|
Interviewing is the most valuable skill you can learn.
A winning interview includes three key elements:
 preparation
positive attitude
practice
Remember these crucial points:
 Your work history, education and personal qualities provide you with a sense of success and a pattern of achievement. Emphasize them!
You are selling a product you believe in: you!
Enthusiasm is contagious. Be enthusiastic about the company, the job, and the skills you will be using in your new job.
The interview is a two-way street (remember, it's half yours)
Preparation
Resume
Have a professional, well-structured resume, designed to convince a potential employer to invite you for an interview.
You resume is a concise advertisement of your ability to create value and results.
Cover letter
Prepare a customized cover letter that entices employers to notice you and your resume.
References
Have available a separate professional reference list of five recent employers. List their names, addresses and telephone numbers. Contact references before providing the list to a prospective customer so they will be prepared to discuss your qualifications.
The Position
Be prepared to answer questions about the job for which you are applying.
Know the company
Research the company and be conversant about their service/product.
Be able to answer questions you hope they won't ask.
Back to top
Practice
Resume
Interviewing is an acquired skill. Good interviewing comes with practice, practice and more practice.
Keep in mind the perspective of the interviewer
Reflect on how you will answer questions
Rehearse your answers, preferable on tape, or with another person acting as the interviewer.
Practice interviewing by getting as many real job interviews as possible
Never say anything negative about your former bosses or employers.
Back to top
14 Interview Questions
Below are questions employers may ask:
- Why did you leave your last job?
(Employers are wary of candidates who harbor bitterness towards former employers)
- What did you like most about your last job?
- What did you like least about your last job?
- Describe your strong points.
- Describe your weak points.
- How well do you work under pressure?
- How well do you work with others?
- How did you improve work procedures or processes at your last job?
- What stands out for you as the most interesting task or project you have handled in your job?
- Describe a boss or co-worker with whom you had, in your opinion, a superior working relationship. Detail your work together and explain why it was successful.
- What personality traits annoy you the most?
- Why do you want to work for this company? (or, why have you chosen to work in your particular field?)
- What are your short-term and long-term goals? How are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
- What are your salary expectations?
Back to top
Questions to ask your prospective employers
- Tell me about the position and how you perceive the role of this job.
- What do you look for in an ideal candidate?
- How does this position fit in the overall structure of the organization? To who would I report?
- Why is this position open?
- What is my prospective supervisor's style of management?
- What is the environment or "corporate culture" of this company?
- If I am hired, what would be the first thing you would like me to accomplish?
- How long have you been with this company?
- How do you perceive the growth of the company?
- What do you like about working for this company?
Back to top
Common mistakes made by applicants
- Arriving too early or too late for an interview
- Faliture to stress skills and abilities, as they relate to the prospective job
- Lack of knowledge about the company
- Lack of enthusiasm
- Talking in generalities (not giving specific examples of accomplishments)
- Focusing on personal needs (i.e. money, vacation time, benefits), rather than why you are interested in and suited for the job.
- Concentrating on weaknesses.
- Criticizing past supervisors and companies
- Inappropriate grooming and/or clothing
- Not using clear and intelligent answers/digressing when answering questions
- Not maintaining eye-contact.
Back to top
Checklist before you go on an interview
- Summary of skills: list them
- Accomplishments: what significant performance contributions did you provide to previous employers
- What skills do I have that relate to this job: list them
- What do I know about this company: describe
- What image would I like to project to the interviewer: describe
- Dress? Grooming? Am I appropriately dressed and groomed for the interview? Will I fit in with the organization?
- Before each interview, relax, and visualize yourself giving an winning interview. Imagine yourself being offered the job!
Back to top
For more information on how to win an interview, please contact us.
|
