Sooner or later, everyone must
face the daunting task of interviewing for a job. Whether it’s for just
a job to keep your bills paid, or if it’s the dream job you’ve always
wanted, there are many things that you have to remember before you can
get that job that you so desire.
Most people assume that the
most important part of a job interview is showing up well groomed, but
there is more to it than that. Everything that you could ever want may
be riding on your behavior at a job interview. The smallest thing can
mean the difference between your having a new job, or you’re still
pounding the pavement trying to score a new interview.
It is common knowledge that it
is generally the smallest detail that causes people to fail a job
interview. The fact that you can score an interview at all shows that
you already have the right stuff for the job. However, scoring the
interview is merely the first step in the journey that is to get you
the job of your dreams.
This book is to be your
comprehensive guide to winning that job that you so crave. In following
the steps listed here, you will have all of the knowledge required to
get your body through that door that you are most trying to step into.
In this book, you will learn:
How to get the interview of
your choice.
How to prepare for the
interview.
How to make a great first
impression.
How to conduct yourself during
the interview.
What the most common questions
are.
What questions to ask your
interviewer.
What common mistakes you
should avoid making.
About the post interview
follow up.
Questions that interviewers
cannot ask.
How To Get
the Interview
Scoring the interview for the
job that you want doesn’t have to be rocket science. Sometimes you can
score that interview by simply making a phone call. There are many ways
that people go about trying to get an interview. The methods of
achieving one vary by company. It is best to know what the company’s
application process is before taking your first step.
Generally, when a company is
hiring they post an ad in the newspaper or an online job bank. How to
contact them is usually included in the ad as well. You don’t want to
email a resume to a company that is requesting that you walk in with
your resume. You don’t want to call a company that requires a faxed
resume etc. Ignoring their initial contacting information will
guarantee that you will not get that interview because you have already
proven that you can’t follow simple directions.
Sometimes, you can get a job
lead from a friend before the job has been posted. If this is the case,
you can either ask the friend to give the employer your resume and
cover letter. If your friend doesn’t actually work where the lead came
from, you can try calling about the position and ask what the
application procedure is.
There are four general methods
of applying for a job, and they include these basic methods.
Sending a
Resume
Some companies prefer that you
mail in your resume. For this type of approach, it is best to include a
cover letter with your resume. The cover is a basic letter that
describes the position that you are interest in and a few details of
your qualifications and skills. It is basically your lead in to your
resume. Before writing your cover letter, you should know whom the
letter is to be addressed to. You never want to begin a cover letter
with “Dear Sir or Madame” or “To whom it may Concern”. It shows that
you have not prepared, and that you are not looking for a specific
position with their company, but any job that you can get your hands
on. Basically, it is disrespectful to your prospective employer.
Emailing
Your Resume
Emailing resumes is becoming a
commonplace way for recruiters to get resumes. Most companies offer
this method as an alternative to the others. However, there are few
tips on how you should go about it.
You should attach your resume
as a word document or PDF file. These are the most common formats and
what most companies will accept. The subject line should read like
this: Smith, John (clerical position)This makes it easy for the
recruiter to know who the email is from, and what it pertains to. It
also assures that your email will be read.
Sometimes there are specific
methods for addressing an emailed resume. Some companies have certain
subject line requirements so follow them. If your company wants you to
paste your resume, don’t send attachments because your email will be
deleted right away.
Faxing Your Resume
Again, you will need to
include a cover letter when you fax in your resume. If you are not
using your own fax machine, be sure to include your proper contact
information. The rules for your cover letter are the same as for
mailing your resume. More about cover letters will be provided a bit
later on in this book.
Walk-In Your Resume
For this type of application
procedure, you will want to dress appropriately. You would want to
dress just like you would for an interview. Company’s usually ask you
to do this if you are going to be working directly with customers. They
ask for a walk in because they want to get a look at your grooming
habits right away. Sometimes, a walk in will have the employer giving
you a brief interview on the spot, to see if they will require a formal
interview later. So be on your best and most appropriate behavior.
Also, walk-ins do not require
you to bring in a cover letter with your resume. Your appearance is
sort of the cover letter. Sometimes, you will be requested to fill out
an application form as well. Smile and be polite, no matter who you are
talking to. That could be the difference between getting an interview
and just taking an extra trip for nothing.
