Article Category : Interview Tips

Of course interviews are mainly about you answering the questions they put to you, but at the end of your allotted interview time, the questions that really matter most are yours. You should hope to hear the interviewer ask you:

“Have you any questions?”

But even if they don’t ask, you should grasp the opportunity and say:

“Do you mind if I ask a couple of questions?”

However you must be careful when planning what questions you’re going to ask, and make sure that they are not ones that you should already know the answer to because it’s been covered in the interview.

Try to make sure that you ask questions that are relevant to the job. You could ask things like:

? Is this a new position?

? Who would I be responsible to?

? How many other people do a similar job?

? When did the last person leave this job? (And why?)

? When will I know the result of this interview?

? What opportunities are there for progression or further training?

? Do you have time to show me around the area where I will be working?

? Is there anything else that I can tell you about my experience or background?

And the most important if you can ask it is:

“Did I answer all your questions fully?”

If they do have any reservations, this just might bring them out and let you have another shot at giving a better answer.

You probably also want to know about pay, benefits and holidays too, but now is not the right time to ask - and it’s important not to ask too early. You’ll get a chance when they show they’re interested in you for the job.

If they covered all the points you were going to ask :

Try paying the interviewer a compliment:

“I think you’ve covered all the points I was going to ask you about.”

“I wanted to know about the department structure and the systems that you use, but you have covered all those areas, thank you.”

Show that you have taken an interest in the company:

“I read that you have ten outlets in Yorkshire. Are you intending to expand any more during the next year?”

Try for the opportunity to summarise for one last time why the interviewer should offer you the job. This means that you will leave on an upbeat note with your skills and experience the final things that they remember about you:

“Could I summarise why you should seriously consider me for this position?”

Interview questions are not only your best leads because they let you know what is important to the interviewer, but your interview questions let them know you are interested.

It also means that the interview doesn’t just fizzle out but ends positively.

With over 25 years running businesses, and as a Career Coach and Consultant in many sectors, Peter Fisher is well placed to guide job seekers through the steps needed in order to achieve that all important new position. He has personally coached thousands of individuals to career success.

His distillation of these years of experience includes all the essential facts and actions you must complete in order to achieve your own success. He is very clear that you shouldn’t be misled by others into thinking of “acing interviews” or “finessing” your way into a business; the most sustainable and fulfilling roles are gained through understanding your own specific needs and creating your strategy accordingly.

For specific guidance on how you might best prepare for your interview go to http://www.your-career-change.com/interview-preparation.html

To learn more about his dynamic and comprehensive approach to career change, with every page dedicated to helping serious career changers go to http://www.your-career-change.com/index.html

Job Interviews: Succeeding with Panel Interviews

Article Category : Interview Tips

These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of three-to-six interviewers.

A “team approach” to finding the best candidate can be beneficial for the employer. Each member brings a different set of skills, experience and judgment to the team, and can point out pros (and cons) about a candidate that the other interviewers might miss.

Panel interviews can also be beneficial for the job seekers.

In a one-on-one interview you only have one shot at making the best impression. With a team doing the interviewing, your odds are increased!

Say for example that Interviewer No. 1 had a bad experience with your past employer and unconsciously (or consciously) holds that against you, even though you had nothing to do with what happened. Interviewers No. 2, 3, and 4 have no such prejudices and so could sway the vote in your favor.

While panel interviews often seem more intimidating than one-on-one interviews, here are some steps you can take to ease your stress and ensure a successful outcome.

1. Relax. Remember that being faced by a panel of strangers (versus one) is better for you.

2. Smile. Everyone in the room will smile back and you’ll all get off to a great start.

3. Greet each interviewer individually. Shake hands with each person. Repeat their names as you are introduced (everyone likes to hear their own name, and it will help you to remember them).

4. Include everyone when answering questions. Face and make eye contact with the person who asks the question, but then extend your eye contact to everyone in the room. You’re speaking to all of them, not just the person who asked the question.

