How to conduct an effective and professional interview

To conduct a successful interview is to obtain all of the information from your subject in a courteous and open-minded fashion. Whether you are interviewing someone for a paper you are writing, or interviewing them for a job, these tips will help you achieve your goal.

If you must go to your subject's office or home, please call ahead to confirm the appointment. Be courteous to the person's office staff if you have a chance to speak with them on the phone. Being nice to a secretary or administrative assistant can pay dividends down the road.

On the day of your interview, arrive at your location between ten to fifteen minutes ahead of the scheduled time. Doing so gives you two advantages. First, you are giving the subject the impression that you are prepared and that this interview means a lot to you. Secondly, you can finalize any notes you have or jot down last minutes questions for the interview. Apologizing for being late is simply not the way to begin.

More than anything, the first two or three questions should set the tone for the interview. Make them strong. Do not be afraid to exchange pleasantries at first, including asking the subject about his or her background in order to make them feel comfortable. However, once the interview is underway, make your first impression count. If you have researched thoroughly, you should have no problem.

Listen to your subject's answers carefully. Do not be afraid to pose follow-up questions. Should your subject pose an intriguing answer or leave an answer incomplete, do not be in a hurry to move on. Give him or her five seconds to fill in the blanks. You will be surprised at how them may attempt to fill the gap.

If your interview subject is moving away from a certain topic or wants to change the subject, do not resist. However, this does not mean that you cannot revisit the material later. Should you have the time, take a coffee or soda break. Later, open the topic up to discussion again. There may be rumors floating around about your subject, and you may have a chance to clear them up. Approach your subject in this manner. Get them to view you as an ally. If you have two interviews scheduled with your subject, bring up the topic in the second one.

Whatever answers your subject gives, never act overtly surprised or taken aback. Doing so may cause the person to realize how much of an impression they have made. They may take back what they said, or attempt to minimize its impact. Remaining unmoved by a response may cause your subject to add even more detail than his or her original response contained. At the end of the interview, always thank your subject for his or her time, both orally and in the form of a thank you note or letter.

These tips, combined with preparation and research on your subject, will lead you to a provacative yet professional interview.

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Top 10 Tips for Entertaining Job Interviews

Written by Craig Travis Jun 07, 2009 www.jobsarticle.com

The entertainment interview may be done in many ways, but the most common is an interview over a meal (generally lunch or breakfast, but sometimes a dinner) and it can include a one-on-one, but more often than not includes several interviewers who have a stake in your hiring. Why would they want to interview over a meal? There is any number of reasons; but always chief among them is the opportunity to observe and seriously scrutinize you.

#1 Be fully prepared.

Do not mistake this sort of interview for a chance to get a free lunch or it is for your enjoyment and pleasure. It is not. In fact, you must look at every type of interview, no matter how casual or informal it may seem, as the most important one of your career and there is no room for error. Treat each and every one with the seriousness of any other one you have ever had.

#2 Be on your best behavior.

If the position you are applying for is a high profile one and requires entertaining clients regularly, then this is a perfect opportunity for the interview team to see how you behave. What sort of table manners do you have? Do you know your table etiquette? Do you possess social etiquette and manners? Do you drink too much? Are you a sloppy eater? Do you have the good sense to know how to act in such a situation? Do you know how to put others at ease? Can you carry a conversation? Are you interesting? Can you sell? At every step of the way do not hesitate to think for a moment that you are not being observed and judged on every word you utter and every move you make. Your behavior is under the spotlight and you had better know how to behave to the highest social and professional standards. That said, you also need to relax and help contribute to a comfortable engagement so the interview will go smoothly and work to your advantage.

#3 Mind your manners.

Remember to be polite; say please and thank you to your fellow diners and serving staff. Do you know what to do when first taking your seat? Immediately place your napkin on your lap when everyone is seated. Sit up straight, keep elbows off the table and avoid resting your arms on the table. Your salad fork is on the far left; your entrée fork will be next to it between the salad fork and your plate while your dessert spoon and fork will be placed on top, above your plate. Liquids are on the right; solids on the left. Thus, your water glass will be on the right and your bread plate will be to the left.

#4 Sharpen your social skills and etiquette.

If you are unsure of your knowledge and practice of social and professional etiquette and manners then ask a close friend, colleague or family member to give you their assessment of you in this regard. Check out a book on the subject as there are many excellent ones out there. Practice your social skills and make sure the right ones become a part of your everyday life. Many firms will remove you from further consideration because you do not have mastery of these skills in your life and these are considered fundamental, essential and critically important to firms that use entertaining as a crucial component to the success of their business.

