So you're a college student who has landed your first interview for a college internship or full time job. Now if you've given it much thought, you've probably asked yourself "Self, What exactly are those recruiters looking for as an ideal answer to their questions?"
The first thing you should have probably asked is "Self, What are they going to ask me in that interview?" For that, please refer to my article Questions recruiters are likely to ask in an interview. After you've read through that, read on in this article!
Now that you know recruiters are very likely to ask you behavioral questions, the next thing to do is to figure out what they are looking for in an ideal response. And the wonderful thing is that there is a systematic response you can give to every single question they can throw at you! You just have to know how to formulate it. That's where I come in.
In my very first interview freshman year (with General Electric), I thought I was providing great answers, had some great experiences to share, etc. I look at it now, and it's no surprise I didn't hear back from them. I even wonder how fast it took the recruiter to throw away my resume.
Here's an example of mine of what not to do... The interviewer asked me "Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership." To which I responded fairly plainly "Well...I was Senior Patrol Leader in Boy Scouts for several years, that's probably my best example of leadership."
The interviewer was nice and tried to help me through the rest of the interview, but honestly, it was a train-wreck. I hope you can see why. Now I know you won't ever do anything quite that bad, and I wrote this article to make sure of it.
Recruiters who use behavioral questions are looking for responses in what's called the STAR format. That breaks down into:
Situation
Task
Actions Taken
Results
As long as you answer behavioral questions in that format, you cannot go wrong! And the cool part about it is that it flows in a logical order that keeps you on track. By practicing this format, you are guaranteed to answer questions fully and concisely.
So let's get down to the details of the Situation component. The Situation is basically setting the stage for your response with the relevant background information. This includes where and when you were working (company, how old/what year in school), and maybe a bit of info on the problem you faced.
The Task blends slightly with the Situation, and is just as simple. This is something along the lines of "I was assigned to do x." Plain and simple, it may be the most straight forward part of your response. Keep in mind that it also sets up the measuring stick for your results, so be sure that it is actually what you were assigned to do!
The Actions portion of your response should be where the meat of your answer is. You need to take this opportunity to say "I performed xyz analysis and used abc tools to do so." or "I led the group by doing abc." You also need to consider how technically savvy your interviewer is. If she/he is an engineer, then you can feel free to go into a few (but not too many!) details about what you did. If you get an HR person doing the interview, don't even try to go into details, it probably won't help!
The Results should also be very easy, but is without question the most important part of your response. As interviewers and companies are looking for candidates who have been extremely effective in their past jobs and experiences, this is where they look to determine if you are someone they want to hire. Use this opportunity to highlight your results, and their impact on the company: awards, cost savings, sales made, production improvement, etc. Don't short change yourself on this section, its critical that you highlight every positive impact that you made!
I also must warn you not to exaggerate or lie about your accomplishments! This doesn't ever help anyone in the process, especially if a company does their homework by calling your provided references to ask about you!
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
Thứ Năm, 3 tháng 1, 2013
6 Interview Tips and Tricks
1) Be on Time (I'm not kidding!)
2) Appearance (Body Language!)
3) Be Enthusiastic (Smile!)
4) Be Prepared (Research Everything!)
5) Ask Questions (A lot of questions!)
6) Repeat # 5
Be on Time
This seems ridiculous to even mention as an interview tip, doesn't it? But it's the first impression you will make - even before the interview gets started - so this is a big one! You must prepare accordingly. Do a trial run to the company's location. Pick the route you will take. If you don't have a way to get to the interview it's important to make arrangements ahead of time. Don't wait until the last minute to find out about public transportation, a family member's availability, or whatever means you will need to get there on time.
Showing up a little early will show interest on your part. And it also shows that you understand the value of time. When you get there a little early it also gives you time to get familiar with your surroundings, go to the rest room, and go over any "talking points" you want to cover in the interview.
If you show up late, what happens? Everything is rushed and you're not prepared. And, probably the biggest thing that happens is you will be apologizing for being late. Do you think that is a good first impression? Absolutely not! Starting your interview out apologizing is no way to start a relationship with a company. In fact, it will kill the interview! So, it's very important that you be on time to all of your interviews. It matters.
Appearance
The first thing people think about when I say appearance is how they might be dressed. The old "Dress for Success" thing and that's part of it, but not all of it. How about your body language? This is just as important in my book. Are you slouching? Do you look and act depressed? Do you make eye contact when you speak? Are you wearing a lot of make-up or cologne? Are you restless? What about your voice? Do you speak softly? Are you hard to understand? To you have a heavy accent? All of these things are just as important as the way you look. Your body language is very important. Make sure you practice your interview with a family member or a friend, or even in front of a mirror, to make sure your body language isn't projecting a negative image.