5. Get their cards. Before leaving, get a business card from each person in the room. These will come in handy when it’s time to send your thank-you notes. (If they don’t have cards, ask for their names again if you don’t remember them; jot them down. You can contact the HR person or receptionist later to get their email or mailing address.)

6. Send individual thank-you notes. Immediately send a thank-you note to each member of the interview panel, but don’t make the notes identical. Make it more personal by pointing out something that person said or asked. For example, “When you asked me about my marketing experience, I forgot to mention that in addition to my three years as a marketing representative at ABC company, I also participated on several marketing focus groups while working at XYZ company.”

Remember, a panel interview is an opportunity to shine in front of not just one person, but a whole team!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.Best-Interview-Strategies.com

Interview Tips, How to Get the Job You Want

Article Category : Interview Tips

Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. This is the state from which great basketball players or Olympic skaters operate. You’ll need to quiet the negative self chatter in your head through meditation or visualization prior to sitting down in the meeting. You’ll focus on the present moment and will be less apt to experience lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation.

Expect to answer the question, “Tell me about yourself.” This is a pet question of prepared and even unprepared interviewers. Everything you include should answer the question, “Why should we hire you?” Carefully prepare your answer to include examples of achievements from your work life that closely match the elements of the job before you. Obviously, you’ll want to know as much about the job description as you can before you respond to the question.

Set goals for the interview. It is your job to leave the meeting feeling secure that the interviewer knows as much as he or she possibly can about your skills, abilities, experience and achievements. If you sense there are misconceptions, clear them up before leaving. If the interviewer doesn’t get around to asking you important questions, pose them yourself (diplomatically) and answer them. Don’t leave the meeting without getting your own questions answered so that you have a clear idea of what you would be getting yourself into. If possible, try to get further interviews, especially with other key players.

Act spontaneous, but be well prepared. Be your authentic self, professional yet real. Engage in true conversation with your interviewer, resting on the preparation you did prior to coming to the meeting. Conduct several trial runs with another person simulating the interview before it actually occurs. It’s the same as anticipating the questions you’ll be asked on a final exam.

Be smart about money questions. Don’t fall into the trap of telling the interviewer your financial expectations. You may be asking for too little or too much money and in each case ruin your chances of being offered the job. Instead, ask what salary range the job falls in. Attempt to postpone a money discussion until you have a better understanding of the scope of responsibilities of the job.

Know the question behind the question. Ultimately, every question boils down to, “Why should we hire you?” Be sure you answer that completely. If there is a question about your meeting deadlines, consider whether the interviewer is probing delicately about your personal life, careful not to ask you whether your family responsibilities will interfere with your work. Find away to address fears if you sense they are present.

Consider the interviewer’s agenda. Much is on the shoulders of the interviewer. He or she has the responsibility of hiring the right candidate. Your ability to do the job will need to be justified. “Are there additional pluses here?” “Will this person fit the culture of this organization?” These as well as other questions will be heavily on the interviewer’s mind. Find ways to demonstrate your qualities above and beyond just doing the job.

Follow up with an effective “thank you” letter. Don’t write this letter lightly. It is another opportunity to market yourself. Find some areas discussed in the meeting and expand upon them in your letter. Writing a letter after a meeting is a very minimum. Standing out among the other candidates will occur if you thoughtfully consider this follow up letter as an additional interview in which you get to do all the talking. Propose useful ideas that demonstrate your added value to the team.

Josh Nay
Employment Solutions 4u

Four Important Questions to Ask Your Interviewer; Do You Really Want to Work for This Person?

Article Category : Interview Tips, Career Management, Work Place, Recruiters Press

Many job seekers miss a golden opportunity when they are asked towards the end of an interview if they爃ave any questions. If they feel the interviewer adequately explained the position, they make the mistake of answering “No” to this question. But this is the perfect time to find out if you really want to work for this person!?After all, even a wonderful job can turn into a miserable experience if you don’t get along with the person you work for.