In fact, the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys organization takes their top cheerleader prospects out to a high end restaurant and orders an array of dishes simply to see how the women behave and eat. How do you eat king crab legs or lobster? What about BBQ ribs and corn on the cob? Can you eat spaghetti without slurping and making a mess? Do you use a spoon, fork, knife or combination thereof to eat your peas? Which is correct? Those who do not know what fork to use for which dish, or do not know when to use their hands rather than choosing a fork or knife, and vice versa, are simply eliminated. Part of organization’s try-out process includes the expectation that every candidate ought to know these fundamental social skills before trying out. After all, management reasons, they are the team’s ambassadors and all of the world’s eyes are watching their every move and listening to every word. It is not their role to teach their employees this proper behavior. You better know it and live it well. Consider your meal interview in the same way. Make sure you know what to do in every situation.

#5 Have a clue; follow the lead of your host.

As a general rule, follow the lead of the interviewer who is your host. Ask what they might recommend to eat. That will give you a clue as to what might be the most appropriate items to order, what they enjoy and can provide the opportunity to discuss a favorite dish to keep the conversation light. Most likely your host will defer to you to place the first order with your waiter. In any case, avoid ordering alcohol, even if your host insists because you want to remain as clear headed as possible throughout the interview process. Instead, order a soft drink or other non-alcoholic beverage as long as it is not a virgin-type non-alcoholic drink (i.e., virgin margarita, virgin bloody mary, etc.).

As for food, stay with simple foods that you know how to eat properly, are not messy and will not get your hands and face messy. Thus, avoid most foods you generally eat with your hands unless it is a very simple sandwich or hamburger. Best, order something simple you can eat with a knife and fork, and will not be messy or require you to eat it awkwardly. Soups are good choices (do not slurp). Eat your soup pushing the spoon away from you as this will lessen any chance of spilling it in your lap.

#6 Watch what you eat.

Opt for the lower to mid-level priced entrees. Be careful about ordering the special recommended by the server because more often than not, that is among the highest priced items on the menu. Keep in mind you are going to be talking throughout and will likely be talking considerably more than the others so you want to have a meal that is easy to cut into small bite size pieces you can easily and quickly chew and swallow before resuming your conversation. Break your dinner roll into small bite-size pieces.

#7 Mind your P’s and Q’s.

Do not talk with food in your mouth and use your napkin frequently to ensure your face remains clean. Your interviewers are watching you and you do not want sauce dripping down your chin unknowingly. If you leave the table, put your napkin on your chair, not on the table, and promptly place it back on your lap when you return. And when you are done, place your utensils at the three o’clock position on your plate so the server knows you are through. The person who invited you is your host for the meal and is expected to pay for it, so allow that person to pick up the tab. But most importantly, graciously say thank you and express how much you enjoyed your meal together.

#8 Remember this is an interview, not a free lunch.

Accept the notion you may not really eat at all, but instead be busy answering questions. Thus, it does not really matter if you eat, but you know how to eat properly. Save your appetite for an after interview meal if you need to. Keep in mind that the meal interview is designed to ascertain your habits, manners, conduct, protocol, proper social behavior and ability, and your customs.

#9 Be careful what you drink.

Included in the entertainment interview type is the cocktail interview, though this is seldom used and is highly unusual. However, if you are asked to meet for drinks, do not take this invitation lightly because you will be under the spotlight even if you think it is to just have a beer with the guys.

It makes good sense to try and avoid this by politely suggesting a meeting later over coffee or at the office. But, if you must accept such an invitation, follow the advice previously given and consider yourself to be the focus of attention. Again, avoid the alcohol and order a soft drink instead.

If your interview insists that you have a drink, and assuming you are not a teetotaler, it may be wiser to say yes as a diplomatic means of moving the interview forward on the proper note. This is a judgment call you can only make in the light of the moment. If you do have a drink, have no more than one. You must remain clearheaded at all times. Remember, this is really not the time to be socializing with the team because you are being interviewed for a job that affects your future, your life and your career. Save the social hour with the team after you have the job.

#10 Be sociable.

