What exactly is the purpose of an interview? What are the goals of both parties involved in the interview, and how does this tie in to receiving a job offer? What is the best way to prepare for an interview, to avoid being nervous, anxious, and blowing the entire appointment?

According to a general dictionary, an interview is defined as a formal meeting, especially one arranged for the assessment of the qualifications of an applicant. Seems simple enough, right? As a job seeker, it’s necessary to change the way that you view an interview. Let’s take our thinking from a passive appointment in which an employer gets to know a prospective employee, to a dynamic process in which a prospective employee has the opportunity to sell his or her skills.

You see, many applicants have the misunderstanding that they will participate in an interview, for the purpose of determining whether or not they want to work for an employer, at the wages and salary the said employer is willing to pay. Think about this for just a second. Many applicants walk in to an interview with limited information about the company they have applied to, and believe the answer as to whether or not they work for this company comes down to the money.

In today’s competitive job market, it’s necessary that every applicant realize there are plenty of applicants for most jobs. Unemployment is at an all time high. When you get that call to interview with a company, it’s not time to asses and be assessed – it’s time for you to audition for the role of your life!

The goals for the hiring manager during your interview is to get to know you, uncover any hidden information not provided on your resume or application, and determine whether or not this person is a good fit for the position. As the applicant for the job, your goals should always be as follows:

• to display a professional and personable attitude
• to openly discuss and show the hiring manager how your past experience can connect to their current needs
• to ask thoughtful questions of the interviewer that provide additional information about the position, and the type of individual that will best perform the position

Obviously, the hiring manager performing the interview hopes to fill this job with the “right candidate.” Conversely, the applicant’s goal should be provide such a stellar performance, the employer will have no doubt their company cannot continue to operate without you as a part of their team.

The best way to prepare for an interview is with the help of your career agent or the recruiter who is representing you. In the event you pursuing your search alone, here are some helpful tips to ensure you are ready for the big interview:

1. Do a thorough research of the company’s website.
2. View all news articles and press releases for the company for the last year.
3. Find out the name of the person you will be interviewing with, and search for information about them on LinkedIn, Google, MySpace, Facebook, or any other social networking websites.
4. Contact the company’s human resources department, and request a detailed job description be emailed or faxed to you.
5. Go through the job description, line to line, and write down all of the skills and experience you have that relate directly the position. Be prepared to discuss each of these with the interviewer.
6. Write down a minimum of five good questions you wish to ask the interviewer during the appointment. Make sure your questions are not answered by the company website, and further show your interest in the position on a long-term basis.
7. Make sure you have directions to your interview, and allow yourself plenty of time to arrive early.
8. Dress for success – it’s always better to be ultra-professional than to be under-dressed for the meeting.
9. Bring three clean copies of your resume to the interview, with cover letter and references.
10. Write a thoughtful thank you letter to each person you spoke with during the interview, and email them as soon as you return to your home or office.

When you attempt to handle a job search on your own, it can be a cumbersome and time consuming process, that results in fewer interviews and employment offers than expected. Oftentimes, the decision to work through a career agent or professional recruiter can be the difference between obtaining your target position and remaining in your current situation.

Changing your perspective on how to interview, and the goals of each party involved in the activity can ultimately provide you with the success in obtaining your next career move, with proven results.

Author: Chris Archer

Related posts:

1. Interview Tips – An Interview Crib Sheet
2. 5 Tips For a Successful Phone Interview
3. 5 Job Interview Tips

The harder the job, the harder it is to get the job. Essentially this means that if you are an entry level employee, it should be a fairly reasonable process. But if you are at mid-career and have held significant authority and responsibility, it’s going to be a more lengthy and sophisticated course.

As someone who has been in the staffing industry for more than 18 years, I wanted to share an “insider’s perspective” on what every job seeker should know about the process. I’m continually amazed that potentially great candidates for my jobs simply don’t represent themselves as well as they could by not playing by the job-search rules.

Yes, I agree there should be room for creativity in the process, and what works for one might not for the other, but there are some general rules that apply 99% of the time. Here are 50 recommendations to apply to your search:

The First Step – a Killer Resume

1. Don’t worry about it being one page. Since most resumes are emailed and rarely printed, it’s not a big deal to have a two-page document. Be sure to have your contact information at the top of the second page as well. You could possibly need a third page, but try to avoid that.

2. Put the best information at the top. Since resumes are viewed electronically (most often using MS Word), the top half of the first page is what is in view when the recruiter reviews your resume. If the most relevant and most compelling information isn’t in that partial view, it is often not even opened or printed.

