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Author: Rebecca Metschke

“I wish I would have said….”

We’ve all had that moment (or, as the case may be, those moments). Whether 5 minutes later or the following day, the amazing comeback or witty response pops into your head after the fact. Too little, too late.

Obviously, lapses like this aren’t limited to everyday conversations; they happen during interviews, too.

You’re asked a question, your brain freezes up - so you stumble and give a weak response.

Later, when you’re more relaxed and you’ve had some time to think it over, the right words pop into your head. You know exactly what you should have said. Why did this not come to you when you needed it? You just know it would have been a slam dunk answer!

But you blew it. And there are no do-overs when it comes to interviews.

You’ve got one chance to make the right impression…one opportunity to convince the person you’re talking with that you’re the person they ought to hire.

You need to try to anticipate everything you might be asked and know how you’re going to respond. You must be able to articulate what’s unique about you - why should they hire you and not the next person? (They’re not going to coax it out of you…) You need to be able to speak to and support every line on your resume. You’ve got to do your homework and thoroughly research the company.

The better prepared you are, the less likely you are to fumble your responses. Or worse yet, find yourself at a total loss for words.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Don’t let it happen to you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/interview-regrets-the-great-reply-that-comes-too-late-884306.html

Author: Tina Pestalozzi

Whether you are facing your first job interview or have a couple behind you, here are a few pointers to help you navigate the interview process.

Plan ahead for the interview – to arrive a few minutes early with a couple of black or blue ink pens and to be prepared for basic questions you might be asked. Although there are hundreds of possible questions an interviewer may throw out to you, what they are most likely trying to find out is how dependable you are, if you’re a hard worker, if you are easy to get along with, and what kind of skills, if any, you can bring to the job. Keep those things in mind as you frame your answers to the questions you are asked. Think ahead how you would answer the questions “Tell me about yourself” or “What are your greatest strengths?”

Once you are fortunate enough to get an interview, remember only a true emergency should keep you from showing up at the scheduled appointment on time. Excuses like, “I couldn’t make it because the friend who was going to give me a ride was waiting for her brother to get back from…. etc.” will help a potential employer decide you are not the candidate for the job. Sometimes you may be asked to call or return several times before you are told whether or not you have the job. Don’t give up, and be sure you follow up, since this may be a test to see how dependable you are and how well you follow instructions.

During your interview remember attitude is everything. It’s why an employer may hire you instead of someone who is just as smart or just as qualified. The proper attitude shows that you are positive and eager to please. It’s caring enough not only to be on time, but to arrive several minutes early. It’s wanting the job bad enough to make a good impression. Your clothes should be clean, pressed and appropriate. Men, now is the time to tuck in your shirt and put on a tie. Women, dress conservatively. Forget about wearing tank tops or shorts. Every part of you needs to be clean and look well-groomed and well put together. You are projecting how you feel about yourself by the way you dress and present yourself.

• Watch your posture. It might be a bit hard to appear relaxed yet energetic and eager at the same time, but you can do it. Greet your interviewer properly – which means with a smile, a greeting (such as “thank you for seeing me”), a correct handshake, and direct eye contact. Make sure you introduce yourself by using both your first and last names.

• Maintain good direct eye contact during your interview. This indicates you are focused and interested. Do not stare; just appear to be listening and friendly.

• Sit when you are instructed to do so. Don’t slump, fidget, play with your hands, cross your legs, or tap your feet. Just sit up straight in the chair with both feet flat on the floor.

• Be mindful not to interrupt.

• Answer all questions completely and honestly. Don’t say you have experience when you do not. Don’t say you know how to do something if you know you don’t. Never lie. Answer all questions in complete sentences, which will help to keep you from appearing indifferent.

• Try to emphasize your dependability and your willingness to work hard.

• Show interest! Ask questions, such as “What would my duties be during a typical workday?” or “What is most important to do well in this job?”

• Discuss your strengths, skills and accomplishments, not how much money you want. Let the interviewer bring up salary, even if it’s approached in a subsequent interview.

