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Searching For the Hidden Job Bank in Your Town

2012-03-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

You're kidding, right? There's a hidden job bank in every town, city or crossroads. Our BIG challenge is to discover where it's located. You've got to put on your best investigative talent. Some call it just "looking around" while others call it "detective sleuthing", undercover work. You've got to do it.

Yes, searching for the hidden job bank is work. Sometimes we refer to it as the "mind-ladder" of those bank directors, business executives, company owners, vice Presidents or even the custodian who knows where the jobs are. All action begins with a thought and that's where you come into the big picture.

If you're from a farm family growing up, this will be easy. Networking = tilling the soil, making friends in the marketplace, connecting with the powers of decision. Next we "plant the seed" or idea with the decision makers who can hire you. Many job openings do not exist UNTIL the seed is planted. Your next job or career position may already be on the "mind-ladder" of a company executive waiting for someone like you to present themselves as the perfect candidate who gets hired immediately.

Your current executive position is in sales whether you like it or not. No pay, no expense account, no free car, no free lunch, yet you still have to dress up, put on your RED coat and be ready to take a load of rejection at every turn. Nobody likes rejection but the payoff is coming. You're on a journey and you know your destination before you even begin.

There is NO shame in NO job. Tell everyone you know as you broaden your search network. Everyone really does feel your pain and want to help you. Unfortunately, few can or will until you find the person with the power of decision. Join professional groups, search the Internet, talk to former professors and classmates you remember. Offer to work free if necessary to prove your worth to a prospective firm or do volunteer work for service agencies that are well connected.

Don't forget there are all kinds of services available. Staffing services, personnel agencies, executive search firms provide tremendous guidance and help to job seekers in the marketplace. If you have a particular firm in mind don't hesitate to ask if they can place you there on a temporary assignment or set up an interview. Don't be shy, ask for what you want. Persistence will pay off for you so keep the faith and don't give up in your search for the dream job you deserve.

Don Monteith spent 32 years as co-owner of several franchises and a personnel/staffing business. Every year, his firm placed hundreds of job candidates in their dream job. Today, Don shares his business and career expertise with the small business owners. Lots of good information on his website but joining his newsletter is a priority for long-term benefits to his clients and friends. http://www.DonMonteith.com

The HomeJobStop Job Bank - Review of HomeJobStop

2012-03-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

So you want to find a work at home job? You're not alone. Millions of people worldwide search for online opportunities every day, hoping to make some extra cash and maybe eventually even quit the rat race to work from home long term. The problem is that it's not always easy to find 'legitimate' home employment. HomeJobStop might just be the solution.

Actual listings of 'real' work at home jobs are near impossible to find online. I've tried many different opportunities (where I've worked for myself), but I've rarely found proper jobs where I've worked for someone else. That's why when I came across HomeJobStop I had to join and see what the fuss was all about. This is a job board that offers telecommuting or 'work at home' jobs in a variety of different categories and you can get full life time access for just $24 (a bargain, if you can find what you're looking for).

Once you've gained access to the site you can go through the job listings using a simple search function where you can search by category, job title, job description or location. Jobs are in categories such as:

Writing
Web Development
Sales And Marketing
Transcription
Human Resource etc.

If you have a particular skill such as graphic design or web development you'll find lots of different suitable opportunities, however even if you have no experience you can still find jobs (for example in the writing category). The listings are updated regularly, at least a few times a week so you should have no trouble finding the right job for you.

Honestly, HomeJobStop is one of the only job boards for real work at home jobs that I've come across online, and for the price it's really good value. You won't find anything fancy in the members area - but what you will find are legitimate job listings that could be the stepping stone to you working online either part time or full time.

Check out my HomeJobStop review [http://www.homejobstopreview.com] at my site:

==> [http://www.homejobstopreview.com]

Find a legitimate job and start working from home in as little as 24 hours!

Top 2008 Work at Home Job Banks

2012-03-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

Everyday search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask and others are seeing searches being made for Work at Home and Home Based Business Opportunities.

It's no wonder with the cost of fuel, which drives prices up on all items that we use on a daily basis. On top of that if you add in the stress of a typical job, cost of day care or just wanting to pay the bills on time; it's no wonder people are looking for work that can be done in their spare time.

There are many programs to choose from in fields such as Data Entry, Type at Home, Paid Surveys, Mystery Shopping, Rebate Processing and more. Many of these programs scare people off, because they are new and many are afraid to try something out of their comfort zone.

Taking this into account I wanted to do some research to see if I could find more of a job bank that would offer multiple types of programs, step-by-step guidance and the placement. I was looking for more of the typical headhunter for the Work at Home arena. I am happy to say I was able to locate some prospects to review.

You will be able to do so as well if you do the necessary research, which must be done to ensure you don't get involved with a bad company. Take your time do your research match any company with your income objectives, time constraints, skill sets and comfort zone. I recommend using a website like mine, but not necessarily mine, or be prepared to do the required research yourself.

I found companies that offered a multitude of jobs for you to choose from. Once you have chosen the program that meets you work at home profile that I highlighted above, you choose, then they will train you before helping you find work in that field. You can work from afar or find something in your state if you reside in the United States. Others can work from where ever they are located. That's the beauty of this program. I like it when a company offers flexibility.

You will need a computer, access to the Internet and some free time to start your work at home endeavor. It is important to remember that you will have to do some work from home to get paid. This is not a get rich scheme!

Imagine what could happen if you were able to spend some time, working from home, the effect it will have on your lifestyle. What would you do with an extra $500 a month? How about $2000 a month or even $100k a year? I'm sure this would create change in your life. Nothing happens unless you take the ball and run with it. This is true with anything you do in life. You have to make it happen. Please feel free to read both this article or one of my many others by visiting my link in the resource box below. I always enjoy getting emails pertaining to my articles or my site. Your feedback is important to me.

I wish you the very best!

Michael Comeau has been owner of many successful businesses over the years including his current online business which can be viewed at http://www.workfromhome4dollars.com/ArticleTop-2008-Work-At-Home-Job-Bank.php. You may also find more articles by Michael Comeau at http://www.workfromhome4dollars.com.

Advertising Your Resume on an Online Job Bank

2012-03-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

Job searches nowadays are much more in-depth than they have been in the past. Before, you simply drafted a good resume, printed it on quality paper, and submitted it to the companies you were interested in working for. Now, however, most companies prefer to have their applications completed online.

Recruiters make no exception to this rule as they have also moved the majority of their candidate searches to the Internet. This means in order to be found for a job it's a good idea to post your resume on one or more online job banks. To help you prepare for this adaptation in job seeking let's look at some ways that you can advertise your resume through Internet job search services.

Understand the Process

Before you begin posting your resume with various online job banks, it is a good idea to understand the method behind their madness. So let's look at one of the more popular sites, Careerbuilder.com, to see how they go about having users participate in their process.

To get started, you simply visit their website where you can immediately post your resume using their wizard (after signing up for a free account). Once your resume has been posted, their search engine will scan it to record keywords. Your resume is then sorted categorically allowing employers to locate it based on which keywords they type into the search database. If you don't have a resume to post, you can use their resume builder, which is a wizard offering the ability to create a resume to post.

Choose Applicable Keywords

Since we know that job banks rely heavily on keyword searches, it is a good idea to make certain that you're listing the right ones before you even post your resume. But how can you know which keywords to use?

One good way to find keywords is by thinking of appropriate phrases in your field. For instance, as a nursing professional, keywords like "CRNA" or "registered nurse" are applicable. Also, listing nursing organizations like AAACN or AMSN is great if they apply to your career. You can consider phrases like "self starter" and "fast learning," in addition to action words like "established" and "implemented" to help highlight your strengths as an employee. Whichever keywords you find that apply to you and your career, make sure to use some for the title of your resume as well.

Internalize Being the Most Qualified Employee

When trying to sell yourself for a non-yet-existent position, it can be difficult to know exactly what qualifications to list for yourself. But you can start by simply determining why you feel you're a great candidate overall. Confidence can get you far when writing your resume because it helps you choose words that define how you feel about yourself. That way, even if you don't know what recruiter may look at your resume, you can still rest assured that whoever it is will feel you're the right person for the job.

Joining the 21st century application process doesn't have to be frustrating or unpleasant. If you can understand the process, keep up with key phrases in your field, and let your confidence speak in your resume, you'll find that securing an exciting job is easier than your thought.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. If you need a resume writing service, compare some of the top ones in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com

Human Resource Job Bank

2012-03-10T23:44:00.000-08:00

Human resource staff are people who make up the workforce of an organization. It is the function within an organization laid with the overall responsibility for implementing strategies and policies relating to the management of individuals. Companies keep reorganizing to gain competitive edge HR helps them in dealing with a cutting edge environment and the requirement for quality employees. Good HR employees can be found from a human resource job bank.

According to a research there are six main people-related activities that HR department undertakes.

Apply new tactics to work process design, succession planning, career development and inter-organizational mobility. Develop plans that maximize individual and organizational output. Increase the innovation, creativity and flexibility necessary to enhance competitiveness. Manage and utilize staff along with implementation and integration of technology through improved staffing, training and communication with employees. Handle performance appraisal and compensation matters.

A human resource job bank is nothing but a website dealing with employment or careers in HR. Employers can post job requirements for a position to be filled. Some career banks offer employer reviews, career, job-search advice, and narrate job descriptions. A candidate can locate and fill out job applications and submit resumes for the advertised position on the Internet. Employers can post job vacancies and hunt for potential employees. There are over 40000 job banks in existence and many of them deal with HR exclusively.

Some commonly known vacancies which can be easily found in a HR job bank are recruiter, senior compensation analyst, human resources business specialist, human resources assistant, employee relations adviser, work/life coordinator, compensation analyst, manager- training and development. Many job banks are country specific and many have job listings throughout the world.

Though entry level HR jobs don't need any specific qualifications, higher posts in the sector may require specific certifications or Bachelor's or Master's degree. The salary slab for this field varies according to level of experience, training, qualification, area, and size of the organization. Never the less one can be sure to find the most deserving opportunity through HR career bank.

For more information on HR Job Bank

Resume Tips for Career Fairs and Online Job Banks

2012-03-07T20:49:00.001-08:00

If you're all set to attend a career fair - or are looking to post your resume on an online job bank - and are concerned about how to create a resume for companies you have yet to meet, you are not alone.

Fortunately, there are ways to create great resumes capable of catching the eyes of potential recruiters no matter what venue you're working with. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Conduct Research to Gauge Recruiters

Whether you're looking to leave your resumes with recruiters at a career fair, or post them on online job banks, it helps to research the companies you're interested in working with so that you can better tailor your accomplishments.

Many career fairs spend a good amount of time advertising their arrival weeks in advance. This means that you have time to research all of the companies attending so that you can create one or more resumes for each one you're interested in working for.

As for online job banks, while you won't know who is out there recruiting, you can still gain a slight edge on your competition by researching job specifications at the companies in which you're interested. This way, you can proactively tailor your resume to focus on skills and achievements that will appeal to those recruiters.

Make Your Career Fair Resume Brief and Scannable

At a career fair, it is likely that you will be the fifth, sixth, or even sixtieth person that recruiters have seen that day. Since they might be overwhelmed by the number of resumes they've received, it is a good idea to keep yours brief - one or two pages is fine.

Also, it is becoming a common practice for many companies to scan resumes into a computer after they leave the fair. So to be safe, try making yours scannable by using fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma and Courier in font sizes anywhere from 9 to 12 points.

Use Plenty of Keywords When Posting Online

As you have probably guessed, recruiters are busy people with tons of resumes to look through everyday - especially when searching through job banks where there may be thousands of resumes posted. So as a benefit to these recruiters, most job banks offer an on-site, customizable search engine. While this feature makes searching easier for the recruiter, if you don't include specific keywords in your resume before posting it, it is likely that yours will never be found.

A good way to combat this issue is by saturating your resume with keywords related to your desired job. If you don't know which words to use, try conducting your own keyword search on the Internet until you begin finding field-related information. It may seem like an unconventional way to create a resume, but it is actually a good strategy for ranking near the top of most keyword searches.

Anticipating the unknown when writing resumes can seem like a difficult task. But if you take the right steps, and have a good attitude along the way, you will encounter your career success sooner than you think.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Check out reviews of the top Resume Writing Services in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com

23 Tips for Mastering the Phone Interview

2012-01-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

Waiting for a phone interview can be more nerve-wrecking and exhausting than the phone interview itself. But when it comes, you had better be ready! Use these 23 tips to increase your odds of getting a phone interview, impress the interviewer while you are on the phone, and seal the deal after you say goodbye.

Before the Phone Interview

Include your phone number and email address on your application, cover letter, and each page of your resume. The worst reason for not receiving a phone interview is because the interviewer didn't know how to contact you.
If you have special contact instructions, list them in your cover letter, but don't expect they will be followed. Many interviewers just look at whatever paper is in front of them, find your number, and dial. They may not necessarily read the part of your cover letter where they are asked to call your home number between 2:00pm and 5:00pm EST or your cell phone number after 6:00pm EST.
Make sure your voicemail greeting is appropriate. One interviewer may laugh at the song you play or the joke you tell during your greeting, while another might just be annoyed and subtract points from you. A simple greeting such as "You've reached Sean Haggard. Please leave me a message" or "You have called 555-235-1212. Record your message at the tone" is fine. You can always change your greeting back after you get the job.
Let the phone go to voicemail. Although your family or roommate may have the best of intentions, messages sometimes get lost. The easiest method is just to give out a phone number that you know will either be answered by you or by no one.
Keep the company information on hand. I track my applications with a folder system on my computer. Each folder has a name, such as "IBM_ProcessEngineer_012811" (company_job_date). Then inside that folder I keep the job description (I make a PDF copy of the website if it was online), the resume I submitted, the application I submitted, and any notes that will help to refresh my memory when they call. If you do answer the phone when the interviewer calls, you want to be able to access all of this information on the spot.
Return messages promptly. An un-returned call for a phone interview is a missed opportunity. Also keep in mind that most interviewers call batches of people to schedule phone interviews. If you don't answer, I leave a message, hang up the phone, and call the next person on the list. Whoever gets back to me first has the first pick of a slot on my busy schedule. Whoever gets a phone interview first has the potential for having an in-person interview first. And that leads to the shiny, new job.
Remind interviewers who you are. If you return a call and must leave a message, give your name and phone number, mention you are returning the person's call for the (insert your position name) position, and state that you are still interested in the position. I suggest saying your name and phone number once at the beginning of the message and again at the end. If you speak slowly enough, the interviewer will be able to write down your information or grab your file without too much effort.
When you arrange the phone interview, confirm the details. You need to know the date, the time (if you are in a different time zone from the recruiter, confirm the time zone), who will be calling whom, and the phone number to call. Add the appointment to your calendar and set a reminder for at least 15 minutes prior.

During the Phone Interview

If you are calling the interviewer, call exactly at the scheduled time. Wait by the phone for a few minutes if necessary. If you do not reach the person, leave a voicemail, wait ten minutes, and try to call again. If you still aren't able to make contact, see if you can "opt out" of the person's voicemail and reach a receptionist or assistant.
If the interviewer is calling you, be ready for the phone interview whenever you are called. It is possible that you will be called 5 minutes early. It is possible you will be called 15 minutes late. Do not act offended either way; just get on with the phone interview.
Limit the negatives. If you are interviewing on your mobile phone, make sure the battery is charged, that you are in an area with little background noise, and that you are outside of a dead zone. Do not chew gum, eat, smoke, or drink (you may sip quietly if you need to).
Avoid distractions. Keep babies, dogs, vacuums, and construction equipment out of the background. If you have difficulty hearing the interviewer, say something polite like, "I'm having trouble hearing you. Are you able to hear me ok?"
Have the position information, your resume, and your notes in front of you. Don't ever expect the interviewer to wait for you to find those things.
Take notes (with either a pen and paper or a computer). Write down the person's name and role (or the people's names and roles if you are conducting a phone interview with a committee).
Smile. I was taught this trick in a call center many years ago, and it still works. If you smile while you are on the phone, it will come through in your voice. If you feel cheesy, just make sure no one else is around. It's worth the extra effort!
Answer questions. Focus on the job's needs, the hiring manager's needs, the company's needs, and how your past experience and future possibilities fit into all of those.
Ask questions. Show interest by asking questions throughout the phone interview and also at the end.
Treat a phone interview like a real interview, because it is.
Find out the next steps. When will you receive information about additional interviews? How long should you wait before following up? Should you contact this interviewer or someone else?

