Green Card Lottery Interview Process

The month of May will witness hectic activity at the U.S. Department of State Kentucky Consular Center, as the results of the DV lottery 2013 will be out at that time. Note that you will be able to check your results only through the online entrant status check at dvlottery state gov website. Make sure you keep the confirmation number safe as that is the only option available to check the results. Once you are selected in the program you will receive information regarding the place, date and time of your green card interview. You can expect this 4-6 weeks before the interview date.

Green Card Lottery winners will be called for an interview sometime in October. The interview will go on in ascending case number order and proceed till the visa limit is reached or when the program close date is reached, which ever comes first. Before going to the interview, make sure you read all the instructions carefully and thoroughly at the US Consular Office website. You can also get in touch with the US Embassy in your country to make note of the fees and supporting documents you are required to bring at the time of your interview.

While coming for the interview, you have to bring:
- A Police clearance record according to the US Consular officer in your country or any US Embassy nearest to you.
- Record for the Medical check up as per the US Consular officer in your country or any US Embassy nearest to you.
- Three non refundable fees for the Visa and Green Card processing
- Immigrant visa application processing fee (Form DS-230)
- Green Card Lottery surcharge for immigrant visa application
- Immigrant visa security surcharge, for all Green Card applicants

As the fee structure changes quite often, it is advised to check the latest fee structure before going to the interview. All these fees has to be paid at the embassy. If you became a parent to a new born baby after submitting all the forms that you received from the Kentucky Consular Center and you still did not get the interview letter, get the newborn baby photographed and mail it along with it's birth certificate to the Kentucky Consular Center. Inform the US Embassy about the newborn. If you already got the interview letter, you are required to bring with you, a photo and birth certificate of the baby and it has to be submitted at the time of your interview.

If you will not be able to attend the interview on the given date, you can request to reschedule it. However, it is best advised not to miss your original interview considering that the visas are limited to 55,000. If you are in the US and won the lottery, you can apply for adjusting status by filing Form I-485 with the USCIS. Beware of scammers. If you receive any email or postal mail that you have been selected, do not believe that.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/

10 Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid

If you've read one or several of the countless publications about job job interviews and how to avoid messing up the interview, you may have some good tips and suggestions.
Most of that information may be just fine, however here are 10 common mistakes made in one fashion or the other. Consider these just the "cliff notes" version.
Avoid These 10 Mistakes

1. Arriving late for your job interview. The one thing you avoid at all costs is being late for your interview.  If you're hired you'll be expected to be on time and your ability to be on time for the interview is often a judgement of whether you'll be late if you're hired.
Some suggestions to prevent tardiness are:

• Obtaining through directions to the interview location from the recruiter or hiring manager or the HR representative. When possible inquire further about just how much time to allow to either drive (or use public transportation) to your job interview location from wherever you'll be coming. When it's a big organization or plant setting, find out which building your interview will take place in. Don't forget to ask about parking your car and if the parking is free or paid.
• Get phone numbers of the interviewer just in case you need them during your trip to the interview, or should you need to reschedule your interview date/time (illness, family emergency, current work conflicts, etc.)
• If at all feasible make a trial trip, by driving to the location for the interview. This includes driving to that location at about the same time during the day that your job job interview is planned. This provides you with the best idea of just how much time to allow to get to the interview. This is a good time to also scout out the parking arrangement.
• Permit yourself a minimum of a 10-15-minute safety net. It's much better to be early, instead of being late.
• When you are running late despite all your planning and best efforts (traffic jam, flat tire, inclement weather, etc.) phone the interviewer so that you can notify her or him that you'll be a little late and include the causes for your delay. See whether you can still be interviewed or if you need to reschedule.

2. Overlooking a last minute personal grooming check. By arriving early ask for the nearest restroom and look in the mirror so that you can make certain your grooming is still appropriate. Make certain your clothes are strait and neat and comb your hair if needed and if you've eaten recently check your teeth to be sure that you don't have food lodged in your teeth. Remember this is a good time to also take that "pit stop" so you won't have to ask to use the restroom in the middle of interviews.