Keep in mind that no matter what sort of entertainment venue is chosen for your interview, it is a formal interview and you must be at the top of your game. You are being evaluated at every turn and you must be sure that you are not giving your interviewer any reason to drop you from further consideration. You are competing for a job you highly covet. Be serious and go after it with all of your highly learned skills and tact. That said, you must also have a relaxing social side to you and therefore, you want to be just as at ease as if you were sitting in the interviewer’s office.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Resume Cover Letter Example

Written by Gen Wright Jun 07, 2009 www.jobsarticle.com

In hiring applicants for a vacant position in the organization, employers look for substance in the application documents, and these include a complete and impressive resume attached to a well written and well thought off cover letter. Resume cover letters can make or break your application as it highlights all your best assets and skills and make you part of the shortlist and worth calling in for an interview.

It is considered proper business etiquette to attach a cover letter to your resume even if the employer or organization accepting applicants for a certain position does not require or need one.

Resume cover letter examples are everywhere online. There are cover letter samples for sales and marketing, internship, teacher, student, accounting, education, nursing, IT, legal, business, technical, engineering, paralegal, entry work, social work, administrative assistants; regardless of the position you are applying for, any resume cover letter example would show you that it is comprised of four major sections. These are the header, introduction, body of the letter and the closing. The header contains the date the cover letter was written and the information on the recipient, including his or her contact information and complete address, and the salutation, "Dear Sir.". The introduction briefly states how the applicant found out about the specific job opening and the specific position he is applying for. You can start with, "I am ____, an engineering graduate from the University of ____," or "I have seen through our bulletin boards in campus that your company is in need of mechanical engineers, I would like to apply for the position of____." The body of the letter contains the skills, the experiences and educational background of the applicant. The purpose of this section is to impress and make a good first impression on the employer or reader of the cover letter. "I have recently graduated with the degree in ____," or "I am recently the general manager for ____." Then the last section is the closing. Here you tell the reader your next steps in the application process ? if you will be calling them back or if you will just be waiting for their call. You can say, "I will be waiting for your kind response," or "I will contact you within this week to follow up on the status of my application." This section also contains the signature line and information about yourself including complete name, complete address and contact information ? you may opt to include your email address.

Here are some tips on how to write a good cover letter. In any resume cover letter sample that you will find, you will notice that there are no typing errors, as these can give a bad impression that you did not prepare well enough. You should do a background research on the company prior to writing the cover letter so you can incorporate your knowledge of the organization, which is a good plus for you as compared to an applicant who has no idea as to what company he is applying to. And most importantly, be yourself, make sure that you sound like you in the letter.

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7 Things for Telephone Interview Preperation

Written by Prabhjot Bedi Jun 07, 2009 www.jobsarticle.com

1. Get a ring tone that sounds professional or remove the ring tone
A lot of my colleagues tell me how the ring tone of the job applicant sets the tone of the interview. some times the ring tone is so, for the want of a better word, outlandish, you just know what kind of a person the applicant will turn out to be.

2. If this is what they feel, change your ring tone while you are searching for a job or have applied to a position.
Answer all calls with a greeting you never know when a prospective employer is calling. it doesn't need to be a hotel greeting, just a nice good morning or afternoon extra.

3. If you are on duty, request another time for the interview. If you are busy say so, if you are sleepy, offer to call back. What I am trying to say is, don't take the call, if you are not going to be able to give a 100% of your attention to it.

4. Remember who & for what you applied for. Nothing spoils the interview when the applicant cant even remember when they applied for a job position. It shows utter lack of control. If you can remember all your applications either write them down or apply less.

5. Ask the name of the person calling. its amazing, how people give interviews, say goodbye and still never ask the name of the caller. ask the name & use it atleast thrice in the interview.

6. Give concise answers and be as specific & verbal as you can. She cant see you and your hand gestures or your facial expressions, so your voice will have to convey enthusiasm and knowledge.

7. Please do not take the call at the Front Desk or the place of work. it is very unprofessional. neither should you put the interviewer on hold. you wouldn't do that in a face-to-face interview would you? then why do it over the phone.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

The Interview – are You Prepared?

Written by Jennifer Geary Jun 07, 2009 www.jobsarticle.com

You finally made it to the interview. While you are sitting in the waiting room, your hands become cold and clammy, thoughts begin racing through your head of whether you are sweating, does it show, did you drink too much water, and what if you have to pee in the middle of the interview? What will they ask? Do I get right to the point, or do I explain every detail? What if I can’t answer a question? Many other thoughts begin racing through your head when you finally decide you need some type of headache medicine. At that moment, the front desk calls you back to the office for your interview. You stand up, dust yourself from any last-minute lint accumulation, clear the lump in your throat, and begin your walk toward the door.