After the Phone Interview

Breathe! It's over.
Flesh out any notes or questions that you have, while they are fresh in your head.
Send a thank you note via email. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to discuss the position, say how much you are interested, and reiterate why you are a good fit. Include the position name, your name, your phone number, and your email address.
Address any outstanding questions. If the interviewer asked something you didn't know, answer it now. If you feel you didn't give your best answer for one of the questions, clarify it now.
Follow up. If the interviewer doesn't call you back when he said he would, call him. If the interviewer asked you to call him on a certain day, do it.
Don't count your chickens. Continue to pursue other opportunities and apply for other jobs. No matter how perfect this job may seem, it sadly may not be in your future. The good news is that the more applications you submit, the more phone interviews you will receive, the more interviews you will have, and the more jobs you will get. Any rejection just means that you're that much closer to your dream job!

Do you know what is happening behind the scenes when the interviewer doesn't call? Do you know the 14 secrets to boost your interview confidence? Go find pages of useful job interview tips, directly from the hiring manager, at InterviewBackdoor.com.

Copyright ? 2010 Sean Haggard. All rights reserved. This article may be shared or reprinted only as a whole, with the title, body, author byline/signature, and copyright intact. This article may not be sold without prior permission from the author.

How To Get a Job Offer From Every Interview

2012-01-04T03:27:00.000-08:00

About four years ago a friend told me one night that she had an interview the next week and was looking for some comfort as she was extremely nervous, as most people are about interviews. I thought back on my my carreer and realized that in the nine year of my career I had been to thirteen interviews and, more importantly, that I had received a job offer from every one of those interviews. I did not accept all the offers, but the point is that I had not once been to an interview without getting a job offer from it.

In the past four years, I have been to another 6 interviews, of which I did not get job offers for 2 of them. The one was an interview at Volkswagen which a friend had setup because he "wanted" me to work there and by the time we started the interview, I realized that the position was not in my field at all. The second one was a telephonic interview, which I hate, and I simply did not see eye to eye with the person who interviewed me. I did go for an interview with another manager at the same company a couple of weeks later and started working there 2 days later.

Job offers from 17 out of 19 interviews is not a bad track record and no, I am not some kind of a technical genius that every company would want to employ simply by looking at my resume. I am a computer programmer and there are many programmers out there with better technical skills than me.

The secret, I believe is confidence. Not necessarily confidence in yourself, but creating confidence in your interviewer's mind. I once had a 4 1/2 hour interview in Sydney, Australia. Before that I could not imagine such a long interview was possible, it was for a very senior position. If, like most people, you don't like interviews in general, imagine sitting there for 4 1/2 hours. Anyway, about halfway through the interview, the interviewer told me that he had another 2 or 3 people that he's considering for the position, but that he's got a "warm and fuzzy feeling" about me.

Not something I really want to hear from another male, but when he said that, I realized that the job was mine.

Your objective, then, is to create that "warm and fuzzy" feeling in your interviewer's mind.

Before an interview, I always think of what I would like to see in the other person if I was on the other side of the table, in other words, if I was interviewing somebody else for this position. Computer programming is considered as a technical field, even on a managerial level, but the technical aspect has very seldom been the deciding factor, unless the interviewer has poor people skills or a lack of experience.

Generally anybody with a bit of experience will be more interested in your personality than your technical abilities. I am assuming, of course, that you are applying for positions which you are in some way qualified to fill. So how do you focus on your personality and what personality traits should you try to demonstrate? Let me give you some examples of what I consider as important in an interview.

There are two dreaded questions that used to come up in every interview a couple of years ago, though I haven't heard them for a while now. What are 5 of your strengths and what are 5 of your weaknesses? Whenever I got the first of these two questions, I would start my answer with "Yes, I knew this was coming so I thought about it last night and..." or something along those lines.

It sounds wrong, because the intention of those questions is to see whether you know yourself. If you have to think about it the previous night, it doesn't say much about your self-knowledge. Nonetheless, I do this for two reasons. Firstly, I'm being honest with them. Everybody prepares for an interview, or at least you should! I'm just showing them that I'm a real person and that I don't claim to have all the answers. Secondly, it's a tension breaker. Quite often, if it is an experienced interviewer, they will make some comment about you having to prepare your answers in advance and this gives you an opportunity to sidetrack from their "prepared" questions. The more you can get to speak freely with the interviewer and not as a response to a question, the more opportunity you have of showing them your real character. It also passes the time so that they don't have to think up irrelevant technical questions to make the interview "long enough".

Also keep in mind that nobody is expected to have all the right answers. As I said before, I am not the know-it-all genius of computer programming, so in most interviews there is at least one question for which I do not have the answer or topic that I do not know about. When this happens, I do not pretend to have the answer or try to sound intelligent about the topic. I simply tell them that I do not know.

What's important, though, is the way you say you don't know. Even if the words coming out of your mouth are as simple as "I don't know", the perception that your attitude should portray is that he or she does not know, but it's okay that they don't know. In other words, say it with confidence and self respect. "I don't know because I've never needed to use that in the past" or "I normally use such and such instead" and, if possible, tell them why you prefer your alternative. Also try to tell them how you would learn this topic if it is required in your new position.

This, again, achieves two objects. It shows them your problem solving abilities and it gives you another opportunity to speak freely. Finally, if you have no clue what they're talking about, ask them to explain the topic or to give you an example. Again, speaking freely and showing them that you are interested in learning and also that you are comfortable in their company.

I also think one of the key factors for anybody in an interview is to see that you can think for yourself and that you have your own opinions. DO NOT use yes/no answers!! Every question that an interviewer asks should be seen as an opportunity for you to speak and not a hurdle that you have to cross as quickly as possible. Of course you must stay on topic or they will think you are trying to evade the question. However, try to elaborate and give them examples to show your experience and understanding of the topic.

Even if this is your first interview and you have no working experience, it should not be a problem - remember you are trying to steer the conversion towards your personality and not your technical skills. Even after 13 years in the industry, I still use a lot of examples and stories (short stories, stay on topic) from my personal life to answer interview questions.

I have now mentioned this "speaking freely" a number of times and I guess that's the basis of it all. Remember that the person on the other side of the desk is nothing but that, just another person. I always try to be early for an interview so that I have some time to relax after the traffic. During those last couple of minutes, I stand outside having a cigarette and I play out a little scene in my mind, which I would rather not repeat here. Anyway, it boils down to me having a casual conversation with the interviewer and explaining to them that we're all in the same boat. We're all here on this planet for a short time and all just trying to make the best of things. Yes, it sounds stupid, I know. But for me it re-affirms in my mind that the person I am about to talk to is just another person and that I should treat them as that.

So let me summarize. Focus on your personality, not your technical abilities. Unless you're the best in your industry, in which case I'm talking to the other 99.999% in your industry. Remember that the interviewer is just another person and treat them as one by speaking to them as you would somebody that you have known for a while. This is the only way you can have some control of steering the conversation in the direction you want. While being comfortable and speaking your mind, do show respect at the same time and remember, it's still their interview, so let them have the final control. Finally, BE HONEST.

About The Author

Dirk Wessels is a computer programmer and runs www.jobsatlarge.com [http://www.jobsatlarge.com] in his spare time. You may reproduce this article as long as you include this About the Author section and a reference to Job Search [http://www.jobsatlarge.com]

How to Interview Brilliantly and Get Your Dream Job - 27 Interview Tips

2012-01-03T23:31:00.000-08:00

How to interview brilliantly to get your dream job

Learn how to interview well and get the job you want rather than waste your energy applying for every suitable job available. This can drain your energy and leave you with insufficient time time for interview preparation. Think of interview preparation as project in itself, with various stages. Here are 27 key Interview Tips to help you prepare and get the dream job you want.

Interview Tip: How to be amazing

1. Focus on one industry sector at a time so that you can become knowledgeable in your specialist area before the interview. Read and subscribe to relevant blogs, trade journals magazines, and newspapers. Use web feed subscription tools such as Google reader to keep up-to-date on industry news.

2. Know what impression you want to make. In an interview you're essentially asking people to 'buy into you' so you need to know what 'added value' you offer before you go for an interview.

3. Know your competences and transferable skills and this will dramatically improve your CV and how you interview. Competences are the specific skills which are needed to perform the job and are usually outlined in the job application pack or advertisement. Transferable skills are your unique skills which you've developed through other jobs and personal interests and can differentiate you from the competition

4. Check that your social media profile is consistent with your CV profile as many employers now check out applicants online. For example, Facebook, Linked-in, trade and professional networks. Social networks can also be used effectively to network for work opportunities.

5. Work as a volunteer. Only one thing gets people stressed more than work and that's not working! You can use the experience to broaden your skills and demonstrate self-motivation.

6. Join a local business or social network. They offer a great opportunity to practise social skills with strangers such as: starting up a conversation, smiling, actively listening to others, asking questions and promoting yourself. These are key interpersonal skills which will improve your confidence in an interview.

7. Setting career objectives. Be clear about your career goals and take a step by step approach to achieve your dream job. Learn your personal career barriers and how to overcome them.

8. Improve your interview self-confidence whilst you're looking for a job. Use the help of subliminal messaging software to keep up your motivation and self confidence during the job hunt.

Interview Tip: Your CV is the basis for every interview

Initially a recruiter will spend about a minute looking through each job application but once you're selected for an interview your CV will directly influence the interview questions you'll be asked.

9. Don't bluff on a CV as the interviewer will almost certainly trip you up in the interview and you'll have done yourself no favours.

10. Keep your CV relevant and consistent with what they'll discover in an interview. Focus on your competences that match the competences outlined in the job application pack.

11. Include transferable skills on your CV as these strengths can give you a competitive edge.

12. Tailor your CV for each job application and use the best format for the job depending on your experience. Chronological CV are the most common but a Qualification Based CV can promote your skills better if your have recently qualified or retrained. A Skills Based CV is good for people who've had a career break or are changing careers. However if the company asks for your CV in a specific format you must comply.

13. Avoid the most common CV mistake. Substantiate your CV. This is one of the most important interview tips because if you do this it will differentiate your CV from the majority of applications. Go through your CV with a 'fine-tooth comb' and ask yourself, 'How do I do this?' against each statement. Descriptive words such as 'innovative' 'good with people' are meaningless unless you can substantiate them.

Interview Tip: How to interview brilliantly

14. Interview preparation is the best way to dispel interview nerves and improve your chance of being offered the job.

15. Prepare answers to interview questions. Draw up a list of interview questions which challenge every claim you've made on your CV. If it says on your CV that you managed a sales campaigns ask yourself,'What quantity of sales?', 'How profitable were they?', 'How did I manage?', 'What did I learn?' Practise your answers.

16. Prepare answers to common communication interview questions. Communication skills are an essential competence for most jobs so be prepared to interview ten of the most common communication questions before you go to the interview.

17. Try using the STAR system for responding to competence based questions such as 'Describe a situation where a conflict arose in your team. What did you do?'

S: First describe the situation you were in
T: Describe the task that was involved
A: The action that you took (be careful to say I and not we in this situation)
R: Explain what the result was

18. Identify two anecdotes to support each of your key strengths. For example, if you're applying for a leadership position you might focus on achieving goals and motivating others. Practise telling the anecdotes out loud in the much the same way that you would tell a story to a senior colleague at work. Keep the anecdote brief and to the point.

19. Acknowledge a genuine weakness or failure in a project. This is more appealing than candidates who try to disguise difficulties with trite answers. Show how you've learnt from the experience and gained empathy with others.

20. Demonstrate your knowledge of the company when answering interview questions such as 'Why do you want to work for us?' and 'What will you be doing in five years time?'.

21. Always have questions to ask the interviewer otherwise it looks like you're not interested in the job. Use research to strengthen your questions. For example ask, 'How will my performance be measured?', How will you know if I'm doing well?', 'Are there any aspects of my application where you need further evidence?' This gives you an opportunity to address any of their niggling concerns.

22. Know how to dress for an interview. This doesn't mean you have to dress in a dreary way. Select your outfit by dressing for the role, culture, interviewer and yourself.

23. Spend more time on personal grooming on the day of the interview. This will help you feel more confident and relaxed.

24. Practise your answers to the questions out loud. Video yourself in a mock interview. This is particularly useful for checking body language. You need good eye contact and an open stance (no folded arms), sit up straight but relaxed and without fidgeting.

25. Double check all interview arrangements a day before the interview.

26. On the day, relax. You've done your interview preparation. Smile and go in to the interview looking to build up a rapport. Generally it's not your qualifications or experience that will get you the job but what the interviewer thinks of you as a person. Even if you don't get this job, if they like and trust you, they may call you back for another role.

27. Follow up the interview with a short letter saying that you're enthusiastic about being offered this job and determined to demonstrate the contribution you can make to their company. It may sound 'cheesy' but reinforcing your commitment could help you get your dream job.

If you would like more help on how to interview successfully sign up for my How to Interview Training Newsletter. This is packed with interview tips and techniques on how to answer interview questions. You'll immediately be sent a free video 'know yourself' coaching session which will help you identify your unique strengths to promote in an interview. http://www.howtointerviewtraining.com

Interviewing Applicants Can Be Hazardous to Your Wealth

2012-01-03T19:20:00.000-08:00

1st Fact: Interviewing applicants is the most common way companies decide whom to hire.

2nd Fact: Research proves most interviewers do lousy at predicting if an applicant will succeed - or flop - if hired.

3rd Fact: Research shows that customized pre-employment tests do great at predicting if an applicant may succeed or fail on-the-job.

4th Fact: Since you must interview applicants, even if you use tests, you need to make better predictions based on interviews.

If you do not learn how to do this, it will prove hazardous to your wealth! When you hire the wrong person, you will pay a huge price. Your business financially suffers, and you can destroy your management career.

WHY MANAGERS DO ROTTEN INTERVIEWS

Unfortunately, most managers base hiring decisions on interviewing job applicants. But, most managers do not know what they are doing. They often do not know

1. talents the applicant needs to succeed on-the-job

2. questions to ask

3. how to take useful notes

4. ways to stop applicants from lying about work experience

or skills

CUSTOMIZE INTERVIEWS FOR EACH JOB

Since you still must interview applicants, let's pinpoint how you can conduct useful interviews. Start by listing key talents a productive employee needs in the job. I use a 35-item checklist to help managers identify crucial talents.

For example, one company desired to hire better salespeople. Using my checklist, the sales executives chose crucial seven talents their salespeople need to succeed:

1. Mental Abilities

2. Friendliness

3. Persuasiveness

4. Flexible about Following Rules & Procedures

5. Optimism

6. Desire to Make Lots of Money

7. Desire to Control Sales Situations

INTERVIEWING MADE VASTLY EASIER

With the job talents list, make a customized interview guide form. This helps you conduct an insightful interview. It includes these parts, as shown in the accompanying example:

Job-related talents, such as Friendliness and Desire to Make Lots of Money

Place to insert test scores, e.g., scores on the Forecaster(TM) test's Money Motivation scale

Actions to look for in the interview. Example: Craves pay linked to his/her productivity

Questions to ask. Example: "What inspires you to do a good job?"

Note-taking space

Ratings: positive rating, moderate rating, & negative rating

The accompanying example shows how the interview guide form section for one of the seven job talents: Desire To Make Lots

of Money.

-------------------------------------------------------

Example: Section of Interview Guide Form

DESIRE TO MAKE LOTS OF MONEY

___ Score on Forecaster(TM) test's "Money Motivation" scale = _____

Note: Benchmark scores on Forecaster(TM) test:

7 - 11 = Positive Rating

___ Enthusiastic about earning commissions or incentive pay

___ Craves pay linked to his/her productivity

"When you work each day, what ingredient of your job that you feel most enthusiastic about?"

"What inspires you to do a good job?"

Rating:

__ positive rating

__ moderate rating

__ negative rating

-----------------------------------------------------------

OPEN PANDORA'S BOX

Your goal is to ask questions that force the applicant to reveal how he or she would perform on-the-job.