3. Dressing inappropriately. No mater what level of job you're interviewing for, your clothes must clean and neat.. For professional positions, men and women must dress professionally and what that means may vary from company to company. For many jobs, well put together business informal clothing will be all you need. This isn't right time or place for jewelry or clothing that is flamboyant. You wouldn't want anything to draw attention away from focus from your qualifications to do the job. It's best to inquire about proper dress code when setting up the interview appointment. And just in case, it's always best to err on the side of being a little over dressed, vs. under dressed.

4. Being trapped into making casual conversation. Numerous interviews start with a casual conversation to place the two you at ease. No matter what, stay away from topics such as politics and religion. Acceptable subjects for casual discussion include sport or the weather,regardless and if you needed any assistance locating the company facility for the job interview. Making comments about photos or other things at place of work is generally effective. Nevertheless, be sure you are in the actual interviewer's office, instead of in a office just being used for the job interview, before you discuss workplace items.

5. Being unable to communicate effectively about your current and prior work background. Many interviewers are certainly not really experienced and often a few of the more knowledgeable ones will use your resume as a guideline during job interview. Be ready to discuss everything in-depth that you've listed on your resume. If you can, rehearse having an interview with an associate or friend. Your practice may not be optimal, but it will sure help you increase your interviewing ability all of which will place you ahead of many of your competitors.

6. Being unfamiliar with the job you are being interviewed for. The more knowledge you get regarding the job and the organization, more probable it is you'll be able to represent yourself as the solution to meet the employer's needs. When you're in a major job hunt, you ought to have completed considerable company research prior to getting the interview.
Information sources for could be:

• The Internet. Both the company's website and/or websites focussing on the profession or industry.
• The library. Industry magazines or publications like the Occupational Outlook Handbook tend to be helpful.
• Networking. Talk to individuals who are acquainted with the actual job or business. Linkedin is a great resource for this. In case you do not know a person with the knowledge you seek, you probably know somebody who knows somebody who has that information. Networking begins with asking them questions, so you shouldn't be reluctant to ask others for information and facts.

7. Failing to pay attention for hints in relation to requirements from the company. Numerous interviewers begin the job interview by supplying you with an understanding of the business and its needs. Treat these details as a treasure. As soon as you've acquired these details, you'll be able to customize your replies to how you are able to assist them fulfill those needs. The company is trying to find somebody to solve their challenges and, if you are able to persuade them that you are capable of doing so, you will end up significantly ahead of your competition.

8. Failing to recognize when to quit speaking. When you have practiced your interviewing, you will definitely have the ability to plainly and briefly answer their questions and explain your accomplishments. Avoid rambling replies that will move away from subject of the job interview. Use the SMART method for structuring your answers. This should be a one to three minute initial response in most cases.
S = Specific
M = measureable
A = Action oriented
R =Results oriented
T = Time specific
Don't be frightened of silence during the interview and don't try to fill in lulls in the conversation. If you're unsure whether or not the job interviewer has gotten adequate details from your answer, ask them if your response was sufficient, i.e. "have I given you enough information, or would you like more detail?"
9. Failing to ask insightful questions. Usually, at the conclusion of the job interview, you'll be asked if you have any questions. Avoid using these times to inquire about benefits or when you might take your very first holiday. The questions you ask need to display your desire for the job. You might want to ask questions like:

• The most important long term plans for your company? The most important plans for the position you're interviewing for?
• Exactly what do you believe are the most crucial skills needed for this job?
• How will you evaluate my progress and my accomplishments in this job?
• May I answer any questions for you before I leave?

10. Failing to remember to always use a thank-you / follow-up response. Attempt to get business cards from every person you interview with and make at least one key note about what you talked with during interview with that person (use the back of the card), then include a comment about that point in your thank you letter. Emails are OK to use. The interviewer's email should be on the business card.
A thank you correspondence has a number of excellent points.