Now regarding dress. I think your appearance must match the company and the position. If you're interviewing for a construction superintendent you will dress differently than if you're interviewing for a vice president of finance. You have to dress the part (I know some of you HR types will disagree with this, but so be it). The best advice regarding dress is - if you don't know or if you're not sure - dress your best! Your appearance is very important when you're interviewing, but don't just don't think it's all about how you're dressed, you must be very aware of your body language.
Be Enthusiastic
Make sure you are attentive and enthusiastic about the interview, the position, the company and the INTERVIEWER. Nobody likes to interview a person that just sits there and doesn't show any signs of life. Companies have plenty of dead batteries on their staff, what they want are spark plugs! They want someone fresh, positive, and enthusiastic about their industry and, more specifically, their company. I have had candidates in my career get hired just because they were more enthusiastic. That's it!
And, here's the big one - smile! If that sounds corny, it's not. Everyone likes a good smile. So make sure you smile and are very enthusiastic in your interviews, but let me caution you on one thing. Don't overdo it.
Be Prepared
Make sure you are prepared BEFORE your interviews. Don't wing it! I want you to research everything you can about the company, people, culture, locations, and philosophies, as well as anything else that pertains to your industry.
For example, what kind of company is this? Privately held or publicly traded? What kind of reputation in the industry do they have? How many locations do they have and where are they located? What kind of people work at this company? What schools do they hire from? What type of degrees do they like? What kind of company culture do they have? Are they a partying company? Are they health nuts? Sports nuts? What are they're overall philosophies about business? How do they treat their employees? And the list goes on and on. I want you to dig into everything you can find. This will be very useful when you interview. Be prepared!
Ask Questions
Now take your research you just did when you were preparing for the interview and start formulating your questions. This is probably the most important interview tip of the 6. You must ask a lot of questions when you're interviewing. Interviewing is a two-way street. The company is asking you questions to see if you fit in, and you will be asking questions of them to see if it's a company you want to join.
I want you in control of your interviews. Ask questions of the company. Put them on the spot. Too many of you have made career decisions without asking a lot of questions in your interviews, then you get to the company and you cannot believe what they have you doing. Why? Because you didn't ask enough questions in your interview, that's why! This is not the time to be shy.
When you ask a lot of questions in your interview it shows the company you did your research and this is important to you. This is your life and career! You want to make sure the opportunity is right for both of you. The company will appreciate your level of interest and how important you view this, because most candidates don't. Most candidates just wing it. They just answer the questions and hope for the best. Yikes!
Another thing, and this is very important, don't ask money and benefits questions in your interview. You have to make sure the opportunity is right for YOU first. The money is not as important as the other stuff like, The Company. The position. The location. The travel. The culture. And, of course, one of the most important questions to ask is about the advancement opportunities.
These are the things you need to know before any money or benefits questions. Never make career decisions based solely on money. Don't get me wrong, I know it plays a role in the decision making process, just don't make it the sole reason for making a change. If you do you will regret it.
Repeat # 5 (Which is Ask Questions)
I cannot stress this enough when it comes to your interviews. Ask a lot of questions! You have to know and understand what you might be getting into. Make sure the opportunity is right for you. Most of the people that are unhappy in their careers are unhappy because they're working for the wrong company and they're in the wrong position. Don't make this mistake. By asking a lot of questions you can make sure the opportunity is right for YOU.
So, be on time, be aware of your appearance and be enthusiastic and prepared to ask a lot of questions in your interviews. Don't put a lot of time in your resume, cover letter and job search and then get to the interview and blow it! Try these 6 interview tips the next time you interview and watch what happens. You will be surprised at the results. I hope this helps.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
2) Appearance (Body Language!)
3) Be Enthusiastic (Smile!)
4) Be Prepared (Research Everything!)
5) Ask Questions (A lot of questions!)
6) Repeat # 5
Be on Time
This seems ridiculous to even mention as an interview tip, doesn't it? But it's the first impression you will make - even before the interview gets started - so this is a big one! You must prepare accordingly. Do a trial run to the company's location. Pick the route you will take. If you don't have a way to get to the interview it's important to make arrangements ahead of time. Don't wait until the last minute to find out about public transportation, a family member's availability, or whatever means you will need to get there on time.
Showing up a little early will show interest on your part. And it also shows that you understand the value of time. When you get there a little early it also gives you time to get familiar with your surroundings, go to the rest room, and go over any "talking points" you want to cover in the interview.
If you show up late, what happens? Everything is rushed and you're not prepared. And, probably the biggest thing that happens is you will be apologizing for being late. Do you think that is a good first impression? Absolutely not! Starting your interview out apologizing is no way to start a relationship with a company. In fact, it will kill the interview! So, it's very important that you be on time to all of your interviews. It matters.
