Telephone interviews have become very common as a first step in the interview process. It allows employers to narrow down the candidate pool and only schedule the most qualified applicants for in person interviews.

It is just as important to prepare for a telephone interview as it is for an in person interview. It could be more important as this determines whether or not you ever meet the employer. Following are five tips that can help you prepare for and ace the phone interview. Read the full story

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You’ve heard the expression, “Getting a job is a job.” No one knows more than you how many hours a week it takes searching, researching, applying, interviewing, reflecting, and so on, to get a job. It’s not easy; but it was never intended to be.

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. Read the full story

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No matter how many interviews you have gone to it never really seems to gets easier, does it? That’s because each interview is different. Each interviewer is different from the last one and often the position you are applying for, although in your field of expertise, is different even if only slightly.

However, there are ways you can feel more relaxed and prepared for interviews, and increase your chances of getting that job or promotion that you’re going for.

Here are 10 tips to help you approach a job interview more confidently and increase your chances of success. Read the full story

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What do you do when they ask for references during your job interview? First of all, do a little happy dance (in your head, of course) because you’ve just gotten a buying signal from your interviewer. Asking for your references indicates definite interest. However, you’re not home free yet. Always assume your references will be checked.

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. Read the full story

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An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your abilities and qualifications to a potential employer and it pays to be well prepared.

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: Read the full story

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You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to appreciate that you need to concentrate and listen very carefully to the questions during an interview.

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. Read the full story

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Looking from the perspective of the interviewer may well help you as you’ll have a good idea what they are looking for. This article, provided by Boyden Executive search looks at their selection criteria in a lot more detail.

Boyden professionals interview 15,000 executives each year. The interview and evaluation process is at the very core of their business, and the methods they have developed in over five decades of search work has been critical to the success of their organisation.

Within this article we examine the basics of the interviewing process, including a discussion of 12 of the most common interviewing errors. Read the full story

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Marketing shouldn’t be limited to advertising companies. Finding a job or enhancing your current position requires good self-marketing skills.

What is self-marketing? Basically, it is communicating your benefits to potential or current employers. Think of yourself as a “product” and explain to employers what differentiates you from other “products.”

Why is self-marketing important? Landing a job or improving your current position requires effectively selling your skills, abilities, and knowledge to employers. How do you market yourself? Self-marketing can be accomplished through networking, resumes, interviews, and salary negotiation.

Reports estimate that as many as 85% of jobs aren’t advertised. Networking is one way to get at the “hidden job market” – those unadvertised jobs. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. They just may know of someone who is hiring.

Develop a contact list including: family, friends, friends of friends, acquaintances, co-workers, former co-workers, neighbours, doctors, dentists, and lawyers. Remember, more contacts equals more job opportunities. Read the full story

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