3. Replace your “Objective” with “Summary of Qualifications”. That way you don’t have to customize your resume with each position you send it for. This information is more meaningful to the reader as well. List your top professional skills at the top of the resume so it’s the index to the rest of the document.

4. List your most recent job first. Resumes should list work history in reverse chronological order with the most recent at the top. Typically you would go back through the last ten years, but that’s up to you based on how related and impressive your older jobs are. The point is that you don’t have to go back to the jobs you had in high school.

5. Balance tasks with accomplishments. Recruiters want to know what you did, but not on a micro level. It’s not necessary to list each and every task you do in a day. A general summary of your key responsibilities is important to have on your resume. Additionally, a bullet or two about your results as related to your tasks proves your success in your role.

6. Accomplishments should include quantifiable information. Include specific values in your statement (i.e. dollars saved, percent of increase or decrease, numbers of employees supervised, etc.). This information adds validation and credibility to your employment history and can really set you apart from others.

7. Save some information for the interview. Think of your resume as the Cliff Notes of a great book. You are just presenting the important highlights. The details and stories associated with the content are meant to be discussed in the interview.

8. Format your resume so it’s easy to read. A plain font like Arial or Century Gothic is easy on the eyes. A “curly font” like Times New Roman can be distracting and busy looking. A font size of 10 to 12 works best. White space is important, so keep your margins to an inch on all sides.

9. Include Searchable Keywords. Most recruiters use keywords to search for resumes on the job boards and in their own databases. If your resume does not include the keywords they are using in their search, it won’t pop up. Read job descriptions for your skill set and add recurring words from the description to your resume. Keywords usually are specific to education, equipment, and job titles. So, if the position required a bachelor’s degree and experience with Vertical Milling Machines as an Industrial Engineer, the words bachelor’s, Milling, and Engineer would be used to search for resumes.

10. It’s okay to double dip. Most resumes are emailed these days, but why not use an old-fashioned technique of mailing a nicely printed hard copy as well? The extra step will serve as a reintroduction of your credentials and also show you are willing to go above and beyond to get the interview.

Don’t Skip the Cover Letter

11. Have one. Whether you choose a full letter or a detailed email message, it is important to customize your resume by adding a specific message when you send it. This is an easy way to stand out as so many people simply attach their resume and do not bother to outline their experience.

12. Correlate what they want with what you have. Read the job description and requirements thoroughly and write three key bullet points that match their information with yours in your cover letter. This makes it easy for the reader to determine your qualifications quickly.

13. Use sir names. It is appropriate to refer to the recruiter or human resources representative by Mr. or Ms. in your written communication. Until you meet personally and are given permission to call them otherwise, it is best to be more formal.

Attention to Detail Goes a Long Way

14. Make finding your resume easy. When submitting your resume by email, include the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line. You can also include a short tag line that catches the eye. For example, Customer Service Manager-10 years experience in multi-channel center. And use your full name as the file name for your resume document so it can quickly be referenced.

15. You shouldn’t be crazylazy@yahoo.com. Be sure your email address is appropriate for a job search and not personal. You can get additional email addresses at most domains like AOL, Yahoo, and Gmail.

16. Use a header for your contact information. Include your name, phone number, and email address at the top of each page of your resume. Especially at job fairs, resumes with multiple pages can easily be separated.

Where to Search

17. Surf the Net. A company with 100 or more employees is highly likely to post their position on one of the major job boards like Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs, and/or Craig’s list. Be sure to get your resume posted to all those sites, so it can be searched by as many recruiters as possible. But, when searching through job postings, just use a site like Indeed.com which pulls positions from all the boards. That way you only have to visit one site to get the benefit of all of them.

18. Read the Sunday paper. Yes, printed Help Wanted ads are used less now that the Internet is so integrated for job searching, but smaller employers still use this resource since licenses for posting on the major job boards are expensive.

19. Stop in the CareerCenter offices. These state funded and operated centers offer one-stop information on getting a job, opportunities for training, hosting on-site interviews and job fairs, and networking opportunities. Plus, their services are free. Make it a point to visit a CareerCenter at least once a week during your search.

20. Brave your way through a job fair. What a great way to hit up a slew of employers all in the same day. Yes, you have to repeat your story and schmooze the whole day, but the efficiency is worth it. Don’t pass by any booth without stopping to ask, “What kinds of positions are you hiring for today?” Employers are paying to be there and are interested in seeing many candidates. It’s win-win to at least make an introduction with every employer there.