Your resume was the first impression you made. Your interview will be the deciding factor for the job. Before you head into your interview, there are a few things you should prepare for.
1. How large is the company - this gives you an idea of your chances for advancement, the types of jobs above yours, the number of employees, how fast it's growing, etc.
2. How old is the company - this will give you an idea about its stability and the security of the position you are seeking.
3. What does the company do? Is it a service or product in which you can develop an interest?
4. What do you know about the position and what job responsibilities does it have? Be sure the position is one you want as it should not just be a source of income, but something you enjoy doing.

Once you have completed the research, you need to get ready for the actual interview. Dress for success. Remember, you only have one chance to make a good impression. Your first impression makes a lasting impression. Not to put any pressure on you or anything!!! BE EARLY, but not too early!! This sets the stage for your attendance in the future. Understand the background of the company you are interviewing for. Know what they are about and what they stand for. Research it if you have to.

The Interview

Always greet the employees you meet before, during, and after the interview with an aggressive handshake, except the receptionist. What I mean by aggressive, is, don't be afraid to squeeze their hand a little, and initiate the shake. Don't give a puny handshake by laying your hand inside theirs with no squeeze and no shake. Let them know you are there for a purpose and SMILE!! Comment on their clothes, office, facilities, or something, but don't overdue it. For example: Mary (yes, please remember your interviewer's first name and USE IT!), I love those earrings, where did you get them?

Your appearance makes a lasting impression. Before you even open your mouth at an interview, you have already made an impression by your manner of dress. It is vital you dress at a level appropriate for the job and not be a distraction. You should look fashionable, but not over dressed. For example, no large fancy earrings, only mild perfume or cologne, hair neatly combed, neatly trimmed facial hair (for the guys of course), and remove your hat and/or coat during the interview.

Your attitude is the next most important piece of the interview. You have already grabbed their attention with your resume and they are talking to you because they believe you meet the qualifications of the job. Now, it's your time to convince them you are right for the position.
1. Smile and be friendly - try to demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm and sincere interest in the position. Don't be overly happy or bubbly and on the other hand, don't be depressed and passive, either.
2. Give the interviewer the respect and attention that the position requires - don't try to be a know-it-all; you should display a willingness to take direction, to learn and to grow within the position. Highlight what you do know, but don't play it up. If you don't know about a subject, ask. At least let the interviewer know the truth about your knowledge. Often times, they will not have an exact fit for the position, but if you are willing to go the extra mile to learn one subject you’re not very familiar with, the interviewer understands you can grow into the position.
3. Exhibit a desire to do more than the job requires - going one step beyond what is requested.
4. Keep your personal problems out of the interview - if you don't, you may cast doubts on your ability to focus your full attention on the job. Problems with spouse, parents, or family are not an appropriate subject during the interview. Neither is the fact that your financial situation may be growing serious and you really need a job; no interviewer is going to respond favorably to being pressured should you try to "guilt" them into hiring you.
5. Thank the interviewer for their time - if you enjoyed talking with them, say so.
6. Be on time - many employers are on a tight schedule. Arriving more than 10 or 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment may interfere with other tasks they need to do; arriving late never makes a favorable impression.
7. Do not smoke
8. Do not chew gum - doing so gives the impression you don't know how to behave in a business setting.
9. Avoid heavy perfumes and aftershaves - they are distracting and prevent an interviewer from focusing on your qualifications to do the job.
10. Sit across from the interviewer - there may be several chairs when you enter the interview room; choose one facing the interviewer. In the case of multiple interviewers, choose the best seat where you can see all interviewers.
11. Maintain good body posture - sit erect. Do not cross your arms. Be aware of nervous mannerisms; swinging your leg, clicking a pen, cracking your knuckles, etc.
12. Maintain eye contact - when there is more than one interviewer, divide your attention equally among those present, even if most of the questions are asked by just one person.
13. Do not use slang - words such as "yeah," "you know," "okay," or "nah" should be avoided.
14. Do not ramble - give brief answers, yet provide all the necessary information; most answers should take no more than 30-40 seconds. Make sure your answers apply directly to the questions asked; when possible, emphasize your strong points within your answers.
15. Answer all questions fully - avoid replying with "I don't know" since you DO know all about you and your feelings, likes and dislikes. If you don't know the answer to a question, simply state the reason you don't know the answer.
16. Do not bring friends or children to the interview - your social/home life belongs outside the employment setting.
17. Be honest - don't mislead the interviewer by overstating your qualifications or understating your abilities.