Appearance
The first thing people think about when I say appearance is how they might be dressed. The old "Dress for Success" thing and that's part of it, but not all of it. How about your body language? This is just as important in my book. Are you slouching? Do you look and act depressed? Do you make eye contact when you speak? Are you wearing a lot of make-up or cologne? Are you restless? What about your voice? Do you speak softly? Are you hard to understand? To you have a heavy accent? All of these things are just as important as the way you look. Your body language is very important. Make sure you practice your interview with a family member or a friend, or even in front of a mirror, to make sure your body language isn't projecting a negative image.
Now regarding dress. I think your appearance must match the company and the position. If you're interviewing for a construction superintendent you will dress differently than if you're interviewing for a vice president of finance. You have to dress the part (I know some of you HR types will disagree with this, but so be it). The best advice regarding dress is - if you don't know or if you're not sure - dress your best! Your appearance is very important when you're interviewing, but don't just don't think it's all about how you're dressed, you must be very aware of your body language.
Be Enthusiastic
Make sure you are attentive and enthusiastic about the interview, the position, the company and the INTERVIEWER. Nobody likes to interview a person that just sits there and doesn't show any signs of life. Companies have plenty of dead batteries on their staff, what they want are spark plugs! They want someone fresh, positive, and enthusiastic about their industry and, more specifically, their company. I have had candidates in my career get hired just because they were more enthusiastic. That's it!
And, here's the big one - smile! If that sounds corny, it's not. Everyone likes a good smile. So make sure you smile and are very enthusiastic in your interviews, but let me caution you on one thing. Don't overdo it.
Be Prepared
Make sure you are prepared BEFORE your interviews. Don't wing it! I want you to research everything you can about the company, people, culture, locations, and philosophies, as well as anything else that pertains to your industry.
For example, what kind of company is this? Privately held or publicly traded? What kind of reputation in the industry do they have? How many locations do they have and where are they located? What kind of people work at this company? What schools do they hire from? What type of degrees do they like? What kind of company culture do they have? Are they a partying company? Are they health nuts? Sports nuts? What are they're overall philosophies about business? How do they treat their employees? And the list goes on and on. I want you to dig into everything you can find. This will be very useful when you interview. Be prepared!
Ask Questions
Now take your research you just did when you were preparing for the interview and start formulating your questions. This is probably the most important interview tip of the 6. You must ask a lot of questions when you're interviewing. Interviewing is a two-way street. The company is asking you questions to see if you fit in, and you will be asking questions of them to see if it's a company you want to join.
I want you in control of your interviews. Ask questions of the company. Put them on the spot. Too many of you have made career decisions without asking a lot of questions in your interviews, then you get to the company and you cannot believe what they have you doing. Why? Because you didn't ask enough questions in your interview, that's why! This is not the time to be shy.
When you ask a lot of questions in your interview it shows the company you did your research and this is important to you. This is your life and career! You want to make sure the opportunity is right for both of you. The company will appreciate your level of interest and how important you view this, because most candidates don't. Most candidates just wing it. They just answer the questions and hope for the best. Yikes!
Another thing, and this is very important, don't ask money and benefits questions in your interview. You have to make sure the opportunity is right for YOU first. The money is not as important as the other stuff like, The Company. The position. The location. The travel. The culture. And, of course, one of the most important questions to ask is about the advancement opportunities.
These are the things you need to know before any money or benefits questions. Never make career decisions based solely on money. Don't get me wrong, I know it plays a role in the decision making process, just don't make it the sole reason for making a change. If you do you will regret it.
Repeat # 5 (Which is Ask Questions)
I cannot stress this enough when it comes to your interviews. Ask a lot of questions! You have to know and understand what you might be getting into. Make sure the opportunity is right for you. Most of the people that are unhappy in their careers are unhappy because they're working for the wrong company and they're in the wrong position. Don't make this mistake. By asking a lot of questions you can make sure the opportunity is right for YOU.
So, be on time, be aware of your appearance and be enthusiastic and prepared to ask a lot of questions in your interviews. Don't put a lot of time in your resume, cover letter and job search and then get to the interview and blow it! Try these 6 interview tips the next time you interview and watch what happens. You will be surprised at the results. I hope this helps.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Job Interview 101 For Law Students - The Screening Interview
What does it take to ace a job interview? Put on a good suit, pop in a few breath mints, and making sure your tie matches your shirt?
These are tough economic times. Fewer and fewer firms are hiring new candidates, choosing to invest in experience than youth (if they're investing at all). In this tide of economic depression, great grades, strong extracurriculars, and a great school history might not be enough to land you that plum position at that prestigious law firm.
Enter the job interview.
If there's one place where you can rise above your resume and show your prospective employer where you shine, give him one more reason to hire you over others, its the job interview. The job interview is all about leaving an impression, and we'll tell you how to make the right one in both rounds:
The Screening Interview
The screening interview is the first round of evaluation when your prospective employer tries to see if you, the candidate, match up to your credentials. Depending on your law school, there might be a lottery system to sign up for a screening interview. In this lottery system, you can't be rejected outright based on your resume, so it is possible that even mediocre students with weak resumes will get their 15 minutes with a recruiter - and perhaps impress him enough for a call back interview.