21. Spread the word. Connect with former coworkers and managers, friends and family, and just about anyone who knows people. Let them know you are in the market for a great job and give them permission to share your resume. Follow up with an emailed copy so they can easily forward it to their contacts.

22. Tap into social networking. Using sites like LinkedIn.com is helpful for researching positions, companies, and the people who work at them. Get your profile posted for free and join groups associated with your industry and interests.

Be Prepared for Being Screened on the Phone

23. Even though it’s on the phone, it’s still an interview. Recruiters often call candidates whose resume initially matches their requirements to get further information and make a decision about inviting them to an interview. Play the part and represent yourself in the same way you would if sitting in front of your interviewer.

24. Be sure the timing is right. If a recruiter calls you unexpectedly and it’s not a good time, politely offer to call them back later in that same day. That way you can focus without distractions; they understand you have a life. Plus, you’ll have time to review the details of the position and the company and collect your thoughts before returning the call. Better yet, when you are in job search mode, let your calls go into voicemail so you can take control of the return phone call.

25. Be a compelling communicator. Since there is not an opportunity to see facial expressions and body gestures on the phone, your voice qualities have to be top notch. Sounding confident, interested, cooperative, and pleasant is a skill that is worth practicing before going live.

26. At the balance of power. You are not in the driver’s seat with the interview process. Let your interviewer guide the call and ask the questions. At the end, if they invite you to ask any questions, always find out what the next step of their process is. Close the call by thanking them for their interest and expressing your own.

Ace the Interview

27. Knowing a little means a lot. Visit the company’s website and be familiar with their products or services. Determine what makes them different from others in their industry. That way when the question, “What do you know about our company?” comes up, you’ll have a great response.

28. Dress the part. Keep the “one-up” rule in mind. Always dress at least one step up from what you would be wearing on the job. It’s far better an option to be overdressed than it is to be underdressed, so respect the process and your interviewer by suiting up.

29. Go with your “Sunday Best”. You never know what the taste of your interviewer will be, so it’s always best to be conservative in your style and color choice. You can’t go wrong with a solid color suit or separates and a button up shirt or blouse. Avoid open toe shoes and over accessorizing.

30. Arrive 10 minutes early. Not a half hour early. Not 10 minutes late. Ten minutes is enough time to settle down a bit before you actually meet. If for some reason you will be late, realize you have possibly blown the interview, but make a phone call to explain your situation.

31. Make a powerful introduction. Set the tone for a great meeting with a warm handshake, look in the eye, “happy to be here” smile, and “Hello, Mr. Insertnamehere, it’s nice to meet you.” Regardless of gender, it is proper in a business meeting to greet your host with a handshake. It should be appropriately firm and use the full hand.

32. Bring additional copies of your resume. This shows your interviewer that you are prepared and resourceful. Plus, now you get to show off that baby in its intended form; resume paper still exists.

33. Be polite. Wait to be shown where to have a seat. Don’t put your personal belongings (ex. Padfolio, keys, and resume copies) on his/her desk without asking first. Accept the glass of water if offered. You may need it since you will be doing most of the talking, and being nervous can make you choked up and dry.

34. Honesty is always the best policy. A good part of the interview is centered on your work history. Be honest about your skills, contributions, and reasons for leaving. There is a way to present even not-so-pleasant situations in a reasonable and understandable way. Covering up, omitting information such as work history, or lying is sure to come to light eventually.

35. Show interest. When the interviewer is talking, you want to show signs of engagement by looking at him/her directly, nodding in acceptance, smiling, and showing interest. You can be enthusiastic without looking excitable. You want the vibe to be positive and open, so approach the meeting as such. Your body language will follow your mindset.

36. Don’t wear out your welcome. You’ll know when things are wrapping up. Have a few questions saved for the end, but don’t go on too long. Most interviews are less than an hour, and often the interviewer’s schedule includes more appointments after yours.

37. Ask the “must know” question. It is important that you know what the next step is in their hiring process. Often, more than one interview is required to get the job. Ask about the hiring process and when you can expect to hear from them next, and confirm that you have provided enough information to be considered for the next step.

38. Leave a lasting impression. There is no better way to do this than to shake their hand, thank them for their time, and express your interest in all that you heard. Saying something like “I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to hearing from you by Thursday.” reinforces your interest and confirms the timeline for next steps.

