Interview Help

These days, employers and recruiters are using every means available to help make their hiring decisions -- which includes looking through resumes, of course, but also checking out social media sites. Before calling a candidate to set up an interview, most employers are going to do their due diligence, checking out the candidate on Facebook and ensuring there are no obvious "red flags." Of course, if your Facebook page is plastered with drunk, slovenly photos or crass content, you're probably not going to get that interview! As such, articles explaining what not to post on Facebook are a dime a dozen, and for perfectly good reason. Here's a reality that does not receive nearly enough attention, though: While Facebook can absolutely hurt your career prospects, it can also help your career prospects. The answer, then, is not to remove your Facebook page altogether, or to turn your privacy settings on high. The answer is to use Facebook to enhance, promote, and brand yourself -- to … [Read more...] about How to Use Facebook to Land a Job Interview

When young people prepare to enter professional environments for the first time, there is often a virtual avalanche of advice to consider. From where to apply, to how to present a resume, to what to wear to an interview, college graduates and other young professionals hear so many tips that it can be hard to keep everything straight without feeling immense pressure. One thing that helps some young people to relax is to consider things from the employer's standpoint. Most businesses go to great lengths in order to present themselves well, both to prospective clients and to potential employees. Some offices hire decorators to arrange things in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible; some invest in programs like ShareFile to improve the functions, capability, and appearance of online business; and of course, people in well-run business environments always seem to be dressed impeccably to make a good impression. When you consider all of these things, and that you're not the only … [Read more...] about 5 Tips For Giving A Natural Interview

So, you just landed an interview at the job of your dreams? Here are some 5 interview hacks to get the interview going in your direction front the moment you walk into the office. Say nice things to the front desk administrative assistant - As soon as you walk in the office, the interview has started, even if you are in the waiting room. Make small chat with the front desk administrative assistant. Talk about the weather and compliment them on the office, their outfit, etc. Be genuine. Remember, everyone talks to everyone in the office. If the office admin doesn't like you, chances are no one else will. Get the interviewer immediately talking about something else than the interview - This works when you are walking with the interviewer to the interview office or as you walk into the interview room. This helps you establish rapport with the interviewer as soon as possible. People want to work with fun and interesting people. Your goal for the interview is to have a nice friendly … [Read more...] about 5 Interview Hacks

In the grand scheme of your job search, a phone interview might not feel like something worth preparing for -- but this just isn’t the case.   While it’s certainly true a phone interview is a cursory step in early candidate screening, this doesn’t make it any less important than an in-person interview. Job seekers should consider this phase to be an important opportunity to leave a lasting impression on their potential employer. If you’re not careful, you could easily ruin your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. Here are six ways to blow your next phone interview: 1. Don’t Bother Getting Out Of Bed Taking an overly casual approach to your phone interview can certainly ensure failure. While your potential employer may not be able to see how you’re dressed or what you’re doing, it will certainly come across in your tone of voice. A phone interview isn’t a time to casually lounge in bed while wearing your sweats. Dressing nicely and sitting up straight at your desk will … [Read more...] about Ways To Ruin Your Phone Interview

Job searching can be a tiring experience. If done right, it can almost be a full-time job in itself. When you are in between jobs, it can be difficult to keep yourself motivated after submitting dozens of applications and resumes without a reply. However, you have to try to stay motivated during a job search. The day of the interview you’ll want to eat breakfast and dress professionally by wearing your best suit, but it can also be good to relax by listening to music or reading the newspaper. If you were selected for a promising job interview, here are a few ways to motivate yourself for your best chance at success. Join a Job Search Group Your friends and family can be a great support group, but one of the best ways to motivate yourself, is to surround yourself with others looking for work. You can share your successes and failures with each other, and you may find comfort in being around other people who can relate to your situation. You may find it helpful to meet with other people … [Read more...] about How to Motivate Yourself for a Job Interview