Tip: If you don't win a scheduled appointment with a firm of your choice, persistence - a call to the law firm, for instance - should get you a spot.
Do Your Homework
Before the big day, do your homework. Research the law firm - their practice, history, and if possible, the attorney you'll be talking to. You can usually get all this information in the hospitality room (or waiting room, if you prefer), or on firm's website.
Learn as much as possible about the kind of work the firm does. Interviewers are usually happy to see that a candidate has shown interest in their firm. Moreover, it'll help to check what you talk about: your interviewer won't be thrilled to hear you talk on and on about an area the firm doesn't deal with.
Also, check out the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) form on the particular office of the firm at which you are interviewing. Many firms' branch offices have different stats from the headquarters, especially when it comes to practice areas and attorney demographics. Your career services office should also have some useful material, such as employer evaluations from years past.
And don't forget your classmates and the alumni. Talk to those people who've worked at your target firm. This will give you the real take on the firm - its practice, area of expertise, history, the work atmosphere, and even the less desirable aspects.
Dress Up
Your suit alone won't bag you the job, but it can never hurt to dress up professionally. While employers may state that students can attend the interview in business-casual attire, they really want to see you dressed up in a suit - as a real lawyer would have to in a court room. Moreover, clothing preferences might vary from interviewer to interviewer, and thus, your best bet is a classic suit, preferably in a neutral color like charcoal or brown.
Carry your documents in a leather portfolio, don't strut around carrying them in your hand.
And don't forget to carry additional copies of your resume and transcripts.
Sell Yourself
You usually get 20 minutes with the interviewer. More often than not, the interviewer has already decided if you should be invited to the firm for a call back - based on your resume, transcript, etc. even before you've walked into the room. If your resume and transcripts go heavily against you - low grades, no extra-curriculars, then there's little you can do to salvage the interview. However, for borderline candidates, a good show can really boost your chances of landing a call back.
As cliche as it may sound, try and be yourself. Remember that the interviewer has probably seen hundreds of candidates. He can see right through any facade you might have built up to fit into your perceived image of what the firm wants.
Fight the urge to discuss law-related topics only. If your interviewer seems interested in opera, you might be better off discussing Pavarotti than your law journal work. Keep in mind that the interview is designed to gauge your personality, not your grasp on law - your transcripts are enough proof of that.
Be Flexible
So you walk into the interview room, fully prepared to answer anything thrown at you. You sit, straight backed before the interviewer, thumbing through your answers in your head, smiling confidently.
But then the interviewer leans back in his chair and asks you, "So, what do you want to know about this law firm?"
And suddenly, all those scripted answers fall apart and you mumble a response.
Don't let this happen to you. Interviewers have a tendency to begin with random, off topic questions. In such a scenario, be prepared to give a 3-5 minute narrative answering the question (or asking questions), and gradually steering the topic of discussion to yourself - who you are, and what interests you in the law firm.
Try and incorporate elements that interest you in your narrative - a particular question that daunted you in moot court, a paper you're writing for the law journal, your 1L summer internship. You can use the same story, but present a different version each time. It'll keep you from sounding scripted.
But most importantly, learn to answer the interviewer's questions in a way that your answer blends in with your narrative.
Be Location Aware
You'll have firms from all over the country coming to your law school for the job interview. This can cause a problem if say, you've lived in New York all your life, and your target firm is based in L.A. You'll have a hard time convincing the interviewer about your sudden desire to move to L.A.
Remember that the firms are making an investment in you. They'll train and groom you for the first year. They want to be sure that you'll stay the course and not leave them midway. If you've lived in New York all your life, a firm will be (rightly) skeptical of your decision to stay in L.A. to work for them.
Confront this problem by visiting the city where your target firm is located. Arrange for a meeting with them. A casual meeting will make it appear as if you're really interested in moving to their city to work for them - factors that will go a long way in strengthening your resume when it comes to the interview.
It shouldn't appear that you simply signed up to be interviewed by every firm that came to your campus. When the inevitable question: "Why did you sign up to interview here?" pops up, be prepared with an arsenal of firm and location specific comments to make your interview seem more genuine.
Smile
So you hate your professor, your classmates are all idiots, and the campus cafeteria never has good coffee.
Great. But just don't tell the interviewer.
The interviewer doesn't want brutal honesty from you. They'd much rather listen to you describe that insightful professor or that wonderful course you took last fall. Interviewers are very wary of any hint of negativity and can and will latch on to it, severely impairing your chances for landing a job (and this applies to any job, not just a law firm - a negative attitude can be a major turn off).
Smile, and talk about your great experience during your 1L summer internship, the intelligent discussions after moot court with your classmates. Show them a happy face, and they might show you your interview date for a call back.