The entire purpose of an interview is to determine whether your personality will blend with those of the other employees and the general atmosphere of the employment setting. Your qualifications have only gotten you to the interview; it is your attitude, personality, and your ability to describe your skills which will get you the job.

Sell yourself

You need to impress an employer with the fact that you possess many of the qualities that make a good employee. Giving concrete examples of these qualities makes you a much stronger candidate:
1. Creativity - Ability to listen to others
2. Initiative - Ability to learn from instructions
3. Maturity - Ability to take supervision
4. Self-starting ability - patience
5. Working with details - ability to accept criticism
6. Ability to work with others - sincerity
7. Innovation - neatness
8. Sensitivity - confidence
9. Problem solving ability - cooperativeness/teamwork
10. Punctuality - assertiveness
11. Striving for advancement - motivation
12. Sense of humor - dependability

Questions you should be prepared to answer:
1. Tell me about yourself - give a brief autobiography. This should include your schooling, education, interests inside and outside work, skills, etc.
2. How does your background fit this position - this is your chance to bring out those points which demonstrate your ability to do the job.
3. What did you like the most about your last job/What did you like the least - give a brief statement. This is a chance for the interviewer to find out what most concerns you about a job.
4. Tell me about your last supervisor - they are really asking, "How well did you get along with your supervisor?" BE HONEST! If you got along, provide some evidence of that good relationship. If things didn't work out, explain why and what you've learned. Don't be overly negative as you will only present yourself as a complainer.
5. Tell me about the people you worked with - the interviewer is really asking, "How well did you get along with your peers?" Answer the same as the previous question.
6. Why are you leaving the job you have now/Why did you leave your previous job - again, be honest. Don't blame others for past difficulties. If you quit, state your reason, if you were fired, give an honest estimation of why.
7. Tell me about your most significant work accomplishment/What has made you the most proud of the work you have done - this is your chance to expand on your resume. Give details of the accomplishments for each job function and/or position you have held.
8. What has made you the most proud of yourself outside of work - this gives the interviewer an indication of how your initiative, motivation, and self-confidence have translated into actual achievements.
9. What do you know about the job/What do you know about this company - this is your opportunity to impress the potential employer with how well you have researched the company.
10. Why do you want this job - don't answer "I don't know" or "I need the money". Tell them what makes THIS the job YOU want.
11. Did your job responsibilities change at any time in your last job Simply a “yes” or “no” will do.
12. Have you taken any additional courses since graduating or leaving school - this lets the interviewer know if you are willing to learn.
13. How did you do in school - make a general statement concerning your grades, attendance, and extracurricular activities. The interviewer is looking to see if you are teachable.
14. What do you do outside work - make a general statement concerning your community involvement and leisure activities.
15. What are your future plans - give short-term and long-term goals. Make a simple statement, don't drag it out.

These are general questions which would be asked in a normal interview, however; I have found that in answering some of these questions, they spark other, more complicated questions like:
1. How do you deal with stress or conflict
2. Describe your personality
3. Who do you turn to for help when making decisions/If no-one is available, are you comfortable making difficult decisions
4. Describe a difficult obstacle you had to overcome and how you handled it
5. Is there a question I haven't asked you that I should
6. Why should we NOT hire you - this was difficult and I answered the question without answering it, if that makes any sense.
7. How would you describe your organizational abilities
8. When have you failed and how did you deal with it

Remember, during the interview process, answer all questions and try to ask a few for yourself. If you don't get the opportunity to ask during the interviewer's questions, they will give you the opportunity to ask questions at the end. Some interviewer's don't give the opportunity for you to ask questions for the simple reason that they want to see if you will initiate the questions if you aren't asked. Here is a short list of questions you can ask if they are not answered in your discussions:
1. Is the position permanent
2. Why is the job open
3. How soon does it begin
4. What are the work hours
5. Who would be my supervisor/What does the supervisor look for in an employee
6. What qualities do you look for when considering people for promotion
7. When will the decision be made as to who is hired
8. What are the company's business objectives/Where is the company going/Based on what I've read, it seems to me the company wants to _______; is that accurate
9. Do you encourage employees to further their education
10. What is the company's policy and/or expectations regarding overtime where this job is concerned
11. ALWAYS ask about items you didn't understand during the interview. If the interviewer is discussing a type of item you aren't familiar with, ask them to elaborate on how their company uses it.
Asking one question is better than not asking any. This shows you have interest in the company and are genuinely interested in the position.