But, most interviewers ask questions that elicit little worthwhile information. Why? Most interviewers ask closed-ended questions, like "Did you like your last job?" or "Can you do creative problem-solving?" Any applicant with an IQ above room temperature knows the 'correct' answer to closed-ended questions. For example, if you ask, "Can you do creative problem-solving?", applicants will answer "Yes" - even if they have the creativity of a dead insect. Closed-ended questions start with words like "Do," "Can," "Would," or "Is."

In contrast, skilled interviewers ask open-ended questions. Open-ended questions do not give away the 'correct' answers. Plus, they force applicants to reveal their thoughts, feelings, goals, and experiences. That juicy information enables the interviewer to predict if the applicant may succeed if hired. Open-ended questions start with "How," "What," "Describe," and "Tell me."

SECRET TIP

Few managers know it proves best for two people to simultaneously interview each applicant. This boosts the likelihood of making accurate predictions about the applicant. One interviewer asks 99% of the questions while the second interviewer takes notes on the interview guide form. Both interviewers discuss the applicant after the interview. You will be amazed at how this approach improves interview results.

2 WAYS TO HIRE THE BEST

When you buy expensive clothing, like a fine dress or suit, you take it to a tailor who makes the clothing fit perfectly. The same principle holds true when you hire employees. You increase your odds of hiring winners by custom-tailoring your two key prediction methods: (1) tests and (2) interviews.

First, do a test "benchmarking study" on behavior tests and mental ability tests by having your superstar employees take the behavior tests and mental abilities tests. For instance, to hire profitable salespeople, first have your superstar salespeople take the tests. Their scores are "benchmarks" which you compare against applicants' test scores.

Second, devise a customized interview guide form for each job. If you are hiring salespeople, customize the interview guide form for your company's salesperson job. Interviewers use the form to ask questions, take notes, and link test scores to interview observations.

Remember: Research proves you probably will not hire the best if you only interview applicants. So, customize your tests and interviews and - most importantly - only hire applicants who rate high on your interviews and tests.

Michael Mercer, Ph.D., is a nationally-known expert on hiring, professional speaker, and president of The Mercer Group, Inc. Many companies use his Abilities & Behavior Forecaster? Test to test job applicants, you can view at http://www.MercerSystems.com

Dr. Mercer authored 5 books, including, Hire the Best -- & Avoid the Rest? & also Turning Your Human Resources Department into a Profit Center?. You can subscribe to his free e-Newsletter at http://www.DrMercer.com or call Dr. Mercer at 847-382-0690.

How to Have a Great Interview on the Radio

2012-01-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

Doing live and taped interviews on the radio is an effective way to promote your business, your products, your book, or your knowledge and expertise, if you are trying to become a Recognized Expert in your field. Not only are there many national radio shows that may want to book you as a guest, but also there are syndicated shows that air in markets around the country as well as shows on local radio stations that are always looking for interesting, informative people to interview. In addition, there are now many Internet radio stations, like BlogTalk Radio, for example.

Although some radio shows will only books guests who can do in-studio interviews, most shows these days will allow you to do an interview from your home or office. However, nearly all of them require that your phone be a landline and not a cell because the quality of sound is not always good when someone uses a cell and cell phone connections can be unreliable.

Some radio shows archive interviews on their web sites as podcasts. If you do an interview that is available as a podcast, put a link to it on your own site and post the link on the social media sites you're active on.

Given the potential value of doing radio interviews, it's critical that you know how to be a good guest. Here are tips that will help you have a successful radio interview:

• Think About the Main Points You Want to Make During Your Interview. Spend time before the day of your interview, identifying the key points you want to make during the interview - what do you want listeners to take away from it? Then write those points on a piece of paper and keep that paper in front of you when you do the interview.

• Use Sound Bites, Analogies and Anecdotes. When appropriate, short, memorable, sometimes witty statements, interesting comparisons, and stories can be effective and entertaining ways to convey information during an interview.

• Provide Interview Questions Ahead of Time. Offering a radio host a suggested set of questions to ask you during your interview is an excellent way to help ensure that you have the opportunity to make the points you'd like to get across. Although many interviewers will ask for questions, if that doesn't happen, don't hesitate to offer them. (If you're working with a publicist, he or she should make the offer for you.) Be forewarned however: Although some interviewers will stick to your list of questions, others will pick and choose from the list and may throw in their own questions too.

• Practice Makes Perfect. If you have little or no interview experience, it's a good idea before your interview to do some practice interviews. I always spend time with clients who are new to radio going over the questions they are likely to be asked, critiquing their responses to those questions, and offering suggestions for how they might rephrase or shorten their answers. Not only do these practice sessions help my clients improve their interview skills, but the sessions also help them build their interview self-confidence.

• Find Out How the Interview Will Work. Make sure that you know who will initiate the interview - will the show call you or are you responsible for calling the studio - whether the interview will be live or taped, and if it will be live, if you'll be asked to take calls from listeners. Also, regardless of who will initiate the interview, always get a number you can use to reach the show's producer or host in case there is a problem at the last minute that affects your ability to do the interview.

• Know Where You Are Going. If you will be doing an in-studio interview and you're not sure where the station is located or where you can park your car, drive to the station before the day of the interview. Your trial trip will tell you about how long the drive will take and minimize the likelihood that you become stressed and panicked on the day of the interview because you can't find the station or parking. That experience could rattle you and cause you to have a bad interview.

• Be Early. If you will be doing an in-studio interview, arrive at the radio station a little early. If you're doing a phoner, be by your phone 5 minutes or so before the interview is scheduled to begin. The show's producer may call you before the start of the interview to make sure that you are there, that there is no static on the phone line, and so on.

• Keep Your Answers Short and To The Point. You'll lose your audience if you provide long, overly detailed or rambling answers to an interviewer's questions. Furthermore, given that some radio interviews can be quite short - maybe just 5 to 10 minutes long -- if your answers are too long, the interview may be over before you've had a chance to make your main points.

• Pay Attention and Be Responsive. During an interview, listen carefully to the questions you are asked and as best you can provide answers to each one.

• Express Opinions. Don't be afraid to state what you think. The media love guests who have something interesting to say and your listeners are more apt to remember you if you have opinions. However, avoid sounding bombastic, arrogant or dismissive of people who don't share your thinking.

• State the Essentials. During an interview, make sure that you mention the URL for your web site and the name of your company, book or whatever it is that you want to promote, assuming it's relevant to the subject of the interview. A good interviewer will mention this information for you, usually when you are introduced, but if it doesn't happen, try to slip the information in at an appropriate point in the interview - maybe at the end. If you do however, avoid sounding like an advertisement for yourself.

• Be Prepared to Take Charge. Occasionally you may encounter a host who does little or nothing to guide you through your interview. If that happens you'll have the opportunity to steer the interview in the direction you want it to go.

• Be Polite. If the host of the show you are a guest on is antagonistic towards you, maintain your cool and be polite. The same advice applies if you take calls from listeners during an interview and some of the callers are confrontational or ask you questions that you think are irritating or off-the-wall.

As the owner of MR?PR, a marketing and public relations firm, I've been arranging local and national radio interviews for business owners, experts and authors for more than 23 years. My clients have been guests on such national radio shows as NPR's Morning Edition, Bloomberg Radio, MarketWatch, the Jean Chatsky Show, The Dolans, Home and Family Radio, Survive and Thrive, Moms Making a Million, and The Small Business Advocate. I've also booked my clients on countless local radio programs.

Please visit my site, http://www.get-your-message-out.com, to learn more about my marketing and public relations services. While there I invite you to check out my public relations packages and public relations coaching services.

Job Interviewing Tips

2012-01-03T11:42:00.000-08:00

Conquering The Interview

You've made it to the interview and like any normal human being, your feelings of happiness will not supersede the anxiety that accompanies interviewing, even for those who have been through it before. The only way to really alleviate some of that stress is to make sure you are truly prepared for the interview. Young Jobs guidelines of interview preparation will provide you with the means to have a successful interview.

Research: Getting to know the Company

Being knowledgeable about the company you will be interview with is by far one of the most important steps in the interview process. Without a doubt, the interviewer will be impressed with someone who has taken the time to research the company before arriving at the interview. If you make an effort to get to know the organization, you will find yourself ahead of the other candidates. Employers don't just want someone that can get the job done; they also want someone that respects their company and has interest and enthusiasm for their work.

Nowadays most businesses and organizations have their own websites or can be researched through articles found on the internet. However, we do acknowledge that not all companies can be researched this way and not all job seekers have a great deal of access to the internet. If either of these are the case, try going to your local library and finding articles or books about the company and/or the field of work it falls under.

Research: Getting to know yourself

Because you have taken the time to research the company and learn what it has to offer, you can now deduce what they might want in their employees and incorporate your paralleled capabilities in to the interview. Rather than thinking of yourself as an anxious job seeker on an interview, think of yourself as a sales person, selling your skills and ability. Review your resume a few times before your interview. Consider each piece of experience you have listed and the skills that were required. Did you gain collaboration skills working at a restaurant or leadership skills as president of a club or organization? Whatever the case may be, chose appropriately for each position you are interviewing for and utilize those skills in your "selling points". This not only provides you with conversation pieces but you will also find that knowing more about yourself as a potential employee will give you more confidence.

Also keep in mind the skills or assets that you have acquired in everyday life. For instance, most companies are looking for determination in their employees, so if the moment arises to tell them that you finished 3rd in the city marathon after months of training, take it. Even though it is not necessarily related to the work, it will make a good impression on your potential employer. To avoid sounding arrogant, express your experiences as learning tools and your skills as a gift. The tricky part is trying not to create so much to talk about that you dominate the conversation. It's better to give a shorter answer that's direct and to the point, than to babble on for several minutes in a disorderly fashion. It is always best to follow the interviewers lead. This brings us to the importance to practicing...

Practice

Doing research and knowing your "sales pitch" will definitely help you interview with greater success, but there is truly no substitute for actually rehearsing for the interview. Ask a family member or friend to act as the interviewer, providing them with a list of questions to ask you. While you might feel funny doing this, just remember that it will be even harder to interview with a stranger, so practicing can only help ease the process. Before you sit in the hot seat, make sure you have an idea of how you would like to answer the questions you have selected. Even having a notion as to how you will respond will build more confidence and impress the interviewer.

If a question arises that is not familiar to you, do not make something up or change the subject. Rather, tell them that's a good question but you do not have an answer for the time being, but are eager to gain the knowledge. Your potential employer will respect your honesty and readiness to learn new things.

Aside from verbal communication, it is also important to acknowledge your body language. Making eye contact is crucial. If you fail to look the interviewer in the eyes while they are speaking they will think you are disinterested; if you fail to look them in the eyes while you are speaking, they will think you are nervous of fabricating your answers. Try not to fiddle around with your hands too much, or you will appear nervous. A more affective way to use your hands is with slight gestures to evoke enthusiasm for what you are talking about. While it is common knowledge to sit up straight and observe good posture, you don't want to seem uneasy. Try to sit back in your chair with your head held high so the interviewer will know you are self-assured as well as attentive to what he or she is talking about. Try practicing your body language in a mirror or with a video camera.

Appearance

Let's face it, we all know that the visual impression is the first impression you make when meeting someone face to face for the first time. That's why it is essential to dress the part. When interview for a job, it is important to dress the way that you would if you had the job. If you don't know what the attire is, ask when you are setting up the interview or dress slightly more formal than you think you might need to. Wear clothes that are freshly washed and ironed. Along with the clothing, make sure you are up on your grooming: Comb your hair, clean your fingernails, and be sure to brush your teeth before you go to your interview. Try to avoid overdoing perfume or cologne, too much make-up, and excessive jewelry.

Arrive Early

Getting to your interview early does not only make you look good in the eyes of the employer, but it will also make the interview process that much easier. Trust us, there is nothing more stressful, than arriving late to an interview. Not only are you worried about what the interviewer might think, you are more likely to forget most of what you've practiced because you are so overwhelmed with being tardy. When you arrive 10-15 minutes early you have time to look over any last minute notes, use the restroom, and most importantly, take deep breathes. Nothing throws up the red flag quicker to a potential employer than an applicant showing up late to an interview.

Proper Introduction

As intimidating as this may sound, you are under observation from the very first moment you meet the interviewer. In order to make a proper introduction, make direct eye contact, extend a firm but nonabrasive handshake, smile with enthusiasm, and let them know your name and what a pleasure it is to meet them. These might seem like obvious and mundane gestures, but all potential employers will be examining your interpersonal skills by how you introduce yourself.

Returning the Questions

Towards the end of your interview, you will most likely be given the option to ask any questions you might have for the company. This is a great way to let them know that you are just as interested in getting to know them as they are in getting to know you. Asking the interviewer questions, is a great opportunity to make sure you have complete clarity in regards to the position and its expectations. If you feel uncertain about where you will fit in the company, what an average day will look like or anything else to do specifically with the job, feel free to use this time to inquire further. You can also ask about the environment of the company or the report between co-workers. However, it is never wise to ask about pay, benefits, sick days, etc. during the first interview. Once you have been offered the position, you are free to ask those questions before deciding to accept the job.

Now would also be a good time to tie in any final reasons as to why you are a perfect match for the job. It doesn't hurt to make reference to things that were said during the interview. Emphasize your enthusiasm for the position and anticipation for moving forward within the interview process. Avoid sounding desperate or too eager while maintaining your interest.

Be clear on what happens after the interview. Find out when they will be contacting you again or how you should follow-up if they would prefer it that way. Just as you entered with a proper introduction, make sure you exit just the same, with direct eye-contact, firm handshake, and a smile.

Follow Up

Even though you have made it though your first interview, you have one more crucial step in completing the interview process, the follow-up. This is best accomplished by sending a thank you letter to those you were interviewed by. Make sure it goes out within 1-2 business days. Reiterate points that were made during the interview and why you are the right fit for the position. Try to customize your thank you letter rather than sending a generic thank you that won't make much impact on the company. Remember to acknowledge your appreciation for their time and consideration. From there, if you do not have instructions to wait for them to contact you, follow up with a phone call around one week later to check the status on filling the position.

The last piece of advice Young Jobs would like to offer job seekers in conquering the interview is to BE YOURSELF!

We would say good luck, but if you follow our guidelines, we know you won't need luck to succeed!

Young Jobs - http://www.youngjobs.com

CEO Young Jobs Inc.

The Stages of Interviewing

2012-01-03T07:39:00.000-08:00

Not long ago the job search and interview process was a lot easier than it is today: locate a position through the newspaper classified advertising jobs section or on the Internet, answer the ad or job posting with your basic chronological resume, a few days later get a call from the hiring manager for an interview, answer a few fluffy questions about your background and experience, get a job offer on the spot for a higher salary than you were making, start work the next day.

As we all know, today's job market it is quite a bit different from yester 'year with employers being a lot more selective than they use to be in choosing who to interview. Today, if your resume makes it through the employer's automated scanning program, you will more than likely receive a per-screening phone call, and if you pass that then possibly several onsite interviews.

Your goal during this time is to impress the interviewing employer with your knowledge of the position, with the way you speak of the job, and how your experience and achievements will benefit the company.

Every interview is going to be different in its own way, and have its own flow and personality as I like to call it. Knowing the basic stages of the interview process will help alleviate some of the stress of your job search, the angst of wondering what the employer is up to and help you present yourself with greater confidence.

Pre-Screening Stage

The purpose of this stage, which has become quite commonplace in today's job market, is to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, if you appear to be a good cultural fit and if the company can afford you.

The per-screening and interviewing calls can come at any time and may be made by a lower level screener, a recruiter, the hiring manager, an automated interview system, or a "Skype" call where you talk with and respond to the potential employer through your computer web cam. Typical per-screening interviews can be less than 30 minutes or possibly longer depending on the depth of questions. There will usually be a review of your resume, your experience, background and current employment situation so it is important that you be prepared for a call like this at anytime.

If you are working with a recruiter be prepared to address the salary question. Remember, one of the primary objectives of the per-screening process is to determine if the company can afford you. This is not the time to tell to the recruiter your salary is "negotiable." They will want a number or a salary range in order to keep the process moving forward.

Try to have your resume and job postings near the phone you so you can easily pull them up to talk about your experience and how it fits with the position. Be sure to get the name, phone number and email address of the person you are talking with so you can follow-up with a snail mail Thank you note.