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
These are tough economic times. Fewer and fewer firms are hiring new candidates, choosing to invest in experience than youth (if they're investing at all). In this tide of economic depression, great grades, strong extracurriculars, and a great school history might not be enough to land you that plum position at that prestigious law firm.
Enter the job interview.
If there's one place where you can rise above your resume and show your prospective employer where you shine, give him one more reason to hire you over others, its the job interview. The job interview is all about leaving an impression, and we'll tell you how to make the right one in both rounds:
The Screening Interview
The screening interview is the first round of evaluation when your prospective employer tries to see if you, the candidate, match up to your credentials. Depending on your law school, there might be a lottery system to sign up for a screening interview. In this lottery system, you can't be rejected outright based on your resume, so it is possible that even mediocre students with weak resumes will get their 15 minutes with a recruiter - and perhaps impress him enough for a call back interview.
Tip: If you don't win a scheduled appointment with a firm of your choice, persistence - a call to the law firm, for instance - should get you a spot.
Do Your Homework
Before the big day, do your homework. Research the law firm - their practice, history, and if possible, the attorney you'll be talking to. You can usually get all this information in the hospitality room (or waiting room, if you prefer), or on firm's website.
Learn as much as possible about the kind of work the firm does. Interviewers are usually happy to see that a candidate has shown interest in their firm. Moreover, it'll help to check what you talk about: your interviewer won't be thrilled to hear you talk on and on about an area the firm doesn't deal with.
Also, check out the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) form on the particular office of the firm at which you are interviewing. Many firms' branch offices have different stats from the headquarters, especially when it comes to practice areas and attorney demographics. Your career services office should also have some useful material, such as employer evaluations from years past.
And don't forget your classmates and the alumni. Talk to those people who've worked at your target firm. This will give you the real take on the firm - its practice, area of expertise, history, the work atmosphere, and even the less desirable aspects.
Dress Up
Your suit alone won't bag you the job, but it can never hurt to dress up professionally. While employers may state that students can attend the interview in business-casual attire, they really want to see you dressed up in a suit - as a real lawyer would have to in a court room. Moreover, clothing preferences might vary from interviewer to interviewer, and thus, your best bet is a classic suit, preferably in a neutral color like charcoal or brown.
Carry your documents in a leather portfolio, don't strut around carrying them in your hand.
And don't forget to carry additional copies of your resume and transcripts.
Sell Yourself
You usually get 20 minutes with the interviewer. More often than not, the interviewer has already decided if you should be invited to the firm for a call back - based on your resume, transcript, etc. even before you've walked into the room. If your resume and transcripts go heavily against you - low grades, no extra-curriculars, then there's little you can do to salvage the interview. However, for borderline candidates, a good show can really boost your chances of landing a call back.
As cliche as it may sound, try and be yourself. Remember that the interviewer has probably seen hundreds of candidates. He can see right through any facade you might have built up to fit into your perceived image of what the firm wants.
Fight the urge to discuss law-related topics only. If your interviewer seems interested in opera, you might be better off discussing Pavarotti than your law journal work. Keep in mind that the interview is designed to gauge your personality, not your grasp on law - your transcripts are enough proof of that.
Be Flexible
So you walk into the interview room, fully prepared to answer anything thrown at you. You sit, straight backed before the interviewer, thumbing through your answers in your head, smiling confidently.
But then the interviewer leans back in his chair and asks you, "So, what do you want to know about this law firm?"
And suddenly, all those scripted answers fall apart and you mumble a response.
Don't let this happen to you. Interviewers have a tendency to begin with random, off topic questions. In such a scenario, be prepared to give a 3-5 minute narrative answering the question (or asking questions), and gradually steering the topic of discussion to yourself - who you are, and what interests you in the law firm.
Try and incorporate elements that interest you in your narrative - a particular question that daunted you in moot court, a paper you're writing for the law journal, your 1L summer internship. You can use the same story, but present a different version each time. It'll keep you from sounding scripted.
But most importantly, learn to answer the interviewer's questions in a way that your answer blends in with your narrative.
Be Location Aware
You'll have firms from all over the country coming to your law school for the job interview. This can cause a problem if say, you've lived in New York all your life, and your target firm is based in L.A. You'll have a hard time convincing the interviewer about your sudden desire to move to L.A.
Remember that the firms are making an investment in you. They'll train and groom you for the first year. They want to be sure that you'll stay the course and not leave them midway. If you've lived in New York all your life, a firm will be (rightly) skeptical of your decision to stay in L.A. to work for them.
Confront this problem by visiting the city where your target firm is located. Arrange for a meeting with them. A casual meeting will make it appear as if you're really interested in moving to their city to work for them - factors that will go a long way in strengthening your resume when it comes to the interview.