Following up is a Forgotten Art

39. Send a thank you note or email. This is as obsolete as rejection letters have become. But, it’s one more opportunity to make a positive impression, so why not do it? As many times as you can get your name in front of the person responsible for hiring you, do it.

40. Follow up after a reasonable amount of time. Hiring the perfect fit takes time. But, if it’s been more than a week, or later than you were told you’d be contacted, you should send an email to express your interest in the position and ask for information on where they are in their process. It’s a good idea to attach another copy of your resume to this message.

41. Say thank you to “No, Thank You”. If you get word that you have not been selected to move to the next step, reach out once more to thank the interviewer for his/her time and valuable information. You might have missed this opportunity, but additional contact could keep the door open for future positions.

Some Harsh Realities

42. It’s a competitive job market. You read the job description and consider yourself perfect for the position. The problem is that others will feel the same about themselves. The way to stand out is by not only having all of the skills required of the position, but some additional or unique qualifications as well. Maybe your education is from an impressive university; perhaps your longevity is legendary; it could be that your accomplishments are more striking than most. The only way to know is to send your resume and cover message and point out those distinguishing features. It’s okay to feel confident about your specialized skills and showcase them in this process.

43. Fast is not always fast. The advent of Internet recruiting has a down side – quantity verses quality. Recruiters get flooded with response immediately after posting their position. Their job is to filter the random to get to the right one, and that can be an exhausting and time consuming process. Keep track of the resumes you’ve sent and follow up after a week if you have not received a response.

44. A resume black hole does exist. Some companies have sophisticated applicant tracking systems, and others are quite unorganized and amateurish with their hiring process. It is not unusual for resumes to get overlooked or misfiled. If you feel truly qualified for the job and a week has gone by without a response, resubmit your resume and cover letter.

45. You are likely to not get any response to most of your resume submittals. Rejection letters faded away several years ago because the task of sending them became overwhelming due to the volume of candidates generated from Internet recruiting methods. Again, if you feel the position perfectly suits your background, follow up with another copy of your resume after a week has gone by. For added follow up, mail a printed copy as well.

46. Recruiters and Human Resources representatives often do not fully understand the job description. They may hire for every position in the company, so it’s understandable they can’t be an expert on the requirements for each job. Here is where LinkedIn.com can be helpful. If you have not had any response to your resume, and you feel you are truly qualified, search the company name on LinkedIn.com and consider sending it to someone in the company who may better understand your qualifications. It’s a risky move, and could ban you for life with that recruiter, but it can also be a bold and resourceful move that gets you to the next step with the right person.

Preparing for the Emotions Involved with the Process

47. First there is the Fun Phase. When you first start your job search, it can be very exciting. There are a lot of positions out there, and so many seem to be a perfect fit for you. You spend time thinking about what’s next, and how great it’s going to be, which is very enjoyable. Bask in the fun phase; it usually doesn’t last very long.

48. Then you move into the Frustrating Phase. After sending out countless resumes and getting no response, it’s easy to get frustrated and annoyed. You attend every job fair and have circled through your network more than once with no job offers. No news is not good news in the job search process. Allow yourself permission to be in this phase, but pull yourself out quickly because it can be very defeating.

49. The worst is Futile Phase. When things aren’t going your way, you start to give up because of your lack of controlling the process. You feel depressed and useless. The best way out of this downward spiral – be useful. Volunteer some of your time, tackle that list of things you’ve wanted to do around the house, take a break from the job search process for a few days and enjoy time with your family. Again, accept this phase as part of the normal cycle, but be aware of when you are in it and what it takes to get you out of it.

50. And then it’s back to fun. The timelines associated with each phase vary with every person. It’s okay to move through them at your own pace. It’s helpful to have a good support system in place and to talk to others who are in the same situation. As much time as you can spend having fun with the process, the more productive you will be. Getting a job is a job-but it can be an interesting, informative, and inspiring one if that’s the way you choose to work it.

Author: Carol Albert

Related posts:

1. 5 Tips For a Successful Phone Interview
2. Tips For Successful Job Hunting: How To Get A Job Without A Resume
3. 15 Sure-fire Ways to a Successful Job Interview and the Top 10 Questions to Ask

Do you realize how important good references are to your chances of receiving a job offer? Some people believe that hiring managers and recruiters never bother to call references, but they do. (Recruiters are especially vigilant about checking references, because our reputation depends on our delivering quality candidates–so we gather as much information as we possibly can.)

References are not an afterthought. They are a major player in your job interview process. Your references are another area where you can set yourself apart from other candidates and shine. That can be critical in a competitive job market.