• It's going to help remind the interviewer of both you and your qualifications. Very few people really send this sort of correspondence and submitting one should cause you to differentiate yourself.
• You can use it add to the responses you presented during your interview.
• You could strengthen areas in places you thought you failed to thoroughly explain during your interview.
• It is possible to add more details - the points you "wish you'd have stated" during the job interview. This could even include a document or white paper or a link on the web that points to what you've done.

All through the job interview process, remember that the process is actually a competition. Its not necessary to be perfect, just superior to the competition. By eliminating these ten ways to mess up a job interview, you will have a high probability of beating your competitors.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Police Panel Interview Questions and Answers - Practice Questions and Answers For the Oral Exam

The police panel interview is a tough interview session which includes some really tough questions. In order to get into the department that you want to be in, you must do well on your interview. To help you prepare for the oral interview, I have a couple of sample questions for you.

Question #1: You are on traffic duty and are sitting on a median with your radar gun. A car goes by and they are traveling 25 miles over the speed limit. You turn on your lights and pull the car over, initiating a traffic stop. As you approach the car, you realize that the driver is your girlfriend. What do you do?
Well, the answer to this question is tough, and one that you will most likely hear during the oral exam. The panel wants the truth, but how to put the truth is the key. The best way to answer this question is by saying that you would not give her a ticket, but would let her off with a warning and explain to her that she has put you in a very awkward situation and tell her that you hope she will not do it again. Your honesty will go a long way, because most officers would do the same thing.
Question #2: While still in your training phase, you hear your training officer call someone a racial slur while on duty. What would you do?

This is a tough one, as your training officer is who you report to. The correct way to answer this one is to tell the panel that you would discuss this with your training officer in private and make sure that what you heard was correct. If it was correct, then you would go to his supervisor and report him.
As you can see, both of these questions are tough, but with the right answers, you will be able to ace the oral part of your exam, while never having to actually deal with either of these issues during your tenure as a cop.

Article source: ezinearticles.com

Behavioral Interviewing - Are You Asking the Right Questions?

If you go online to find behavior interview questions, STOP! The questions are all good, but do they relate to the position you're trying to fill?
Stock behavior interview questions probably won't get the answers you need to get the right person for a particular job. You need customized questions that relate to that specific job.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
First, you need to know exactly what the job requires for superior performance in three areas:
1. You need to know the job's task distribution. Does it require project tasks, routine tasks, or troubleshooting tasks - and in what percentages of each?
2. You need to know how the job needs to be done - what behaviors does it require for superior performance?
3. And you need to know what motivators the job rewards. For example, if the job rewards service to others, then you need someone who is passionate about helping people to fill the position. That person will be intrinsically motivated to be a superior performer in this job.

CANDIDATE QUALITIES
Next, you need to know which types of tasks the applicant prefers doing on a daily basis.
Then you need to know what behaviors the candidate brings to the position.
And you need to know what motivates the applicant to do the job the way it needs to be done for superior performance.

JOB FIT
How can you discover all this beyond a shadow of a doubt? There's only one way I know of to be sure you're getting the right person for the job and that is with behavioral interviewing and job benchmarking.
First, you benchmark the job using a team of your best current employees and their manager to determine the ideal job requirements. They do this using a job benchmark assessment that gives you the ideal task quotient, behaviors, and motivators the job demands.
Before conducting the behavioral interview, you assess your candidates in the same three areas. Then you compare their assessments to the job benchmark. Those who most closely match the benchmark are the ones you want to hire. They will be the right people for the job.