It shouldn't appear that you simply signed up to be interviewed by every firm that came to your campus. When the inevitable question: "Why did you sign up to interview here?" pops up, be prepared with an arsenal of firm and location specific comments to make your interview seem more genuine.
Smile
So you hate your professor, your classmates are all idiots, and the campus cafeteria never has good coffee.
Great. But just don't tell the interviewer.
The interviewer doesn't want brutal honesty from you. They'd much rather listen to you describe that insightful professor or that wonderful course you took last fall. Interviewers are very wary of any hint of negativity and can and will latch on to it, severely impairing your chances for landing a job (and this applies to any job, not just a law firm - a negative attitude can be a major turn off).
Smile, and talk about your great experience during your 1L summer internship, the intelligent discussions after moot court with your classmates. Show them a happy face, and they might show you your interview date for a call back.
How to Do Proper Body Language During Job Interview
The success in attending job interview depends on many things. Apart from your skill and ability, you should also prepare other details such as outfit, and manner. To present proper manner, here are some tips you can follow.
1. Outfit
For men and women, two-piece suit can never be wrong. Avoid wearing jeans as it makes you appear less professional. Even if the working condition is not formal, wearing suit shows your respect towards the company. The outfit you wear should also be clean and neat with less distracting choice of color and fabric.
2. Handshake
A good handshake is dry and firm, with your right palm facing left (not facing upward or downward). Make full contact between your and the interviewer's palm for about two or three seconds. During the handshake you should also maintain eye contact, exchange introduction and greeting, and smile to your interviewer.
3. Posture
Whether standing or sitting, you should maintain good posture. Do not slouch and keep your back always up straight. If you sit, never rest your back on the chair as you will be considered lazy. During standing conversation always maintain personal distance between you and your interviewer but do not stand too far as well.
4. Eye contact
Maintaining eye contact during the conversation is important so that you appear focused on the interview. Shifting your view around the room indicates that you are bored and lacking enthusiasm. However, do not gaze.
5. Facial expression
Appear as relaxed as possible but still maintain your seriousness. Keep smiling appropriately so that you seem friendly.
6. Arms and hands movement
Putting your hands across your chest or inside your pants' pockets is unnecessary as it makes you seem distant and unenthusiastic. If you don't know where to put your hands, putting them on your laps is most safe. Some people have the tendency to move their hands during talking. It can be your plus as you will appear energetic, but make sure to control your hands movement so that you won't make any offensive gesture.
7. Non-Acceptable Gestures
Apart from the points above, there are some gestures people do (whether realized or not) that are not suitable during a job interview. Body languages you should avoid during the event among others are fidgeting, biting nails, playing with hair, scratching, touching the face, adjusting clothes, picking nose, and other bad habits.
Proper body language is important to give good impression throughout your job interview. Always remember to control your overall gestures to get the job you are dreaming of.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
1. Outfit
For men and women, two-piece suit can never be wrong. Avoid wearing jeans as it makes you appear less professional. Even if the working condition is not formal, wearing suit shows your respect towards the company. The outfit you wear should also be clean and neat with less distracting choice of color and fabric.
2. Handshake
A good handshake is dry and firm, with your right palm facing left (not facing upward or downward). Make full contact between your and the interviewer's palm for about two or three seconds. During the handshake you should also maintain eye contact, exchange introduction and greeting, and smile to your interviewer.
3. Posture
Whether standing or sitting, you should maintain good posture. Do not slouch and keep your back always up straight. If you sit, never rest your back on the chair as you will be considered lazy. During standing conversation always maintain personal distance between you and your interviewer but do not stand too far as well.
4. Eye contact
Maintaining eye contact during the conversation is important so that you appear focused on the interview. Shifting your view around the room indicates that you are bored and lacking enthusiasm. However, do not gaze.
5. Facial expression
Appear as relaxed as possible but still maintain your seriousness. Keep smiling appropriately so that you seem friendly.
6. Arms and hands movement
Putting your hands across your chest or inside your pants' pockets is unnecessary as it makes you seem distant and unenthusiastic. If you don't know where to put your hands, putting them on your laps is most safe. Some people have the tendency to move their hands during talking. It can be your plus as you will appear energetic, but make sure to control your hands movement so that you won't make any offensive gesture.
7. Non-Acceptable Gestures
Apart from the points above, there are some gestures people do (whether realized or not) that are not suitable during a job interview. Body languages you should avoid during the event among others are fidgeting, biting nails, playing with hair, scratching, touching the face, adjusting clothes, picking nose, and other bad habits.
Proper body language is important to give good impression throughout your job interview. Always remember to control your overall gestures to get the job you are dreaming of.
Second Interview Questions: 3 Tips to Calm Your Fears
Second interview questions are questions you'll be confronted with during the second step in the hiring process. Of course, the first step is to create a good enough impression in your first job interview to be invited back for a second interview. The types of questions you'll likely be asked in your second interview will have a different focus and you'll need a new strategy for preparation.