Telephoning for an
Interview
It is not particularly common
anymore for companies to ask you to call them for an interview. That is
usually saved for jobs that include sales and/or jobs that are not so
easily applied for by the other methods. Telephoning for an interview
is a bit common when a company requires that you be on the phone a lot.
It gives them a feel for the quality and the personality of the person
on the phone. When making this type of interview request, always speak
in a clean and clear manner. Be polite and prepared to answer any
questions that may be asked of you. You might approach the telephone
interview like this:
“Hello Mr. Brown, I am Mike
Sandal. I am calling with regards to your ad in the Post about the
clerical position”. If you are asked your experience and/or previous
work experience, be prepared to answer quickly and explain how long you
have been doing that type of work and give a brief description of your
duties.
The correct way to build your
resume will be included later on in this manual. It will give you the
correct way to format your resume so that it gets noticed for all of
the right things.
Preparing
for the Interview
Once you get the call for the
interview, the next thing that you have to do is prepare for it. You
can never over prepare for an interview. The more prepared you are, the
harder it will be to make mistakes. It is best to prepare yourself
emotionally as well as intellectually for an interview. Giving a great
interview is not as hard as some may think, but not as easy as others
do either. Here are a few things that must be done in order to prepare
for your next interview.
Remember, during an interview,
you are a salesman. You are there to sell yourself to your prospective
employer. You want to market yourself in the most interesting way
possible. Great preparation for the interview is your best bet. A
salesman that is knowledgeable, friendly and positive always gets the
close.
Do Your Research
It doesn’t matter how much
knowledge or experience you have about the position that you are trying
to get in a company if you don’t have a clue who the company is or what
they do. It is disastrous to enter into an interview and not be able to
tell your interviewer what their company is about. How else are you
going to tell them why you feel that you would be a good addition to
their company?
A good and less time consuming
way to get to know about a company is to look up their website. You can
get all of the general knowledge about them that way, including the
names of key people and their job titles. (There will be more on that
in a minute) You should sift through most of their pages, including the
pages that show samples of their work and/or products.
You can also look them up in
the media files if there are any. Read the articles about them and soak
in as much information as possible. Another thing that would be nice to
do is to check out the surrounding area around the company. It makes
for a nice breaker during the interview. You can make a comment about a
particular monument or resting place nearby.
A trickier way to get a little
extra information about the company is to call them on the phone and
ask general questions, without referring to yourself as a potential
employee. It’s a nice way to get the goods on upcoming promotions etc.
Know Your Contact
When called for an interview,
ask to whom you will be talking to. It is nice to be able to greet your
interviewer by name at the beginning of the interview without first
being told who they are. It shows that you are on top of things, and
have prepared before hand.
You will also want to do some
research on the person that will be conducting your interview. Learn
what they do for the company and try to get some samples of their work
or achievements in the company.
If you know what department
that you are going to work in you may want to get the names of your
potential colleagues and superiors prior to the interview as well. This
way you can get some information about their roles in the company and
the types of work that they have done.
Mention some of the things
that you learn about your potential colleagues in the interview and
about how much you look forward to working with them in the future. If
you can, give an example of their work so that you will appear more
sincere.
Practice
Your Responses
It is best, if you are prone
to nervousness, to practice giving your responses to the questions that
may be asked of you. (A list of the most common questions will appear
later on in the manual) You should practice your wording and the tone
of voice that you plan to use; Try keeping your responses as brief as
possible, but with as much detail as you can.
When you are trying to work
out the proper responses to the interviewer’s questions, you will also
want to practice the art of getting your nerves under control as well
as ridding yourself of any other odd habits while talking; like
expressing yourself with your hands.
Practice answering your
interview questions with a friend. Get his or her opinion about your
delivery and gestures. Perhaps your friend will have some nice insights
for you to use during the real interview.
Dress the
Part
Pre-select your attire the day
before your interview. You want to make sure that your clothes do not
have any wrinkles or stains on them. Pick an outfit that best suits the
type of job that you are applying for. If you are going to work in an
office setting, you should dress conservatively. Soft earth tones are
best for women. Try to avoid mini skirts and shirts that show too much
skin. A nice dark suit is good for a male.
Of course if you are planning
to work outdoors or in an artistic environment, you can dress a little
more casually. Just be certain to avoid wearing denim jeans, over sized
clothing, and under sized clothing. Women should try and avoid wearing
too much make-up as well. It gives the wrong impression.