When the interview is over, make sure you smile, shake hands again and say thank you. Immediately after the interview write and mail a short well-written letter, thanking the interviewer for the time given you, and restating your interest in the position. This is an additional opportunity to impress the interviewer and to project the positive attitude employers are looking for.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/life-skills-101-first-timers-job-interview-success-869432.html

Author: Julia Penny

Telephone job interviews are becoming more and more popular. Organizations are receiving increasing numbers of job applications for each opening and the phone interview provides a cost-effective and time-efficient means of initially screening out unsuitable applicants. Using phone interviews allows employers to be selective about the candidates they invite for a face to face interview. Use these important tips to get the most out of the phone interview.

Be prepared

Unlike a planned face to face interview telephone job interviews can come at any time. Sometimes you will get a call to schedule the interview but often they call hoping to interview you straight away. Prepare an interview portfolio that you keep with you. It should include details of the job opening, a copy of your resume, background research information, some key words you have prepared for answering likely phone interview questions and a list of good questions to ask the interviewer.

Practice your phone skills

If you don’t feel confident about how you come across over the phone you can practice answering questions with a friend over the phone. Ask for honest feedback and work on any areas for improvement. Or you can record yourself and listen to how you sound. Check your voice pattern, the level of enthusiasm in your voice, the clarity and pace of your speech. It is common to talk too quickly during the phone interview. Take a conscious pause before you answer the question and between sentences.

Pay close attention to the interviewers verbal message

You have no non-verbal cues from the interviewer to help you to understand how you are coming across. Instead you need to pay close attention to their voice pattern and tone. Listen very carefully and maintain a high level of concentration throughout the call. If you sense that the interviewer’s attention is wandering bring them back with a well-timed question.

Make sure the place you take the call is free from any distractions. Preferably sit at a table where you can lay out your portfolio documents and take notes. A relaxed but upright posture helps you to breathe properly and improves voice clarity.

Monitor your rate of talking

Speak slowly and clearly. Avoid interrupting the interviewer and make sure they have finished their question by waiting a few seconds before you answer. Give yourself time to organize your thoughts before answering. You can rephrase or repeat the question to give yourself time to think about your answer. People fail in telephone job interviews because they tend to dominate the conversation and speak too fast. Don’t feel you have to fill the silences. Breaks in conversation happen and are usually because the interviewer is making notes are referring to you resume. Allow time for this.

Close the call

Ask the interviewer if there is any other information they require. Restate your interest in the position and find out what happens next. Get the correct name and title of the interviewer for your thank you note. Follow up with a thank you within 24 hours of the phone interview.

The goal of the phone interview is to get the face to face interview. Be well prepared for the call and stand out from the competition.

The Telephone Interview Guide includes common phone interview questions, phone interview tips and techniques and helps you to succeed in your phone interview.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/win-in-telephone-job-interviews-823667.html

Author: Bob Stanley

Job interviewing is a critical part of an individual’s job search. This is the time to sell your skills and experiences. It is critically important to practice prior to your interviews. Job seekers only get one chance in an interview. A job hunting Best Practice is to practice interviewing with a friend or career coach. This will help you prepare properly and get you focused on winning the interview for that perfect job.

1. Research the company before the interview.

You should be familiar with the company you are applying to. Review company profile, annual reports, mission, vision, and other relevant information that the interviewer might ask.

2. Practice with some common questions and answers.

Prepare and rehearse responses to frequently asked questions during interviews. Practice in front a mirror or with an audience such as your friends, family members or ideally an expert. They can provide feedback of what to do and not to do during job interviews.

3.Respect the time of your interviewer.

Time is gold in every business or institution because everyone is busy with their respective duties. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. This way you will have time to relax and not look stressed before the interview as well as not waste the interviewer’s time.

4. Display confidence in your behavior and the way you communicate.

The interviewer can easily perceive if you are confident through your posture, dress, walk, energy, and eye contact. Greet the employer with a firm handshake. Let the interviewer start the dialogue and listen carefully. Always welcome questions with a smile. Before answering the question, think and develop answers in your head. Ask the interviewer to restate a question if you are confused. Most importantly, give honest and direct answers.