Whereas your first job interview may have been conducted by somebody from Human Resources in a large company, your second interview questions will likely be conducted by somebody from the Department to which your job applies. And in much smaller companies, the interview will probably be conducted by the Owner/Manager.
In any case, you should plan to be interviewed by a different person than before and expect the second interview questions to be tailored quite a bit more to your specific skills and the requirements of the position for which you are applying.
Preparing for Your Second Interview Questions
So, how do you prepare? Well first and foremost, keep this in mind: You made it to the second interview. That definitely puts you on the inside track for landing the job! And that means you must have made some very good impressions on the first interviewer. Follow these tips and you will be prepared:
1. Recall and relive every moment you can of the first interview. How did you dress? How did you sit? What did you do when they were talking? What did you do when you were talking? Were you rigidly professional and business-like, more laid-back and friendly or a combination of both? Do you remember smiling? Do you remember nodding at all? Did you ask questions of them?
This point cannot be over-emphasized. Dig in and relive the first interview as best you can, while making notes of what you consider may have made the difference. Then, plan to repeat them in the second interview because what worked before will probably work again. People like to associate with others of similar values and personality types. The job environment is not any different.
Most of the time, job applicants who have been called in for a first interview will possess similar levels of technical skills. Therefore, your personality, values, and the way you conduct yourself can make the difference. For you to be called in for a second interview is an indication that certain qualities and actions you expressed in the first interview, may have made the difference.
You should devote sufficient time to this step and take notes as best as you can while you relive your first interview.
2. You will have submitted your resume prior to the first interview. If the interviewer didn't think you were qualified, you never would have been called in for the first interview. So, the first interview was more about evaluating you and not your qualifying skills regardless of the way it may have seemed. The second interview questions will therefore be more specific and be centered around your skills as they would apply to the position for which you have applied.
The best way to prepare is to again recall what took place in the first interview. The interviewer will have at some point described the nature of their business, the needs of their business and in particular, why they need to fill the position. Recall what they said and make note of it.
Now, rehearse how you would tailor your skills to fulfilling the needs of the company based on your notes. Make up second interview questions you might be asked, such as points about your experiences and abilities. Then, figure out how you would answer them.
Whereas your first job interview may have been conducted by somebody from Human Resources in a large company, your second interview questions will likely be conducted by somebody from the Department to which your job applies. And in much smaller companies, the interview will probably be conducted by the Owner/Manager.
In any case, you should plan to be interviewed by a different person than before and expect the second interview questions to be tailored quite a bit more to your specific skills and the requirements of the position for which you are applying.
Preparing for Your Second Interview Questions
So, how do you prepare? Well first and foremost, keep this in mind: You made it to the second interview. That definitely puts you on the inside track for landing the job! And that means you must have made some very good impressions on the first interviewer. Follow these tips and you will be prepared:
1. Recall and relive every moment you can of the first interview. How did you dress? How did you sit? What did you do when they were talking? What did you do when you were talking? Were you rigidly professional and business-like, more laid-back and friendly or a combination of both? Do you remember smiling? Do you remember nodding at all? Did you ask questions of them?
This point cannot be over-emphasized. Dig in and relive the first interview as best you can, while making notes of what you consider may have made the difference. Then, plan to repeat them in the second interview because what worked before will probably work again. People like to associate with others of similar values and personality types. The job environment is not any different.
Most of the time, job applicants who have been called in for a first interview will possess similar levels of technical skills. Therefore, your personality, values, and the way you conduct yourself can make the difference. For you to be called in for a second interview is an indication that certain qualities and actions you expressed in the first interview, may have made the difference.
You should devote sufficient time to this step and take notes as best as you can while you relive your first interview.
2. You will have submitted your resume prior to the first interview. If the interviewer didn't think you were qualified, you never would have been called in for the first interview. So, the first interview was more about evaluating you and not your qualifying skills regardless of the way it may have seemed. The second interview questions will therefore be more specific and be centered around your skills as they would apply to the position for which you have applied.
The best way to prepare is to again recall what took place in the first interview. The interviewer will have at some point described the nature of their business, the needs of their business and in particular, why they need to fill the position. Recall what they said and make note of it.
Now, rehearse how you would tailor your skills to fulfilling the needs of the company based on your notes. Make up second interview questions you might be asked, such as points about your experiences and abilities. Then, figure out how you would answer them.
