read More

Useless Resume Objectives

What's wrong with an objective on a resume? The problem... Read More

Change Your Career, Change Your Life

Change Your Career,Change your Life!Lots of times I see and... Read More

Common Résumé Mistakes

Using a general résumé.DON'T DO IT! You cannot successfully use... Read More

Should You Telework/Telecommute

"WOW! I can work from home and make money? I... Read More

Taking Your Words Seriously

When we ordered the stained glass window as... Read More

Considering a Career Change?

Are you thinking about a career change? Many people do... Read More

Why Bachelors Make Bad Decisions: Five Tips to Move from Reality Television to Your Career Change

The Bachelor is one of the many reality shows that... Read More

Career Planning for Gifted Adults

"James is so restless and energetic. I wonder if he's... Read More

Looking for a Qualified Medical Billing Specialist

Families, mothers, employers, and medical practices all interact in one... Read More

Surprise! Accounting is the Hot New Major

There was a time when accounting was the boring college... Read More

How to Pick the Best Career For You , Part 2: From Exposure-to-Opportunity

Gain an audience by recognizing opportunity There's a sexier method... Read More

How To Become A Computer Consultant

Have you ever wanted to become a computer consultant, but... Read More

Why Human Resources Are The Real Key To Success In This Information Age

The rapid changes that have mainly been brought about by... Read More

Leaders Meet Challenge Heads-UP With Confidence --

Maybe "buck" is better referred to as the Boss' Challenge.... Read More

Creating Traffic Jams

It's hard to imagine why anyone would pick up a... Read More

Ten Things About Your Career Development

There are some tactics you can action whatever you wish... Read More

12 Steps to Targeting Success in Your Career or Job Search

Is your job search sagging? Are you still looking for... Read More

Your Job Search Is A Marketing Campaign (Part 2)

Here's a continuation of my article from a few months... 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

10 Keys to Getting Paid What You?re Worth!

Asking for money is so taboo in our culture that... Read More

Job Hunting Tips: Assessing Personal Value

A week out of work is a vacation. You can... Read More

Is Your Job Search Guided by the Controller or the Controllee?

I'll define what I mean by these terms. "The Controller"... Read More

Certification for Freelancers and Home-Based Business Owners

When we think of technical certification, most of us think... Read More

Electronic Resume Writing Tips That Boost Your Interview Appointment Success

Electronic Resume Writing Tips That Boost Your Interview Appointment SuccessBefore... Read More

Finding Your Ideal Career

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

The Interview - A Few Tips for Making a Great First Impression

Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities... Read More

Back to School for a Career Change

Q. I hate my job as a computer consultant. I... Read More