Even in the hotter seasons,
you should not wear sandals or gym shoes to an interview. It sends an
unprofessional message. The same goes for hats and other accessories.
Get
Organized
Make sure that all of the
things that you will need for the interview are prepared the day
before. Make a checklist of the things that you will need if you have
to. You should always have an extra resume handy during the interview.
You should also bring with you a note pad to take notes during the
interview if needed. (Only write down the important things that you
think you will need to remember)If you have a business card, have one
handy, it makes for easy contact later, and it also shows that you are
professional and may help the employer to remember your name.
How Should
I Act?
There are many things that you
can do that can take some of the pressure off during an interview. The
way that you behave is one of the most important. It’s not all in the
words that come out of your mouth, but often has a lot to do with the
mannerisms that you use.
Interviewers are not just
wondering if you are skilled enough for the job, they are often
wondering if you would fit in nicely with you co-workers. Your
personality is a big part of your interview and can make all the
difference. Here are some of the little things that you should pay
particularly close attention to during an interview.
You do not want to be chewing
gum or breath mints during your interview. You also don’t want to speak
in slang during your interview either. It is unprofessional and rude.
Show
Confidence
You cannot enter into an
interview with a defeatist attitude. You cannot mope or exude too much
placidity in your manner. It is not inviting, and does not give the
impression of a person that you want to face every day.
Be sure of your abilities
without appearing cocky or narcissistic. You want to let you
interviewer know that you are equipped to perform well at your job,
without alienating other workers. You should point out your
accomplishments in your field while remaining somewhat humble.
List your accomplishments in a
matter of fact way without going into too much detail. I know this
sounds repetitive, but you can never get this point too strongly.
Understand that body language plays a large part in exuding confidence
to others. Sit straight. Practice good posture, and keep your head up.
Keep a
Positive Attitude
You should always try to smile
and keep a positive outlook during your interview. If what you are
hearing something that doesn’t sound good to you, don’t frown and look
disgruntled, just keep a slight smile on your face until it is time for
you to say something. Then approach your interviewer with your
questions or concerns when the time is appropriate.
Maintain
Eye Contact
Keeping eye contact with your
interviewer is very important, especially when one of you is speaking
to the other. If you are looking around the room or at the items on the
interviewer’s desk, you will appear uninterested. Just imagine what you
would be thinking if you were speaking to him and he was looking all
over the room. You would probably think that you already lost the
interview.
Body
Language
We’ve touched on this a little
bit but you should mind some of the common errors that many people make
when they are speaking to others. I’ve listed some of the common things
that you should avoid when sitting through an interview.
Avoid fidgeting while speaking
to your interviewer. It shows a lack of self confidence.
Avoid speaking while using
overly expressive hand gestures. It is distracting.
Avoid biting your lips in
between sentences. It gives the impression that you are making things
up.
Do not sit with your arms
crossed because it makes you appear stand-offish.
Do not shrug your shoulders
when asked a question that you are unsure of. Take a second to think of
your response. Shrugging your shoulders gives the impression that you
don’t know the answer.
Don’t answer with nods and
head shakes. Use your words to answer questions.
Get plenty of sleep the night
before the interview. You don’t want to yawn in front of the
interviewer. He will think that you are expressing boredom.
Your First
Impression
First impressions can be a
hard thing to get past in any situation. During an interview you want
to give the best first impression that you can. There are many small
things that you can do to assure that you give the best impression
possible. They are as follows:
You can never be too polite to
the person that directs to your waiting area when waiting to be
interviewed. A small gesture like, asking how they are doing can work
wonders for you when you leave the building later.
While waiting to be
interviewed, sit properly and behave as if everyone passing you by is
your potential interviewer. (They just might be) Smile at people as
much as possible. Do not act impatient or bored, it sends the wrong
message. Some interviewers will keep you waiting just to see how you
handle yourself.
Greet you interviewer with a
firm handshake and a smile.
Remain standing until your
interviewer asks you to be seated. It is simply polite and shows proper
etiquette.
Again, dress according to the
type of job that you are applying for.
Show yourself to be well
organized, by having all things needed for the interview.
While waiting do not eat or
drink anything.
Don’t chat on your cell phone
while waiting for your interviewer. It makes you look distracted.