5. Demonstrate positive statements and attitude.

Smile, be polite, and try to relax during the interview. The attitudes that you express must express that you are willing to work. You must also exhibit willingness to expand your knowledge. You must remember that employers like to hear your plan for future development and commitment to learning.

6. If you have worked before, talk about what you have learned from it.

Review your previous work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the company’s needs.

7. Encourage the interviewer to share about the company information.

Demonstrate your interest by encouraging the interviewer to share information about the company. This way the interviewer will appreciate your interest to the company and your willingness to be a part of their team.

8. Bring extra Personal Data Sheet or Work Portfolio.

An attractive personal data sheet or work portfolio provides additional information that your prospective employer might want to hold on to for future references.

9. End the interview positively.

The end of the interview is the time to let the prospective employer know if you are interested in the job or not. A positive end to the interview is a way of ensuring your success. At this time restate your strengths and accomplishments that you have emphasized during the interview. Express also your appreciation for the interviewer’s time.

10. Review and evaluate your interview’s strengths and weaknesses following your interview.

Evaluating your strengths and weaknesses immediately after the job interview. If you don’t get the job consider asking the interviewer what you did well and in what areas you will need improvement.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/best-job-interview-tips-how-to-quickly-get-a-job-801002.html

Author: Dewey Kearney

Whether you’re preparing for a job interview, writing that resume, preparing to give a speech before a crowd, or writing up a business presentation, it is critically important for you to make sure everything is correct. When it comes to your career, you can’t afford to make any mistakes.

Using improper English during a job interview, as well as on your job resume can cause you not to get the job. If you are giving a speech, using improper English will make your audience think you’re uneducated. If you submit a written proposal to your superiors, and it is written with improper English, it may very likely be rejected. As you can see, failure is not an option.

Here are some of the most common English mistakes that can destroy your chances of career advancement, or you chances of getting the job you want.

· The first of these mistakes is pronouncing words incorrectly. While this mistake may sound easy to avoid, it is one of the most common mistakes that people make. I had a friend that used the word obsese instead of obese. Was she a dummy? Certainly not - just not careful. To become a master at English, it is not enough for you to know a word, or understand its definition. You must also be able to say it correctly. When you fail to pronounce a word correctly, even if people think you’re somewhat intelligent for using the word in the right way, you will be criticized for not saying the word properly. One of the best ways to correct this issue is to break the word down into its syllables, and pronounce it accordingly. This is how we teach children to read and speak English. By breaking a word down we can sound each piece out until we know it well enough to say it correctly every time.

· The Use of Slang Terms

The second mistake you can make is using slang words. Those who use these words are often seen as being unintelligent or at least illiterate in the business sense. Unless you are speaking to an audience that doesn’t mind if you use slang, you will want to avoid using it at all costs. While slang may sound cool when you’re talking with your friends, you will not want to use slang words during a job interview, during a speech, and definitely not on your job resume. If you do, it is very likely that you just killed your chances of being successful. There is nothing wrong with simplicity. But being over-simple by trying use slang just makes you sound like you didn’t get a good education.

Many people try to sound sophisticated by speaking with complex sentences. This can be extremely risky. When you speak with complex sentences, you increase the chances of mixing up the words. With English, you can be simple, but sophisticated at the same time. People will be much more receptive to the things you have to say if you speak in every day language (just not slang). Unless you are highly skilled, avoid the use of complex sentences.

· A Failure to Speak or Write Carefully

This is a mistake that gets a lot of people in trouble. They speak without taking the time to think carefully about the words that come out of their mouth. Not only can this cause your audience to become confused, it may also cause them to become offended if you say the wrong things. We all have been guilty of this from time to time and it is something to carefully watch.

When I say speak or write carefully, I am talking about grammar as well as the impression you make on your listeners or readers. Unfortunately this is something that many of our schools don’t teach well. I have a very good friend, a college graduate from the University of California who writes terribly. Why? I am not sure, but I know that when she was doing business proposals she would always send them to my wife (an English major) to correct the grammar. Without the corrections our friend would have seemed illiterate, yet she isn’t. And she does not speak like she writes. Interesting isn’t it? She is brilliant but a poor speller.