Day of the Interview

Try not to arrive more than 10 minutes early to your interview. Find the restroom and take care of any pending business, check and comb your hair, freshen your makeup if a female, look to see there is nothing in your teeth and make sure your appearance is professional.

As most professional athletes do, run your pending performance through your mind seeing how you are going to be the best candidate they have interviewed. Then take a deep breath, relax, collect your thoughts and get ready for show time. Remember, when you walk through the office door your interview has begun.

The first person you will probably meet on the day of your interview will be a secretary or receptionist; treat them nicely and with respect as they may be asked to give their impressions about you to the hiring manager after you have left.

You may be asked to have a seat in the lobby or a conference room and wait for the interviewer to arrive. While waiting, stay relaxed and in control any nervous habits. In this stage, I like to be reminded of what a duck is like; calm on the surface, but paddling like crazy under the water. So, practice being like a duck.

Also, without being too noticeable, observe your surroundings; get a feel for the work environment, the type of people coming and going and the general personality and culture of the office. You're checking this out for what I call 'your cultural fit.'

Introduction Stage

This is the stage is where you meet your interviewer for the first time and where the interview is either won or lost. At this point first impressions and your body language are what counts; stand up straight, smile, look them in the eyes, shake their hand firmly and introduce yourself with a positive tone. Say, "It's nice to meet you, and restate their name?" This boosts your chances of remembering their all important name. Then ask for a business card so you can send a thank you note with correct spellings and address at the end of the interview.

This common exchange of names, small talk and casual questions is your chance to make a positive impression. Try and talk about the weather or traffic staying away from personal issues, sports teams, politics, religion or any other such controversial topics. No need to sink your chances here if the interviewer likes the Giants and you like the Jets.

Getting Started Stage

Notice your surroundings very carefully, especially the types of pictures or items that decorate the office or conference room. Make a positive, non-personal comment about them to help make a connection and break the ice.

During this stage, the interviewer will also try to get you to relax in what is always a tense and stressful situation. He will work on building rapport and then move the conversation into the substance of the interview.

General Interview Stage

The interviewer may begin by outlining the agenda and will most certainly scan your resume. If a time frame hasn't been set, try and get a sense of how long the interview may be so you can adjust your answers to the available time.

Because of varying personalities, interviewers will show a wide range of interviewing styles during this stage. Most like to start with general questions then move into details about your current and past work experience, decision making style, professional credentials, your specific job skills, educational background, your interest in their company, your career focus and goals and anything else they may have found of interest on your resume.

Questions at this stage of the interview may be open-ended behavioral or specific closed end. Occasionally, scenarios or work related problems will be presented for your comment or solution.

(Note - Be careful of problem solving related questions as companies have been known to use interviews to gain free consulting.)

Be succinct, clear, self-assured and to the point when answering the interviewer's questions. Focus on the process and talk about the Who, What, Where and How of your experience. In other words, tell a story using concrete and specific details. It is suggested to avoid the 'Why' in your answers as this may lead to a more personal, subjective answer rather than a factual, detailed one.

On-a-roll Stage

As the interview progresses, the interviewer will begin to ask more exacting questions to see if you have the required qualifications to be successful in the position and how you might fit in with the company. You will need to be able to discuss and show how your experience and qualifications match the job requirements and how your work ethic, values and behavioral style fits in with the organization's culture.

Asking Questions Stage

In my opinion, this is probably the most critical part of the entire interview. At this stage you will be asked if you have any questions; this is your cue the interview is over, the interviewer has made up his mind and you should get ready to leave.

At this stage many applicants lose their edge by asking questions that re-open the interview which in turn shows they were not prepared or were not listening carefully throughout the interview.

Instead I feel it is better to acknowledge the interview and interviewer by saying something like:

"I had a lot of questions when we started, but you did a good job of answering the ones I had. I would like to ask two things though, first, would it be Ok if you gave me a quick walk-around the facility so I can see what it would be like working here, and lastly, where do we go from here?"

With that response you should be told how to follow up; will they contact you or should you contact them and how soon.

You also do not want to ask about salary or benefits at this time either; wait until an offer is made. If you re-open the interview at this point after the interviewer has closed it, you run the risk of asking or saying something that might eliminate your from consideration.

Closing Stage

As with the introduction, the closing stage will be a short but important part of the interview.

After you have been walked around the facility and been told what the next step is, thank the interviewer for the time he/she took to interview you; restate that you are interested in the position and look forward to talking with them soon.

Be sure to firmly shake hands again, smile while maintaining eye contact and gracefully exit stage left.

On the way out, say goodbye to the secretary or receptionist whom you met when you arrived, as again, they may be asked to give their impressions about you to the hiring manager after you have left.

Follow-up Stage

To stand out from the crowd, as soon as you leave the building, complete and drop in the nearest mailbox your Thank-You cards to all those who interviewed you. The notes should thank them for the time taken and restate your interest in the position.

If you haven't heard from the employer by the time they said they would contact you, you probably are not their number one candidate.

If this happens, send a short e-mail to the interviewer reiterating your interest but do not call to check on your status. The reason being is that I'm finding in the job search literature, comments from overworked employers and recruiters of potential candidates being overly aggressive in wanting responses; this just causes them to push the delete button sending you to the cornfield.

What I've found from talking with successful candidates, though, is that if you are the one they want to hire, you will be tracked into the job so fast your head will spin. If you are in second place you will probably hear nothing.

Reference Stage

In today's job market, employers are checking references and doing background checks on almost every candidate they wish to hire.

Prior to a job offer, the employer will probably ask you for a list of references.

When using someone as a reference it is good etiquette to ask them if they would like to be a reference for you and if it is OK with them before submitting their name to the potential employer. The last thing you want is for your reference to answer a reference check call with "Who is using me as a reference?"

Background Check Stage

If the employer is going to formally check your background, they are required to obtain your signature prior to their check; be sure to request a copy of their background report on you. A checkbox of some sort should be on the background check authorization form where you can request a copy be provided to you. If not, write on the form that you would like a copy of their background check report.

You want a copy of anything the employer receives in your background check as it tells you what they are looking for and allows you the opportunity to correct any errors that may show up.

The Job Offer Stage

This is what we all wait for; the job offer. If they haven't already told you it's coming, it is best ask it be in writing. When put in writing, everyone is clear about the start date, introductory or probationary period if any, starting salary, performance review dates, benefits, work hours and job title.

In Conclusion

The stages you will go through in a job interview will depend on an employer's interviewing practices, the level of position for which you are applying, and the experience and H.R. training of the people with whom you will be interviewing.

Remember to maintain your professionalism at all times, even in an interview that does not go well. Treat every person you interact with during the interview stages with the same level of courtesy and respect with which you would like to be treated. This will create the strongest impression possible, and in turn, reassure the employer they've made the best choice in offering to hire you.

Chuck Castagnolo has helped people many years in the area of financial literacy, and since 2007, as the Founder and Executive Director of Bridges to Jobs, has used his been-there-done-that perspective to help people with the stress of being unemployed to acquire positive job search skills.

Chuck's common-sense view of what it is like to be out-of-work and the information that he provides job seekers, leaves his audiences inspired and encouraged. He helps people discover their strengths and shows them how their resumes, interview answers, body language and personal behaviors can affect their interview performance, self-confidence and job search success.

As a published author, Chuck's articles on body language, writing better job descriptions, developing a positive internet presence and the ADDIE training model have been linked on the Internet to numerous professional and international websites as well as having been cited in university research papers. Chuck has also appeared as a guest on television discussing mental health matters for those going through the stress of unemployment.

Chuck has presented his information all across the San Francisco Bay Area thru community and career vocational colleges, Silicon Valley employers, various adult school programs, and State of California employment development and community service organizations.

Interview Bias: Overcoming the Silent Forces Working Against You

2012-01-03T03:55:00.000-08:00

Your job interview is tomorrow. You know your appearance will matter, so you polish your shoes and brush your hair. You realize your interviewer will have your resume in hand, so you've come prepared to explain every minute detail included on it. You've even done practice interviews and prepared your responses to all the trick questions. Are you ready? Not yet.

There remains a single type of preparation that you should do that can make or break your interview-knowing how to handle the possible biases of an interviewer. You need this knowledge because of a simple reality; interviews are subjective, no matter how many objective indicators are introduced. Interviewers are human, and all carry with them some assumptions about different types of people. Despite what may be valid attempts to leave these assumptions behind in the process, even the most earnest interviewer may be letting some of these biases make their way into the decision-making process. The best candidate for a job has many a time been passed over in the interview process because of bias. You don't want to be one of them.

You're not likely to be able to change the bias itself in the short duration of the interview, and you may not be able to recognize it with so much else going on. You can, however, increase the chances that the interviewer will not apply their biases or assumptions toward you. This means preparing for the possible biases of an interviewer before you encounter him/her. You therefore need to recognize the most likely biases people have toward you and prepare to address these biases in interviews to minimize their impact.

Pinpointing Potential Biases

Many people think biases surround visible differences that people have, like race, gender, or appearance. This is true. However, biases usually run much deeper and assumptions are made about a number of other potential differences you may have with your interviewer. An interviewer may unconsciously make assumptions about you based on the way that you speak, your age, or any of the background information you have listed on your resume.

To figure out some of the biases that may surface, give some thought to comments people have made to you in the past that surprised you. Have people thought you were much younger or older than you actually are? Have they assumed you were less intelligent because of your accent? Have you been labeled because of the way you dress? Have people been surprised to learn something in particular about you? Make a list of some of these assumptions or obstacles that could impede on the interviewer from seeing you as the best candidate.

Use your friends to add to your recollection. Ask them what their first impressions of you were. Colleagues from the past are especially valuable since they know you in a work atmosphere and work attire. Have friends read through your resume and create a list of five statements they would make about you based on your resume. Ask them to limit their responses to information on the resume and explain your goal in the exercise so you get honest answers. Combine these statements with ones people have made about you in the past and keep a list handy with all of these assumptions.

The Information Inundation Technique

Once you get a sense for the impression you make and the biases people may have against you, make sure you address them. You should still be focused on demonstrating why you are a qualified candidate for the job. Therefore, while delivering persuasive responses to interviewer questions, saturate your responses with information that will also undo biases. Here are some suggestions:

1. Match their speech and behaviors. It is a good idea in general to match your interviewers in terms of their speech and behaviors for etiquette purposes. If an interviewer is formal in their speech, you should be as well. If they sit up straight, don't slouch. This will help reduce assumptions they make about you based on differences they perceive they have from you.

2. Acknowledge & Spin It. If you sense a bias, don't be afraid to address what it is you think is being held against you. If you have an accent, explain what you do to make yourself understood. If you are young, note it, but also explain what your age adds and focus more on the experiences you have had that makes you worthy of the position. If you are a woman working in a male-dominated profession, explain what you can add to the position very specifically because you are female. Make a point to show the value of the aspect in question.

3. Find a connection. When you get the chance to ask your own questions at the end of the interview, work to establish a connection with your interviewer. Ask them what they like about the company in question, and communicate your ability to relate to some of the traits he or she identifies. Make a point of smiling and try to be friendly. An open, communicative style on your part is helpful to address any negative biases that person may unconsciously be holding against you.

4. Communicate your Bridge Building potential. A successful job candidate is not only someone who can do the job, but someone who can work in the organization's culture and be able to do the job well in the long run. Interviewers with biases may assume that you will not fit well into the organization's culture because of your differences. Communicate your ability to work with different people, think from different perspectives, and be open-minded. Give examples. Ask about the company culture and talk about your ability to work with and relate to different people.

5. Make it a strength. Have you had to deal with this someone who has been biased before because of something about the way you are? Use the experience to show your interviewer how you successfully overcame a difficulty. Emphasize the learning and growth you experienced as a result. This can help an interviewer recognize that their own unconscious bias is impacting their impressions. Make sure you don't insinuate in any way that your interviewer is biased. Your job in the interview is to demonstrate that you are a highly-skilled individual equipped to do the job for which you are applying. Critiquing your interviewer is not a step in the right direction.

6. Assume you are the best person for the position. Have you noticed that it is that much harder to sit up straight when you are feeling down in the dumps? Most people show their emotions in one way or another, and facing a biased interviewer is likely to stir some serious emotions of anger, frustration, devastation, or defeat. It is important to push through these feelings during the interview so that it doesn't impact your demeanor during the rest of the interview. You can decide later whether you want to work for the company the interviewer represents.

7. Make a Habit of it. Finally, get into the habit of building bias prep into your interview prep. Build these techniques into your responses and practice saying them so you are comfortable in the interview. Have a friend role-play the biased interview. Make it realistic. How will you face this practice situation?

Interview bias exists, but it doesn't have to impact your potential to get hired. Use these techniques to improve your chances of getting hired based on your qualifications and motivation rather than being excluded because of

interviewer bias.

Simma Lieberman helps organizations create environments where people can do their best work and be successful. She specializes in Diversity and Inclusion, Diversity Dialogues, and Eliminating Fear and Self-doubt. Simma is the co-author with Kate Berardo and George Simons of the book "Putting Diversity to Work." She can be reached at http://www.simmalieberman.com

Job Interview Preparation - How to Create That Powerful First Impression

2012-01-02T23:01:00.000-08:00

Job interview preparation is one of the key areas for being a successful job interview candidate. But wait a second. Did you know Stamford research department looked into what forms the basis of successful communication between individuals and this applies to job interviews too. The results were surprising. What you say accounted for just 10%. Your tone of voice accounted for 20%. The remaining 70% was body language and image.

People will always create an instant first impression of you within 5 and 30 seconds of your first meeting. Job interviews are no different. That is a very short time in which to create a good impression!

Job interview preparation is to a large extent centered round first impressions. These are made based on appearance, stance, body language, smile, eye contact and the way you speak. It is therefore so important to make a good first impression.

However it is not necessarily a level playing field. It is unfortunately well documented that tall good looking men are much more likely to succeed in an interview and in their careers than shorter less good looking men. This is particularly true if your profession is selling. I say unfortunately because if you do not have that genetic advantage then you start with a disadvantage.

Either way you need to make the most of your chance to create a good first impression.

When you look at the percentages above you will realize that the first impression you give to an interviewer can be key to your success. This is even before the interview has even started. If you look the part you are half way there....and some! Once the first impression is established the interviewer will look to reinforce their initial thoughts. So every reply you give will be viewed in conjunction with that first impression in mind. Let us look at how we create a good first impression.

What to wear and appearance:

A safe rule of thumb is to wear darker clothes as opposed to light. It portrays a sense of seriousness. Avoid trying to be fashionable. It is best to dress in a conservative way. For a man this is usually reasonably easy to summarize. Wear a suit and tie! You cannot go wrong dressed in a dark suit, white shirt with 'serious' plain tie. For goodness sake do not wear a comical tie with a cartoon on it for example. It may be fine but is just as likely to portray the wrong image.

Why take the chance?

Wear the most expensive dark suit you can find. Make sure it is clean, ironed and fits. A job interview promises the reward of a better paid job. Make the investment! Buy a new white long sleeve shirt. Make sure you wear smart dark leather shoes, preferably black and definitely polished.

If it turns out you are over dressed then this will not count against you. Anyone dressed too casual or not neat or tidy will do their chances plenty of harm. Make sure your hair is cut neatly and washed. Also it has been proven that facial hair will reduce your chances of success. Something about hiding behind it! It will not be the deciding factor, but if you are thinking of removing your beard do it before the interview! For women it is a little bit more complicated. Avoid lots of jewelery. It is distracting! Avoid the bright colors and stay conservative. Make sure the skirt isn't too short or the blouse too low.

Don't try to be too individual. If you normally spike your hair up this could create the wrong impression. Being individual in your dress and presentation is at best risky and at worst disastrous.

Posture and body language

Make sure that your posture says 'I exude confidence'. Not aggressive or over-powering just confident and self-assured. Improving your body language improves your attractiveness to other people. In previous chapters we discussed the need to visualize the interview and the feeling of self-confidence. If you feel self-confident this will transfer to your body language.