Your Resume
This may seem like an
unimportant thing during an interview, but this is the sole reason why
you may get that interview so you should be prepared with a well
written resume.
You should tailor your resume
to highlight the qualifications, work experience and any education that
you’ve had that best represents the type of work you are applying for.
You should also include any other work experience that you’ve had, as
well as any accomplishments that you have made in your field.
You may also want to dress up
your resume to let it stand out a bit. A nice border is an elegant way
to make your resume stand out without being a distraction to the
information within it.
Of course there also quite a
few things that recruiters hate to see on resumes as well. Many people
do not think that recruiters really go all the way through a resume,
but they really do. Recruiters have certain pet peeves when it comes to
reading a resume. I’ve included a list of some of the pet peeves that
you should avoid when putting your resume together. These are the
things that recruiters hate to see.
Hiding or not including vital
information on a resume is like death. A recruiter needs to see all of
your important information without having to search for it.
Major gaps in your employment
history leave a recruiter wondering about your work ethic. Be prepared
to answer questions if you have such gaps in yours.
Summaries that are hard to
follow and understand are annoying to recruiters. Keep your summary
easy and brief.
Use easy and simple fonts.
Fancy fonts and colors are not eye catching in the manner that you
likely wanted it to be. Yours will become to how-to on making resume
errors.
Avoid writing your resume as a
narrative or in the first or third person. It is really irritating for
a recruiter, and comes off as arrogant and/or egotistical.
Pictures and/or graphics on a
resume is distracting to a recruiter. Things like that will likely get
your resume tossed out without a glance.
Needlessly adding objectives
and introductions on your resume bores recruiters. They know what your
objective is, and your resume is not meant to be a novel.
Lying or putting misleading
information on your resume is a major no-no. There are always ways for
a recruiter to check up on you and many do, so don’t lie. Getting
caught in a lie on a resume just says that you can’t be trusted.
Adding unnecessary information
on a resume like your hobbies is completely useless. You should save
that section to describe any accomplishments that you have made in your
field.
Sending a resume that doesn’t
match the type of job that you are applying for is extremely irritating
to a recruiter. You are wasting their time.
Using overly long paragraphs
in a resume will get yours tossed aside. It is harder for the recruiter
to read and makes the task take too long.
Resumes that are more than two
pages will not be fully read by a recruiter. That’s just the way it is.
Dating the information in your
work history in the wrong order makes your resume harder to follow.
(Work history should be listed with most current jobs at the top)
Resumes that have too much
detail when talking about your previous duties are a waste of your
time. Duties are generally just sifted through. They are rarely given
very much attention, just enough to give the recruiter an idea of what
you have done in the past.
Spelling and grammatical
errors just proves that you are not very keen on details.
Dos and
Don’ts
There are quite a few things
that you should do and not do during an interview that could make the
whole thing a lot easier for both you and the interviewer. I have
listed them quickly in the table below.
Dos
Don’ts
Arrive
on time, or better yet 10 minutes early.
Be
overly aggressive or egotistical
Refer
to the interviewer by name.
Spend
too much time talking about money.
Smile
and use a firm handshake.
Act
uninterested in the company or the job.
Be
alert and act interested throughout.
Act
defensively when questioned about anything.
Maintain
eye contact at all times.
Speak
badly about past colleagues or employers.
Make
all comments in a positive manner.
Answer
with only yes or no.
Speak
clearly, firmly, and with authority.
Excuse
your bad points about work history.
Except
any refreshment offered.
Excuse
yourself halfway through the interview, even if you have to use the
bathroom.
Promote
your strengths.
Ask for
coffee or refreshments.
Your Cover
Letter
Creating the perfect cover
letter does not have to be difficult. Cover letters are generally short
and to the point. You should address your cover to someone in
particular. You should never address your cover letter with “To whom it
may Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madame” it is unprofessional and doesn’t show
a genuine interest in the company or the job.
The cover letter is the sole
purpose for looking at the resume. If it is written badly, the resume
might not get a once over. In most cases, the resume is just as
important as the resume, so I have briefly written the right formation
of one.
The cover letter should begin
with a basic greeting and the position that you are applying for. It
should be nor more than 2 lines long. The second paragraph should be a
brief description of your qualifications and why you applied to work
for them. The closing should announce an interest in hearing from them
soon, and a thank you for their time. Here is a sample of a successful
cover letter.