BEHAVIOR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
You want to use a job benchmark assessment that gives you a number of specific questions to ask based on the job's requirements.
For example, let's say you're filling a customer service position. The job benchmark shows it requires a task quotient of 62% troubleshooting. One behavior interview question the job fit assessment suggests is, "Tell me about a time when you had to solve problems that occurred unexpectedly."
The primary behaviors the job demands are frequent interaction with others and customer orientation. Two suggested questions are, "How do you handle frequent interruptions by other people? How about your response to people who ask you question after question?"
The primary motivator/value the job rewards is Theoretical (a passion for knowledge). A suggested behavior interview question is, "Which is more important, action or knowledge, and why?" (The best candidates will say "knowledge.")
All of these questions are based on the job's requirements established by the benchmark. In each behavioral interview you ask the same questions in the same order to get comparable feedback from each candidate and to comply with EEOC regulations.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY
Job benchmarking and behavioral interviewing can cut in half the time you spend recruiting employees. And this process guarantees you'll hire top talent. You'll also save money by retaining them. An added bonus is that with an employee assessment, you'll know if the answers you're getting are truthful.
Imagine, in one hand you have a report that accurately identifies the job's requirements for superior performance. In the other hand you have a report detailing the candidates' qualifications. In front of you, you have a report that compares the candidates and shows you which one best matches your ideal job benchmark. That's the one you should hire.
According to Quintessential Careers, behavioral interviewing is said to be 55% predictive of future on-the-job behavior, while traditional interviewing is 10% predictive. But to get the best results, behavioral interviewing must be done right.
Conducting a behavioral based interview using job benchmarking and employee assessments will get you the best results possible - and the best people.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

What Is Your Body Language Saying in the Interview?

Once when I was working for Johnson & Johnson, I was invited to sit in on a test marketing study where we asked average consumers about a new product we were launching. I actually sat behind a two-way mirror for hours watching people answer questions. It was kind of like an episode of Law and Order but without the crime.....

Anyways, before the study got started, a psychologist met with those of us who observed the consumers and gave us a crash course in body language, or non-verbal cues. We were to use these cues as a way to either reinforce what the consumer was saying or to reveal their true feelings. I was fascinated! I did not know that someone could say so much about what they were thinking without using any words. Over the years, I have done a lot of research on the subject and when I was a hiring manager, I loved to read the candidates' non-verbal cues that would often reveal so much more than they were saying. I now use this information to help my candidates be more successful in the interviewing process by teaching them how to project positive body language and even how to read the body language of the interviewer. You can literally tell what the hiring manager thinks of you if you know how to read not only what they are saying, but how they are saying it.

OK, let me just say upfront that I am not a trained psychologist. But I have seen a lot of job seekers spend so much time concentrating on what they are going to say in the interview that they completely overlook the power of their non-verbal communication, or body language. Experts estimate that up to 93% of face-to-face communication is nonverbal. To be an effective interviewer, you must learn to communicate both verbally and non-verbally. Especially if you do not have all of the qualifications of your competition, you can still perform better in the interview by learning and using the body language techniques that I teach my candidates all the time.

I know you have a lot to think about in the interview and you might be thinking that you do not need to add "body language" to the list of things you are worrying about. But I have found it very interesting in my years of experience how powerful body language can be in the interview process. So in an interview, your words can actually be overwhelmed by the message you are sending non-verbally. Some job seekers never give it any thought. They assume that if they say the right things at the right time, they will get the job. But I have seen too many times that the "right" candidate does not get the job because the body language signals they are sending to the hiring manager are not good. Also, I have been able to teach my candidates some basic body language strategies so that they can read what they are being told non-verbally by the hiring manager. Let me give you the most obvious, but often overlooked, example - the handshake.

You have finally landed that interview and you eagerly approach the hiring manager with an outstretched hand. Did you know that how your handshake is perceived says a lot about you? Once you give a poor handshake, it can be very difficult to recover and build rapport with the hiring manager. For example, a limp or weak handshake (also known as the "dead fish") gives the impression that you are either disinterested or weak. If you just give the tips of your fingers in a handshake, it can be perceived as a lack of ability to engage. And the overly enthusiastic, big "arm pump" handshake presents you as someone who is insincere or overly aggressive. Clearly, none of these characteristics are what a hiring manager would want in a sales rep calling on doctors. When you approach the manager, confidently, but not too firmly, grasp your interviewer's hand and make eye contact while saying hello. Even if you think you do not have a problem in this area, ask for honest critiques from friends who aren't afraid to tell you the truth. This is an easy one to fix, but can be the most damaging if you are unaware of the effects.

