Job Interview – A Quick Guide

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Apr 012010

One of the most stressful events in anyone’s life is the job interview process. Nothing can truly prepare you for the job hunt, but with some research, the correct dress, and preparation, you may be on your way to the ideal job.

Step one in the job interview process is a great resume. The resume should be typed and revealed on additional fine paper. Even if there is a great deal of job experience, the resume should not be longer than one page. Most businessmen are really busy and are out of time to read a lengthy resume. If you get the interview, you can talk more about your experience. Together with the resume should be a good cover letter. In the cover letter, you will be asking for an interview for a specific position in the firm. Be certain to include one or two references from the past business experience. If your business experience is limited, be more specific about your education and goals in life.

If you get an interview, it is critical to dress for success. Dressing in very conservative business attire is always appropriate for an interview. Business attire includes a suit for men and a suit or dress for women. One good rule is to wear garments that don’t downplay your business persona. Casual clothes or too tight fitting attire is never appropriate. Wearing neutral clothes is also important. You wish to wear your garments not the other way around. The interviewer should see your garments as a complement to your business astuteness.

Before you leave for your job interview, be sure to have a clear focus on any questions you think your interviewer might ask. When asked any question, be short and to the point. Don’t ramble because no businessman wants to waste time while you go on and on about nothing. Be clear in all your answers and do not be scared to say that you do not know the solution to a question. Faking rarely works and could make you look foolish.

Be very clear on the job you are interviewing for before the interview. You should research all aspects of the position long before the interview. Practicing with a pal is usually a good idea. Spend as much time as possible with these mock interviews. Of course, your ridicule interviews will not cover all possible questions, but working on the interview process will give you confidence.

Another sensible idea is to put down questions that you may have for the interviewer. Many times during the job interview process, you will be asked if you have any questions. Be ready to ask a few very incisive questions so that you will show your knowledge of the position.

It is very natural to be nervous before a job interview, but don’t let anyone see you sweat. Prior to the interview take deep breaths and attempt to center yourself. Remain as calm as possible before the interview. If you start to stress out during the interview, take a couple more deep breaths if you can. When you are stressed, you breathe from your chest rather than your diaphragm. This shallow breathing puts your body in fight or flight mode. Therefore, breathe as deeply as you can without calling attention to yourself.

No ever announced the job interview process is straightforward. In reality apart from finding a life partner, interviewing for a job is one of the most nerve wracking eventualities practical. There is hope. Follow the rules and you have a good fighting chance. Good luck.

Missing a Job Opportunity Due to Interviewing Mistakes

Interview Tips No Responses »

Feb 142010

What to Do and What NOT to Do

You might feel as though hiring managers want to hear about how you’ve been struggling, just took out a cash advance for fast cash and need a job now. However, they could care less about any of this during an interview. Unfortunately, job seekers have committed such interviewing blunders, says the annual survey of the worst interview mistakes at CareerBuilder.com.

Awkward behavior isn’t the only thing that will kill your chances of landing a job. When asked about the most dangerous and common mistakes that interviewees could possibly make, 51% of hiring managers said dressing out of sorts. 49% said slamming former bosses as the wort offense, though 48% also named disinterest was the deciding factor. These were just a few reasons that were given, others included asking the wrong questions, arrogance, and giving answers that were insufficient.

For the sake convenience, here are 10 mistakes people have actually made so you don’t repeat their mistakes at an interview.

Oh, No She Didn’t!

There was once a candidate who answered her cell phone in the middle of an interview and asked the interviewer to leave his own office because it was a “personal” conversation. You shouldn’t EVER do this. You must not forget that you are being judged, whether you like it or not, from the moment that you walk into the doors of the establishment. Turn your darn cell phone off, and stop being a teenager already, or at least put it on silent or vibrate.

Don’t Provide TMI

A guy filling out an application for a job told the interviewer that he probably wouldn’t be staying with the company long because he was expecting an inheritance check when his uncle died, and “he looked half-way to death at the moment.” He finished by adding, “I just need some fast cash to pay off some debt.” This isn’t the kind of thing that a hiring manager or interviewer wants to hear about. If you plan on not being at the company very long, and can’t supply a date when you plan to leave, it’s best not to apply for the job at all.

