| Job interviews can be very stressful situations. To | | | | - Go into the interview with a 30-day, a 60-day, and a |
| alleviate that stress so that you come across as | | | | 90-day business plan. This is simply a plan for what |
| confident, competent, and capable: be prepared, have | | | | you are going to do in that time frame after you get |
| good communications skills, and have a few tricks up | | | | hired. If you want to get a hiring manager's attention, |
| your sleeve. Stepping it up so that you shine in the | | | | this is the way to do it. It shows that you are serious, |
| interview and stand out from the crowd is what's | | | | capable, and committed. |
| going to get you the job. | | | | - If you're going to a dinner/lunch interview, please be |
| It cannot be stressed enough: Do your homework on | | | | sure your table manners are excellent. Get a book if |
| the company. Know what they do, and what's | | | | you have to. It sounds basic, but candidates lose jobs |
| currently going on with them. Check the company's | | | | because of poor table manners at dinner. And of |
| website and Google them, too, to find information from | | | | course, dress professionally: conservatively, with nails |
| newspapers, magazines, and blogs. That should give | | | | trimmed, shoes shined, and no overt fragrances or |
| you plenty of material to discuss, as well as help you | | | | flashy jewelry. |
| direct your answers to what's going to be of the most | | | | A few more tricks to tone your interview skills: have a |
| interest to them. And, it gives you material for great | | | | few small talk topics ready to go, and remember to be |
| questions to ask-it fills in the information you need, and | | | | confident. No sarcasm or self-deprecation. If you have |
| it demonstrates your interest in the company. | | | | to give yourself a pep talk before you go in, do it. Be |
| - Check to see who you are LinkedIn with who has a | | | | positive. Videotape yourself answering interview |
| connection to the hiring manager (or someone very | | | | questions to see how you perform. Ask for feedback |
| close to them). If you find a connection in your | | | | from others. |
| networks, that's a definite plus for you. | | | | Look at it from an employer's perspective: they want |
| Interview preparation and presentation will help you. | | | | someone with the skills to do the job as well as |
| Make sure you are fresh and alert, watch your body | | | | someone they can relate to and work with on a |
| language, and be prepared to market yourself. Don't | | | | day-to-day basis. Be friendly. Think of it as a |
| rely on the interviewer to lead you to the information | | | | networking opportunity. Being relaxed and confident, |
| they need on you. Not all interviewers are skilled at | | | | and asking your own questions in a give-and-take |
| getting the information they need. Radiate enthusiasm | | | | session will help alleviate your nerves and result in a |
| for the job. Act like you'd enjoy it, not like you're | | | | great interview. |
| desperate to get it. | | | | |