Here’s how to find out if the boss will be as great as the job — ask these questions during the interview:

1.?”What’s your ideal employee like?”?Asking this question will give you an idea of what this boss would expect from you. Listen carefully to the answer and deduce what it will mean for you.?For example, if her ideal employee works independently, you’ll know this boss is not a爉icromanager. If her ideal employee follows procedures without question, you’ll know it may be an uphill battle to implement changes or new ideas. If her ideal employee works long hours, don’t expect to leave on time every night.

2.?”What are the other people in the office like?”?Does this boss really know the people who work for her? Does she list their accomplishments with pride or say something vague and unimpressive??Note her tone of voice when she talks about her team. Is she enthusiastic or disappointed?

3.?”How does an employee succeed on your team?” Hopefully she’ll give you something more enlightening than “Do the job right.”?You want to learn what standards are expected. For example, if it’s a sales position, will you be expected to exceed a specific dollar value in sales or obtain a percentage of satisfied customers? So if her answer is too generic, you may have to follow up with more questions to get specifics.?Ask about the typical career path for an employee who successfully meets goals.

4.?”How do you go about solving problems?”?How she answers this question can give you insight into her management style. Does she prefer to take charge when things go wrong, or encourage her team to develop solutions?

In addition to the answers themselves, note this person’s overall attitude about answering these questions. If she was open to them and answered thoughtfully, she’s probably someone who enjoys promoting good working relationships.?If you’re offered the job, you shouldn’t have any hesitations about working for this person.?But if she appeared to resent the questions and didn’t answer them to your satisfaction, she’s not someone you’d
want to work for.

It’s better to know this sooner rather than later!?

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

Job Interviews & the Magic of Music

Article Category : Interview Tips

Can music help you with your next job interview? It just might! Here’s how.

First, it can help you during your research, preparation and practice. While it doesn’t appear to work for everyone, some studies suggest that having classical music playing softly in the background as you study can boost your recall. Try it as you’re reading over your prepared answers for probable interview questions.

Second, music can help you relax, put you in an positive mood, and help dispel nervousness. Think of a song you really enjoy, one that makes you feel great, and listen to it as you’re driving to your interview.

A possible song you might consider is “All Star” by Smash Mouth. It’s got a great, upbeat tempo, and some of the lyrics could be interpreted as advice for getting ahead:

“You’ll never know if you don’t go, you’ll never shine if you don’t glow… Hey now, you’re an All Star, get your game on, go play; Hey now, you’re a Rock Star, get the show on, get paid…. All that glitters is gold, Only shooting stars break the mold.” Crank that up, listen to those words, and say to yourself, “I AM a shooting star, I’m going to SHINE, break the mold, and GET PAID!”

I guarantee you’ll be in a confident, upbeat mood as you arrive for your interview, and that will give you a MAJOR edge over the competiton!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

Hey, You Cant Ask Me That! (How to Respond to Inappropriate Job Interview Questions)

Article Category : Interview Tips

I received the following questions from a visitor to my website recently: “How should I respond to inappropriate questions such as: (1) Do you have a stable home life? (2) Tell me about your personal situation. Are these inappropriate questions? It has been so long since I interviewed for a job, your suggestions about the most helpful responses would be appreciated!”

Those are, indeed, inappropriate questions that should NOT be asked at an interview.

Various federal, state, and local laws regulate the questions a prospective employer can ask you. An employer’s questions - on the job application, in the interview, or during the testing process - must be related to the job for which you are applying.

That does not mean, however, that you will never be asked inappropriate questions. Some companies have poor HR support, some interviewers are untrained and unaware of inappropriate or illegal questions, and some even ask them knowing they should not.

You won’t have much chance of getting the job if you respond to such questions by saying, “Hey, that’s an inappropriate question. You can’t ask me that!”

So you have a few options. First, you can answer the question. Even if it’s inappropriate to ask, there’s nothing that says you can’t answer it. If you choose to do so, realize that you are giving information that is not job-related. You could harm your chances by giving the “wrong” answer.