YOUR
NAME The
clerical position that is available.
Mr. Brown
3232 Jackson St.
Jackson City, FA
32443
YOUR NAME Mr. Joe Brown
YOUR NAME
This letter is in regards to the
clerical position that is recently available in your company. As my
enclosed resume will show you, I have three years experience as a clerk.
During my career I have successfully
integrated a new filing system for my previous employer, Wayne Law Firm
that increased their productivity by 33%. That filing system is still
in use there now, and has been integrated into two other companies.
I thank you for your time in reading
this letter. I hope to hear from you once you have had time to read my
resume.
YOUR NAME
YOUR NAME
Enclosure (1)
The
Restaurant Interview
Sometimes recruiters will ask
you to conduct your interview during lunch or dinner. It makes for a
more relaxed setting for the recruiter, but you should remember that it
is still an interview, and your behavior must be in accordance to that.
During this type of interview,
you should try to look at it as a relaxing way for you to talk about
and sell yourself to the recruiter. Making a little bit of small talk
is expected. Do not bring up the topic of the interview until the
interviewer does. He/she might want to get to know you a bit first.
Remember to talk about
yourself, but do not get too personal. There are also basic points of
etiquette and common sense rules that you should follow as well. They
are as follows:
Remember your basic table
manners, like putting your elbows on the table etc.
Always fold your napkin on
your lap before eating.
Do not order messy or sloppy
foods. That includes finger foods like ribs, and extremely large
sandwiches. Avoid pastas with thick sauces, and French fries.
Do not order the most
expensive item on the menu either.
Avoid alcoholic beverages if
you can.
When you get up to use the
restroom, place your napkin on your chair or on the arm of your chair.
Common sense; don’t smack your
lips or talk with your mouth full.
Always excuse yourself if you
plan to leave the table for any reason.
Do not have your cell phone
turned on.
Continue to speak formally to
your interviewer unless requested not to.
After your interview is over,
be certain to thank the recruiter for the meal and their time. Offer a
firm handshake, and ask when you should expect to hear from them. It
shows confidence and a continued interest in the job. Send a thank you
card that same day.
Closing
the Interview
Once you have run the bases of
the interview, it is still important that you end the interview well.
The hard part is over and now all that is left is for you close out the
interview in the same winning manner.
Wait until your interviewer
stands up or requests that you do. Give your closing greeting. Thank
the interviewer for his taking the time to see you. Offer another firm
handshake, and ask when you might know when you might expect to hear
from them about their decision.
Extra Tips
With all of the information
that was given in this manual, you would think that you have learned
everything that there is to know about acing an interview. However
there are still a few extra tips that you should know, and a few more
helpful hints.
Market your skills and related
experience in the field that you are applying for. Be sure to do it in
a way that is positive and not cocky.
Researching the company before
your interview is a good way to know where you would fit into it. It
lets the employer know that you really want to be a part of the company
too.
Bring your list of questions
with you in a folder with the company’s name on it with you so that you
don’t forget them. You should also keep your extra resumes in there too.
You want to describe your
weaknesses as strengths. For example, saying that you are
overenthusiastic about performing at your best.
Since many interviewers ask
you what your biggest fault might be, you should pick a fault that is
actually a good thing. Try saying “I don’t take on projects that I
can’t give 110% on.
Let your interviewer bring up
the topic of salary first.
Don’t volunteer your personal
opinions to your interviewer about any subjects unless you are asked.
Try to establish a good
rapport with your interviewer. Be casual but professional, and most
importantly BE YOURSELF!
Common
Interview Questions
Every interview compiles of
the interviewer asking you a great deal of questions. Many of them are
standard questions that every interviewer asks. I’ve listed the most
common questions that you will encounter during an interview to help
you get a handle on them before you go to one. It is always good to be
prepared.
By reading these common
questions that interviewers ask, you will have a leg up on the
competition. You will also have time to prepare your answers so that
you don’t get stumped. So here is your key to acing a job interview.
Tell me something about
yourself. Remember, say something positive.
How do handle stressful
situations?
How do you deal with criticism
and stress?
What is your definition of
success?
Why do you think that you
would fit in with this company? (This is where your research comes in
handy)
Have you ever been fired, and
why?
Where do you see yourself in 5
years?
Do you prefer to work on your
own or as a team?
Why are you interested in
working for this company?
