You have an impressive resume, a wealth of relevant work experience, and glowing recommendations from numerous sources. Given this impressive background, you’ve made it to an interview with the hiring manager. But despite your professionalism and well-prepared skills, you’re unable to make it through the process. This is an all-too-common situation faced by many job seekers who have the qualifications, but seem to be missing that extra spark that makes them stand out. There are a number of reasons why the candidate fails to make an emotional connection with the interviewer. Perhaps it’s because of personality or awkwardness that’s built up in the conversation. But one of the most common culprits in this scenario is the lack of emotional intelligence. More and more hiring managers are looking for indicators of high emotional intelligence, as it is seen as crucial to a business’s success. If you are looking to make a favorable impression in an interview, here are some tips to help you … [Read more...] about How to Display Your Emotional Intelligence in an Interview
Interview Help
What Not to Wear on a Job Interview
If you have an interview for a job that you really want to get, then I suggest you will be very careful with the way that you'll dress. This is because companies care a lot about how their probably future employees present themselves as aspirants for the job, because it will tell them a lot of things about their commitment to helping the company grow and their efforts into making that happen as soon as possible. So what are the things you should keep in mind when going to a job interview? The basics Being too casual is a big mistake when going for an interview, especially at an important corporation. It doesn't matter if you will interview for a company with a business casual dress code, you need to keep in mind that you are looking for a job and don't have one yet. If you want to get hired at a bank or maybe a law firm, then you should adopt the formal clothing style, meaning a dark suit. Regardless if you are a man or woman, this will be adequate. For a more relaxed look, you can … [Read more...] about What Not to Wear on a Job Interview
Setting Up the Perfect Informational Interview
Whether you have freshly graduated, or if you are re-entering the job market, you don’t have to wait until you see an employee listing to introduce yourself. Many people aren’t aware that you can request an informational interview, or where you even start the process. Interestingly though, a large percentage of individuals who go out of their way to market themselves and make contacts are hired quite quickly. Sometimes the company doesn’t even have an opening, they are just so impressed by the person that they don’t want to lose them to the competition either. Develop Your List You don’t want to set up informational interviews with just random companies. They should be hand-selected after you have gone through the company’s entire profile. If you get offered a position with a company you are not crazy over, you may lose your chance at a career you will love or that you are better suited for. Choose your contacts wisely. Also, keep in mind that sometimes, competing companies are often … [Read more...] about Setting Up the Perfect Informational Interview
How Not to Be Discouraged by Failed Interviews
Receiving a rejection letter after what you thought was a great job interview can be discouraging. Even more disheartening is leaving a job interview knowing you failed to provide top notch answers. While not landing a job you really wanted can be disheartening, there are ways to avoid the discouragement and to find the drive needed to continue the job search. The following are a few methods to try. Assess Your Mistakes After each job interview, good or bad, review your mistakes. While reliving any awkward answers you gave can be difficult, this review process is essential for avoiding the same mistakes in future interviews. When reviewing your mistakes, consider what you would do differently if given another chance. These changes can then be implemented in future interviews. Also, consider how you presented yourself during the interview. Review the clothing you wore, the condition of your portfolio or resume and any other factors that may have contributed to the rejection. The … [Read more...] about How Not to Be Discouraged by Failed Interviews
Make-Up Tips for a Job Interview
In today's tough economy, jobs can be difficult to find. Therefore, it is important that you make a great first impression in the interview. One way to make sure that you make a great first impression is to wear natural looking make-up that fits the job you are applying for in the interview. Here are some make-up tips to take into consideration for making a great first impression. Foundation Start with a base of foundation that matches your natural skin color. The foundation needs to be blended well. If it isn't blended well, you will have an unsightly line where the make-up ends on your jaw line. For a polished professional look that says you pay attention to small details, blend this line, so it isn't visible. Also, remember that a lot of people sweat during the interview process because they are nervous. Applying minimal foundation may be the best way to ensure your make-up doesn't run in case you sweat too. Loose Powder To set the look of the foundation, apply a loose powder over … [Read more...] about Make-Up Tips for a Job Interview
