| You're just about ready to start your job search and | | | | company -- be prepared.Do your researchResearch |
| send out your first resume. Stop! Before your send out | | | | as much as possible about the company you are |
| that resume, are you prepared for the job interview? | | | | interviewing at. One source of information is their |
| Your resume just gets your foot into the door. If you | | | | website. You can also do a search on the internet to |
| want to have a successful interview, you will need to | | | | see what information surfaces about the company. |
| plan. Here are some tips to guide you in preparing for a | | | | The more you know about the company, the more |
| terrific interview.Know your skills and | | | | effective you can be in presenting your skills and |
| accomplishmentsProbably the most common question | | | | knowledge.Prepare questionsMost of the time a |
| you will be asked is "Tell me about yourself." Be ready | | | | candidate spends time preparing answers for the |
| to clearly present your knowledge, skills and abilities | | | | employer's questions. Don't forget your questions! I |
| and how you can add value to the | | | | recommend creating around 10 questions you want to |
| company.Employers will also evaluate your fit for the | | | | know about the position and the company ahead of |
| job by asking "behavior-based" questions. Questions | | | | time. Why is this important? For two reasons: You are |
| like: In your previous job what was your most | | | | letting the interviewer know you did your research on |
| challenging situation and how did you handle it? They | | | | the company; and second, you want to know if this |
| want the details and will continue to probe until they | | | | job is a good fit for you.How to dressKnow ahead of |
| have an understanding of how you dealt with the | | | | time what you are going to wear at the interview. |
| situation. The belief here is that past performance is a | | | | Even if a company is business casual, dress in a suit |
| strong indicator of how you will continue to | | | | so you can make a great first impression. I |
| behave.Take the time beforehand to review your job | | | | recommend that you select two interview outfits that |
| experiences. Collect some stories about challenging | | | | you feel absolutely great in. This way in case one gets |
| situations or people that you handled well, successful | | | | dirty, and a job opportunity surfaces quickly, you have |
| projects, or solutions you have initiated that made the | | | | another great outfit to wear. It is known that the more |
| work more efficient.Organize your referencesMake | | | | confident you feel about how you look, the better you |
| sure you have three references before you start your | | | | will present yourself.Do a test-driveIf you are not sure |
| job search. Most companies include reference | | | | where to go, do your test-drive to the office before |
| checking before making a final decision on a candidate. | | | | the interview. You don't want to be nervous about |
| Bring to the interview the contact information for your | | | | being late, so figure out beforehand how to get there |
| references, and only give it to them if they ask.Ideally, | | | | and how long it takes.Bring extra resumesJust in case |
| provide a reference from each company you have | | | | the interviewer can't locate your resume, bring two or |
| listed on your resume. If you have an extensive work | | | | three copies of your resume with you.Closing the |
| history, you can focus on references from your last | | | | interviewUsually an interviewer will end the meeting by |
| two companies. Potential references are supervisors | | | | asking "do you any other questions?" If you are |
| or managers or peers within the work place. If you | | | | interested in this position, this is a great opportunity to |
| volunteered on a project, this is also a good source for | | | | let them know you are interested in the position, and |
| a strong reference.Your references should be able to | | | | briefly summarize what you have to offer.Write a |
| discuss their relationship with you, your abilities, | | | | thank you noteCollect business cards from everyone |
| knowledge, work ethic, and how you interacted with | | | | that you meet and send a "thank you" note to them. |
| others in the company. Don't forget, the employer may | | | | The effort is worth it, as you get another opportunity |
| want to know your weakness as well, so ask your | | | | to state your interest and suitability for the position. In |
| references to be ready to answer that question.As | | | | the body of the note, sum up your strengths and |
| soon as a company requests your references, | | | | remind them how you can add value to the |
| contact them to notify them of a potential call. They | | | | company.What did you learn?Every interview is a |
| are your partners in your job search, so give them all | | | | learning experience. As soon as the interview is over, |
| the details you have about the company and the | | | | step back and reflect on how the interview went. Did |
| position -- don't leave them in the dark. If you can't | | | | you answer the interviewer's questions clearly, how did |
| speak with them directly, email or leave a voice mail | | | | they respond to you, how well did you present your |
| notifying them of the details.Practice, practice, | | | | strengths, and did you get all of your questions |
| practiceThe more comfortable you feel about what | | | | answered about the job and the company. Use this |
| skills and knowledge you have to offer, the more | | | | information to practice for your next interview.© |
| confidence you will have in the interview. It's a good | | | | copyright 2004 by Pat Brill: all rights reservedAs a |
| idea to practice your answers either in front of a | | | | senior level human resources professional,I have |
| mirror, or work with a friend or a coach.Prepare for a | | | | worked with individuals to either broaden their current |
| telephone interviewCompanies have different | | | | careers or to search for and create a new career |
| screening processes to find suitable candidates for | | | | path.If you are interested in exploring career coaching, I |
| their open positions. It is not uncommon for a recruiter | | | | offer a 45-minute complimentary session to learn |
| to screen you briefly on the telephone, so be ready to | | | | more about coaching, as well as me your coach. Call |
| present yourself as soon as you send out your | | | | 718-631-9082 for your complimentary session. |
| resume. Don't be casual about any contact with a | | | | |