Arrive Prepared

One candidate asked the interviewer if they could catch a lift home after the interview. Odds are that if you don’t know someone, you don’t want them in your car after only 30 minutes of bonding time. Make sure that you are prepared before you arrive to the interview, and that means securing a ride there and back.

Express Yourself – But Not Too Much

There was an applicant who lifted each of his arms and smelled his armpits before entering the interviewing room. Obviously, make sure that issues of personal hygiene are sorted out before you go to interview for the job. Interviewers logically think that if you’re unsure of your cleanliness at an interview, you will be at work as well.

Don’t Lie

There was an interviewee who told the interviewer that she couldn’t provide the company with any writing samples due to the fact that all her work was previously for the CIA and marked as “classified.” It would be impossible to know if she worked where she did (the resume should list it), and it wasn’t what you say during an interview. As a professional, a writing sample should have been drafted before entering the company’s doors. As if it hasn’t been stressed enough, show up prepared.

Know When to Keep Thing Professional

Never do what one candidate did and tell the interviewer that he was fired for beating the crap out of his former boss. This is the kind of situation where an interviewer respects a persons’ honesty, because they know they won’t be hiring that person. Though the information you’d like to give might be true, ask yourself if it belongs in an interviewing conversation.

Keep the Vices at Home

An applicant was offered some cookies, food and refreshments before an interview and declined them, saying with excitement, “I can’t line my stomach with that grease before I get drunk tonight. I’m getting ripped!” While everyone has their own personal vices, it’s not good to mention the ones during an interview that could lessen your chances of getting the job.

Prove You Should Be There

At an interview for an accounting position, an applicant said that she wasn’t a “numbers person,” she was a “people person.” That probably didn’t go over will with the interviewer. Make sure that you can prove to the person interviewing you why you are there and what your skills can bring to the company or business.

Even Over the Phone, Be Polite

During a phone interview with a hiring manager, one interviewee flushed the toilet. As you can guess, the hiring manager didn’t call the candidate back. Make sure that you are professional and polite at all times. First impressions can be lasting.

Groom Yourself BEFORE the Interview

The applicant waited until the middle of the interview to take a comb from her purse and give her hair a touch-up. Some don’t mind keeping up appearances, but there is obviously a time and place for it. You don’t want the state of your hair, clothes, brutal honesty, or body odor to get you a ticket back to the unemployment line or a fast cash advance instead of into a new career.

Careers in Demand

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Dec 172009

Is Now The Time To Find a Top Paying Career?

Many people have recently been made redundant and face uncertain times. The reality is now could be great time to make a career change and find your true passion in life. It could also give you the chance to find a top paying career.

One of the first things to do is to take some time to assess where you are now and what you want to do next. This is not a time to sit and feel depressed but to take action and begin to ask yourself some serious questions. Understand you are in control. Focus on what you are good at, where your strengths lie and what value you offer people. Continue reading »

The Top Paid Careers in 2010

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Dec 162009

Highest Paying Careers of 2010

Research conducted for the “2010 Salary Guides” from Robert Half International is painting a surprising picture about the salary landscape in the new year. Starting salaries in the accounting and finance, information technology and administrative fields are expected to remain relatively flat or see modest declines in 2010. But base compensation for certain positions will buck the trend, in some cases even increasing over 2009 levels.

Here are 10 positions, segmented by industry, with the best prospects for 2010:
Continue reading »

Five Most Glamorous Professions – How to Get a Job in Prestigious Fields Like Fashion Design

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Dec 072009

By Lily McCallister

In this economy, people might not want to seem ungrateful for the jobs they have, but it’s only natural to dream of greener pastures. After all, some professions just seem more exciting or prestigious than others. Salary.com recently conducted a survey to find the most glamorous professions, and here are the top five. But what does it actually take to land one of these jobs? Continue reading »

How to Make a CV – And Get Invited to Interview

Interview Tips, Job Searching Tips, Resumes, Uncategorized No Responses »

Nov 282009

: How to Make a CV Standout Image by SOCIALisBETTER via Flickr

Creating a resume is perhaps one of the most important documents you will ever write. It can help you find the dream job, unfortunately for many people, the resume seems to be a stumbling block to finding the perfect opportunity. How many times have you sent your resume and sat by the phone waiting for a call to be interviewed?

