During Interview - Interview Tips 104

The Big Day

Practice with a friend before an interview. Make a list of questions they may ask and decide the best way to answer each. Ask a mentor for help with positive responses to sometime hard to answer questions.

Relax and focus when interviewing.  Think about what you are hearing and what an interviewer may be asking. Respond slowly and confidently. Be prepared and knowledgeable of what is on your resume. Give the same information verbally as your resume states on paper. Review your past employment dates and positive reasons for leaving past companies.

Greet the interviewer and others involved in meeting with a firm handshake. Do not talk too much. Leave personal talk for dinner with friends tonight. As open, friendly and personal as an interviewer may be, they will not, and should not care to hear your family history. Remember to answer questions honestly and briefly. This allows the potential employer to remember the important topics that are necessary for your success.

Remember what your mother told you, sit up straight and do not slouch. Body language is important. Sitting all the way back in a chair, but leaning slightly forward, relaxed but still professional, shows the interviewer they have your undivided attention and are very interested in your conversation. Make eye contact for a few seconds at a time, do not talk over their shoulder. Try not to fidget, twisting jewelry, tapping a pen or stroking your hair, signs of being uncomfortable. To keep your hands from being too active, place them in your lap with your pad.

Do not bad mouth past employers or co workers. It is a small world. You do not want to talk negatively about a company or its employees if they happen to be this company’s biggest customer. It may appear you are difficult to work with.

When exiting an interview, you may ask for a business card. This ensures you have the correct spelling of the interviewer’s name, as well as they know you are serious.

Follow up with a hand written thank you note within a day or two. Thank the interviewer for their time, and reiterate topics you covered, reminding them why you think you are a good fit for the position you discussed. Include your contact information and sign your first and last name. Proofread it before sealing the envelope.

Interview Questions - Interview Tips 103

Prior to an interview, think about some questions that may be asked, or discussions that will happen. This assists in avoiding stumbling while attempting to come up with an answer. Remember to stay positive. Even a question that can result in a negative answer, think of a way to turn it around to a positive answer.

Some questions an interviewer may ask are:

• Tell me about yourself – keep this answer work related
• Why did you leave your last job? Avoid negative terms such as quit, terminated, or no baby sitter. Use a positive statement such as contract ended, career change, or to raise a family.
• Who was the best and worst supervisor you have ever had and why? Rather than talk negatively, turn it around positively saying you have learned something from each supervisor and co workers. Even in a negative environment, there are lessons that can be learned.
• How did you handle working for a difficult supervisor? Be honest, if you never have worked for a difficult supervisor, express that. Again, turn it into a positive response. I attempt to keep communication open and usually realize we have the same goal, compromising on the steps to take to reach it. I enjoy open communication.
• How do you handle it if you think a boss is wrong? It depends on the boss’ personality. If I am comfortable with them, I will ask what their thoughts are on my suggestions. If they tend to get angry, if there is time, I may prepare a project their way, then prepare it mine to show for approval or suggestion.
• Why do you think you would like to work here? Let them know you have researched the company, and would like the opportunity to be a part of it.
• What do you look for in a supervisor? Guidance and training, ability to communicate openly and that they are open to suggestions and feedback from team members are all good answers.
• Why do you want to leave your current company? To be honest, I am not unhappy, but saw this position and recognized this as a good company to be with. I decided to inquire, as it sounds like an exciting opportunity and match for my qualifications.
• What are your weaknesses? Again, turn this into a positive, such as my spelling is not always perfect, so I use a spell checker.
• What are your strengths? I am a self starter, such as I researched and found a way to save money for the company by….

Be prepared to ask the employer some questions to show interest in the position and the company.

• What does a typical work day or week involve?
• If I am offered this position, when is the start date?
• Who would supervise me?
• What kind of training is provided or available?
• What are the opportunities for advancement?
• If an interviewer does not ask for references, offer your list prior to leaving.
• If they do not offer you a timeframe for making a decision, it is ok to ask.

These types of questions genuinely asked show interest in learning more and are encouraging for an interviewer to hear.

There are a few questions and subjects that may leave a negative impression and should not be asked or addressed during an interview. Some things that may keep an applicant for being considered are:

• Being late for the interview
• Negative attitude
• Incomplete or sloppy application and/or resume
• Unwillingness to start at the bottom and prepare to advance
• Lack of eye contact, which suggests lack of interest or enthusiasm
• Inability to express information clearly
• Untidy appearance

Questions such as: when can I take vacation, can I change my schedule, and what does this company do (you should know this from previous research)

Practice answering some questions to make the process less stressful, even relaxed. Be enthusiastic as boring gives impression you will be bored with the job and not interested. Focus on how you can solve problems for the company, while bringing value, not how much you need a job.

When considering a new position, examine all aspects of a company, not only the salary, but benefits, location, traffic, workload and hours. 