Avoid these questions:
1. How many sick days do you provide
2. How much vacation time do I get
3. Do you give an hour for lunch
4. When will I get a raise
5. How soon can I expect to be promoted
6. What does the position pay

These are all questions asking, "What's in it for me?" This is definitely not an attitude that is going to get you hired. You must always keep in the front of your mind that you are asking someone to give you THEIR money. Would you be willing or eager to give your money to someone you felt was not going to give you what you paid for? Once the interview is over, don't hesitate to call them with questions if they extended that option to you, but don't bug them every hour with questions about getting hired. Your questions should be directly related to the functions of the position. Only during the second interview or the job offer should you discuss salary and benefits. At that point, you know they are interested in you and you should get into deeper subjects within your previous positions and what you can do for their company. The same rules apply to the second interview.

Being personable and approachable is the key. I know this is a wealth of information, but this is my experience and what I found worked well and what didn't. I have been to several interviews where the interviewer was overwhelmed by my qualifications and explained that I was over qualified for their position, but offered me advice on my resume and interviewing skills. Simply because you are not offered the position, does not mean you should simply walk away. Ask the interviewer why they are not interested in you and what tips could they offer you in future interviews. Always walk away with something.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Five Great Tips for the Interview Appointment

Five Great Tips for the Interview Appointment

Written by Craig Travis Jun 07, 2009 www.jobsarticle.com

The whole purpose of an interview is for the employer to meet you, to get acquainted with your professional background and experience, learn about your special skill sets and qualifications, and of course, to see how you match up with their organizational needs. You obviously have piqued their interest with your resume, so now is not the time to disappoint them by not paying proper, close attention to the important details related to your interview appointment. Plus, this is the opportunity for you to do your homework, learn everything possible about their interview plans and process, learn all about their firm and key people, and plan how you will knock them over with your winning interview.



CONFIRM THE DETAILS: DAY, DATE, TIME, LOCATION AND PEOPLE
It should go without saying you must always confirm the details of your interview appointment, but we have seen too many times candidates missing their interviews because they did not think to confirm the details. When called about your interview appointment, before getting off the phone, confirm the exact day, date, time and location of the interview. This includes the address and room where the interview will take place. Just as important, confirm all of the names and titles of the person(s) you will be meeting and a contact phone number should you require additional information prior to your appointment. This is the ideal time to learn who will be conducting your interview, the type of interview they are planning and the expected duration of the interview process so you can plan accordingly. Will you be expected to meet other personnel? Who are they? Will there be multiple interviews that day conducted separately by other key personnel? Who? Where? How long? How many resumes should you bring along? Should you take along sample materials so you can leave it with them? How many copies should you make? These are all important questions you need to have answered so you can take away any surprises that might crop up. In the likelihood your first interview will be by telephone, make absolutely sure they have the correct phone number to call you and you have theirs in the event you should become disconnected during the interview. Just as important, ensure you will be in a location that is completely private and that you will not have any disturbances or interruptions of any kind while you are on the phone. You do want any unbecoming or unprofessional background noise (children playing, dog barking, colleagues walking in and out of your office, etc.). It also goes without saying that should you have a telephone interview, you should never be driving in your car. Find a quiet remote location to park with no distractions.



RESEARCH THE ORGANIZATION
Now is the best time to conduct your research on the organization and after confirming your interview plans, you now know the names and titles of the key people you will be meeting the very ones whom you need to impress and win over to land the job. Get to know everything you possibly can about the firm, its key personnel, management and the interviewers. It seems overly simplistic, but ask your self what kind of business is this firm? What do they do and what are they most noted for? You would be surprised how many candidates have no clue about the organization with whom they are interviewing with, and it places them at a distinct disadvantage in the competition. What is the stock price? Where is the headquarters? Are there any regional offices? Where? Who are their clients? What is their reputation in the marketplace? How many employees? What is their annual revenue? Read the annual report from the past three years to familiarize your self about the core nature of their business, earnings and revenues, and future plans. This will help you prepare to answer questions related to how you see yourself fitting into their organization. In fact, why are you applying for this position? What do you envision you will do for this firm and where do you want to fit in? What do you have to offer and contribute? Who will you be working for and where? Is the interviewer your prospective boss? What are the future plans of the company/division where you will be working? Finally, read the posted job description if you have not already. If you have not, ask for a copy of it when you confirm your interview appointment. Knowing the details of the job description will prepare you to intelligently address the qualifications and requirements of the position.