Ideally you want your body language to reflect that of the interviewer. This will sub-consciously make them feel more at ease and comfortable. Of course this applies to all social situations not just interviewing. From the start sit up straight in the chair, do not slouch in your chair. If you have a confident posture then you will feel more confident. You will also give the 'air of confidence' to the interviewer. A confident straight posture also aids breathing which will help with nerves. Loosen up your shoulders so they feel relaxed.

Do not cross your arms or legs, this looks defensive which puts a barrier between you and the interviewer. It also gives the impression of not caring. Whether this is your view or not doesn't matter, because this is the impression it gives.

Mirror body language

The mirroring of their body language is a sure fire way to gain empathy with the other person. Practice this with other people you are talking to. If they lean back you try doing the same. People who are 'comfortable' in each other company will tend to have similar body language.

Open hand gestures

As part of using your body language effectively use open hand gestures. This implies you have nothing to hide and are being open and honest. The opposite of this is closed fists, a sign of aggression or nervousness.

Smile

You must always try to smile. It creates such a good first impression. Don't grin relentlessly it will make people nervous. Make it natural. If you do not smile naturally then practice smiling in the mirror. It is important that you do this right. During the interview you want to try to smile as often as possible. But do choose your moments. Grinning like a cat will look odd! If you smile the interviewer will smile. If they don't respond back smiling don't let this rattle you and keep persevering.

Handshake

Your handshake should be firm but not overpowering. You will never get penalized for having a firm handshake but a weak one will create a poor impression. This is however less important than the other factors.

Eye contact

Eye contact is so important. If you constantly look away from someone it conveys two impressions. Either you are lacking in confidence or you are not trustworthy. Make sure that you maintain eye contact with all the people you meet. Secondly throughout the interview maintain eye contact for a 'natural' length of time. This is about 50-60%. Too much and you will be form the impression of staring or being aggressive. Too little and you will be considered defensive or evasive.

Keep it natural.

Build rapport from the first moment. Both parties in an interview are looking to feel comfortable with their opposite number. When two strangers meet in such a formal way there can be awkward silences and over politeness.

In most interview situations the interviewer will come to the reception area to meet you and then take you through the building to the interview room, probably stopping off to grab a drink. These few minutes should always be used to make small talk and start to build a rapport. The interview starts, from the moment you meet the interviewer. It is not from the moment you enter the interview room and you are asked the first question. This is a crucial distinction.

The interviewer has to like the person they are interviewing otherwise they are unlikely to get the job. In over 95% of the situations the interviewer will be working closely with the interviewee on a daily basis. It is important you use this time try to build rapport with the interviewer before you enter the interview room. Of course smiling and eye contact will help with this process. Make an effort to make conversation during this 'pre-interview' time.

Imagine you meet the interviewer at reception, walk for two minutes to the interview room, sit down and there has been no small talk or rapport. Both of you will feel a little awkward. This is a poor start to the interview as you need to build rapport to stand the best chance of getting the role.

Speak clearly

Make sure you speak clearly and confidently. Communication skills are a key element for any successful candidate. If you think you mumble or your speech is poor then practice. Having prepared thoroughly for the interview will help in this aspect.

Pay complements

It is often left unsaid but by paying an interviewer a complement they will think better of you. So, do you tell them they have nice hair? No of course not.

The complement should be low-key but get noticed. There should be opportunities when the interviewer is discussing the company, perhaps their recent expansion or their impressive sales growth.

''.....that is one of the things that attracted me to applying to this company''

''.....one of the reasons I applied is because my friend Joe works here and said what a dynamic organisation it was. He really likes it here.''

''.....that is really impressive sales growth''

''.....I like the open plan office environment you have here''

Even a casual comment about the better quality of the coffee from the vending machines helps to build rapport. But be careful not to shoot yourself in the foot. ''Your organization has a much more professional working environment than my current one''. This implies you come from an unprofessional one with weak management which is hardly a selling point for your skills. Complements need to sound natural because in an interview you are expected to be polite and complimentary.

Next, learn the interview secrets that will really help you, just visit http://www.JobInterviewPerfection.com

Number 1 Cause of Bad Hires - Lack of Interview Technique on the Part of the Employer

2012-01-02T19:55:00.000-08:00

There is a vast amount of data on interview techniques for candidates but little for interviewers. In a sense the system is skewed to the candidates, but in order for the interview process to work properly, both interviewers and candidates must be capable of conducting themselves properly in an interview to best insure that a proper exchange of information takes place during the interview and proper fit can be examined. Here's some basic information for interviewers along with some interview tips how to conduct an interview.

Types of Interviews

First let's start with some of the basics like the different types of interviews. Here are several of the more popular interview types and a brief description. One-on-One This is the standard interview where the candidate sits with an employer or manager and they talk about the candidate

Panel Interview - This is when a team of interviewers simultaneously interview a candidate.

Round Robin Interview - This is a blend of the panel and one on one interview. Instead of a group of interviewers simultaneously interviewing the candidate, the candidate spends time with each member of a team of interviewers.

Behavioral Interview - This is an interview technique where the interviewer is trying to place the candidate in a situation and understand how they may react to that situation.

Working Interview - This is an interview where the candidate performs as if they are working at the company. An example of this might be someone who's interviewing to run a piece of equipment and claims to have the skills currently to perform the job. The interviewer may have the person work on the equipment for a short period of time to allow the candidate to demonstrate their skills.

How to Conduct an Interview as an Employer

The number 1 cause of bad hires is interviewers using their gut instinct to make a decision. The root cause of this problem is that nobody trains interviewers how to conduct an interview. It seems that if you are a professional in charge of people you automatically should know how to conduct an interview. This is simply not true.

The first thing an interviewer needs is training in interview techniques. These skills include how to ask good interview questions, how to listen for the right answers and how to follow up to drill down and follow up on answers given by candidates. Remember these days there is a great deal of training for candidates on how to succeed at an interview. Interviewers need to be equally prepared.

The next thing an interviewer needs to do is maintain control of the interview. This means they need to be asking 80% of the questions and let the candidate do the talking. The only way to learn about a candidate is to get them to talk. Don't let a candidate turn the tables and ask all the questions.

Finally an interviewer must have a system for recording and rating the candidates. This is a must especially if there are multiple candidates interviewing for the same position. Without notes and a rating system, an interview can rely more heavily on their gut feel or how likable the candidate was in the interview process.

About the Author; Trained as an electrical engineer, Tom now applies the process and analysis skills to attracting and hiring top employees for his clients. For those who want to give it a go for themselves, Tom has created http://www.staffing-and-recruiting-essentials.com/, a web site for small and medium size business who want to attract and hire great people. Of course the hope is that someday you will want to hire Tom and his company but in the mean time, give it a try yourself or get his free e-book titled, 'The Top 5 Hiring Mistakes - and What to Do About Them'.

Job Interview Practice - You've Done Your Interview Prep, Now What's the Best Way to Practice?

2012-01-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

You've done your interview preparation, now what's the best job interview practice?

You've done a great job of interview prep, put together a great resume / CV, and don't want to let this excellent work go to waste. But now what... you want the most effective way of ironing out any possible errors so you can confidently go forward and ace your interview.

Before going into the detail of your best interview practice techniques, I just want to confirm you have done your job interview preparation?

It's critical that you have researched the marketplace your target employer operates in, the competitors, the company itself, the department you're interviewing for, and the role itself.

Don't stop your research yet dig a little deeper to uncover employers are really looking for; in terms of what skills employers look for, and what personality traits employers value most. These are really important things to find out before you pitch up at interview.

Your interview prep should also cover the types of job interview you may face, and the types of interview questions that'll be coming your way, how to answer those tough interview questions and the best questions to ask your interviewer.

Your job interview preparation needs to prepare you for group interviews, panel interviews, competency and behavioural based interviews, and the different type of questions that may be asked.

I like the STAR Method technique for answering those difficult behavioural and competency interview questions, as it gives the interviewer exactly what THEY want, and is easy for you to remember under interview pressure.

Wow!

If you've done all this you should give yourself a pat on the back, or celebratory glass of your favourite tipple, because you've done more interview prep than most would... You're well on your way to acing your job interview!

But how will you perform under the scrutiny and pressure of the interview itself?

This is where diligent job interview practice will help you seal the deal.

Job interview practice isn't easy, as it's nigh on impossible to do yourself.

So you're likely to need to draft in a friend, relative or colleague to help you. If the role is valuable enough you can also go to a pro interviewer, who for a fee will put you through your interview paces, and coach you to a better performance.

This option isn't cheap, so most people opt to draft in a friend relative or colleague to run through a job interview rehearsal.

You can take the list of commonly asked job interview questions and lists of the tougher behavioural interview questions, and give them to your kindly stand-in interviewer.

You should also blend in some specific technical questions, and by technical I mean your key technical skills if you're an account, lawyer, doctor, project manager, there will be skills associated with the profession and associated qualifications that you will need to know about.

By running through this form of practice interview, you'll be able to practice you're prepared answers, and see how they play out in an interview rehearsal situation. Though the pressure won't be the same this will enable you to flush out problem areas, and fine tune your interview technique.

This level of job interview prep will also help your confidence no end.

There are a couple of interview preparation techniques that you can practice on your own. Firstly when building your STAR method answers to tough interview questions, I would suggest writing them down and saying them out load, because what often looks brilliant on paper doesn't always translate so well into natural language, and it's vital your answers trip naturally from your tongue.

I would also suggest using visualization, all top athletes use visualization as part of their training routines, and though this may sound a little airy-fairy this stuff really works in building clarity and confidence.

Visualization is like day dreaming with purpose, take your time and enjoy the experience of running through your job interview in your head, see yourself smiling and confidently greeting your interviewer, see your interviewer enjoying the interview with you, run through some of your answers...

I know visualization may seem a bit strange but trust me; it's a great form on job interview practice.

There is now also an interactive on-line practice service that is designed around specific jobs, and is a fantastic option if you'd prefer to do your job interview practice on your own.

To find out how to turn interviews to offers and get your free interviewing answers eGuide click here.

Or visit our best Interview Tips page on my site. As a pro recruiter I know this stuff works great and wish you the very best of interviewing success.

Thanks for reading

Richard Penfold.

Guide to Interviews - Prepare for Your Interview to Get That Job

2012-01-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

1. Introduction

Before attending an interview, you first have to sell yourself on a CV. It doesn't stop here, this is when you start to prepare for the interview by fact-finding about the company and researching questions you want answering.

The most important aspect of the interview is not only is the interviewer assessing your suitability for the role, but asking yourself if this is the right company for you, and will you fit in to the company's workplace.

2. Preparing for the Interview

Once you have been successfully selected to interview stage you'll need to think about how to tackle the interview. The more prepared you are the more confident you will be.

Preparation - Who are you? Think about your skills, competencies, qualifications and experience.

How are you perceived? Talk to friendly colleagues, present or recent, about their view of you as a team member, your strengths and ask their opinion of your CV as it shows these

What is your objective? What job function(s) can and should you do and in what sector or environment? Try and get some advice from this perspective as well.

Getting on the interview is not the objective, just part of it.

Who are your targets? It is important for you to know if there are any companies you don't want work for, have already contacted or on the other hand are very interested in working for, and the industry types you want to work in.

This gives a basic idea to work from and if any other jobs come up that may suit you then you have a better chance of being contacted to discuss how you would feel about companies being approached on your behalf. There's no point you being put forward for a position that you will not want to follow-up.

Once you have been offered an interview, what do you need to know about the company? Products, size, locations, style, reputation both as employers and suppliers, and the sort of job they would have for you.

Before the interview itself it may be handy to read the rest of this guide, so you strengthen your good signals and curb the weak ones.

3. Interview Types

There are different types of job interviews you may participate in during the recruitment process. Each interview you attend will be different in many different ways, the information below outlines the more often used processes and gives you some tips on how to handle them.

One-on-one Interview (Most commonly used)

In a one-on-one interview, it has been established that you have the skills and education necessary for the position. The interviewer wants to see if you will fit in with the company, and how your skills will complement the rest of the department. Your goal in a one-on-one interview is to establish rapport with the interviewer and show him or her that your qualification will benefit the company.

Screening Interview

A screening interview is meant to weed out unqualified candidates. Providing facts about your skills is more important than establishing rapport. Interviews will work from an outline of points they want to cover, looking for inconsistencies in your resume and challenging your qualifications. Provide answers to their questions, and never volunteer any additional information. That information could work against you. One type of screening interviews is the telephone interview.

Stress Interviews

Stress interviews are a deliberate attempt to see how you handle yourself. The interviewer may be sarcastic or argumentative, or may keep you waiting. Expect this to happen and, when it does, don't take it personally. Calmly answer each question as it comes. Ask for clarification if you need it and never rush into an answer. The interviewer may also lapse into silence at some point during the questioning. Recognize this as an attempt to unnerve you. Sit silently until the interviewer resumes the questions. If a minute goes by, ask if he or she needs clarification of your last comments.

Lunch Interview

The same rules apply in lunch interviews as in those held at the office. The setting may be more casual, but remember it is a business lunch and you are being watched carefully. Use the lunch interview to develop common ground with your interviewer. Follow his or her lead in both selection of food and etiquette.

Panel or Committee Interview

Committee interviews are a common practise. You will face several members of the company who have a say in whether you are hired. When answering questions from several people, speak directly to the person asking the question; it is not necessary to answer to the group. In some committee interviews, you may be asked to demonstrate your problem solving skills. The committee will outline a situation and ask you to formulate a plan that deals with the problem. You don't have to come up with the perfect answer, they are interested in how you deal with different scenarios, can you think quickly and they will be looking to see your problem solving abilities.

4. Body Language

Interviewers will start to make judgement about you as soon as you enter the room. These first impressions are very powerful in influencing their final decisions, however relevant they are to successful job performance.

How you present yourself

When walking and standing, keep reasonable erect. When seated do not lean too far forward or backward nor adopt a bolt-upright position. Try to open up your body and only move forward when you want to show interest.
Give the interviewer as much eye contact as you can - to catch their attention, when you are not speaking to them, when you would like to get into the conversation, but do not stare them out.
Try to maintain open postures with your hands, arms and body. Do not fold and cross arms, do not clench and unclench fists. Use these parts of your body to express yourself.
Try not to talk too fast or too slowly. You will be appreciated best if you can divide your time more or less equally between being seen to talk and listen. Make sure you can be heard without deafening the interviewer and are modulating your voice a little from time to time for the sake of emphasis and variety.
Eye contact is important. Research suggests that if you make contact more than 65% of the time, you could be making the other person feel uncomfortable. Alternatively, if you make eye contact for less than about 50% of the time, you could be seen as untrustworthy.

Develop your Listening Skills

Your listening skills are important. Possibly for as much as half the interview time, you will be required to listen. Ideally a trained interviewer will be encouraging you to talk more than half of the time. Only by listening can you discover what other people want and how you can satisfy their needs. It is vital that you remain an attentive listener throughout your interview. You cannot afford to let your thoughts wander off in to any of your "hidden agendas" - the other things on your mind, which are unrelated to what is going on in front of you.

As a good listener you will:

Make eye contact
From time to time nod up and down to show agreement and understanding
Let the speaker talk without interrupting
From time to time ask for clarification of what has been said
Keep your prejudices and emotions under control
Keep your mind open until the speaker has finished and don't try to evaluate what is being said halfway through the statement

Read How to sell yourself at interviews

Paul Gless

SIGMA IS Recruitment
http://isrecruitment.co.uk

SIGMA IS Recruitment introducing IT professionals to deliver technical projects and services to businesses that value quality and service.

Job Interview Tips

2012-01-02T06:29:00.000-08:00

Make a good first impression

Appearance is perhaps the most critical element of building a positive first impression. Employers assume that what they see is what they'll get if they hire your candidate, so make sure that what they see is a consummate professional. Understand that dressing professionally is one of the rules of the business game. Don't expect to win the game if your break that rule.

Pay attention to details

Interviewers notice the little things. Sloppy manicures, missing buttons, scuffed shoes, stained lapels or snagged stocking are interpreted as signs that the candidate isn't detail-oriented. So make sure your entire outfit is impeccably clean and neat. For women, makeup is often a downfall. Keep it subtle.

