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Land Your Next Job Successfully!!!
- Greet your interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake.
- Always be positive about your self and your abilities. This is crucial!!!!!!
- Be courteous to all whom you meet. You do not know the relationships among any of the individuals within a company. For example, the Receptionist might be friendly with the Manager whom you may be meeting. From the moment you’ve entered the building consider that your interview has begun.
- Eye contact is a crucial component in communicating during an interview. It relates honesty and openness.
- Turn off cell phones and pagers before entering the building for your interview.
- Carry extra copies of your resume on plain bond paper. Manually check for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors. Do not rely on the computer to check your errors.
- DO NOT FOLD YOUR RESUME. Never present the interviewer with a creased or crumbled resume.
- Do not speak negatively about past employers.
Stage Fright
Many people have a difficult time interviewing or meeting new people. They may become nervous and tense. This results in the physical manifestation of the vocal cords becoming tight, the palm of the hands becoming cold and wet and sometimes the shaking of the knees. This is called “Stage Fright” and it happens in varying degrees to everyone.
Stage Fright can be managed with effective preparation, proper breathing and positive self-suggestions or affirmations. This is what you do:
The day before your interview, spend 30 minutes practicing your answers to general questions. We are often scared about the unknown. What questions would be asked of us that we may not be prepared to answer. So by preparation you begin to dismantle that element of fear. It is also helpful to sit in front of a mirror. Look carefully at your body language and your expressions. Make corrections where necessary. Breathe evenly and think calmly.
On the morning of your interview, while waiting to be interviewed take ten deep breaths and hold each for counts of eight then slowly exhale. As you exhale give yourself positive affirmations. For example, “I am prepared, polished and professional,” or “I am dynamic, charismatic and confident,” or “I have nothing to fear but fear itself so why should I be afraid. I am not afraid!” The idea is to understand that we can change our state of thinking or being by actively engaging in positive self-affirmation. It can make a big difference in landing the ideal job.
Best Wishes to you all
You have an appointment to meet with a hiring manager. How do you prepare for the interview? How can you showcase your talent and skills in a favorable manner?
- Research the company, and if possible ask for the details of the position from your Recruiter.
- Have travel information available the day before your interview. Plan on arriving 15 minutes early on the day of your interview.
- Remove gum or candy from your mouth before entering the building for your interview.
- Personal issues are personal therefore don’t mention them. The interviewer does not want to hear about your problems.
- Be professional in appearance. A conservative suit (blue, black or gray) helps in achieving a corporate look. Remove all excess jewelry. For ladies a ring, watch, bracelet, pearls, and simple earrings are appropriate. Excessively long fingernails are inappropriate for an Administrative Assistant since it can encumber one’s typing ability. For men a watch, and a ring is enough. No chains or earrings.
- Do not carry shopping bag(s) into an interview. You may do your shopping after. Be professional and carry a briefcase, attaché or neat leather folder.
- Ideally your resume should be one page (unless you are an executive making over 100K) and should consist of your past ten years working experience.
- Do not move chair, unless asked, and Do not place your personal items on the interviewer’s desk.
- Offer a copy of your resume to the interviewer.
- Know your employment history including dates and company names. Remember your interviewer has reviewed your resume beforehand and maybe checking for accuracy. Be prepared to explain gaps on your resume
- Get the interviewer to describe the position, so you can very articulately relate your skills and background to the position throughout the interview.
- Be enthusiastic; show interest, drive and initiative. Be confident but not arrogant.
- Maintain good posture while seated. Don’t slouch. Try to remain calm and composed.
- Listen for open-ended questions. It is an excellent opportunity to sell yourself beyond your prior job duties and responsibilities. An example of an open-ended question is, “tell me about yourself?”
- Sell yourself by talking about your strengths. Are you a team player, are you punctual and reliable, are you a self-starter etc.
- Do not discuss salary or benefits at this time. Your Recruiter would communicate with the client on this subject.
- Ask questions regarding the job such as, “What is expected of me for the first six months?” “What are the next steps in terms of making a hiring decision?” Show interest in the company.
- Ask for the interviewer(s) business card so that you can send a thank you letter, reiterating your strong points, and letting the interviewer know that you are indeed very interested in pursuing the opportunity.
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