Conclusion

These are the basic mistakes that people make when they speak or write. This is extremely important when you prepare your job resume. It can literally be the difference between getting the job you want or not.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/english-mistakes-that-can-kill-your-chances-of-getting-a-job-777495.html

Author: Julia Penny

Job interview follow up is a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm and suitability. Most candidates neglect to follow up on their job interviews. Set yourself apart from the competition by following these five easy steps to follow up professionally on your interview.

Immediately after the Job Interview

Get the correct details of the interviewer. You need their full title, full name and contact information. Either get a business card or ask the receptionist when you leave the interview. Failing this, phone Human Resources for this information. Make notes about the interview straight after you are finished. Focus on all the important details of the interview. Note any problem areas that you need to consider. You will use all this information when writing your thank you letter and when following up later with the company.

If you have gone to the interview through a recruiter you should call the recruiter immediately after the interview to give feedback. Find out what the next step is.

Send a Thank You Letter

The reality is that very few candidates bother to send an interview thank you letter. Set yourself apart by sending a professionally written thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview. Use the correct contact details and check the spelling of the interviewer’s name. Find out the best way to reach the recipient - email, by hand or by post.

If you had a panel interview write individual letters to each person who interviewed you, keeping the essentials the same but briefly personalizing each one.

Use good quality paper and envelopes. Use plain paper as colored stationary usually looks unprofessional. If you have letterhead stationary use it.

Contact your References

Let your references know that they will probably be contacted soon by the company. Provide them with details about the job and company so they have an opportunity to think about what they can tell the company to provide evidence of your suitability. Use your post interview notes to check if there are any areas you want to brief them on.

Make the follow up call

At the close of the job interview you probably found out what happens next in the interview process. If you know approximately the time frame for the hiring decision you will have a better idea of how soon to follow up. If they told you they expect to make the decision within the next week you will need to follow up more quickly, probably after a couple of days. If it is a longer time frame or they were not specific it is generally advisable to wait about a week before contacting them.
Whatever the time frame do not wait for the interviewer to contact you. You need to make contact to know what is happening and to keep yourself in contention for the job. Use this follow up call or email to thank them again for the opportunity to interview and to restate your enthusiasm for the job. Ask for more information on the status of the hiring decision.

Continue with your Job Search

Even if you are convinced this is the position for you it is never a good idea to rely on one opportunity, there are no guarantees that you will get the job. Exploring other job opportunities will help you when making the final decision about taking the job if you are offered it. You will be in a better position to evaluate the job offer in terms of the current job market.

You never know when a better job opportunity may come up if you carry on searching while waiting for the hiring decision! An alternative job prospect puts you in a position of strength when asking for interview feedback and when negotiating a job offer.

The successful candidate does not sit back once the interview is over. Proactive job interview follow up shows both your commitment and your professionalism to the company and helps to set you up for success.

For free sample interview thank you letters and emails.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/job-interview-follow-up-five-simple-steps-to-success-758154.html

Author: Damen Choy - the Career Expert

Despite all the advances in technology and communications these days, the traditional rules still hold when it comes to interview techniques that will get you hired. Whether you’re applying to a global corporation or a small company, the most important part of an interview is that you have a winning presentation. This is usually the key factor in determining whether you get the job.

Once you have created an effective resume and have sent your resume to prospective employers, the next step is to try and obtain an interview. This can be done by phone or in person. Chances are you will first meet an administrative assistant or receptionist. This person could be the key to your future in terms of helping you to get an interview or providing information about the company, so remember to be polite and friendly.

Once an interview is scheduled, your personal appearance and behavior are critical factors which could decide whether your job search is successful.

Here are 7 important steps to help you improve your interview techniques.

Interview Techniques #1 — Proper Preparation

To make sure you’re on time for the interview, find out ahead of time where the interview is and how to get there. Give yourself plenty of time to get dressed and get there on time. As a matter of courtesy, make sure your cell phone is turned off before the interview.

Plan to dress in a manner which is appropriate for the job. Your appearance will determine the first impression the interviewer has of you. Take care in your grooming before the interview, and be aware of your body language during the interview. Good posture will help to give an overall good impression.

