| Nine Steps to Interview Success | | | | career? |
| These days, the average person changes their career | | | | What is your greatest strength/weakness? |
| seven to ten times within their life span. This means | | | | Where do you see yourself five years from now? |
| that the average person is going to send out several | | | | What are your salary expectations for this position? |
| hundred copies of their resumes in their lifetime...and | | | | Why should we hire YOU? |
| yes, they're going to have to go through several | | | | Prepare sample answers to these questions. |
| interviews in their lifetime. | | | | Memorize a couple of key responses. Remember that |
| Scary, huh? | | | | no matter who you're interviewing for or with, if it's a |
| If the interview process makes you nervous, well, | | | | job interview, the basic focus is going to be on your |
| you're not alone. But right now, it's time to stop | | | | experience, your goals, and your potential to contribute |
| worrying. You're about to learn the nine vital steps for | | | | to the company. Be sure you can argue a case for |
| interview success...how to pass any interview you | | | | yourself on these key points. |
| face! | | | | Step 6: Let the interviewer lead you: |
| Step 1: Research the Company that you are being | | | | The interviewer is the one running the interview but |
| interviewed for: | | | | you can set the pace. Wait for the interviewer to ask |
| It's a pretty obvious trick: research the company you're | | | | the questions. Take your time to listen to the questions. |
| interviewing for and be prepared to show off what | | | | Give your answers carefully; make sure they are |
| you know about them. Way too many people show | | | | considered. That said, each of your answers should be |
| up for an interview without having the first idea about | | | | given with an energetic and enthusiastic voice. Above |
| what the particular company stands for. The truth is | | | | all, smile and enjoy the interview. Be courteous and |
| that you should know at least something about the | | | | always thank the interviewer at the end of the |
| company's mission, its general business process, and | | | | interview. Tell them that you're well qualified for the job, |
| its particular needs. Know how long the company has | | | | and that you will prove it to them upon being hired. |
| been in business and whether they're financially sound | | | | Don't be afraid to be confident in yourself and your |
| and profitable. Research the company with a view to | | | | abilities. |
| determine what you can do to help them achieve their | | | | Step 7: Ask for the next step: |
| goals. Be prepared to say specifically how your | | | | The interviewer will ask most of the questions but you |
| personal goals and experience are going to be | | | | will have a chance to get a word in shortly. Find out |
| valuable to the company. | | | | what will happen next, and what you should expect |
| Step 2: Know your resume: | | | | after the interview. When should you be hearing from |
| In virtually any interview situation, you're interviewer is | | | | them about the job? When will the hiring decision be |
| going to ask you questions about your resume, about | | | | made? |
| your experiences and even about the quirky stuff | | | | Step 8: Send a thank you note: |
| you've listed to pad it out. You should read your | | | | Everything you do regarding your interview has |
| resume over and over, and know the details of it | | | | consequences. Just as a good sales person follows up |
| because you never know when you're going to be | | | | on a lead, after each interview you attend you should |
| asked about your chess playing experience or your | | | | be sure to send a thank you note to the employer and |
| interest in literature. Make sure there's nothing detailed | | | | the interviewer, thanking them for their time. Going the |
| on your resume that you're uncomfortable talking | | | | extra mile in this way will generally show that you're |
| about. | | | | qualified for the position, or at least that you're a |
| Step 3: Dress for Success: | | | | serious and diligent person. |
| Appearance can become nine-tenths of the law if you | | | | Step 9: Follow-up: |
| don't pay attention to it. For every interview, make sure | | | | Of course, sending a thank you note is something you |
| you wear garments that are professional and | | | | do immediately after the interview. A reasonable |
| appropriate the position that you're seeking. Your | | | | period after, usually a week or two at least, you should |
| clothes should be comfortable, clean, and pressed. | | | | take one further step to follow up. Call the company |
| Don't create a crisis for yourself on the morning of the | | | | offices and ask if you can speak to the hiring manager |
| interview when it comes to your clothes. Pick out your | | | | who interviewed you. You can start the conversation |
| outfit and make sure it's ready the night before your | | | | by asking if they received your note. Then you can |
| big interview. | | | | ask them if any decisions were made and, if not, |
| Step 4: Make sure that you wake up early and are on | | | | approximately when you should call back or otherwise |
| time: | | | | expect to hear from them. Don't be pushy; above all, |
| Just as you shouldn't let your wardrobe run you down | | | | be polite and courteous, even if a response is not |
| on the big day, you shouldn't let traffic or public | | | | forthcoming. |
| transport delays upset you either. It's also crucial that | | | | WHEN YOU'RE HIRED...THINGS TO THINK ABOUT... |
| you don't get lost on the way so have directions -and | | | | If you are hired, remember that you need to stand up |
| confirm them if you have to - well before you set off. | | | | to your promises. You should always be putting 110% |
| These days, with MapQuest, you have no excuses. | | | | effort. An unspoken trick to get comfortable in |
| Make sure you leave the house early, and plan to be | | | | interviews and to always get the job you want: in |
| at the interview at least ten minutes early. | | | | every job you accept, make yourself shine. |
| Step 5: Review interview questions: | | | | Regardless of how much you are paid or how much |
| Interviews may be pretty scary but they're also pretty | | | | responsibility and work you're given, take the initiative |
| predictable. It doesn't take much to predict the basic | | | | to do more. The more you're prepared to do for your |
| questions you're going to be asked. Here are some | | | | job, the future each of your jobs will take you. Don't |
| examples: | | | | worry about being rewarded, just keep working hard, |
| Tell me about yourself? | | | | and it will pay off. I guarantee it. |
| Tell me about a time you failed miserably in your | | | | |