The real secret to having great job references? Place as much value on your references as you do on your resume, your 30-60-90-day plan, your brag book, your interview outfit, and your answers to interview questions. If you value them, you’ll work to make sure they’re great.

Still, you need a plan. Here’s the best practical advice I can offer you to make sure your references are the best they can be:

1. Collect references throughout your career. The time to work on great references is before you’re looking to change jobs. Stay in touch. Don’t give me (the recruiter) or your employer conquest a reference that can hardly remember you. You can’t expect to get the incredible reference that you’re looking for if the reference hasn’t heard from you in 5 years. This is networking. For example: before you exit a company, ask your current boss for their personal email and phone number. Stress that you want to stay in touch and and ask if could you use them for a reference in the future. Then stay in touch. Every 4-5 months, drop them an email or call. Stay in contact with them on LinkedIn. Keep them updated on what you’re doing and where you are. Offer them something: a piece of industry information, a link to a great blog site, an informative ezine article, etc. Ask them if there is anything that you can do for them…..if you help others, they will definitely help you!

2. Choose appropriate references. The best references are past managers or supervisors–or your current employer, if that’s doable. Customers, clients, or former co-workers can be great references, too. Make certain that whoever it is can see you in the job that you are looking to get….(I had one lady tell me that all she could say about my sales candidate was that she was very good in her laboratory – very meticulous). Great. That same lady could have said that the candidate showed a lot of leadership, was very persuasive and thrived in interactive meetings. What a difference that would have made. Don’t give me your college roommate. I want a work reference. A relevant reference. A great reference. Don’t just choose people who like you-choose people who can specifically highlight your capabilities and accomplishments to give you the best chance of getting the job.

3. Prepare your references. First of all, you’re going to give them a heads up when they’re about to be called. Let them know about the details of the position you’re seeking, so that they can say something relevant to that, focusing on the details that will interest your prospective employer. Give them a copy of your resume. Refresh their memory about outstanding work you’ve done. Give them suggestions for topics they can bring up when contacted. The easier you can make this for them, the better it will be for you.

4. Check your own references. Know what your references will say about you. You need to be in control of the information that will be provided to your future employer. It’s not acceptable to wonder if they’ll give you a good reference. Your job search is too important. If you have the slightest concern that you might not receive a good reference from someone, have a buddy check your references before you give them to a potential employer.

References can absolutely be the tipping point in the hiring decision. Once, I had a great candidate my client company was not excited about. The candidate perceived that there was a roadblock and had one of his references call me to proactively tell me about this candidate. That is impressive. And that is what gets you the job.

About the Author: Peggy McKee is the owner and chief recruiter for PHC Consulting , a recruiting firm providing top sales talent, sales management, marketing and service / support personnel to some of the most prominent high growth companies in the medical and laboratory products industry for over 10 years!

Related posts:

1. 12 Steps to Targeting Success in Your Career or Job Search
2. Interview Tips – An Interview Crib Sheet
3. Top 50 Tips For a Successful Job Search

Tell me your Weakness?

In reality, it does not matter. The truth is you need to know your weaknesses and strengths ahead of time and prepare for this question. So do you know your weaknesses? Second, do you know why you have those weaknesses?

Before I give you the answer, here’s a story about Ben Franklin. As a young man, Little Ben wanted to ensure he was successful in life. He wrote down a number of weaknesses he felt needing correction: smoking, cussing, drinking, being obstinate, womanizing, and others. He diligently worked on correcting one per month, and only one.

In January, he focused on not cussing. He knew the basic law of human nature that you can create or break most habits if you do it routinely over 30 straight days. So over a period of one year he corrected many of his bad habits. Those he didn’t feel strong enough about, I don’t think he corrected. Can you guess from the list above which he didn’t correct?

Now let’s talk about you. I am going to give you a rule you can use in the interview and I’ll tell you how but first…. Hopefully you’ve thought your weaknesses out. Now write them down. Do you have several written down? Go get a pencil and do this before going forwards in this article.

The Golden Rule of Weaknesses is this: “A strength overused tends to become a weakness”.

Look at your list. Let’s assume you are

a) strong-willed,
b) overly detailed and analytical,
c) condascending.

First of all, you would not say these in an interview but you knowing what I’m going to tell you will help you determine your answer. Why do you have the weaknesses above? Probably because your strengths are:

1. You are a detailed person who generally is very detailed so does not make many mistakes. You review and analyze the fine details to ensure things are done correctly.