TRAVEL PLANS: GET A MAP AND PLAN YOUR TRAVEL ROUTE
If you are meeting at the prospective employer’s office, which is generally the case, take time beforehand to confirm the location on a map, obtain driving directions and the best route to use for the time and day you are traveling to the appointment. If possible, drive the route days before so you are familiar with it and the traffic congestion at that time of day. This will help you to know for certain how much time you need to allow yourself to travel and arrive with time to spare. Ask yourself where you will park; is parking free or paid? Covered or uncovered? This might be important on a stormy day. How far will you need to walk from the parking lot to the office and how long will it take you? If possible, doing some reconnaissance days beforehand so you will not be surprised about how long it may take. After all, you do not want to be late for your job interview, ever. It will not only make a bad first impression, it may take you out of contention before you ever have the chance to sell your qualifications.



OUT OF TOWN TRAVEL
Likewise, if you are traveling from out of town for the interview put in the same effort as you would at home by doing your reconnaissance beforehand. If possible, arrive into town the day before a morning interview (it allows you to be rested and better prepared) so you will have time to get your bearings. Always check and double-check your travel arrangements, including air, hotel and rental car reservations. Get a map and ask for driving directions if necessary. Be absolutely sure you know where you are going and how long it will take you to get there from your hotel. If you are traveling into town, it is advisable to arrive the day before to acclimate yourself to the surroundings, region, climate (higher elevation in some cases) and to help you feel rested and ready to go the following day. You certainly want to be your freshest, sharpest self so it only stands to reason you need to prepare yourself in every way possible, including getting into town early. After traveling far distances and over a long time, you will not be at your best, so avoid such an interview appointment at all costs.



CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST
Also, it is advisable you check the weather forecast regularly. If it rains or is exceptionally windy (any foul weather) you want to be properly prepared to weather the elements. Carry an umbrella, overcoat, hat, gloves and scarf if necessary. You want to be sure that when you arrive at your interview you are still well dressed and properly groomed, so it is worth taking every ounce of precaution against inclement weather. Should you encounter foul weather, then make sure you have extra time upon your arrival to use the restroom to freshen up and take a good look in the mirror so you will look sharp. Reconnaissance can prepare you for this situation as well.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Getting Hired Successful Job Interview Using Influence Skills

Getting Hired Successful Job Interview Using Influence Skills

By: Alan Vengel

One of the most important influence moments in your career is the moment where you must convince someone to hire you. Whether you are just out of college, looking for a change, or a contractor who must convince others of your services almost daily, you will find that a set of simple influence skills will propel you through the interviewing process on your way to a successful career.

Assert

It is imperative that you state your objectives clearly. Most organizations are looking for people who take action and will engage in helping the organization move forward. Your organization will first see your potential for such behavior in the hiring stages.

Jay and Mary are both interviewing for a position at an engineering company. Each is highly qualified for the position and holds some great recommendations. As Jay enters the interview, he is asked a series of questions. He ponders each and answers to the best of his ability. When asked, he pulls out his portfolio and demonstrates his skills to the employer. His work is excellent and the employer is notably impressed with it. He is sure to take Jay's information and informs him that he will be contacted with their final decision.

Mary's interview comes later, and when she enters, she introduces herself and instantly pulls out her portfolio and references. During her presentation, she highlights the portions of her work that seem to fit with what she has seen advertised for the position for which she is applying. When she is finished, she asks the interviewer if there are questions that he has. She ponders each question and answers to the best of her ability.

When the board makes its decision, it is determined that Jay's work was excellent, but Mary's assertive presentation of her work was what the company needed in order to progress in the competitive engineering market. Mary made good use of her first influence skill.

Ask Questions

Your ability to draw your interviewer in through active questioning is another important influence skill. Open-ended questions gather information and find out what the other person is thinking. Focused questions help the other person to focus on alternatives. These questions promote a greater inclusion of the other person and lead to openness and increased rapport, understanding and commitment.