Or you could respond with something like, “How would my answer to that question directly relate to my ability to perform in this position?” If you keep your tone non-confrontational, courteous and upbeat, they may realize they’ve goofed by asking such a question without getting upset at you for pointing out their mistake. Depending on how they respond, you may feel more comfortable answering.

The best strategy, I believe, is to figure out and address their TRUE CONCERN. When they ask something like, “Do you have a stable personal life?” they may be trying to protect themselves from a bad situation that they’ve had to deal with in the past (former employee whose personal problems interfered with his/her ability to do the job). So what they really want to know is, will YOU be a reliable employee who can be counted upon to show up and do your job effectively, regardless of any personal problems you may have.

So without directly answering their question, try to address their underlying concern. In this instance you might say, “My career is very important to me. I’m fully committed to performing at my highest level at all times, and don’t allow any kind of distractions to interfere with that. I’ll deliver the results you’re looking for.”

If you’re not sure what their true concern is, ask something like “Could you please rephrase or elaborate on your question? I want to make sure I address your concern.”

Please realize that many interviewers are untrained and therefore unaware that a question they might ask to break the ice — such as “Do you have any kids?” — is inappropriate. Yes, this question may be an attempt to determine if you have child-care issues that could interfere with your job… but it’s MORE likely that the interviewer is innocently trying to find something he/she has in common with you.

In the end, it’s basically a judgment call on your part. If you feel the interviewer has no legitimate reason to ask an inappropriate question, and you do not want to answer it, say “I’m sorry, but I don’t see how that has any relevance to my ability to do this job.” You might run the risk of losing the job, but if your gut instinct is telling you there’s something amiss, you wouldn’t want to work for that person anyway.

Here’s a list of some questions — the wrong way, and the right way, to obtain legitimate information:

Inappropriate: Are you a U.S. citizen?
OK: Are you authorized to work in the United States?

Inappropriate: How old are you?
OK: Are you over the age of 18?

Inappropriate: What’s your marital status? Do you have children?
OK: Would you be able and willing to work overtime as necessary?

Inappropriate: How much do you weigh? Do you have any disabilities?
OK: Are you able to perform the physical duties required in this job, with or without reasonable accommodations?

Inappropriate: Have you ever been arrested?
OK: Have you ever been convicted of _____? (The crime should be reasonably related to the performance of the job in question.)

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

How to Look Your Best in a Down Economy?

Article Category : Interview Tips

As you know too well ~ many jobs have been lost during the turn down in our economy over the last several years. Important sectors as well as entire industries have felt the challenges of lost profits and reduced staff.

Most of us felt the dot-com failures personally. Venture Capitalists hit the skids while employees were terminated by the thousands. Many found themselves in the job market for the very first time. Highly qualified talent with nowhere to land but in the unemployed lines. A rude awakening to say the least.

In this arena it means putting on your best ~ standing “out” from the crowd. Getting yourself in front of the decision makers. Placing YOU on the “mind-ladder” of the hiring authority or someone else will “out-shine” you as the best candidate.

Watch out for TOO MANY details?. don’t do it!

No one is going to read a 4 or 5-page resume. Yes, I know, you have so much to tell but hardly anyone will listen. Very few of us need more than a page or two, so keep that in mind as you begin to sort out the details. Prove your ability to be concise, to know what’s important to a future employer.

Knowledge and experience are keys
but QUALITY and PROVEN Results….

…..carry much weight in the decisions made by the firms hiring authority. Organizational skills will be obvious in your ability to “communicate” your success and value.

Remember ~ you are competing with many exceptional candidates in today’s job market and your challenge is to prove your worth beyond all others. Placing yourself on the “mind-ladder” of the hiring authority at the proper level will do much in getting you an interview and serious consideration for a new position.

The BIG Question? What can YOU do for me? What “results” can I expect from you as our employee? Every employer has a bottom line [profits] to reach and new personnel gets hired who can bring profits into the firm quickly to help meet growth and efficiency expectations.