1. Your CV must reflect your market

Who will you be sending the CV to, what will they be looking for, what will make it stand out? Here are a couple of examples. If I was going for a sales job I would first want to get the sales managers attention. How do I get the sales managers attention? By explaining in the first Paragraph my sales achievements. In my current job I may be the top performing sales person. When I send my CV, after my name or under it I may write something like (XXX co current Top Performing Sales Person).

A Doctor or an accountant may put their qualification after their name. Ensure you qualify your experience.

2. Make a CV about your achievements – Not your job

This is the most important aspect as it will make your CV stand out from all your competition. I would estimate about 95% of resumes out there list responsibilities rather than achievements. Lets imagine you have two applicants for an accounting job, one reads

1999- 2009 Finance Manager – Deutsche Bank

Responsible for

Managing a team of 5
Ensuring year end process is completed on time
Improving processes
Performing budgets, forecasts and analysis

The other reads

1999- 2009 Finance Manager – Deutsche Bank
Achievements

Managed and developed a team of 5, through ongoing coaching and mentoring two of the team have gone on to become Finance Managers.

By identifying process improvements I reduced the year end close from 12 weeks down to 4 resulting in a saving of over $300,000 in extra resources

2008 budget I identified and accomplished cost savings of over $3m saving the jobs of 5 staff.

Who would you rather invite in to interview?

3. KISS – Keep it Simple, Stupid

If you follow the above you shouldn’t have any more than two pages. Many people try and pad out the resume by filling it with fluff and generic statements. If you can’t get the interviewers attention in the first few seconds they won’t read any further. Keep it succinct and to the point. Avoid the urge to describe yourself eg: Max is a hardworking, committed and creative individual with a great eye for detail. You’ll be amazed at the amount of people who claim to have great attention to detail and when you read the resume it is littered with mistakes.

DO NOT put a picture of yourself on the resume. This never ever works (unless you are a supermodel) and it can create a negative image. Its a bit like going on a blind date. If you showed a photo before the date you give them an excuse not to meet you (unless you are Brad Pitt).

4. Make sure the right person gets to read you CV

Too many times people don’t get an interview because the right person hasn’t seen their CV. There are many barriers blocking you from the decision maker, HR, PA’s, line managers. Before sending your resume make sure you find out the name and contact details of the MD or Head of the business. If you are going to apply for a job using an online application make sure you follow it up. There was just an example this week at work where a guy had applied for a job direct with the company using their online application process. After a few weeks he hadn’t heard anything and I called him about the job. I put him forward to the line manager who loved him and offered the job. The next day this guy gets an auto response from the companies HR team saying he had been unsuccessful. This happens all the time.

5. One CV doesn’t fit all

Treat your resume like the bait when fishing. If you cast in a few times and don’t get any bites perhaps you may be using the wrong bait. Remember that the resume serves one purpose only, to compel the reader to want to find out more. You may want to make minor adjustments dependent upon the job you are applying for.

Why an interview is like a first date

Interview Tips No Responses »

Nov 012009

Why an interview is like a first date – Telegraph.

How to Prepare for the Interview

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Nov 012009

Frequently Asked Interview Questions

Everyone approaches a job interview with some degree of apprehension. So just what are the top interview questions? Whilst preparing for a job interview is extremely important, most people assume they would benefit from having a list of sample job interview questions. However if you want to make a great first impression during the Interview think about:

- What you are going to say?
- How you are going to say it?
- How you are going to act, beforehand?

1. Do Your Homework

You can never have too much information – log on to the company’s website, get hold of company literature and find out about competitors. Your homework will let you demonstrate impressive interest in the organisation

2. Make A Good First Impression

Look smart and professional; dressing to impress means erring on the side of ‘traditional’ rather than ‘trendy’. Plan your route and allow plenty of time to get to the interview. Be courteous, smile and shake hands firmly.

3. Body Language

Despite being well qualified, you need to look motivated and interested in the job. Your actions, posture, gestures and facial expressions, reveal a lot about you. Remember to look the interviewer in the eye and don’t be afraid to smile when appropriate. If there is more than one interviewer, always look at and address the person who posed the question; glance at the others when you have finished your answer. Adopt a good posture and don’t cross your arms, fidget, tap your feet, sprawl or lean forward anxiously.