During Mary's presentation, she asks her interviewer, "Is there a specific set of drafts that you would like to see?" Her question prompts the interviewer to indicate that he is most interested in what she has done with mechanical design. Though Mary had intended on showing him other drawings, she realizes by her open-ended questioning that it would be better to focus on what her interviewer is most interested in. She has two sets of drawings in her portfolio and asks the focused question to determine exactly which he would like to choose from.

Summarize

You will want to be sure that you and the other person understand each other. By repeating and summarizing important elements of the influence situation, you will be sure to remain on the same page.

When Mary finishes her presentation, the interviewer asks her, "How do you feel your employment would benefit our organization?" Mary is unsure of the exact response that the interviewer is looking for, so she uses her summarizing skill to clarify the situation. "So what you're asking me is what will change within the organization when I am hired?"

The interviewer responds, "Yes, I would like to know how you feel your set of skills will make a fit with our organization and its mission statement." Mary's keen use of her influence skills brought out a much more specific question where she could determine precisely what type of answer the interviewer was looking for.

Offer Incentives

Make it easier or more attractive for the person to do what you are asking. This will help you further promote agreement and commitment.

When the interview is finished, Mary is sure to express her feelings to the interviewer. "This interview has shed new light on your organization, and I am enthusiastic to begin my employment with you. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed with your decision. I plan to immediately put into action the skills that we discussed and help the company move forward in its objectives." Mary's statement offers concrete rewards that the company will receive by hiring her.

The influence skills listed are only a few of the skills that you can develop which will help you progress in your career. They can be applied in a variety of circumstances; and when used effectively, they can achieve outstanding results for your career development.

Interview Prep To Help You Land The Job

Interview Prep To Help You Land The Job
By: Melissa Mashtonio

When interviewing for a job, whether it's to start your career after finishing school or to move up to a better position, the best thing you can do is come prepared. Dressing appropriately and researching the company are two ways to prep for the day, but it also may be helpful to give your resume another look and anticipate interview questions.

As far as interview questions, know off-hand such things as the name of the company you work for as well as your title and a description of your responsibilities. Also, be able to recall all of your employment history quickly. Have your resume readily available for reference, but refrain from reading it as a script. The interviewer has the same resume and can read it just as well as you.

When asked about your previous job, be sure to stay honest. Keep the focus on the job and your accomplishments, not on the company, your boss or your coworkers. Talk about what you expected the job to be like and how it turned out. Stay away from being negative. If you did not like something about your former job, simply say it did not meet your expectations rather than chalk it up as a bad job.

But be careful. Don't make your position sound more impressive than it was as this could come back to haunt your later. Try to discuss responsibilities from your current job that overlap with the job you are interviewing for to show you have experience. If asked about challenges you faced in your current or former job, make sure to answer with specific examples. Show that you are proactive but don't make it seem like you did all the work. Interviewers want a team player, not a hero.

One of the toughest questions to answer deals with examples of problems you had with a coworker and how you resolved them. In your answer, don't bash your others. Instead, discuss a situation in which there was a misunderstanding or miscommunication. Discuss a problem with a definite resolution. If the problem was never solved, don't talk about it!

Another difficult question to answer is why you are leaving your current job. Again, be honest! If you were fired, say your skills did not fit the companies' expectations and that you learned from your experience. If personal problems caused you to leave, say so, but also add that the problems have passed. Always stay away from insulting anything about your old company. If you bad mouth your previous company, what is to keep you from bad mouthing the company you are interviewing with when you leave?

One of the final questions an interviewer may ask is: "Why should I hire you?" This is your final chance to show the interviewer you are cut out for this job. Go over your skills and experience and line them up with the job requirements. Leave out anything that is not relevant to the job description. Also, emphasize your ability to learn new things quickly and to work as a team player. Such skills are things employers always want to hear.

At the conclusion of the interview, make sure you have some questions of your own. This shows you are interested and prepared and gives you the ability to assess the company to see if it is a fit for you. Ask about the responsibilities of the position, the management style of the company, expected travel and other points of interest to you. However, stay away from asking about time off, what the company is about (you should already know) or if you got the job.

Most important, immediately after the interview, send a thank you note to the interviewer. Even if you know you got the job, this will show the employer you are thoughtful and polite and will help you stand out. If you feel you need more prep before your interview, check out the Internet for more common interview questions and preparation tips.