| Interviewing with confidence is a bit like parachuting. | | | | make sure you can answer with confidence. If your |
| Granted, not just like parachuting, but they are similar in | | | | voice is sincere and your replies are intelligent, you will |
| the fact that both require confidence, practice and | | | | give the impression of someone who really knows |
| perfect timing or you could fall on your face. For those | | | | what they want out of life. A prime candidate for the |
| keen on giving a spectacular interview, here are a few | | | | job! |
| helpful hints to tip the scales in your favor and see that | | | | It is not the interviewer's job to make sure that he tells |
| you land safely in the seat of the job you want. | | | | you everything there is to know about the company. |
| When you prepare for an interview, don't just assume | | | | You should have a few questions for him as well. In |
| that picking out a power suit and sticking your CV in | | | | order to prove that you really prepared for your |
| your bag is all there is to it. Those are two very | | | | meeting, try learning a little bit about the company itself |
| important things to begin, but a few added efforts and | | | | so that you can discuss it intelligently. Here are some |
| doing some homework before hand can help more | | | | questions you might want to ask about the company: |
| than you may have realized. | | | | * What is your biggest product or service? |
| "Hello - worthy job applicant speaking." | | | | * Who are your customers? |
| When an employer rings and asks you to come for an | | | | * Who are your toughest competitors? |
| interview, your most polite and interested telephone | | | | Here are some questions pertaining to your possible |
| voice is essential! Should you need to ask for | | | | employment with them: |
| directions or a different date, do so in the same | | | | * To whom would I be reporting? |
| manner that you would if you were in that person's | | | | * How is performance evaluated? |
| office. A pleasant telephone voice might just be one of | | | | * What is the company promotion policy? |
| the things that the boss finds important for the job. | | | | * Does the companies have developmental programs? |
| "A funny thing happened on the way to the interview . | | | | * How many days per week? Office hours? |
| . ." | | | | Be sure that you ask your questions in courteous |
| This type of opener is only acceptable if it is not | | | | manner. Space them out well and always make them |
| followed by an excuse as to why you are late! Being | | | | relevant to the topic at hand. Don't just frantically spout |
| late for an interview in itself tells the employer that you | | | | them off before the interviewer even has a chance to |
| care very little about the job. If, however, you were | | | | sit down. You want to sound interested and receptive, |
| tardy because of an unavoidable emergency, then . . . | | | | not uptight and neurotic. |
| well, your torn clothing, black eye and wet hair will | | | | The Top Ten list of what NOT to do in an interview! |
| speak for you. Joking aside, aim to be about 5 or 10 | | | | An informal survey of employers around the US has |
| minutes early. You will make a much better first | | | | produced some very useful insight as to what |
| impression this way. | | | | recruiters and bosses dislike most during interviews. |
| Speaking of first impressions, here are a few basics: 1.) | | | | Their pet peeves are as follows: |
| Look your very best. 2.) Smile and be polite 3.) Don't | | | | 1.) disorganization |
| ask how much the job pays - not yet! Okay, so you | | | | 2.) sloppy dressers |
| already knew all of that, that's good. Let's get to the | | | | 3.) uninterested applicants |
| really useful parts! | | | | 4.) people unable to communicate effectively |
| Shake with poise, not with fear | | | | 5.) people who interrupt |
| If you smile and offer a respectable handshake upon | | | | 6.) people who fidget |
| meeting the boss, then you are already on the right | | | | 7.) overly polite /insincere |
| track. If you stare at the floor and wait for him to | | | | 8.) people who have no questions |
| approach you, you are only showing that you feel | | | | 9.) bad-mouthing others |
| uncomfortable and nervous and perhaps lacking the | | | | 10.) people only interested in money |
| necessary confidence for the job. Nervousness is not | | | | Although money will be a concern, it should be the |
| always a bad thing, but when you let it control you | | | | interviewer who broaches the subject first. Never call |
| during the interview, you may come away feeling | | | | before hand or begin an interview asking how much |
| embarrassed and let down. If you do not feel as brave | | | | money you will be making. You must prove your worth |
| as you'd like to feel - dig deeper - it's there | | | | it before they can finally decide. So, if you give a |
| somewhere! After all, you did apply for the job and | | | | superb interview and suit their needs, who knows, they |
| they did call you, didn't they? See? Half the battle is | | | | just might feel that you are entitled and offer you a |
| already over. | | | | little more than they had originally planned. |
| After you greet the interviewer with self-assuredness, | | | | When the end is in sight |
| try making a little basic conversation. Small talk is quite | | | | It will be obvious when the interview is nearing its end. |
| common during the first few minutes of an interview | | | | The interviewer will have no more questions for you, |
| as both parties try to assess each other and | | | | you will have asked all of your questions, been clever |
| determine the mood the interview will adopt. You | | | | and alert, made just the right amount of chit-chat to |
| needn't think of something profoundly witty to say, but | | | | leave a friendly impression and managed to smile |
| you might want to try to make the interviewer feel | | | | genuinely all the way through. When you stand to |
| that you are comfortable with the situation. Whether | | | | leave, tell the interviewer that you hope he/she will |
| you compliment the decor of the office, talk about the | | | | consider you for the position and that you have |
| weather or how glad you are to be there for the | | | | thoroughly enjoyed meeting with him/her. Reiterate |
| interview, it doesn't matter. What matters is giving the | | | | when you can be contacted if need be and thank him |
| impression that you are an easy person to get along | | | | for his time. When you turn gracefully and saunter |
| with. | | | | from the room, you should feel proud of yourself. You |
| "Go ahead! Ask me anything!" | | | | have just given a spectacular interview! |
| A great way to avoid being nervous is to make a list | | | | Just a little note to say THANKS! |
| of some common questions asked by interviewers. If | | | | If you feel you had a good interview, it is quite all right |
| you already know how you want to reply, you'll find | | | | to send a "thank you" note to the interviewer. It should |
| that much of your anxiety disappears. Here are a few | | | | have a return address on the envelope and state your |
| sample questions to practice answering before you go: | | | | name, address and phone number on the inside as |
| * Why do you want to work for our company? | | | | well. You may also want to hand write a brief personal |
| * What kind of career do you have planned? | | | | sentence, such as: "I appreciate that you took time out |
| * What are your strengths? weaknesses? | | | | of your busy schedule to meet with me." This short |
| * What is your greatest achievement? | | | | note will refresh the interviewer's memory and help |
| When you practice your replies to these questions, | | | | you to make a positive last impression. |