4. Sound Positive

You must be ready to expand on the information presented on your resume and anticipate the path the interviewer might take. No one fits a job perfectly so emphasise your most relevant skills and slant answers to reassure the interviewer that any shortfall is not a problem. Don’t use tentative language or phrases such as ‘I feel I could’, ‘I think I can’. ‘Perhaps I would’ – dilute the strength of your case. Avoid yes and no answers to which make the interview more like an interrogation. Be enthusiastic but don’t constantly interrupt, don’t be evasive – make a virtue of any career gaps on your CV

Tip! Practice before the interview; test yourself by talking out loud or presenting to partners and
friends

5. Handle Tough Questions With Confidence

Employers deliberately ask questions designed to see how you behave and react in certain
situations. Giving positive, fluent answers isn’t as difficult as it might seem, advanced planning makes it easier to anticipate general enquiries and prepare coherent,
effective responses. Be smart, turn these questions into an opportunity to take the initiative and ‘sell’ the exact message you want. If you don’t understand a question, seek clarification before answering:
- Never guess or give a knee-jerk response
- It’s much better to admit that you don’t know an answer

6. Be Prepared For The Following Questions

How would you describe yourself?
How would your manager describe you?
What is your career path for the future?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
What motivates you to be successful?
How do you react when you are left to work without supervision?
Give me an example of when you feel you have coped extremely well under pressure at
work?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?

- You cannot claim to have no weaknesses
- Don’t stress anything too negative
- Weaknesses are points that you have identified as areas to develop
- The best solution is to admit to one weakness and then turn it around and show how
you have constructively overcome it
- E.g. “Speaking in front of large crowds isn’t something I feel comfortable doing, so I try
to speak up in team meetings more often.”

7. Interviews Are A Two-Way Process

Always prepare questions in advance about the job or company. This is a good chance to clarify any points of doubt, you need to ensure that the job is exactly what you expected and what you want.

8. Suggested Questions To Ask

What are the opportunities for career progression?
What are the training opportunities?
What are my precise responsibilities?
How much travel is involved?
What are the targets for the first 6 months?
How long will it take you to make a final recruitment decision?

9. Close On A Confident Note

Leave the employer with a good final impression. Smile, thank them for their time, say you enjoyed discussing the job and that you are interested. Ask them what are the next steps of the process and ask if they have any further questions.

The Competency Interview Explained

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Oct 032009

Competency interviews have become increasingly popular

So what are behavioral interview questions and how should you answer them to ensure you get hired? A competency based interview involves asking the candidate questions concerning their specific experience. The questions require detailed answers in which the candidate should provide insight as to how competently they dealt with certain situations (hence competency interview). The result gives the interviewer an accurate insight to the candidates ability to perform the role successfully based on relevant experiences.

Unfortunately many candidates are ill prepared for behavioral interview questions and when put on the spot struggle to give detailed answers. It is therefore essential that you prepare your answers before undergoing a behavioral based or competency interview. So how do you prepare for the interview and what type of questions will you be asked?

Here are 5 tips that will help you answer behavioral questions in an effective manner

Preparing For A Competency Interview

Prior to the interview please ensure you get a detailed job description. Whilst looking at the description put a tick next to every area you have relevant experience. Order them strongest to weakest. Now looking at the areas that you don’t have exposure to think of something you have done that is similar or think of a situation in which you have had to learn a new skill. You are going to use this example during the interview in case your lack of experience is mentioned.

How To Answer Great Interview Questions

If there are specific responsibilities such as managing a team, meeting sales targets or working to deadlines think of examples/achievements in which you’ve displayed that quality. If you are struggling to think of examples try and think of the proudest moments in your career. Perhaps a time you were commended by your boss, a customer or your colleagues.

Break the event into three parts

a) THE SITUATION – Describe the scene to the interviewer, was there a crisis? A customer complaint? A tight deadline? How did you identify the situation?

b) THE PART YOU PLAYED – Once a decision had been made on how to resolve the situation, how did you do it? If part of a team, what part did you play. If the plan wasn’t working what did you do next?

c) THE RESULTS YOU GAINED – What was the outcome of your actions? Did sales increase? Did you make a customer happy? Did you save the company money?