Interview Techniques #2 — Do the Research

Use every possible resource to learn about a company before you interview there. You should be prepared to answer question about why you’re interested in the company or what you’ve heard about it. Make sure you know what the company does and if possible a little bit about its history. Be familiar with the company profile.

While it’s a good idea to prepare some answers to questions ahead of time, avoid memorizing your responses. You need to sound unscripted and as natural as possible. Rehearse an overview of what you want to say, but keep it spontaneous.

Interview Techniques #3 — Keep your Cool

When you meet the interviewer, remember to look him or her in the eye and be prepared to return a handshake if offered. A polite greeting and friendly smile are in order. Only take a seat after it’s offered. Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Keep your demeanor and comments positive.

Interview Techniques #4 — Sell Yourself

As you’re being interviewed, answer all questions as honestly as possible. Honesty and sincerity are both important interview techniques. Make your answers concise and not unnecessarily wordy. Do your best to convey to the interviewer what type of employee you will be and what you will offer the company. When asked about previous employers, stay as positive as possible.

If this is your first job, don’t be intimidated by your lack of experience. Emphasize your skills and talents, and let the employer know that you are confident and eager to learn.

One of the most important interview techniques is to see through the eyes of the employer. If you were the one doing the hiring, what qualities would you look for? What benefit would the employer gain in hiring you?

Lastly, don’t be afraid to sell yourself, but at the same time avoid the appearance of over confidence. Project an air of confidence without sounding like a know-it-all.

Interview Techniques #5 — Ask the Right Questions

Show the interviewer that you know the right questions to ask. Express an interest in knowing exactly what your responsibilities will be. If you come across an interviewer who does all of the talking, don’t be intimidated. Politely try to ask questions which will give you the chance to discuss your qualifications for the job.

Interview Techniques #6 — The Wrap Up

As the interview comes to a close, make sure that you’ve covered all the important points. This is not the time to ask about salary and benefits. Save those questions for the job offer or follow up interview.

Summarize you strengths and skills and re-emphasize your positive traits. Find out what the next steps are in the interview and job decision process. Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you and make sure to leave a final good impression.

Interview Techniques #7 — The Follow Up

After the interview, another of the important interview techniques is to follow up with a thank you note to each person who interviewed you. Thank him or her for their time and for giving you the opportunity to apply for a job.

For details on these and other winning techniques, refer to the Interview Techniques section of InstantCareerAdvice.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/7-interview-techniques-that-will-get-you-hired-793223.html

Author: Damen Choy - the Career Expert

No matter how well you have prepared for your interview, chances are you would be confronted with questions you don’t know how to answer. In this case, don’t get nervous. You have to accept that you are not invincible. And sometimes it might just be a trick your interviewers use to test how you respond to difficult and tough questions on the spot. They want to observe your behaviour under embarrassing and difficult situations.

Use the Seek-And-Reply technique. It allows you to

• Understand more clearly the interviewers’ question.
• Gain rapport with your interviewers and engage them in your presentation
• Take control of your answer presentation to achieve your desired performance

How to use the Seek-And-Reply technique?

Whenever you encounter a question that you don’t know how to answer, follow the procedures:

Think of the best PRELIMINARY answer to the question.

Break down your PRELIMINARY answer into 2 to 3 points.

Begin your answer by using diplomatic language like a politician. For example, “I DO NOT HAVE THE COMPLETE PICTURE BUT I DO THINK…..”, “AS FAR AS I CAN FIGURE IT OUT”, “TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE”, “IF I DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOU FULLY, I HOPE I CAN ANSWER IT IN THIS WAY……”

Here is a demonstration:

I do not have the “COMPLETE PICTURE”, so “to the best of my UNDERSTANDING AND COMPREHENSION”, I would like to express my opinion herein as……………………………………

Then you can go on to explain the first point of your PRELIMINARY answer. Make a short pause after point one and ask the interviewers:

“CAN YOU FOLLOW WHAT I AM SAYING?”

“AM I IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?”

“DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS SO FAR?”

You are now passing the “turn” to the interviewers. They are “guided” by you to provide further information and the “answers” in their mind.