2. You are very confident in your decisions as you are analytical so you are pretty strong-willed in the outcome (if you’ve had a chance to study it).

3. You come across condescending at times because you perceive others as making silly assumptions and making decisions without the facts. You politely inform them they are wrong or they should read the directions or map before taking action.

It works with anything:

• Your Weakness is Aggressive. Your Strength is your Take Charge and Winning Attitude.
• Your Weakness is you are Forgetful. Your Strength is you tend to move quickly and get a lot of things done.
• You are Disorganized. Your Strength is you multi-task and can do a lot in a short period of time.
• Your Weakness is you are talkative. Your strength is you are outgoing and lots of people like you.

Okay so now to the question, “So Tell Me About Your Weakness”

Answer: ” Science has proven that a persons strength overused tends to become a weakness at times. Let me describe my strengths to you…I’m a take-charge individual who tends to get a lot of things accomplished. I’m often given a lot of responsibility because I tend to get the job done. My biggest weakness because of my strengths are that sometimes I will take on a lot so trying to manage that into my time and ensuring I prioritize all my responsibilities correctly is how I need to fix that when it happens. So daily I…”

And that dear readers is how you get yourself out of that slippery slope. Always start by defining your strengths. Lead into how that tends to become a weakness, but because you recognize it you fix it by doing something. Feel free to practice this technique (and it’s true) and they’ll remember your strengths and you start a very interesting conversation with that one sentence.

Related posts:

1. Interview Tips – An Interview Crib Sheet
2. Common Interview Questions – The Dirty Dozen
3. Listening to and Answering Interview Questions

Yes, you must research the company, prepare quality documents, and deliver substantial answers to interview questions, but employers are also looking at the intangibles: energy, drive, enthusiasm, and great communication skills.

Confident speaking is an interview skill that is essential to presenting yourself as a winning candidate. Here are 3 major areas where candidates fall short:

You convey uncertainty with your phrases:

Sounding even remotely uncertain of your ability to do the job you’re interviewing for (and do it well) is an interview killer. No employer is going to hire someone who isn’t even sure himself if he is capable, or who promises to bring inferior communication skills to the job-especially in sales. What phrases convey uncertainty?

I think

I hope

I would hope that…

Hopefully

If

Try

Maybe

Sometime

With luck

If possible

Possibly

You don’t want to “hope” to handle this job, and you don’t want to “try” it. You want to do it.

There is no try, only do or do not. – Yoda

These phrases often sneak into your everyday conversation, but you don’t want them in your job interview.

Speech fillers:

Job interviews generally make people nervous, and understandably so: you’re being judged. And when people get nervous, they often start peppering their speech with “ums,” “uhs,” “like,” “you know,” and other space fillers that ultimately detract from their message.

What’s the message you want to send? That you are absolutely the candidate who can take this job and run with it. That you will make your new boss look like a superstar for hiring you, and that you have no doubts about your ability to be successful. To convey this message, you need to speak clearly, concisely, and confidently. No “ums” or “uhs” allowed.

Watch your language:

Inappropriate or unprofessional language is generally frowned upon when you interview. Everyone “knows” that, but it bears repeating. For instance, it seems obvious that you shouldn’t say “crap” in your interview, but it’s happened–and the candidate lost the job. An interview is a situation where you’re putting your best foot forward. If your best foot is less than completely professional, what are you going to be like on the job?

If you need help with polishing your communication skills, consider joining Toastmasters or a similar group so that you can practice speaking publicly. Also, a good career coach can help you spot those tendencies in your conversation, and give you the kind of constructive feedback that will eliminate any uncertainty you may have about your interviewing skills.

About the Author: Peggy McKee has over 10 years of experience as a nationally-recognized sales recruiter in medical sales and has helped thousands of jobseekers succeed. http://www.career-confidential.com/

Related posts:

1. Interview Tips – An Interview Crib Sheet
2. Job Interview Skills – 9 Things You Should Never Do in an Interview
3. Listening to and Answering Interview Questions

There is no point thinking that you can just “wing” it when it comes to a job interview. The reality is that you only get one chance to make a great first impression so get to work on some simple but highly effective preparation steps.

Find below some helpful interview tips, techniques and advice to help you sail through your big day:Job Interview Preparation:

• Learn about the organization.
• Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
• Review your qualifications for the job.
• Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job.
• Be ready to answer the common interview questions  such as “Why should I hire you?” “Why do you want this job?” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
• Practice an interview with a friend or relative.