Do Not Use Hypothetical Answers In A Competency Interview

If you don’t have experience in a particular area be honest and say so. But don’t leave it at that, use an experience that is similar or may have some relevance. If you are asked to provide an example of how you have increased sales but haven’t been in a sales job, perhaps you can provide an example of how you have influenced a decision at work. You may have persuaded an unhappy customer not to buy elsewhere.

Possible Interview Questions

If the example you provide did not have a positive outcome, focus on what you learned from the experience. Articulate how it changed the way you performed your job and made you better. The interviewer may ask you to provide examples of times when you have been under stress, failed at a task or even been fired. It is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes. The behavioral based questions will enable the interviewer to discover exactly how you deal with failure and disappointment.

Remember that 90% of success comes from the preparation. Most people fail at a competency interview not because they can’t do the job but because they don’t convince the interviewer they can do the job!

Interview Pointers – Avoid these common mistakes

Interview Tips, Job Searching Tips, Resumes No Responses »

Aug 282009

Did you know an interviewer has made their mind up in the first five seconds of meeting

Have you ever had a situation in which you’ve met someone and had an instant dislike. Or you’ve met someone and hit it off immediately. Studies have shown that our subconscious picks up on things such as appearance, body language, voice and smell, immediately creating an impression of that person. Follow our list of interview pointers to improve your chances of being offered the job.

The biggest interview weakness is making a poor first impression. Even if you had sample interview questions and answers the likelihood of being hired when making a poor introduction will be slim.

Interview Pointer 1 – NEVER be late

This is the worst possible start to an interview. Make sure you turn up on time and not too early. 5 minutes before the scheduled time is best. If you are running late please call your interviewer at least 10 minutes before the interview to explain you have been delayed.

Interview Pointer 2 – Whilst waiting in reception don’t sit down

When your interviewer turns up you want to be standing, with purpose and looking confident, not slouched in a chair. I once worked with someone who refused to hire anyone if they did not stand to shake their hand.

Interview Pointer – 3 Avoid the wet fish handshake

Make sure you give a confident handshake but not too firm and please, not two handed. If you suffer from sweaty palms use the bathroom or carry a spare handkerchief with you.

Interview Pointer – 4 Don’t forget the interviewers name

The sweetest sound to anyone is the sound of their own name. If you get it wrong or forget it, you have just made yourself an enemy. If the name is hard to pronounce ask the receptionist how to pronounce the name before your interview.

Interview Pointer – 5 Maintain eye contact

If you are looking at your shoes whilst shaking the interviewers hand they will think you have something to hide. Look the Interviewer in the eye or at least at their face during the meeting. Another tip is to look slightly over their shoulder. That way they don’t feel as if they are engaged in a stare out.

The best way to approach the introduction is with confidence. By following these simple steps you will find the interview will begin in a positive manner, you can find more tips on how to improve first impressions by signing up to our newsletter.

Older Entries

What to Do and What NOT to Do

Oh, No She Didn’t!

Don’t Provide TMI

Arrive Prepared

Express Yourself – But Not Too Much

Don’t Lie

Know When to Keep Thing Professional

Keep the Vices at Home

Prove You Should Be There

Even Over the Phone, Be Polite

Groom Yourself BEFORE the Interview

Is Now The Time To Find a Top Paying Career?

Highest Paying Careers of 2010

1. Your CV must reflect your market

2. Make a CV about your achievements – Not your job

3. KISS – Keep it Simple, Stupid

4. Make sure the right person gets to read you CV

5. One CV doesn’t fit all

Frequently Asked Interview Questions

1. Do Your Homework

2. Make A Good First Impression

3. Body Language

4. Sound Positive

5. Handle Tough Questions With Confidence

6. Be Prepared For The Following Questions

7. Interviews Are A Two-Way Process

8. Suggested Questions To Ask

9. Close On A Confident Note

Competency interviews have become increasingly popular

Preparing For A Competency Interview

How To Answer Great Interview Questions

Break the event into three parts

Do Not Use Hypothetical Answers In A Competency Interview

Possible Interview Questions

Did you know an interviewer has made their mind up in the first five seconds of meeting

Interview Pointer 1 – NEVER be late

Interview Pointer 2 – Whilst waiting in reception don’t sit down

Interview Pointer – 3 Avoid the wet fish handshake

Interview Pointer – 4 Don’t forget the interviewers name

Interview Pointer – 5 Maintain eye contact

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