Useful Interview Strategies And Tips
So, you are actively seeking a career change and are looking for a dream career in the energy, oil and gas, or chemical industry. What are tips and strategies you must follows to land that dream job? Well, besides acquiring technical knowledge, you must also know about the best interview strategies and prepare accordingly. In fact, you must look at an interview as an opportunity to prove your worth
Useful Interview Strategies and Tips
There are some questions that most interviewers ask, irrespective of the industry. These are aimed at assessing the type of employee you will be and your ability to do your work. So, anticipate these possible questions beforehand and prepare answers for them. Edit these to make them more concise. Then, practice speaking out these answers loudly and repeatedly. Here are more useful interview strategies and tips for enhancing your success odds:
* Know Yourself: Interviewers typically want to know about your strengths and weaknesses. So, highlight those skills that best suit the position you are applying for. Some strengths include leadership, organizational, time management and team building skills. When talking about weaknesses, state your true weakness and the steps you have taken to overcome those. Also, be thorough with the details in your resume; this will help build credibility with the interviewer.
* Know the company: Take out the time to learn about the company and the latest developments. This will help you ask the most relevant questions. The interviewer will be convinced of your interest in the company.
* Know the Job: Knowing the details of the job helps you tailor your answers to highlight the skills and traits necessary for the job. For instance, if the job requires good communication skills, exemplify how you achieved quality results previously through your excellent communication skills.
* Body language: Your body language, including good eye contact, speaks volumes about your self-esteem and confidence. So, sit straight, be pleasant and confident throughout.
Finally, do a quick follow up after the interview with a thank you note (an email note will also do), preferably the day after the interview. To learn about interview strategies, get in touch with International Workplace Consulting. The company specializes in middle and senior level management recruitments for oil and gas and chemical industries, among others and can be visited at jenny-the-headhunter.com.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Useful Interview Strategies and Tips
There are some questions that most interviewers ask, irrespective of the industry. These are aimed at assessing the type of employee you will be and your ability to do your work. So, anticipate these possible questions beforehand and prepare answers for them. Edit these to make them more concise. Then, practice speaking out these answers loudly and repeatedly. Here are more useful interview strategies and tips for enhancing your success odds:
* Know Yourself: Interviewers typically want to know about your strengths and weaknesses. So, highlight those skills that best suit the position you are applying for. Some strengths include leadership, organizational, time management and team building skills. When talking about weaknesses, state your true weakness and the steps you have taken to overcome those. Also, be thorough with the details in your resume; this will help build credibility with the interviewer.
* Know the company: Take out the time to learn about the company and the latest developments. This will help you ask the most relevant questions. The interviewer will be convinced of your interest in the company.
* Know the Job: Knowing the details of the job helps you tailor your answers to highlight the skills and traits necessary for the job. For instance, if the job requires good communication skills, exemplify how you achieved quality results previously through your excellent communication skills.
* Body language: Your body language, including good eye contact, speaks volumes about your self-esteem and confidence. So, sit straight, be pleasant and confident throughout.
Finally, do a quick follow up after the interview with a thank you note (an email note will also do), preferably the day after the interview. To learn about interview strategies, get in touch with International Workplace Consulting. The company specializes in middle and senior level management recruitments for oil and gas and chemical industries, among others and can be visited at jenny-the-headhunter.com.
Job Interview Preparation Tips That Will Enable You To Land That Job
Are you looking for a new job? Getting somebody to call you is difficult enough. You do not want to lose out on a job opportunity that you can perform just because of a lousy interview. This article critiques some vital job interview preparation recommendations so you possibly can be successful at your subsequent employment interview.
Preparing
Always be ready for your interview. Evaluate your resume and be really familiar with it. Be sure you know exactly how you can get to the interview and how long it will take to arrive there. Always bring additional copies of one's resume just in case they do not have enough copies.
Review Job Posting
I've interviewed a number of people in my career. Probably the most bothersome factor when interviewing may be the individual not having much of a clue on what the career is mostly about. It sends a really poor signal that you simply don't have sufficient sound judgment, interest, and could recommend that you do not qualify since you don't comprehend what the job is about. Not that you need to know every thing however it can be a wise portion of your job interview preparation to have a really great general notion concerning the job position.
Etiquette
Here's exactly where a great number of people make significant mistakes. Here's a number of factors to complete. Always be warm and friendly, smile, and shake their hands. Do not look down while chatting but look the interviewer in the eye. Dress appropriately even when you realize the workplace is informal. Never bring a drink with you. No matter how you feel the interview went, at all times smile, shake their hands, and thank them for his or her time.
It really is a wise thought to spend time on the company's website. Do your greatest to have a general insight on what they generally do, who their clients are, who the management team is, what their vision statement is, etc. Going in totally cold can wind up being awkward. Imagine getting asked right in the very beginning of the job interview if you can spend a minute and speak about the company and you've got no concept what they're really about.
Match Your Knowledge With the Job Posting
One of probably the most successful ways to get a job is when they review your resume. It is actually a scarcely employed method but is a potent job interview preparation idea. If probable, see if you can relate your capabilities and experience towards the job role posting particulars. It helps to paint an image that you simply are the appropriate person for the work.
Make no mistake regarding this. Doing job interview preparation is highly vital. It can make all the difference.
Article source: articlebase.com
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