How do you handle a difference
of opinion with your colleagues or superiors?
Why should I hire you?
Common
Questions When Applying for Your First Job After College Graduation
Tell me what your most
rewarding college experience was.
What extra curricular
activities did you participate in?
What have you learned in
college that applies directly to this job?
How have you prepared yourself
for the transition from college to the workplace?
Are you going to graduate
school? If so, do you plan to continue working as well?
How do you plan to manage
graduate school and working?
Did you get any hands on
experience in College?
How do you feel that college
has prepared you for this job?
Have you ever done an
internship that helped to prepare you for this type of work?
What do you think is the best
asset that you could bring to the company?
Questions
That You Should Ask Your Interviewer
Just like you will be fielding
questions from your interviewer, it is best to ask a few of your own.
It shows that you are genuinely interested in working there, and that
you have some concerns of your own. It also shows that you feel
relatively certain that this is the place for you.
Asking the right questions to
your prospective employer will show him/her that you are serious in you
efforts to work for their company, and that you are an organized
individual. You should steer clear of asking any personal questions or
any questions that are not directly job related.
If you wish, you may jot down
some of the answers that you are given for reference later on. Keep
your questions simple and polite. Make sure that you are asking direct
questions about the job and/or work environment.
Here are some questions that
you should ask your prospective employer:
Why is this position available
right now?
How many times has this
position been filled in the past 5 years?
What should the new person do
that is different from the last person that had this position?
What would you most like to
see done in the next 6 months?
What are the most difficult
problems that this jobs entails?
How much freedom do I have in
the decision making process?
What are my options for
advancement?
How has this company succeeded
in the past?
What changes do you envision
in near future for this company?
What do you think constitutes
success in this job?
Questions
Employers Cannot Ask
Just like there are many
questions that an interviewer can ask, there are many that he cannot
ask. Some questions are illegal to ask. Many people don’t realize that
there are off limit questions for employers. That is why I felt that it
was important to include them.
When or if you do encounter
some of these questions there are ways that you can choose to respond
to them. Since some people would probably answer them, it is good to
know that you don’t have to answer those kinds of questions. You can
simply ask how those questions pertain to the job you’re applying for.
Here is a list of the questions that are illegal for an interviewer to
ask.
Questions about your age are
not allowed during an interview because it should not be a factor upon
hiring you.
Questions about your marital
status are inappropriate and can easily be mistaken for sexual
harassment. This question also applies to whether or not you have
children, your child care plans etc. This type of question also
includes any other aspect of your personal life that should not effect
your chances of being hired.
Questions about your personal
health are also off limits.
Questions about your ethnicity
should not be asked by an interviewer or answered by the person being
given the interview.
Your sexual preference cannot
be a factor in your chances of being hired either. This type of
question should not be asked.
Whether or not you have
disabilities is a question that should not be asked either.
Your arrest record is
information that doesn’t have to be answered. All an interviewer can
ask you is if you have ever been convicted of a crime, they cannot ask
you what for or how many times.
Basically, personal
information cannot be asked by an interviewer. It is illegal, and you
do not have to respond.
The Post
Interview Follow-up
Now that the interview is
over, the hard work is over, but you still have to follow up on the
interview later. Sending a thank you note is the best way to start. The
thank you letter should be written with your thanks for their time and
consideration in seeing you.
If you haven’t heard from the
employer within a week, you should call the office to ask if they have
reached a decision yet. This is not being pushy; it shows your
enthusiasm and persistence. If they haven’t reached a decision, ask
when you might expect to hear from them. If they don’t give an answer
try again in another week and so on.
What
Employers Are Looking For
When an employer decides to
conduct an interview with you, there are certain things that they are
looking for from you. Naturally, you are likely to focus on these
things during an interview, but you should remember all of the tips in
this manual because following those tips is what is going to make the
employers see all of those things in you.
Since everybody wants to have
a leg up when it comes to an interview, it naturally seemed to be
appropriate to let you in on what the employers are evaluating you on
during an interview. So here is that list.
Your Enthusiasm:
Employers want to know that you are willing and eager to be a part of
their company. Being fully stocked with knowledge about the company is
a sure fire way to show your enthusiasm.
Your ability to speak
clearly: If you approach an interview mumbling and speaking
slang, a prospective employer will not see you as a professional.
Showing your teamwork
skills: You should show an example of your ability to work as
a team during your interview.