No cologne or perfume

Nearly all of the interviewers I surveyed mentioned cologne-overkill as one of the biggest gaffes made by both male and female job candidates. In fact, many interviewers rated this as their number-one gripe! It's nearly impossible to tell how strong an odour your own perfume or cologne is emitting. What seems like a pleasant whiff of scent to you may overpower someone else. Don't risk it. Another smell-related note: If you're a smoker, avoid smoking in the hours before your interview. At the very least, don't smoke in your interview outfit. Employers generally regard smoking as an undesirable habit, and cigarette odours cling to clothes for hours.

Watch your body language

As they're forming an impression of you, interviewers also observe your body language for clues about your personality, credibility and confidence. Here's a rundown of the most common body-language signals and what they mean to interviewers.

Look them in the eye

In North American culture, the ability to look someone in the eye is interpreted as a sign of honesty. For that reason, interviewers react negatively to job candidates who can't maintain a reasonable amount of eye contact.

Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake

Again, because of cultural stereotypes, someone who has a firm handshake is regarded as confident and authoritative. Even though a handshake may seem like a small element on which to base a decision about someone's character, interviewers really do read a lot into it.

Don't Fidget

Be careful that your body language doesn't betray your nervousness during your interviews. Avoid these mannerisms that interviewers perceive as signs of nervousness:

Leg kicking.

Touching your hair repeatedly.

Placing your hand near your mouth or around your face as you talk.

Clearing your throat continually.

Tapping your fingers or (worse) cracking your knuckles.

Playing with your jewellery or frequently adjusting your glasses. If you feel your body getting out of control, try focusing on your breathing:

Taking steady, deep breaths will help you relax. It's also good to take a short walk before your interview to burn off some of that nervous energy.

Sit forward in your chair

Interviewers take note of how candidates sit during the interview. Candidates who slump in their chairs or appear too relaxed are perceived as either unconfident or unmotivated or both. Candidates who sit up straight and lean a bit forward in their chairs are perceived as attentive and interested in the job. But also - don't lean on or throw yourself across the interviewers desk.

Respect the rules of interview etiquette

Just as there are rules of etiquette for social interactions, there are rules of etiquette for the interaction we call the job interview. Although they may seem unimportant to you, these rules are very important to interviewers. Employers assume that if you don't know anything about interview etiquette, you may not understand the rules of everyday-business etiquette, either.

Be on time

One of the basic laws of interview etiquette - and one that's broken with surprisingly regularity - is to arrive on time. Allow plenty of extra time to get to your interview; you never know when a traffic jam or other transportation catastrophe is going to occur. If you rum late because of some unavoidable problem, call ahead to let the interviewer know. Apologise profusely and ask whether the interviewer would prefer to reschedule.

Remember that you're the guest

Interview etiquette also says that you are the guest and the interviewer is the host. So don't sit down until the interviewer invites you to do so. Don't plop your briefcase down on the interviewer's desk, and don't start fingering any office knickknacks, even if it's one of those inviting little stress-relief gizmos. If you spy family pictures on the interviewer's desk, resist the urge to comment, even though you might naturally do so if you were visiting that person's home. Raising the issue of families and children is something you want to avoid in an interview.

Don't chew gum or eat

Don't have anything in your mouth during the interview. That includes mints or gum. If the interviewer offers you a cup of coffee or other beverage, say that you will join them if they are having - refrain if they are not.

Don't dismiss anyone

Be friendly, polite and respectful toward everyone you meet, from the receptionist at the front door to the interviewer's secretary. There's a good chance that all of these people will be asked to offer an opinion about you. So treat every encounter as a "silent interview."

Be enthusiastic

Nearly all of the hiring managers who have shared their insights with me said that one of the first things they notice is the amount of enthusiasm a job candidate displays. Many said it was the most important element in whether they left the interview with a positive impression of the candidate. Sell yourself with confidence After you create that first impression, you must reinforce it with a strong sales presentation. You must show the interviewer that you not only can look and act the part, but that you also have the skills and experience to solve the company's problems.

Shelley Worth Worth Personnel Group: Employment Agency Toronto [http://www.worthpersonnel.com/tips.php]

http://www.worthpersonnel.com

Techniques To Avoid Job Interview Stress

2012-01-02T01:54:00.000-08:00

As I have discussed in a previous article, there are three main times of the job interview process when we can become extremely stressed: before the interview, during the actual interview and afterwards. As I have wide experience of this process from both sides of the desk and from discussing this situation with clients over the years; I will now go on to discuss useful techniques that can be useful for limiting stress in these situations.

BEFORE THE JOB INTERVIEW

There are many stresses than can arise here from prolonged worry causing us to become tired and suffer from poor concentration to last minute rushing - something that can lead to a great deal of stress.

PLAN WELL AHEAD: As it is a good idea to do some background research into the job, the company and wider industry; leaving plenty of time to do this is a good idea. Rushing and cramming information in the night before not only leads to stress but also only contributes to our short-term, rather than long term, memory - leaving us more prone to forgetting this important information when needed. Leaving an ample amount of time will avoid this stress and should also help us to retain important information whilst also leaving time for any unexpected events.

MAKE SURE TO GET PLENTY OF REST: This is mainly in the form of a good night sleep. While this differs for every one of us, the recommended amount of sleep per night for the average person is around 8 hours. Not only is getting this rest important on the night before the interview but also during the time from when we know we have the interview. After all, lying in bed at night and thinking about the interview - or any other worries for that matter - will deter us from getting this much needed rest. Indeed, if this happens night after night, our health will also suffer, alongside our levels of vital concentration needed for the interview.

LEAVE PLENTY OF TIME BEFORE THE INTERVIEW TO GET READY AND ARRIVE AT THE INTERVIEW VENUE: Rushing before an interview is one of the most stressful things that we can do. As being late for any interview is probably one of the most severe interview mistakes we can make; rushing will cause great anxiety. My best advice here is to get up early on the morning of the interview. Eat a healthy and hearty breakfast (and lunch if the interview is in the late afternoon), though not excessive amounts of food as this can lead to discomfort and tiredness, and allow plenty of time to get ready. It is also a good idea to leave the house earlier than we would otherwise for the same journey just to allow this extra time - and to arrive at the interview venue early. When I say early, I mean to say about 10 minutes before the interview time. Too early can be as off-putting as too late and sitting waiting for the interview can cause us to become stressed. If we do arrive very early, it is best to take a short stroll around the local area, look in the shops or just have a quiet sit down. Whatever happens, try not to get hot and bothered. Reading some company promotional material while waiting to be invited for the interview can help us relax - and shows that we are interested in the company/organisation.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

As with any job interview every second counts here, with stress being the emotion that is unhelpful in this situation.

MEET THE INTERVIEWER AND WALK SLOWLY AND CALMLY INTO THE ROOM: This is one of those times where stress can arise instantly without much warning. We may feel fairly calm up until this point but as soon as we walk through the door and see the interviewer(s) in-front of us, the stress can hit us like a brick wall. This also tends to be a time when people rush - rushing through the door and sitting down straight away without introduction - particularly bad etiquette for an interview! Walking slowly and calmly into the room, taking fairly deep breaths (in through the mouth and out via the nose) can be a good way of not 'hitting this wall of stress'. This will also make us seem more professional and confident.

LISTEN CAREFULLY AND THINK BEFORE ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS: This may sound plainly obvious, but when in the heat of the moment this advice can sometimes be forgotten. Especially in these types of situation, we often hear what we want to hear and not what has actually been asked. Answering the wrong question can do two things: (a) it can make us seem careless - not good during a job interview, and (b) it can have a detrimental impact on the whole interview. For instance, we may realise midway that we are answering the wrong question or not answering properly. This can then make us stop, throw us off course and lead to a loss of confidence - which is difficult to get back in a short space of time. As the traditional saying goes 'a stitch in time saves nine', meaning that it is better to take time and then (getting things right) rather than rushing and making mistakes (creating more work and stress for ourselves). I have always been impressed with people in interviews who have actually had the courage to say they did not hear the question properly and ask if I could repeat it.

PLACE SOMETHING ON THE DESK TO HOLD OR REFER TO: It goes without saying here that this should be something highly relevant to the job interview. It can often be a good idea to place a diary, company promotional material (shows research skills) or notebook on the desk in-front of us. The golden rule here is to always ask the interviewer(s) permission before doing this - although most times they will be happy to oblige and may actually be impressed as this also shows commitment and organisation. Also ask to take notes. Again this shows interest, confidence and from a stress perspective can take our mind of the stress by looking briefly down at the paper and doing something physical such as writing. Placing these items around us -in the most professional manner of course- also allows us to feel slightly in control of our environment and this in turn can help reduce stress.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

This is a time that is often not discussed but like the interview itself can be very stressful. The main stress created here is caused by leaving the interview room and building and then the waiting for the news confirming or rejecting us for the job. While there is little we can do at this stage to change the outcome of the interview, or the workings of HR departments; this stress can have a detrimental impact on us and our future interviews - especially if a previous rejection from our interview severely limits our confidence.

ON LEAVING THE INTERVIEW ROOM, LEAVE SLOWLY AND CALMLY: I can't tell you the number of times I have interviewed people where the interview has gone fairly well but they have been in a stressed panic at the end to leave the room. This rush often results in a poor departing impression on behalf of the interviewer but also can lead to accidents. Often the last impression a person makes in an interview can be as important as the first and a poor last impression may cancel-out the first. I once interviewed a person who was in such a rush to leave the interview room, that they knocked a cup of tea all over the desk, including my notes. I have also heard of a lady in such a rush to leave, that she left the room via the wrong door - walking into a storage cupboard. To avoid this, at the end of the interview, after all of the questions and so forth, simply try to exchange minor pleasantries, slowly collect all of your belongings and shake hands with everyone in the room. Most likely in any interview we will be shown out of the room to the main entrance of the building. Here, just be natural and make minor small-talk - show that you are human and have a personality. Whilst the interviewers may be in a rush to see the next interviewee, be fairly quick, do not delay them but at the same time do not rush and definitely not panic. Relax when outside the building and out of eyesight of the interviewers.

TRY NOT TO ANALYSE THE INTERVIEW ONCE IT IS OVER: At this stage there is now nothing that can be done to change what was said in the interview, so no-matter how hard it is, there is little point analysing it - even though this is very tempting. No-matter how well or how badly we feel the interview went, we will always find fault if we start analysing it. This can also lead to further unhelpful stress. If we are informed that we have not been accepted for the job, it is important not to lose confidence. This can lead to further stress and can in turn damage our employment prospects for the future.

These are just a small number of techniques that have I have suggested to clients over the years - as a result of past experiences. While there are many more, these should go a long way to reduce stress in job interviews. As I have shown in the article, it is not just the job interview itself that can be stressful but also the preparation and time following the interview - waiting for the results. I hope these techniques will help in future interviews and wish everyone applying for a new job the very best of luck and success in the future.

Martin Hogg is an Anger Management Specialist and founder of Citizen Coaching CIC, a Social Enterprise based in Birmingham, UK http://www.CitizenCoaching.com

We provide a unique, tailored anger management approach through live workshops, one to one support and through online and home study. Get Martin's First Steps In Anger Management for free at http://www.myangercoach.co.uk/anger-management-online

How to Build Your Business With Radio, TV, and Print Interviews

2012-01-01T21:10:00.000-08:00

One fast and easy business building strategy for solo professionals is to get interviewed on radio, the Internet, television, and in print media. It's easier than ever to catch a request for an interview, what with YouTube, BlogTalk Radio, and Internet TV channels. With Webcam and VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technologies, you might well get the chance to be on radio or TV anywhere in the world without leaving your office. This series of articles will cover everything you need to know to deliver an interview with ease and in a way that will make you welcome on shows and in print media, too. I'll show you the five key steps of pro interviewing, along with these tips:

1) How you can "drive" the interview in a direction you want to go

2) What the people interviewing you REALLY want from you

3) How to create marketing opportunities right in the interview

4) How to recycle your interviews to build more presence for your business.

First, though, let's talk about where giving interviews fits into your business. A successful entrepreneur has three things going that ensure business success. These components are a solid business plan with financial projections that take you where you want to go, a creative and low-cost marketing strategy for the business, and a willingness to remove any personal blocks that keep the business from succeeding. Each component is equally important to your business.

Interviewing is a part of your business's marketing strategy. If you are unsure or resistant to thinking about interviewing as a way to showcase your expertise and experience, you more than likely have inner blocks that are in your way. Working to change that is a part of personal growth. For solo professionals who decide to do it, interviewing can be easy, fun, and help you build your business.

Before you begin to accept interview opportunities, you'll need to put together a simple media kit or media page on your website. As a beginning, this should include:

1) A head shot of you (both black & white and color) that can be downloaded from your website or sent as a.jpg file in an e-mail

2) A brief (250 words) bio about you and what you do

3) A list of topics you can speak about

4) A list of your speaking and media experience (if you have any).

Pulling together this simple media kit will allow you to quickly respond to a request for an interview. You can refer the person to the media page on your website, or e-mail the information quickly.

There are five key steps to interviewing like a pro. Here they are, in the order you will probably use.

1) Know your goal.

2) Pick gigs based on your goal.

3) Prep the call.

4) Answer questions briefly but strategically.

5) Follow up diligently.

If you follow each step, you'll find yourself quickly and easily handing interviews and benefiting from them in more ways than one. Each step helps ensure that your interview will be of benefit to the person interviewing you and to your business. Any time a solo professional can take an action that has a double benefit, it's sure to be a winner!

Know Your Goal

Just as with anything else you do in business, being interviewed takes your time away from other things you could be doing. You won't be getting paid, but you still do want a return on your investment of time and sharing of your expertise. Setting a goal for each interview you decide to give will help you get a return.

Ask yourself why you want to do this particular interview, and what you would like to get out of it. There are at least five ways to benefit, and you can probably hit two of them with each interview. The first goal is to build visibility for your business. Think about where and how much the interview will be publicized, the likely size of the listeners or audience, and how much introduction you are likely to receive.

Gaining credibility is a second goal. No one is going to ask you to be interviewed if they think you have nothing of value to offer their listeners or audience. Just by doing the interview, you gain credibility. It's a good idea to keep a list of all the places you've done interviews, and add this to your media page. Reporters and others who are always looking for guests will be impressed that you've interviews and will be grateful to find someone who knows the ropes. Just like many other things in the business world, doing interviews can create its own energy. Word spreads that you are both interesting and willing, and you will get more opportunities once you break the ice.

A third goal for doing interviews is to build your list of prospects. Especially if you are an Internet-based business (or have an Internet-based component to your business) constantly building your list is a key concern for you. For Internet businesses, a list of potential customers is the goose that lays the golden egg. For businesses that are not Internet-based, their database of contacts and prospects is also important.

How does interviewing help you build your list? Many times, the person interviewing you will require people who want to listen in on the call or radio show to register ahead of time, even if the call is free. The interviewer may be building his own list using this strategy. He may need to know roughly how many people to expect on a telephone interview so that he can reserve enough phone lines through his conference call provider. He may want to collect information about the industry his listeners are coming from. Whatever the reason, there is often an opportunity to share this information and build your own list, too. If you do this, make sure that when a prospect registers for the event she is told that registering means she will receive the call-in access information and that she will receive a free subscription to your own electronic newsletter (e-zine). Make sure that you operate within the Federal laws regarding e-mails and SPAM.

Even if the person interviewing you doesn't require a registration to listen in on the event, you can still build your list right on the call. Your bio should include information about your website's URL. Include a statement something like, "Be sure to go to my website and subscribe to my e-zine, for you'll receive valuable marketing tips several times a month."

Product development is the fourth goal you can meet by doing interviews. Once the interview is done, there will likely be a recording of it. Viola! You have a product, a half-hour or hour-long interview about a particular topic that you can give away as an MP3 file, burn to a CD and sell, or have transcribed and make part of a product bundle. Interviewing is a quick and easy way to build up a library of low-cost products that can create a passive income stream for you. Agree ahead of time that you will get to share the audio file of the interview with the person who interviews you. The majority of times, this is understood at the outset - that both of you can use that resource in any way you want. Having the file is useful, for you can create audio clips from it to use in advertising or presentations along with using it as a product to give away or sell.