Bottom line, non-verbal communication is critical on both sides of the interviewing table. You must know how to project a positive, friendly, and confident image using body language. I teach my candidates everything from how to have to good eye contact to what it means if you rub your nose! You must also know how to read the non-verbal cues from the hiring manager that will tell you whether you are on track or if you need to change your tactics. For example, our bodies give off body language signals even before we realize what we are thinking. If a hiring manager gives you a negative non-verbal cue, you can respond quickly and get them thinking positively about you, often even before they realize that they had a concern! You must know what the negative non-verbal cues are so that you can respond and get back on track immediately and keep the hiring manager excited about you. I teach all of this information and the latest training techniques in my job search tool kit "Ultimate System for Landing Your Dream Job in Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales" where I will also show you what the big pharmaceutical companies are now teaching their hiring managers about what to look for in you regarding your body language. Most job seekers out there have no idea about this information, much less how to use it to their advantage. Just another way I will teach you to set yourself apart from everyone else and land the job!
Dedicated to your future success,

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Ace a Telephone Screening Interview in 7 Easy Steps

Job postings on major internet job boards tend to generate a large volume of resumes. If your resume stands out well enough to make it through the preliminary sorting you'll receive a phone call.

The purpose of this call is to determine whether you meet the minimum position requirements. The caller is looking for specific job related information and is also making judgments about job related personal characteristics.

1. Gather your reference materials together and keep them close. These materials include a copy of your resume, a copy of each job posting or ad to which you've applied and your research notes about the company. Since it's a phone call you can easily refer to these things without the caller being aware of what you're doing.
2. Be prepared to discuss your qualifications. Why you're currently looking for work; what skills you have that meet the position requirements; and whether your pay requirements fall within the hiring range are all areas that will be explored. There may also be questions relating to your job stability or why you changed from job to job.
3. Control the setting. The call will generally be made during business hours and may take you by surprise. If that happens ask the caller to hold for a moment while you move to a quite location. Or ask if you may call the person 'right back'. It is also acceptable to let the call go to voice mail. (Make sure your outgoing voice mail message is brief and business like.)If at all possible take or make the call in a quiet room, alone. If you're at work or out and about your car is the second best choice. Minimize background noises and distractions. (Whatever you do don't take the call in a public restroom; you don't want flushing noises in the background!)
4. Write down the caller's name and use it. Use Mr. or Ms. Don't use the caller's fist name unless invited to do so.
5. Know what the caller's role is within the hiring process. You need to know who you're dealing with. If you can't tell by the caller's title ask if she's "the hiring manager". If she isn't she'll be flattered and if she is...good!Remember: If the caller's role is to screen candidates she can only pass you through or eliminate you from consideration. She can't hire you.
6. Be articulate. Practice talking about yourself and your accomplishments so you can do so fluidly. Use correct grammar and pronounce words correctly. Avoid slang.
7. Relate well to the caller. Be confident, relaxed and easy to talk with while remaining business like. Listen well. Smile when you talk. Don't talk too fast. When you want to emphasize a point don't raise your voice. Stand up instead. This will give your voice more energy.

One of two things will happen at the end of a screening interview call. An appointment to interview will be set. Or the caller will thank you for your time and say someone will be in touch. Obviously setting a time for the interview then and there is preferable.

Set the interview appointment and get the details. Make note of the date and time; the name, title and phone number of the person with whom you'll be meeting; the address or location; and if offered, directions to get there. (If directions aren't offered don't ask. Be resourceful and look them up.)

If however, an appointment is not made immediately all is not lost. In some situations the screener will forward her short list to the hiring manager and the appointments will be set from there. If this happens ask how soon you should expect to hear something.