If you aren’t a little nervous on entering a job interview then it might be worth questioning how much you really want it. Nerves show that the opportunity means a lot to you and that you want to get it right, something many employers will be fully aware of (however much they let you squirm). But it’s still important to make sure these nerves don’t conceal the true passion you have for the job - or worse, distract from it. Niklas Vaittinen, Marketing Executive at the Graduate Recruitment Bureau agrees and tells us “your interviewer(s) have probably interviewed a great number of applicants during their career and have learnt to pick up on body movements that you might make subconsciously.” It’s not only your mouth that does the talking; your body language will speak volumes before you’ve even had the chance to sit down. So, whilst you’re focusing hard on how your words are being perceived, be careful what else is being communicated. SMILE -  No matter what the job, however worried you … [Read more...] about Is Your Body Language Speaking More Than You in an Interview?

You know you’re meant to be a creative professional and that you can do much to improve any company’s marketing image. However, before being selected for your ideal job, you must first sell your abilities to potential employers. The following are five things you should always bring to interviews if you want to land your dream job. An Organized Portfolio As a creative professional, your portfolio will typically be the main selling factor in job interviews. A portfolio should be well-rounded and should display the best projects you’ve completed for previous employers. By assembling an organized and top-notch portfolio, you’ll grab the interviewer’s attention from the interview’s start. Don’t have any previous work to fill a portfolio? If you’re interviewing for an entry level job directly out of college, employers will understand that your portfolio may be a little slim. However, school projects and even work you created for fun can show your abilities and will be more beneficial … [Read more...] about 5 Items Creative Professionals Should Always Bring to Job Interviews

Some people head into job interviews with lowered heads, sweaty palms, and flinching facial expressions, hoping only that they’ll survive the moment without screwing up. They mumble their way through a series of simple questions and scramble out the door when they’re mercifully dismissed. There’s a lot at stake, after all, and there’s no question that job interviews can be a terrifying experience. For some people. But not for you. Fortunately, you’re not burdened with this problem. You don’t need to psych yourself up with a pre-interview men’s-room-mirror pep talk because you woke up ready. You were born ready. No job interview can scare you. This is partly because everywhere you go, you bring your own soundtrack (the theme from Rocky, and partly because you’re pretty certain (make that 100 percent certain) that none of the other applicants for this job are as qualified, smart, handsome, charming, and amazing as you are. In short: You aren’t worried. Your confidence radiates, and … [Read more...] about The Job Interview: Confident and Competent? Or Cocky and Unbearable?

A job interview can be a scary and daunting process at times. This can be especially true if you are someone who is not experienced in interviewing. One of the absolute best ways of going into an interview feeling more prepared is to have some questions to ask during the interview. Oftentimes, many employers will also expect for you to ask a few questions during the interview, it is something that will show you have done a bit of research and are engaged in the process. Not to mention, keep in mind that when you go into an interview, not only is the company looking at you, but you should also be looking at the company. So, you should have some questions as to settle any thoughts you might have about how the process at the organisation works, or if the culture is something that will work for you. First, you will want to ask questions that are directed at the role itself. Having a conversation about the position with the interviewer will really be able to give you a grate perspective … [Read more...] about 10 Questions to Ask at an Interview

With so many people looking for work at the moment, and people reporting record numbers of people applying for each job, it's never been so challenging to find employment. Just getting called to interview is an achievement. Of course, getting called to interview can be just the start of a long recruitment process, but also, unlike with a CV which is always open to interpretation, an interview is your chance to shine: Nerves The first thing you have to control is your nerves, so make sure that you make life as easy as possible. Find the location early - you don't want to be rushing - and then take a walk to explore the local area. Aside from giving you something to do which isn't thinking about the interview, it'll give you some quick and easy small talk with your interviewers. Preparation First of all, make sure that you research your prospective employer thoroughly knowing who they are and what they do inside out. If you know who's going to interview you, have a look for their … [Read more...] about All About Interviews