Interviewing an Interviewer: The Importance of Comparisons in Job Searches
Sweaty palms and underarms, racing heart, dry mouth – these are the ailments of a typical job interviewee. When it comes to interviews, most potential employees are concerned only about impressing their interviewer, desperate to be offered employment. However, in their race to be the chosen applicant, many interviewees overlook the importance of comparing the potential workplace against any ideals they have for a career. This is unfortunate because, if selected for the job, a new employee may very well realize the new workplace environment is less than ideal. This results in an employee struggling to make the most of a new job and an employer wondering why the latest hire isn’t living up their initial expectations. If you’re currently applying for jobs, keep in mind the importance of interviewing your interviewers. While you may be desperate to find a new job and get out of your current workplace, the situation likely won’t improve with the new employer unless you’ve assessed whether … [Read more...] about Interviewing an Interviewer: The Importance of Comparisons in Job Searches
How to Survive Being an Adult Intern
In recent years the business world has seen a rise in the phenomena of the adult internship. This is probably not surprising with the economy crashing, adding to the amount of people who have already discarded the idea that a job is for life. Internships are becoming an increasingly popular option as a way to break into a new career, as it offers actual work experience, a way to get yourself noticed, and even more importantly, a way to make sure that the new industry is going to suit you. Yet for many the idea of going back to being an intern is enough to make the stomach squirm. I mean, how does your ego survive being the oldest intern on the block? But before we get to that, how do you even secure the job when your competition is super knowledgeable, keen bean interns who don’t even look old enough to vote? Well if you have these questions, this two-part post is for you. Part one - How to get through the interview. Applying and being interviewed for a job that sometimes doesn’t … [Read more...] about How to Survive Being an Adult Intern
Stay Dry at an Interview. Win Prizes. Love Thy Pits.
Aside from a first date or your wedding day, nothing makes you sweat like a job interview. With only one chance to impress and leave your current job behind, the pressure is on! Between your pre-interview research, questions designed to trip you up, and wondering whether or not you're making enough eye contact, you have a enough to worry about. Our friends at Mitchum want to introduce you to their brand spankin' new Advanced Control™ stick/solid antiperspirant and deodorant. The perfect addition to your interview toolbox. Providing 48 hours of protection for men and women, protection is guaranteed, even if the interview goes into overtime. Mitchum Advanced Control™ combines the highest level of active ingredient available in the marketplace. That means when you perspire, fragrance technology kicks in, creating an aromatic burst that is sure to dance around the nostrils of the employer. And since it goes on clear, there are no worries about staining that … [Read more...] about Stay Dry at an Interview. Win Prizes. Love Thy Pits.
The Perfect Power Posture for the Job Interview
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In a job interview, body language is worth an entire feature-length film -- especially a power posture. According to research by L. Huang and associates, of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and published in Psychological Science, your posture speaks volumes about whether you are a take-charge, in-control person--or a “yes” man or woman. This research validates what I have been teaching for many years in my executive presentation and media training programs: how you sit or stand produces behavioral changes in you and the people around you. For example, if you take up a lot of space when you sit, messages are sent to your brain that make you feel more powerful. Subsequently, those around you also perceive you to be more authoritative and powerful. But body posture alone isn’t the only thing that can help (or hurt) you in a job interview. Here are some body language tips to help you non-verbally ace the … [Read more...] about The Perfect Power Posture for the Job Interview
17 Tips to Ace Your Next Phone Interview
It’s easy to understate the importance of a phone interview, dismissing it as merely the first step in the long job-search process. In reality, a seemingly cursory phone interview is actually the most important step, because without success, the next steps never happen.Follow these phone interview tips and make it your business to secure a face-to-face meeting:1. Print it out. Have a physical copy of your resume and the job description in front of you during the call. Type up a bulleted list of items you want to cover during the conversation. As each one gets satisfied, cross it off the list. Printouts are necessary in case your Internet access fails.2. Have Web access. It’s always best to give your full concentration to the interview, listening and answering questions diligently. However, also take advantage of the fact that the interviewer can’t see you. Open up the company’s website in your browser and have another window open to the search engine of your … [Read more...] about 17 Tips to Ace Your Next Phone Interview