In either case stay pleasant through the end of the call. Thank the caller for her time and consideration. End by stating that you'll look forward to your meeting or to hearing from them.

Shirley Ray has interviewed thousands of job hopefuls during her 17 years as a hiring professional. Starting as a corporate recruiter, then moving into professional recruiting and finally staffing agency ownership she has successfully placed hundreds of deserving candidates with top companies.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

Interview Body Language Tips and Techniques For Interview Success

These interview body language tips have been created specifically to help you clinch the interview and go on to win more job offers. When you go to an interview, much more is going on than the interviewer asking questions and you answering them. The interviewer is looking and listening to try and work out if you are someone who will become a worthwhile addition to the organization - you should also be looking and listening to work out if the organization is right for you. The interviewer will do her best to put you at your ease so that you feel relaxed and therefore give of your best, they have certain techniques that they use to do this, so you need to have a few interview techniques up your sleeve too.

In this interview body language tips article, I'm going to talk about rapport; the crucial effect of eye contact, and the importance of the handshake. I also want to look at how you sit or stand and why you should forget about trying to look 'cool' because it can work against you.

Naturally, before going to an interview you should have some questions and answers already worked out, but don't worry if you don't get them all right, because the WAY you answer the questions carries a lot of weight with the interviewer.

Rapport
As you know, rapport is just a feeling that you get when you are comfortable or at ease in the company of another person. The interviewer wants you to feel at ease - see above - and if you can give the impression that you are relaxed, the interviewer will feel that she is doing her job well and relax too. This takes a lot of tension out of the interview.
So how can you give the impression of being relaxed? This is where my interview body language tips come in.

Eye Contact
Looking someone in the eye on greeting them for the first time is a great way to start building rapport. Avoiding the other person's eyes sends out the wrong signals and can give the impression of 'shiftiness', dishonesty, having something to hide or lacking in confidence, so look the interviewer in the eye when you meet and throughout the interview. Never hold the eye contact for more than a few seconds as that seems a little hostile, but keep coming back and remaking the eye contact. At the end of the interview when saying goodbye, hold the contact for just a little longer and make sure you smile.

The Handshake
Always allow the interviewer to initiate the handshake, and respond by matching the interviewer in firmness, but do not give a firmer handshake than them. Make sure your palms are sweat-free, if necessary by drying them on your coat with a quick wipe, smile at the interviewer while shaking hands and look them in the eyes. It should last between two to five seconds. Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an especially important type of nonverbal communication. When departing the interview, the handshake may last longer and if you smile and lean forward as you shake hands the impression is longer lasting.

How You Sit Or Stand
The impression formed about you is largely dictated by how you act and by how you appear to be. The way you sit or stand is a very large part of that so you want to look relaxed and confident, but not cocky. Going back to rapport, it feels most comfortable when you are with someone who acts and sounds similar to yourself. Now, going back to rapport and my interview body language tips, if you sit or stand in a similar way to the interviewer, angle your body, cross your legs at the same time or lean forward when they do, they will feel the rapport between you. These simple techniques can change the whole interview as long as you are not too obvious about it. It's sometimes called 'mirroring' by the body language experts and is something you can try out easily.

Looking 'Cool'
If you're so conscious of looking 'cool' even in an interview, you run the risk of turning off the very person who can make the decision to hire you if their opinion of 'cool' is different from yours. Forget it for now and concentrate on being the person they want to hire; you can go back to being cool once you have been offered the job.

My interview body language tips should help to to understand what's going on outside the questions and answers and by applying some of the techniques I've given you, should make a big difference to your success rate. Of course, you also need a great CV and cover letter to get a chance of being called for an interview and if you're going to write your own CV, please take some time to understand why they are written in a certain way; my experience comes from years of recruiting people both as a Recruitment Consultant and as an employer, so I have seen and written thousands of CVs and know what is needed.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com