Leadership skills:
You should show your leadership abilities by approaching your interview
with an offensive train of thought.
Problem solving
ability: Employers needs to know that you can handle yourself
when a problem arrives.
Work related
experience: You definitely want to show that you have some
experience in the field already, so that the employer knows that you
will not be overwhelmed.
Community involvement:
Employers love to see that you have done volunteer work. It shows that
you take pride in your community, and a willingness to be a team player.
Company knowledge:
Again, this stipulates that employers like to see that you have done
your research about their company. It shows that your interest in
working for them is sincere.
Flexibility:
Employers want to know that you are able to go with the flow. It proves
that they can depend on you later.
Ambition and
Motivation: Ambitious people are generally motivated enough
to make great improvements in the company as they are working their way
up the ladder. Ambition usually means more money for the company.
People skills:
Your ability to get along with others is very important to an employer.
They need to know that you won’t ruffle any feathers when you are
hired.
Professional
appearance: Nobody wants a slob working in their office. Be
certain to dress appropriately for the job that you are applying for.
Ability to Multitask:
This is getting to be a very necessary skill in the workplace. Most
days, you will be required to multitask. Even if you are not, employers
need to know that you can do it without freaking out on them.
Computer ease:
These days, just about every company in the world is running on
computers. The ability to work a computer with at least minimal amount
of ease is important. It is best to keep a leg up on the most common
software like MS Office, Quark Express, and Linux.
Reliability:
Employers want dependable and reliable people to work for them. Your
ability to arrive on time is a good place to start when trying to prove
that you possess this quality.
Employer
Evaluations
Employers are generally
monitoring and evaluating you on three skill sets during an interview.
Those three skill sets can easily be broken down into these sections:
Content Skills
These are the skills that are
directly related to performing a specific job in your profession. You
get these skills by learning your craft in an accredited school through
specialized training, work experience, attaining a degree, and
internships. This shows an employer that you are have acquired all of
the knowledge that you will need to perform your job efficiently.
If you do not have this type
of skill available, you can simply express that you are looking into
specialized training, and/or would be willing to start. It may not be
exactly what the employer is looking for, but it shows that you show
initiative.
Functional Skills
These are the skills that
reflect your ability to work with others, and how you incorporate data.
This is where an employer decides whether or not you are a team player.
You can display this skill by displaying your past employment record
and accomplishments that are directly job related.
Generally an employer will get
an idea of your ability to work with others depending on your reasons
for leaving previous jobs, whether or not your were fired before etc.
If you have been fired before, don’t lie about it, and do not act
bitter about it when discussing the reason, this will not benefit you
in the end. Be forthcoming and sincere. Express that it was a learning
experience for you and tell them what you learned from it. It reflects
well on your temperament.
Adaptive Skills
This is a general show of your
personality and temperament. It also covers your self management
skills. During your interview, the employer will be evaluating you on
your general ability to get along with him/her. Your general
personality traits are monitored during this time.
When faced with a difficult
question, you do not want to get defensive or angry. Just take a few
seconds to think about what you should say rather than say something
you will regret. If you must; simply explain that you are little
nervous so that you can buy a few extra seconds to answer.
You want to appear at ease,
(or as much so as you can) during your interview. You want the employer
to think that you anticipated everything that he/she is going to say.
Even if you are terrified at your replies, do not let them see you
sweat.
Summary
By now, you have learned
everything that you need to know before you enter into an interview.
During this manual, you have acquired the skills needed to get and ace
any interview that you go on. You have made the right move in choosing
this manual as your guide. As promised, you are going to approach your
next interview with a leg up on the competition. By now, you have
learned to:
Get the interview of your
dreams
How to prepare for the
interview
The best way to behave during
an interview
How to make a great first
impression
How to build the best resume
for your dream job
How to create a winning cover
letter
What to do during a restaurant
interview
How to dress for success
How to close an interview
What question you will be
asked during an interview
What questions you should ask
during an interview
What questions cannot be asked
during an interview
How to follow up on your
interview
What employers are directly
looking for from you
You have learned everything
that you need to know in this guide, and probably a little more than
that. Don’t worry; if you have read and used all of the information in
this manual, you have increased your chances of getting that job by
100%. If you are due to have an interview, you’ve already learned how
to ace the interview just by reading this manual, so relax, and go get
that job!