Finally, you may have a goal to make a special offer to the audience during an interview. Most hosts will be more than willing to take a brief time during the interview to let you offer something special to their listeners. This helps the host become known as someone who offers special deals or surprises, which in turn builds their audience. For you, it can be a way to test out a new product or service with an audience, or to raise some quick cash by offering one of your services with a special add-on for the same price. To make special offers effective, limit the time it is available (usually that day or 24 hours only) and/or the quantity offered. Build a special link in your website for this special offer, and announce it on the call, leading the audience to browse to your website, purchase the offer, and perhaps browse the rest of your website, too.

My next article will explore more of the five key steps to interviewing like a pro. Stay tuned!

Sue Painter spends her time coaching people to create work that is rich in spirit and profit. You can check out her marketing tips at http://www.confidentmarketer.com and get her marketing tips videos on the YouTube channel confidentmarketer. Sue's marketing expertise and strong insight leads her clients to call her a marketing therapist. She can help you build your business from the inside out.

How to Conduct an Interview So You Pick a Winner Every Time!

2012-01-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

Are you a smart manager? I bet you are!

Are you being smart in the interview process? Do you REALLY know how to conduct an interview so you pick a w every time? Not sure?

Test yourself by answering these questions with a yes or no:

When interviewing candidates I usually talk 50-75% of the time. Yes or No?
I am very supportive, engaging and encouraging to candidates when interviewing them. I make sure they feel good about their answers. Yes or No?
I never push the candidate for clarification if they give vague answers, I don't want to be too tough. Yes or No?

If you answered Yes to any of these questions, you may want to improve your interview style. What you are currently doing in the interview may hinder your ability to pick winners every time.

Smart managers have strong product knowledge. You? know the company and you work well with others. You ARE smart. That is why you were promoted to leadership.

But many very smart managers do not know how to conduct an interview. When they interview, they often arrive unprepared, talk too much, ask the wrong types of questions and base hiring decisions either purely on logic or purely on gut.

Here are nine important basics on how to conduct an interview. These are things you should do every time you interview. They ARE basic but they WILL increase your ability to be more effective helping you pick a winner every time.

Nine How to Conduct an Interview Basics:

Start and end on time.
Clarify & explain the overall interview process.
Don't allow outside interruptions.
Encourage candidate to talk: Candidate should talk: 75-80% of the time!
Maintain eye contact.
Use the candidate's name.
Allow silence.
Be pleasant, but response-neutral.
Listen aggressively

Items 1-3 above are really basic AND are often missed because smart managers like you are very busy and in demand. Your schedule is ALWAYS packed tight and you are always running from meeting to meeting. (That 'smart-thing' you have has everyone wanting a piece of your time, all the time!)

If you want to hire right you MUST make interviewing potential team members a priority. When interviewing do not sandwich the interview into an already overbooked calendar. Find a way to clear some time before the interview, so you can prepare and plan your interview questions, and after the interview so you can summarize your findings and plan the next steps.

During the interview you must eliminate ALL interruptions --- your phone, cell, email and your door.

To motivate yourself to take more time for interviewing - keep in mind that turnover costs are conservatively estimated at approximately 1 and 1/2 times a person salary. For example: the time spend interviewing to fill a technical position that pays $70,000 is really a $100,000+ project. Wouldn't you make time on your schedule to ensure that you don't lose $100,000 for your company? I think you would.

Change interviewing to something that you take time to do and plan for, like all the other high revenue producing, high impact projects on your plate.

Take a look at how to conduct an interview basic #4. Circle it, highlight it and say it ten times out loud. The candidate should do most of the talking. In ineffective interviews the interviewer talks 50-80% of the time which is the exact opposite of what you need to be doing.

Talking too much usually stems from a lack of preparation, from moving fast from meeting to meeting, a lack of awareness and/or nervousness. If you are prepared - which means you know what you're looking for and you have interview questions ready - you will easily change the habit from talking too much to listening more.

Remember this - the candidate should talk 75 to 80% of the time. In a one hour interview the candidate would talk 50 minutes, you would talk 10 minutes. Changing this one error - will dramatically change your interviewing success.

And while the candidate is answering your interview questions, providing specific examples to your competency, behavioral-based questions, you are very busy too. Even though you are not talking you are not passively sitting there. YOU are focused on tuning into the candidate by making eye contact, letting the silences stand as needed, remaining response-neutral and listening aggressively.

If you do items 5 through 9 you will be focused on the interview, and on what the candidate is saying. And you won't be thinking about the 25,000 other things you have on your mind.

You want to allow silence to give the candidate time to think. If you rush through a silence you may miss a great answer or you may miss great insight into the fact that the candidate cannot think of any examples. This tells you that he or she may not have strength in that area. Let the silence stand - do not rush through it.

What do you think I mean: Be pleasant, but response-neutral (item #8)?

Try this with me: Take a moment now and think of your child or if you don't have kids, think of your best friend or a favorite pet. Now imagine that this person or pet is in front of you and they are trying to get your attention - I want you to smile broadly, nod your head, lean in and give this person or pet a big hug.

THAT is the exact opposite of being response-neutral.

Remember, you are in an interview. You are using your company's dollars to hire the best candidate. If you hire the wrong candidate you could make the next 6 months of your life a living hell, or at the least very frustrating.

As you use this very important how to conduct an interview basic - "Be Pleasant, but Response Neutral" - focus on putting on a pleasant poker face. Pull back your natural enthusiasm - if you have it - and let the candidate work through the interview without a "hug" from you.

Now, I know you would not hug a candidate, but when you over-encourage and jump-in with comments to help, the interview is less effective. You are not with a friend at a bar. This is not that kind of conversation. This is a cordial and professional interview. Be pleasant, even be warm, but think and act response-neutral.

The official definition of item #9 Listening aggressively is: To hear with determination and energetic pursuit, demonstrating a desire to understand. The Bottom Line: Tune into to what the candidate is saying and not saying. Pay attention to everything.

These nine How to Conduct an Interview basics will help set the right tone for the interview and get you on the right track - so that you pick a winner every time!.

Written by Suzie Price, Priceless Personal & Professional Development & Wake Up Eager

Get Management Interview questions and resources for avoiding the top 13 interview errors most managers make.

For more on Listening Aggressively check out free article and resources.

Performance Based Interviews That Identify the Game Changers in Your Candidate Pool

2012-01-01T14:15:00.000-08:00

Executive Summary

Interviews have undeniable value in every organization's hiring process. Performance-based interviewing is a technique to make your interviews even more effective in finding the best hires. Performance-based interviewing takes into account the most important job metrics of a target position (performance), as well as behavioral traits that have proven to deliver great results in those metrics, then matches that data to the behavioral makeup of the candidate. When the candidate displays a shortcoming in a behavioral trait vital to a role, questions based on performance allow the interviewer to explore whether this particular person has the capacity to compensate for the perceived disconnect and perform at an exceptional level or not. At the same time, the interviewer may find a candidate's innate behaviors to be so far from ideal that the chances he/she would fulfill the performance requirements of the target job are slim. Interviews conducted using performance-based content provide major data points for the hiring manager to use when differentiating the game-changers from candidates who are most likely accustomed to being spectators.

If you are an intermediate or executive-level HR professional, recruiter, or HR Generalist who conducts interviews or oversees hiring activities, this white paper is especially relevant to you. Those seeking to improve the quality of hire will learn to do so through better interviewing techniques using the link between job performance and candidate behaviors.

This Interview Could Have Been More Effective

We sat face to face with nothing but open space between us. The candidate appeared calm and cool, leaving me a bit anxious. Maybe my nerves were on high alert because I was on my third cup of coffee, or maybe the long day of multiple interviews was wearing me down. Regardless of my mood, my objective was to determine if this person could handle a fast-paced role. His resume seemed to indicate a good fit, and he even had related experience with a direct competitor. I was armed with all the textbook interview questions and determined to uncover the real insights masked by the candidate's sharp suit and calm demeanor.

"So, tell me about yourself." I led off with an easy, standard-type interview question intended to break the ice in a nonthreatening way. He politely made small talk for a few minutes.

As that conversation thread wound down, I decided to jump start the interview with a very thoughtful situational-style question. "How would you react if you were asked to work in a fast-paced environment?" My tactic was sound. Dig down layer by layer with the intention of uncovering the "real story." Would he be able to handle a fast-paced office, or would he fall behind? This savvy interviewee responded with an answer so full of generalities that I had no more concrete information after I asked the question than before.

I thought to myself, "Time to take the gloves off!" It was then that I decided to pull out the big gun-the behavioral interview question! I went directly at him, holding nothing back. "Tell me about a time when you were able to handle many tasks coming at you at once, all with competing deadlines?" He came back with a smooth, practiced answer, making sure he did not tip his hand to reveal any signs of weakness. After his response, he leaned toward me with one eyebrow lifted as if to say, "Is that all you've got?"

We hired him based on his professional interviewing manner and with the understanding that he could handle a fast-paced job. A short two months later, we lost him to another employer. We found out during the exit interview that he had understood the job to be action packed and fast paced, but he found his actual duties too boring, lacking the high-energy activities that would keep him engaged.

Where did I go wrong? I was a seasoned interviewer. I asked all the right questions. I had all the right interview training. In retrospect, my dilemma had two simple answers:

My assumption of a fast-paced environment had no behavioral reference point obtained from actual performance data in the role.
My question content was not focused on specific behavioral disconnects.

I experienced double jeopardy when I incorrectly assumed the role was fast paced, and assumed that the candidate would struggle in a fast-paced environment. As it turned out, the pace of the role was not as fast as I thought it was, and the candidate preferred a much faster pace than the environment the target position offered.

The Concept of Performance-Based Interviewing

The essential value proposition of performance-based interviewing is not the content of the questions, but the compilation of source material that helps you formulate your initial evaluation of the candidate and select the most effective interview questions. The two most important ingredients in performance-based interviewing are:

The performance-based factors that are consistently present in those who deliver great performance results (based on actual performance data).
An external measure of those factors (or behaviors) for each candidate.

You see, most interview training focuses on techniques to deliver interview questions or interpret information based on subjective assumptions. I would like to discuss a deeper, more impactful strategy that is not meant to replace any interview technique, but to ensure that interview questions are truly based on actual performance aspects proven necessary for job success derived from analysis of real-world performance data.

Performance-Based Factors

To identify performance-based factors, you need two pieces of information:

A sample of employees with actual performance data.
An external measure designed to capture the absolute level of a set of behaviors, skills, or knowledge shared by those employees who perform at higher levels when compared to their peers.

Examining relevant performance data for those currently in the position will be the basis of establishing both the importance of each factor and the level needed to be successful in the role. Collecting and examining performance data is not as daunting as it might seem. Let me briefly suggest the steps involved in this portion of the process.

Performance Data

Four steps describe the process to compile performance data.

Inventory - Take inventory of the data you have for employees in the role, as well as the data you need, for the target position.

Analyze - Analyze the quality of the data and the realistic ability for you to collect high-quality data that best represents actual performance.

Identify - Identify position-level data that is considered a business driver (i.e., for a sales position, it might be Total Sales per Month).

Decide - Decide on the most vital performance data to leverage throughout the process.

External Measure

An external measure will be used to capture the absolute level of a factor. These findings can also serve as the bridge to evaluate future candidates once it has been calibrated against the current employee performance data. An external measure can be described as any tool or collection mechanism that is universal in nature, meaning you will be able to predict future performance based on the results of those currently in the role. An external measure typically comes in the form of behavioral, skill, knowledge, situational judgment, phone screens, etc. This evaluation occurs even though the candidate has never actually performed in the role.

This external measure, if linked effectively to the actual performance data, can become a powerful predictor of future performance in any given role. Be sure that you feel comfortable with the quality and accuracy of the external measure utilized since you will rely heavily on these measures in the performance-based interview process.

Identifying Performance-Based Factors

By linking the external measure(s) with the employee performance data, you have the ability to uncover the performance-based factors necessary for success in the position. Think of the process in this manner: based on the performance data, you know who your top performers are, as well as the middle-tier and lower-tier performers. Use external measure(s) to answer some relevant questions:

Based on the external measure, what are the shared factors among your high performers?
How do those factors differentiate from those who are not doing as well in the position?

Going back to my "fast-paced job" interview example, I should have compared and contrasted successful people in the role against their preference for pace prior to making a faulty assumption. Had I included this step, I would not have assumed that the job was fast paced.

Tip: Performance-based factors are often measured by degree-tiny increments that differentiate the potential of one person from another. My interviewee expressed a preference for a fast-paced work environment. But in the end, the individual abandoned the position because the pace of the role did not meet his preference or his expectations. A better fit for the role would have been someone who prefers an even-paced work environment. It is important to remember that some roles require a smaller measure of a performance factor, not more.

The Concept of "Core vs. Capacity"

Now that the pieces are in place (performance-based factors and the external measure), we need to establish where they fit in the interview process. Specifically, the performance-based factors help us to define and understand performance in the position. The external measure gives you the ability to accurately collect information on candidates outside your organization and objectively compare each one to the role.

Identifying the Core

The concept of a person's core refers to each individual's core behavioral preferences. Generally, an individual's core behavioral preferences remain unchanged over time. The purpose of the external measure is to capture a candidate's core behaviors and provide a means of comparison against the performance-based factors established from the performance data. This information should be collected prior to the face-to-face interview. This establishes a sound base line to help you focus your interview time on those areas that have been proven to relate to future performance.

Tip: Behaviors are treated differently because certain performance-based factors such as skills, situational judgment, and others are temporary in nature. Training, the altering of a situation, or other issues can greatly affect the stability of the external measurement.

Identifying Capacity

When face-to-face with a candidate, the interviewer's job is to utilize the information gathered around the core of the candidate and better understand the person's capacity. Described further, capacity should be thought of as the ability to stretch or shift behavior to account for a particular situation. For example, an external measure may assign a low value regarding "attention to details." By applying skills gained from past experience, taking job-related training courses, and old-fashioned hard work, the candidate has learned to put processes and methods in place to incorporate more attention to detail skills when necessary. The core has not changed, but in effect, the candidate compensates for the deficiency situation by situation. At the end of the day, the preference remains low when it comes to attention to details. In this example, the candidate may not appear to be a perfect fit in the area of attention to details, but by expending energy to meet the job expectations, the candidate has learned to expand his/her capacity and be successful.

Once you have established the performance-based factors, then captured and evaluated the core of the candidate, the interview questions can help you to more efficiently and effectively determine the capacity of the candidate.

Interview Question Types

In the next section, we will take a brief look at three popular interview techniques that may be familiar to you. Keep in mind that if the performance-based concept is used appropriately, each question you choose to ask will be tied specifically to performance as defined by the data in the role.

Tip: The type of performance factor may limit your choices of question techniques that are most effective.

Situational Interview Style

Situational interviews rely on questions that are also referred to as hypotheticals, "what-if" questions, or scenario-based questions. Candidates are asked to mentally place themselves in a particular situation, and relate how they would react.

Sample: "How would you handle a situation where you are assigned to manage a sales team that despised their last manager?"

The Pro's and Con's of Situational Questions

Pro's

Can be phrased to reflect the actual work environment
Allows for the inclusion of specifics within the answer
May indicate how the candidate thinks they will react in the future

Con's

Candidates' verbal responses may not be true indicators of their actual actions
If they have never been in that exact situation, they are only speculating on how they would react
Answers are difficult to verify
Candidates hope they would handle the situation in the best way possible, but do they believe their own words?

Situational interviews are best applied in conjunction with other interview techniques, or with candidates who have limited experience, or as a reference to unique situations related to the target role. Situational questions can help spot a game-changer when you incorporate a performance-based angle to the question.

Standard Interview Style

When you want to learn more about a candidate through an informal, non-threatening conversation, standard interview questions are a good tool for the task. The questions have been around for ages, but unfortunately so have the pat answers.

Sample: "What is your greatest strength?"

The Pro's and Con's of Standard Questions

Pro's

They are universal-everyone uses them at one time or another
Candidates are comfortable with these types of questions
They are an efficient mechanism for gathering an overview on a particular topic

Con's

Answers to common questions could be well-rehearsed over the course of a career
It is difficult to compare and differentiate the answers of one candidate to the answers of another
Question topics may not be relevant to the job requirements
Answers can be "created" on the spot

Standard interviews are (like situational interviews) best applied in conjunction with other interview techniques. They are also a good option when a candidate has no work experience, or the job requires no experience. If you want to do more than gain general information, a performance-based standard question will greatly improve the value of the interview.