Don Monteith spent 32 years in the staffing business. His firm placed thousands of job candidates in their career position and Don shares his expertise with you. Learn more about the KEYS to finding your dream job: http://www.HowToGetYourDreamJob.com

Job Interviews: What to Wear

Article Category : Interview Tips, Self Improvement

It takes between seven and seventeen seconds for a person to make an impression of us and much of that impression is based on how we look. It stand to reason, then, that what we wear to job interviews will make a far greater impact on our success than anything we’re likely to say once those first crucial seconds have passed.

Dress For the Job

If you’re applying for a job as a sale assistant in a trendy boutique in a hip part of town, what you wear will need to be very different to what you’d wear when being interviewed for a job as a lawyer’s personal assistant.

By wearing what you believe you’d wear to work if offered the job, you’re silently saying that you understand the position you’re applying for and that you have the knowledge to fulfil the company’s expectations.

If you’re applying for a job where you’d be wearing a uniform, think about the kind of uniform that you’d be likely to wear. Is it very casual, as in the unformed overalls given to a car mechanic? Is it smart casual, as often worn by delivery couriers? Is it smart, like the kind of uniform worn by bank employees or perhaps a hotel doorman? Choose your wardrobe to reflect the uniform.

Men:

Category : wear, presentation

Nonverbal Interview Behavior

Article Category : Interview Tips

Non-verbal interview behavior can drown out your verbal self-presentation.

Practice interviewing in front of a full-length mirror or, better yet, videotape yourself if you have access to such equipment. Turn the sound down and watch yourself carefully.

How do you sit in your chair? Upright with an aura of energy and enthusisam or slumped as if you no longer care? Do you maintain good eye contact or look down at your hands when a question is difficult to answer? Do you lean forward to make a connection with the interviewer or appear distant and disconnected? Do you use your hands for an occasional gesture, to emphasize a point, or are they always in motion, as distractible as those ex-jocks on TV who constantly flail away regardless of what they are saying?

Can you cross your legs at the ankle and stay still or do you constantly shift in your chair and irritate everyone in the room? Do you have unconscious habits or mannerisms that distract from your professional demeanor such as twisting your hair, rubbing your nose, licking your lips, or cracking your knuckles? How is your voice? Is it monotonous, clear, nasal, or shrill? Do you smile - at appropriate moments not constantly like a beauty contestant on the runway?

Being aware of all that you are presenting to a potential employer can make your verbal presentation more effective and increase your chances for a successful outcome.

Virginia Bola operated a rehabilitation company for 20 years, developing innovative job search techniques for disabled workers, while serving as a Vocational Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers’ Compensation Courts. Author of an interactive and supportive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker’s Edge, she can be reached at http://www.unemploymentblues.com or http://layoffblues.blogspot.com

What to Ask During the Interview

Article Category : Interview Tips

Don’t just sit there and bob your head, waiting to answer the next question - be prepared to ask your own questions and make the interviewer know that you care!

Ask Them About the Company

If you have researched the company, you should know something about their core business. Use the information that you have found to ask good questions about the company. Show your understanding of the company and your interest in learning more.

• Ask questions or make an insightful comment about the direction the company is headed.
• Ask about the future of the company, where it plans to go over the next 3-5 years.
• Ask the interviewer about their experience with the company.
• Ask about the corporate culture.
• Ask what the interviewer likes best about the company and why.
• Ask what some of the key challenges facing the company are.

Job QuestionsWell-qualified job candidates want to know the details of the job they are applying for. They understand that they can get the job they want, not just what they are offered. Asking questions about your responsibilities and expectations will help you look like the well-qualified candidate that they want to hire. The interviewer will respect your candid and inquisitive approach.

• Ask how long the position has been open and why it is open.
• Ask what your day would entail in the position.
• Ask what you can do to get ahead in your new position.
• Ask what challenges are facing your department within the company.
• Ask what information you should research to better prepare you for your new position. (i.e. trade publications, company literature, etc.)

John Williamson is a Career Development Specialist and spokesperson for Vision-Resume.com

Category : interview

Pages (4) : « 1 2 [3]4 »