| You've submitted your resume and cover letter. Now | | | | than focus on your problem areas, explain how you |
| you've been offered an interview. Congratulations! To | | | | are taking steps to overcome those issues. If you're |
| make sure you'll be successful at this next stage of | | | | someone who doesn't like to delegate, explain how |
| the job application process, you'll want to prepare. | | | | you're learning to identify tasks that can be passed to |
| Think of the many celebrities and politicians you've | | | | others to increase team productivity. |
| seen interviewed; no doubt they have been well | | | | In talking about previous jobs and employers, resist the |
| prepared. Practice will enable you to quickly answer | | | | temptation to badmouth. While your feelings may be |
| the interviewer's questions without being caught off | | | | justified, you won't seem professional if you speak |
| guard. You'll also be able to convey the information | | | | negatively. Instead be tactful and diplomatic. Explain |
| that you feel it's important for the interviewer to know | | | | career moves in terms of your plans to grow and |
| about you. | | | | learn. |
| Most of the questions will likely be about your past | | | | Smile as you speak. A pleasant expression will make |
| work experience. Be prepared to summarize your | | | | you appear to be relaxed. Besides, nobody likes a |
| responsibilities at jobs you held with other companies. | | | | grouch. |
| Even open-ended questions like "Tell me about | | | | If at some point you have a gap in your employment, |
| yourself," are designed to elicit responses about your | | | | you may be asked to explain why. Present your |
| professional background moreso than your personal | | | | situation in a positive light. Clarify how you used the |
| attributes. | | | | time productively and kept your skills up to date during |
| When answering, be honest, but present yourself in | | | | that time away from work. |
| your best light. Expound on your successes and | | | | Be a good listener. An interview should be a |
| accomplishments, but don't ramble. If you can provide | | | | conversation in which both parties participate. If you |
| specific examples to illustrate your points, do so, but | | | | want to establish a rapport with the interviewer, you'll |
| only give one or two. More than that will bore the | | | | need to appear interested in what he's saying. Make |
| interviewer. | | | | good eye contact. Smile. Let him finish his thoughts |
| Express confidence, not arrogance. Yes, it's a fine line | | | | before speaking. Stay focused on answering the |
| to walk. At a job interview you're expected to toot | | | | specific questions he's asking. |
| your own horn. After all, if you don't tell the interviewer | | | | You should also, be prepared to ask some questions |
| about your accomplishments, he won't get a true | | | | of your own about the company and the |
| picture of who you are. Ideally, you should be able to | | | | responsibilities of the position you're applying for. Your |
| support your claims with facts. | | | | interest will be noted and you'll also have more |
| For example, if you say that you're a good salesman, | | | | information to use in deciding if this is the right job for |
| you can provide some figures that prove your abilities. | | | | you. |
| Perhaps you increased sales at your last company by | | | | Your goal is to impress the interviewer. You want to |
| 10% or you were responsible for $3 million in sales the | | | | be memorable, but in a good way. As in a social |
| past year. Those are pretty compelling facts certainly | | | | situation, you should be polite, nice and likable. Be a |
| worth sharing. | | | | natural, but professional version of your true self. |
| If asked about your weaknesses, don't deny having | | | | Follow these guidelines and you're sure to ace your |
| them. Come on, we all have at least a few. But rather | | | | next interview and get the job offer you want! |