Behavioral-Based Interview Style

Questions asked in a behavioral-based interview are designed to draw information from a candidate's past experience. The old premise put forth since the earliest days of behavioral interviews says, "The best predictor of FUTURE performance or behavior is PAST performance or behavior."

Sample: "Tell me about a time in your career when you had to manage multiple projects to meet firm deadlines."

The Pro's and Con's of Behavioral-Based Questions

Pro's

The questions are easily related to business activity
Helps interviewers capture a sense of past work behaviors and past experience
Answers are generally supported with more information than other types of questions

Con's

A person's past behavior may not reflect how they would behave today...people change over time
Prior experience is assumed; interviews to fill roles with "no experience required" are not able to fully leverage behavioral-based questions
Behavioral questions are often crafted without supporting criteria related to performance targets for the position

Behavioral questions are generally considered to deliver more valid information than the situational or standard methods. However, all three techniques are missing a vital ingredient that makes the candidate's answers a good indicator of fit, ability, and potential: the performance-based nugget that should be the foundational element of each question. Questions built on performance-based criteria will ultimately provide the most reliable assistance to the interviewer in locating the game-changing talent.

Summary

Does this person have what it takes to do the job, or not? Effectively answering this question will save your organization thousands of dollars for each hire. Performance-based interviewing will help your organization differentiate the game-changers from the rest of the crowd. After your first few interviews, you will learn to quickly spot the candidates so well matched to the job that they stand in stark contrast to those workers who would simply draw a paycheck and bring little or no passion, creativity, or leadership to the role. Game-changers perform at crunch time, while others stand by and watch-which type of candidate do you prefer to hire?

Dr. Jason E. Taylor is the Chief Science Officer at PeopleAnswers Inc. Following a successful college football career and coaching stint at Division I and II universities, Taylor refocused his coaching and recruiting passion from the football field to the world of talent assessments in business. Since receiving his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, Dr. Taylor has pioneered the development of several assessment technologies since the late 1990s. His research on web-based selection systems has been published within the scientific community. His historical perspective, expertise, and track record of delivering bottom-line results to organizations further establish him as a leading thought leader in the development, implementation, and validation of behaviorally-based selection and development tools. He is an active member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Society of Industrial Organizational Psychology (SIOP). Visit the PeopleAnswers site at http://www.peopleanswers.com

10 Popular Interview Questions - What's the Hidden Meaning?

2012-01-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

Interview Preparation is essential if you want to be offered the job but many organisations start an interview with popular interview questions which seem easy to answer. However some of the most innocent popular interview questions can get a candidate to relax and 'open up' revealing personal information about themselves which they should not have shared. In an interview there's no such thing as an innocent interview question even if you're asked it by an assistant on the way to or from the interview room! Depending on the organisation, the ten popular interview questionsbelow might be asked in a slightly different way but the motivation behind the questions is the same. Interview preparation will ensure that you always have a good interview answer to hand.

Q1. What have you been up to since you left your job?

Saying, 'I've had a chance to catch up on all the chores to do around the house' is not a good interview answer. An organisation wants to employ people who are energetic, self-motivated, and determined. The longer you have been out of work the more important it is for you to show that you have managed your time well. This might mean volunteering for work where you can use your skills and abilities, attending courses so that you upgrade your skills, and being active in a business or professional network.

Q2. How long have you been looking for a job?

Unfortunately it is true that the longer you are out of work the more difficult it is to be offered a job and you lose interview self-confidence. With this popular interview question the potential employer wants to know whether there something wrong with the candidate that has been out of work for a long time. When there's a chance that you might be 'out of work' for a considerable time it is important to give yourself a deadline and then consider taking a job which might be a contract position, or a job in another area of the country. Even consider a job where you're over qualified. All jobs at every level can be used to promote a candidate so don't feel that taking a job below your qualifications means that this will be held against you in the future. Being seen as a pragmatist and a hard worker will help you to stand out against the competition for a job.

Q3. Why do you want this job?

This is a very popular interview question but saying, 'because you saw the advert is not a good interview answer', even if it's true. It's a buyers market and a potential employer wants to employ a person who is keen and enthusiastic to work with them. If they find a candidate who's genuinely interested in their company then they believe that they're more likely to stay and succeed in the new job. The candidate who prepares for the interview by reading up on the organization and demonstrates an understanding of their strategy, management team and current issues is more likely to capture the interest of the interviewer. Find something specific about the company that complements your own experience and ambitions. It is even more impressive if you've 'gone out of your way' to understand the organization such as talking to other employees or their customers. To interview brilliantly check out these 27 Interview Tips.

Q4. What do you consider to be you greatest achievement?

In an interview, candidates tend to smile and nod a lot. The potential employer is interested in getting to know the 'real' you and whether you're going to fit within the culture and role of their organisation. Asking about your achievements is a popular interview question. The achievement you choose to talk about says a great deal about you and your personality. A good interview answer is to choose an accomplishment that relate to the position you're applying for. If this isn't obvious pick an accomplishment that required some of the same strengths that will be needed for the job. If you're applying for a leadership position in a task goal orientated culture then the interviewer is going to be impressed by someone who is motivated by achieving a project or goal and inspires others around them. In an entrepreneurial organisation a 'creative mind' will be more appreciated. The ability to 'think on one's feet' will be considered critical to a high level of success within their organisation.

Q5. What salary did you earn in your last job?

Companies will frequently find different ways to ask an interview question to determine the candidate's salary requirements. Your last salary is a good way for them to determine whether they can afford you. If the salary the organisation is offering is considerably lower than your previous salary they'll have concerns over whether you will stay in the job. If this is the case, then a good interview answer is to convince them that you are prepared to live on a lower salary and why. Sometimes, companies will ask the candidates, 'what salary do you require? If this is too high for their budget they will look at other applicants. A good interview answer is to say that you are willing to start on a lower salary with bonuses driven by targets. This gives them savings on their budget and a safety net if the candidate does not achieve as well as expected.

Q6. What do you think is your weakness?

One of the most important tasks of the interviewer is to find a candidate who they would like to work with and who is likely to get on with other people in their organisation. Candidates often try to answer this popular interview question with a positive trait disguised as a weakness. For example, 'I'm a bit of a perfectionist' or 'I tend to work too hard and expect others to do the same'. An interviewer is looking for someone who has a level of maturity and self-awareness as this is an important trait for creating empathy and working with people. To stand out from other candidates a good interview answer is to mention a genuine weakness, and then emphasize what you've done to overcome or manage your weakness. This is evidence of a truly confident person who takes personal responsibility for themselves.

Q7. Give me an example of when you found working with someone difficult?

By asking this popular interview question, the interviewer is acknowledging that we can all have a problem working with people some of the time. This is a popular question for revealing any prejudices that the candidate might have. Today it is essential that an interviewer employs a candidate who is comfortable working with people from a diverse range of ethnic, cultural, ages and religious backgrounds. A good interview answer would be to mention a specific person who you found difficult to work with rather than a group of people. Give a specific example such as a person resisting change on one project. Importantly, demonstrate the difficulty and how you resolved the issue.

Q8. What will you be doing in five years time?

Ambition and drive are great qualities in a candidate as it demonstrates energy to persevere and reach goals even in tough times. However, an organisation also wants to see signs of stability and loyalty to employers. If your CV shows that you've moved every eighteen months or so the interviewer is likely to need reassuring that you're not going to 'jump ship' to a competitor in a year from now. A good interview answer is to talk about the opportunities you've researched within their organisation and your ambitions to excel within it, particularly if you can refer to employees within their organisation. Setting Clear Objectives before you go for an interview is useful otherwise you can waste time applying for jobs you're unlikely to get.

Q9. Why are you the best person for the job?

As with answering all the other popular interview questions try and appear confident and likable. A poor interview answer is to just say that you're better than any of the other candidates. You don't know the qualifications or experience of the other candidates! A good interview answer is to focus on three to five specific reasons why you should be hired and briefly substantiate your claims. Remember, to tell the interviewer that you're really enthusiastic about being offered this job and determined to demonstrate the contribution and value you can make to their company. Knowing how to sell yourself is an interview is very great interview skill.

Q10. Is there anything you want me to ask you?

Many firms now ask a similar open ended question. This is not a trick question but just gives the candidate a chance to speak on their own behalf. If you think that there have been any problems in the interview, this is your chance to go back into an area which you think the interviewer may have doubt about you. It is not a good interview answer to say, 'no' as this can show that you're not interested in the job. It can also give you a chance to reiterate a strength which you think is important and might distinguish you from other candidates.

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Job Interviewing - Do's and Dont's - Before, During and After an Interview

2012-01-01T05:12:00.000-08:00

Almost all job seekers recognize the importance of preparing for a job interview. And that means more than just showing up with your resume in hand and a smile on your face. You probably know at least some of the things you should do to get ready. However, have you also thought about what you should not do - before, during and after an interview?

We've compiled a "Top 10-12" list of Do's and Dont's for the before, during and after stages of any job interview. Follow these and you can be assured you'll be ready to make a success of that interview - and confidently and quickly move to the top of the Hiring Manager's "hiring" list.

Before the job interview - before you arrive at the company

1. Do research the company (and the interviewers, if possible) to learn as much as you can. Don't act cocky during the interview to show off your research

2. Do realize that there are different types of job interviews and find out which type you will be having. Don't walk into a surprise!

3. Do review possible interview questions and prepare your responses. Don't memorize your answers or over rehearse so you won't sound rehearsed at the interview.

4. Do role-play if possible with a family member or friend and ask for feedback on your presentation. Don't ask someone who can't be objective, however.

5. Do take a practice run to the interview location to be sure you know exactly where it is and how long it may take you to arrive. Don't get lost (and if for some crazy reason you do get lost on the way, don't say that to the interviewer).

6. Do plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early. Don't arrive any earlier or you may appear desperate. And if you unexpectedly are running late, Do call the interviewer or other company representative to let them know your expected arrival time.

7. Do understand that your interview begins way before you greet the interviewer(s). It actually begins the moment you begin the trip to that interview. Be alert and courteous at all times. You never know who you may interact with as you head to the interview. Don't lose your cool. Be alert and courteous to everyone!

8. Do ask what a company's dress code is and dress the part. Don't assume you automatically know even if the company is similar to a previous employer.

9. Do focus on hygiene. Brush your teeth prior to the interview. Use a mouthwash or have a breath mint. Don't smoke before - or during - the interview, even if the interviewer smokes and offers you a cigarette, etc.

10. Do turn off your cell phone or pager (or put it in silent vibration) and don't turn it back on until the interview is completed.

During the interview - from the moment you arrive until you leave

1. Do greet the receptionist with respect. Here is where you can make a great first impression. Don't assume they won't be asked for their input after you leave.

2. Do complete a job application without comment, if you are given one. Don't balk and say your resume has everything on it.

3. Do bring additional resumes and or job skills "sales brochures" and offer to all interviewers. Don't expect everyone to already have a copy.

4. Do greet interviewer(s) by title; e.g., Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., and last name. Don't assume you know the pronunciation of a last name. If the least unsure, ask the receptionist before going into the interview.

5. Do shake hands with anyone who offers their hand. Shake their hand firmly. Don't have a limp or clammy handshake; and wait until you are offered a seat before sitting down. And remember that body language often speaks louder than words. Sit upright; be alert and look interested at all times. Make good eye contact with the interview. Don't slouch, fidget, become distracted or stare at the interviewer.

6. Do demonstrate enthusiasm for the company and job; and a high level of energy and confidence. Don't be soft-spoken, overly assertive or appear anxious or desperate to get the job (or just any job to become employed), however.

7. Do sell yourself. Make certain that your accomplishments come across to the interviewer(s) in a way that sincerely speaks directly to their company's needs. Show how you can benefit their company. Don't expect your application or resume to do the sales job for you, and don't offer any negative information about yourself.

8. Do take advantage of your time with the interviewer to evaluate them and their company as a potential employer and your mutual "fit". Don't overlook an opportunity to ask questions as you may appear as though you are not interested.

9. Do answer questions completely. Answer truthfully and succinctly but no "yes" or "no" answers. Offer examples, explanations; showcase your talents, skills, and accomplishments. Don't over-answer, however. Know when to stop.

10. Do be ready for the unexpected questions. To give yourself time to think, repeat the question or ask the interviewer to repeat it. A brief 1-2 second pause is OK. Don't however, fall back on long, uncomfortable pauses or statements such as, "Wow, that's a good one!" which make you appear unprepared.

11. Do attempt to delay any discussion about salary, vacations, bonuses, etc., until after you have an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary requirements with a generic response. If you know the salary range the company is offering and it is acceptable to you say, "I'm sure we can find agreement within your salary range." Don't initiate the discussion.

12. Do constantly act as if you are determined to get the job and never close the door on an opportunity until you are positive it is not for you. Don't shoot yourself in the foot if you want the opportunity by bringing us personal issues, controversial topics, anything negative about former colleagues and employers, telling jokes, using poor language, chewing gum

Closing the interview and afterwards - your work is not done just because the interview is

1. Do close the interview by expressing your interest in the job. Ask what the next steps are, and when the company will make a hiring decision. If appropriate based on how the interview has gone, close the sale - ask for the job. Don't jump the gun, however.

2. Do ask for business cards from each person you interviewed with. Don't make assumptions about even simple names; get the spelling if you can't get the card.

3. Do capture the highpoints of the interview immediately after. Don't forget crucial details.

4. Do have an action plan in place based on a strong, well-thought out interview follow-up strategy. This can give you a huge competitive advantage over others who interviewed for the job and don't follow-up. Don't let this be a haphazard activity with no structure; just a letter here, a call there. There's no better way to lose an opportunity than to give follow-up little importance. And there's no better tool to use to reinforce the benefits you can bring a company than recognizing and using the real value of follow-up.

5. Do write thank you letters within 24 hours to each person who interviewed you to continue to show your interest and enthusiasm for the company and job, without sounding desperate. Don't fail to send a thank you, even if the job is not a good fit for you.

6. Do focus on the content of the thank you letters, not so much on whether it's hand-written or typed. Show appreciation for the company's interest in you and remind those receiving your thank you letter why you are the uniquely qualified candidate for the position. Don't send the thank you letter through the incorrect medium, however; make sure you know the best way to reach those interviewers - regular mail, email, fax, a phone call., etc. And don't have any errors in your thank you notes.

7. Do alert your references, if you haven't already, that they may receive a call from your prospective employer. Don't forget to brief them on what was said - by you and the interviewers - during the interview.

8. Do continue to follow-up, especially if requested by interviewer(s). Don't go overboard however. There's a huge difference between a squeaky wheel getting the oil, and an annoying pest getting the flyswatter.

9. Do be patient. You must work with the company's timeline. Don't however, stop your job search - even if you're confident you'll get the job. Continue to seek out other opportunities and interview. This can benefit you in at least two ways:

a. Should you get the job, you can leverage other offers in your job offer negotiations

b. Should you not get the job, you'll have other opportunities to pursue

10. Do turn a negative situation (not getting the job) into a positive (getting a referral). Add the interviewers to your job search network. Nurture this budding relationship so that you can ask them to refer you to other contacts. Don't, in other words, ever burn any of the bridges you build in your job search. Always think of ways to use them - and to reciprocate. Doing so, can benefit you now and in the future - for any other job search needs as well as growing your career.

There you have it, the top Do's and Don'ts for acing your interview.

Pat Andrew is a managing partner of Andrew-Hill LLC, the parent company of Winning-Job Seeker Strategies.

She has strong business qualifications with an impressive track record of more than 25 years of hands-on experience in marketing, human resource management, strategic planning, business development, and project management. She has provided consulting services to federal government agencies as well as Fortune 500 firms.

Winning Job Seeker Strategies.com is dedicated to helping people master the challenges of finding a job and growing a career. Offerings include: free informative and useful articles and videos, along with self-paced, home study coaching programs to build a powerhouse job search.

Through professionalism, experience, and talent we assist our customers in building sustainable job search and career programs that increase their timely success and reduce the wear and tear on their work and personal lives.

For a free report on how you can put your job search interviews into overdrive, visit us at: http://www.winning-jobseekerstrategies.com/frontpage/interview-q-and-a-report-request/