Dressing for Interviews:

• Be well groomed.
• Dress appropriately.
• Do not chew gum or smoke.

The interview:

• Be early.
• Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
• Use good manners with everyone you meet.
• Listen to the interview questions carefully
• Relax and answer each question concisely.
• Use proper English—avoid slang.
• Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
• Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don’t slouch.
• Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site.
• Also avoid asking questions about salary and benefits unless a job offer is made.
• Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands.
• Send a short thank you note.

Information to bring to an interview:

• Identification (for example, your driver’s license).
• Resume or application. Although not all employers require a resume, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training, and previous employment.
• References. Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references.
• Transcripts / Proof of education. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.

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You will almost always need to complete resumes or application forms and cover letters. Later, you will probably need to go on interviews to meet with employers face to face.

Resumes and application forms.

Resumes and application forms give employers written evidence of your qualifications and skills. The goal of these documents is to prove, as clearly and directly as possible, how your qualifications match the job’s requirements.

Do this by highlighting the experience, accomplishments, education, and skills that most closely fit the job you want.

Gathering information.

Resumes and application forms both include the same information. As a first step, gather the following facts:

Contact information, including your name, mailing address, e-mail address (if you have one you check often), and telephone number.

Type of work or specific job you are seeking or a qualifications summary, which describes your best skills and experience in just a few lines.

Education, including school name and its city and State, months and years of attendance, highest grade completed or diploma or degree awarded, and major subject or subjects studied. Also consider listing courses and awards that might be relevant to the position. Include a grade point average if you think it would help in getting the job.

Experience, paid and volunteer.

For each job, include the job title, name and location of employer, and dates of employment. Briefly describe your job duties and major accomplishments. In a resume, use phrases instead of sentences to describe your work; write, for example, “Supervised 10 children” instead of writing “I supervised 10 children.”

Special skills.

You might list computer skills, proficiency in foreign languages, achievements, or and membership in organizations in a separate section.

References.

Be ready to provide references if requested. Good references could be former employers, coworkers, or teachers or anyone else who can describe your abilities and job-related traits. You will be asked to provide contact information for the people you choose.

Throughout the application or resume, focus on accomplishments that relate most closely to the job you want. You can even use the job announcement as a guide, using some of the same words and phrases to describe your work and education.

Look for concrete examples that show your skills. When describing your work experience, for instance, you might say that you increased sales by 10 percent, finished a task in half the usual time, or received three letters of appreciation from customers.

Choosing a format

After gathering the information you want to present, the next step is to put it in the proper format. In an application form, the format is set. Just fill in the blanks. But make sure you fill it out completely and follow all instructions.

Do not omit any requested information. Consider making a copy of the form before filling it out, in case you make a mistake and have to start over. If possible, have someone else look over the form before submitting it.

In a resume, there are many ways of organizing the information you want to include, but the most important information should usually come first. Check out out free Chronological and Functional Resume Templates to get you started!

Most applicants list their past jobs in reverse chronological order, describing their most recent employment first and working backward. But some applicants use a functional format, organizing their work experience under headings that describe their major skills. They then include a brief work history section that lists only job titles, employers, and dates of employment.

Still other applicants choose a format that combines these two approaches in some way. Choose the style that best showcases your skills and experience.

Whatever format you choose, keep your resume short. Many experts recommend that new workers use a one-page resume. Avoid long blocks of text and italicized material. Consider using bullets to highlight duties or key accomplishments.

Before submitting your resume, make sure that it is easy to read. Are the headings clear and consistently formatted with bold or some other style of type?

Is the type face large enough? Then, ask at least two people to proofread the resume for spelling and other errors and make sure you use your computer’s spell checker.

Keep in mind that many employers scan resumes into databases, which they then search for specific keywords or phrases.

The keywords are usually nouns referring to experience, education, personal characteristics, or industry buzz words. Identify keywords by reading the job description and qualifications in the job ad; use these same words in your resume.

For example, if the job description includes customer service tasks, use the words “customer service” on your resume. Scanners sometimes misread paper resumes, which could mean some of your keywords don’t get into the database. So, if you know that your resume will be scanned, and you have the option, e-mail an electronic version.

If you must submit a paper resume, make it scannable by using a simple font and avoiding underlines, italics, and graphics. It is also a good idea to send a traditionally formatted resume along with your scannable resume, with a note on each marking its purpose.