Your strategy is to dig out what is in their mind when they are asking the difficult question.

So give your fair “share” of the answer and ask them for their “share” as well.

Repeat the above procedures for point 2 and 3 of your preliminary answer.

Of course, you can quickly adapt your answers to the information they contribute under your guidance. Now you know how to answer difficult questions by using Seek-And-Reply technique.

Seek their minds before your Reply to their questions.

Use this technique to take control of a job interview.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/how-to-answer-difficult-interview-questions-without-knowing-the-answers-795370.html

Author: Julia Penny

Know how to job interview. In the highly competitive environment of today’s job market you need to make a strong impression in your initial meeting with a recruiter or prospective employer. These steps will help you to market yourself as a top job candidate.

Find out about the company

Demonstrating your knowledge about the company shows that you have seriously considered your decision to apply for the job. It also indicates your respect and appreciation of the company’s and interviewer’s time. Search the company or organization’s website, get hold of company brochures, media releases and annual reports. Read through staff biographies. Identify the corporate culture, the challenges and opportunities facing the company and its latest results. Find out what you can about the organizational structure, its senior management and its current status in the industry.

Find out about the interview

Get as much information as you can about the interviewer/s. Find out the likely format of the interview - will it a be a traditional type job interview or should you prepare for a behavioral interview? This will help you prepare properly and reduce any nervousness you may have about the interview. If you are going through a recruiter get these details from them on how to job interview for this particular company. Or you can try to determine this form the job ad or posting. For example if the posting lists key competencies for the position it would be wise to prepare for behavioral interview questions that explore these competencies.

Find out what you are interviewing for

Find out as much about the position you are interviewing for as possible. Carefully review the job description, the tasks and responsibilities involved and the expectations and abilities required of the successful candidate. Reflecting on these details will help you to align your experience and skills with the job requirements. You can then prepare interview answers that clearly market you as the right candidate.

Find out if this is the right organizational fit

Evaluate whether this is the right fit for you and the company. Ask yourself questions such as “Can I do this work with the knowledge and skills I have?”, “Will I enjoy this type of work?”, “What kind of contribution can I make to this company?” Use your answers to develop a powerful marketing statement about your suitability for the job. This exercise will also help you to believe in yourself as the right job candidate. Self-belief is an essential component of successfully marketing yourself.

Find out how best to market yourself in the interview

This is key to knowing how to job interview. Preparing interview answers to frequently asked job interview questions, developing a list of good insightful questions to ask the interviewer, thinking about positive behavioral examples to use in the job interview and feeling confident that you are a strong candidate for the job all contribute to your powerful marketing strategy. Ask a friend or family member to conduct the interview with you. Through practice and feedback you will become comfortable with the way you market yourself as the right job candidate.

Use the common interview questions and answers guide to prepare for your job interview.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/how-to-job-interview-in-todays-job-market-771228.html

Author: Catherine Z Jones

It’s becoming increasingly common to have a second job interview these days and sometimes even a third or fourth!

Since it can be very costly to train new hires, companies want to prevent wasting money on employees who are less than suitable for the position. They prefer taking more time in the selection process than hiring the wrong person!

Many companies will put prospective employees through as many as three interviews routinely, reducing the number of applicants in each round, down to as few as two or three jobseekers for the final round of interviews.

For government positions, this may be far more complex, consisting of as many as 7 interviews!

The first round will be a very typical sort of interview. Applicants who do not meet the criteria of the employer will not being asked back for the second job interview.

The second round of interviews and all interviews which follow will examine the qualifications of applicants in more depth, with the following areas being assessed.

• Intellectual capacity - the intelligence of the applicant will be evaluated, generally by using aptitude tests which are relevant to the position.
• Personality or psychological summary - This is meant to assess the professionalism and suitability of the applicant for the position.
• Motivation - the determination of the candidate needs to be evaluated.
• Management ability - this is to determine the capabilities of the candidate to cope with the workload of other employees and their ability to delegate.

These are the criteria which will you will usually be evaluated on in multiple interviews. Fortunately, you can prepare for most of these ahead of time.

We can show you how to prepare for your second job interview.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/second-job-interview-preparation-595692.html