Preparing for an Interview - Interview Tips 102

When applying for a job, there are several things to be aware of and remember. Before submitting a resume, always be prepared to receive a telephone call to discuss the position you are applying for. Learn who the company is, what they do, how they do it, who works there and as much about those people as possible. This is a great start to determine if you may be a good fit. Most companies have a website to begin with. Take advantage of social media by searching for them on Google+, Twitter and Facebook. Review profiles of owners and managers on LinkedIn. This may include more company information as well. Look for length of time in business, locations, divisions and the kind of product or service provided.

Do not be shy about asking employees that you may know for referrals. If you know someone who works at a company, contact them and ask for information that may be helpful to you.

When you receive a telephone call and schedule an interview, review the company again for updates or news articles of relevance. Review your resume and cover letter submitted so conversation is consistent with information previously provided.

Confirm with professional contacts and friends they will be references. Make them aware you are interviewing and may receive a call or email so they will be prepared. Gather complete telephone numbers, addresses and emails. List all of this information on nice stationery to provide at interview if needed.

First Impression Counts 

Dress neatly and conservatively. Clothes should be clean and pressed, hair neatly combed, shoes shined and minimal makeup, perfume, aftershave and jewelry. A good rule to follow is “if in doubt, do not wear it”. Do not take away from the interview by wearing distracting clothes or accessories. An interview is not a good time to wear the bright flowered tie you received for a gift. A conservative solid or striped tie will not be distracting. A jacket is always a winner paired with a button down blouse or shirt. After researching the company, determine how formal is necessary. Anything less than neatly groomed will lead an interviewer to think this may be the best that it gets. 

Interview Etiquette

Leave sunglasses and ear buds in the car, leaving your hands available, thus avoiding embarrassing scrambling and dropping things. Prepare for an interview by being well rested and alert. If you are distracted during an interview, an employer may wonder how well you will focus in a job.

Take a nice folder with extra copies of your resume and references. An interviewer may not have a copy available or may bring others in who may like one as well. Include a pen and notepad. Having this information readily available is also necessary should you need to fill out an application. All dates and information will be consistent with your resume. Be prepared to take notes. This shows you are interested and also saves you forgetting useful or needed information.

Be on time. Map your route prior to the day of the interview if you are not sure of the location. Arrive 15 minutes early, even if you stay in the car for 5 minutes. If you are late, it shows lack of respect for the interviewer’s time, the company, as well as your time management skills and work habits. This also allows time to relax and focus before being in front of your potential employer.

If you have a bottle of water or cup of coffee beforehand, toss it before even going into a building to interview. This will save embarrassing spills and distractions. It may be just as well to even pass on a drink if offered during an interview. Turn cell phones off or silence before entering the building and put away. It is impolite and distracting for a phone to ring during an interview.

While waiting for your appointment in the lobby, spend this time examining your surroundings. Are there books available showing examples of work the company is involved in? Are there pictures or awards on the walls? Learn the company mission statement. Leave all emotional baggage behind so you have a pleasant expression on your face as people walk past you as you are waiting. Genuinely smile as people may pass by. 

You are well on your way to making a great first impression and winning a new job. 

Resume and Cover Letter Tips - Interview Tips 101

Resume Tips

A resume is an example of our work. This is the first impression of our strengths, so making it the best it can be is of utmost importance. Even though the position we may be applying for is not in sales, we must sell ourselves to a potential employer while determining if the company is a good fit.

• Ensure that all of your contact information is included and correct. If your email address is samsmom@..., consider opening a new account with a professional email address. A version of first and last name are best. Include complete address, cell and home  telephone numbers.
• Include complete names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of past employers and references so an interviewer does not have to search for information.
• Keep resumes short, no more than two pages. An employer will lose interest if it is any longer. There is a fine line between too much crowded information and a clean easy to read resume.
• Resumes should be unique, but polished. Print resumes and cover letters on attractive stationery, but not colors of the rainbow. Use an easy to read font.
• All information being accurate and correct shows a potential employer that you are reliable and pay attention to detail, regardless of a position you may be applying for.
• Ask someone for assistance when preparing a resume, or at least review it when it is completed. There are services you can pay, or ask a friend or family member who is professional and can guide you.

Cover Letter Tips

Cover letters should be included with each resume submitted, even if the company does not request one. This letter should complement and add information to your resume, not duplicate it. Each cover letter should be unique to the particular position. When emailing a resume, unless requested as an attachment, submit a cover letter in the email.
Cover letters should be addressed to a person. If a contact name is not mentioned in an advertisement, search online for a hiring manager to address.

• A cover letter should describe in detail why you are qualified for a specific job you are applying for. This is where you express specific experience and accomplishments. List the job requirements and the qualifications that your background match.
• Your cover letter gives an opportunity to explain gaps in work. Account for time to care for children, travel or for education.
• Have someone edit each letter to check for grammar and spelling. It is easy to miss mistakes in our own writing.
• Keep copies of each to review when you receive a call to interview.

The cover letter and resume submitted to a potential employer are your first introduction. Strive to be knowledgeable, interesting, and leave an interviewer anxious to learn more about you.