Cover letters

• When sending a resume, most people include a cover letter to introduce themselves to the prospective employer.
• Most cover letters are no more than three short paragraphs. Your cover letter should capture the employer’s attention, follow a business letter format, and usually should include the following information:
• Name and address of the specific person to whom the letter is addressed.
• Reason for your interest in the company or position.
• Your main qualifications for the position.
• Request for an interview.
• Your home and work telephone numbers.
• If you send a scannable resume, you should also include a scannable cover letter, which avoids graphics, fancy fonts, italics, and underlines.

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With this in mind, think about your responses to the twelve most commonly asked interview questions. 

I can’t guarantee that you’ll be asked every single one of these questions during your own interview, however as a minimum, aim to have a number of stock answers prepared for our dirty dozen:

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
3. Why did you leave your old job?
4. Why do you want to work for us?
5. How did you like your old job?
6. What kind of salary are you looking for?
7. What do you know about our company?
8. Why should we hire you?
9. What did you think of your old boss?
10. What are your long term goals?
11. Do you mind working long hours?
12. You seem overqualified (or underqualified).

If you have any other suggestions for common interview questions then please feel free to share these with us by posting a comment below.

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The first step is to identify the criteria that will help you locate the right companies and industries to fit with your ideal work preferences. You need to consider the marketplace as widely as possible. In broadening your job search the chances of success can be increased greatly.

Research is an essential part of the job search process. You need to satisfy yourself that the opportunities you explore are matched to your needs and aspirations and that you are armed with as much information as possible when attending interviews.

This will not only help your confidence but make the interviewer think that you are serious about contributing to the organisation and not just on a round of interviews where you’ll take the first thing that comes along.

The steps below should help you to work through the processes involved in targeting and researching companies, industries and individuals.

Quick guide to targeting a company

Core competencies

Keep your research simple and focused. Go to a company’s web site and learn the basics, and as part of your homework, find out the firm’s core competencies or the skill sets that they expect each new employee to have.

If a firm’s core competencies are ‘ability to work in teams’, ‘results orientation’, and ‘analytical thinking’, then chances are very high that the firm’s interview questions will address those areas.

More importantly, a firm’s core competencies can have a large impact on their culture, so knowing them will help you decide if the work environment will be agreeable.

Remember, company research is not just to help you do well in an interview; it also will help you decide if the firm is where you want to be.

How do they interview?

Aside from learning about a company through their web site, you could benefit from knowing how the firm interviews.

Do they ask case questions? Are there multiple interview rounds? Does the firm use interview panels, or is each interview conducted with a one-on-one format? Finding this information beforehand can lower your stress level and make you a more relaxed candidate.

Where you find this information requires a little creativity, but the best source is people you may know at the firm or friends who have gone through the interview process already.

Armed with this information, your focus on the day of the interview will be much sharper, and your discussions will cover only the topics that matter most.

A little goes a long way

Once you’ve done all the necessary research on a firm, store it away in your memory for the actual interview.

Use it in a limited fashion, or seamlessly mix it into with discussions about your work experience, your personality, and your goals.

Think of your newfound company knowledge as a fail-safe cushion for questions such as ‘Why do you want to work here?’ and ‘What is it about our firm that interests you?’

A little company information goes a long way with these questions. Leave your doctoral thesis at home, and do not be afraid to express your ignorance on certain topics, because recruiters do look for a certain level of intellectual humility.

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Make sure you understand the question before offering any answer. Allow the interviewer to finish asking the question before offering an answer.

If you miss the question or are not sure about it, rephrase the key words and ask the interviewer to clarify. Do not attempt to answer without fully understanding the question.

If you do not anticipate a question and have not prepared an answer for it, pause and think before offering one. It is better to think carefully for an appropriate answer than to offer an answer in a hurry. Make sure you do not spend too much time thinking.

You need to take the initiative in providing useful information for the interviewer in order to evaluate your suitability for the position. Do not give Yes/No answers only. Give your answer directly and support it with relevant evidence from past experience because interviewers do not have time to listen to your long and comprehensive replies.

Although you should prepare your answers for interview questions beforehand, you should not recite them directly from your memory in front of the interviewer. You should memorize the main ideas and offer the answers in a natural and spontaneous way.

You should attempt to offer positive responses to every question in the interview. Even when your answer is negative, you should stress your present situation and discuss your future plans or inclinations.

Offer clear and positive explanations of why some of your accomplishments are less than satisfactory. Do not try to put blame on others or offer an excuse for yourself. Be honest and sincere about your weakness or shortcoming, and turn it into something positive.

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