Interview Help

Andrew’s recent post (“12 Things to Bring to an Interview”), which contained very useful suggestions, made me think about the opposite - how far interviewing protocol has strayed in the last few years from the “normal” format and dynamic.Of course there are also the wardrobe malfunctions and stupid responses. A colleague once had a candidate arrive in flip-flops and shorts. When asked about time management skills, she shared, “Wow, I’m not so good in that area – I sometimes play games for 6-10 hours a day!” Nice.Dress code aside, in case you aren’t sure, here are some items to NOT bring with you on an interview:1.      Your mother – Even if she is an ace at the collective bargaining table, bringing Mom along in case you have to negotiate salary is not cool.2.      Food – Even if you offer to share with the interviewer, don’t even bring a “light … [Read more...] about 10 Things You Shouldn’t Bring to an Interview

For any graduate entering or individual returning to the job market, it can be a scary situation. On one end, millions of people have lost their jobs during the most recent economic downturn. According to an article released by the Huffington Post, the unemployment rate is still at a staggering 9 percent and is expected to remain around this figure until 2016 or at least until growth is able to reach demand. As for recent graduates from top online colleges, shifting from an education environment to the workforce can be a touch transition. Regardless of your situation, it's really hard to get your foot in the door and if you're lucky enough to get an interview for the job you want then the last thing you want to do is blow it once you get there. Here's a list of some of the biggest dos and don'ts for your next job interview. DO'S Being prepared: Much of the approaches to being prepared are common sense things that you should already know like: arrive early but not too early. Have a … [Read more...] about Nailing Your Job Interview: The Do’s and Don’ts

I’ve worked in recruitment. It’s a job where you have to learn to read people, to pick up hints that they maybe exaggerating a skills set, that they might lack commitment, or, that underneath the polished veneer of their interview performance, they may not actually be all that competent. Some people are considerably better at interviewing for jobs than they are at doing them. They make life for people like me a little bit tricky. Luckily, some people make it really easy. Here’s a round up of three of the most unbelievable interview horror stories that people have shared with me over the years.  Purchase the Ultimate Guide To Job Interview Answers Would you mind leaving… I’ve heard a few stories similar to this one, but none quite so bad on a scale of sheer rudeness. Someone I know was holding a round of what’s known as ‘walk in interviews’ (where candidates aren’t screened before hand). Now you may automatically assume that this might mean your dealing with a slightly lower level … [Read more...] about The Worst Interview Blunders

Whether you’re an interview virgin or have simply been “interview celibate” for awhile, that first interview in a new job search can be stressful. From the sweaty palms to the rambling stories to the nervous laughter, it takes a great amount of self-discipline to harness your energy when trying to impress an employer. And since it’s something we don’t get to do regularly, it’s easy to find yourself out of practice when you’re hunting for a job.By now you’ve researched the company, picked out a winning outfit, and are planning to arrive 15 minutes early. Good thinking! But how will you stay calm during the interview?Keep the following tips in mind during your next job interview, and your skills, experience, and personality will do the talking.Read the rest of my post at U.S. News and World Report. … [Read more...] about How to Stay Relaxed During a Job Interview

During the interview process, it’s inevitable that at some point you’ll be asked about your salary requirements. Along with that question, a hiring manager or human resources employee might casually ask, “How much do you make now?”Employers want to know what you earn now or what you’ve earned in the past for one reason: so they can hire you for the lowest possible salary. If you answer truthfully, you could be looking at a minimal increase from your last job. But if you lie, you could cost yourself the opportunity.Here are a few honest ways to tackle the question:1. Tell the truth.Be honest about what you make, but also say how much money you’d require to accept the new position. If your salary request is light years away from your current earnings, explain why you’re underpaid in your current job—maybe your company has financial problems, for example—and why you deserve more in your next position. Gaining experience or education … [Read more...] about What to Say When the Interviewer Asks How Much You Make

We spend around 25% of our time at work.  For those of us with an office job, that's a helluva a lot of time breathing recycled air and baking under fluorescent lights.When looking for a place to live, we tend to check out several places before choosing one.  It's a rare occasion when someone agrees to live somewhere without seeing the lay of the land first.  Depending on our degree of thinking (or over thinking), we might even come up with a list of pros/cons on why one home is better than another. My point is that analysis is required.  However, when it comes to work - a place where we spend more time than at home - we often never ask to see where we will be placed, and that could be a big factor in employee happiness and employee performance.If a job meets our salary/benefits requirements, we sign up, and don't see our workspace until day number one.  Well, I believe that's a mistake. A biggie!In no way am I suggesting that it should be THE factor, but it … [Read more...] about The "Odd" Interview Question You NEED to Ask!

I haven’t been on any interviews lately, but I was in a situation recently that required me to have confidence to the 10th power. It was a scary, intimidating, first-time-ever event that I dreaded for weeks. I realized that although I had no control over the circumstances, I had choices about how I approached it and how I responded.Job interviews don’t rattle me too much. I’m fairly confident about my skills, experience and how I present myself. But I know many people find interviewing very nerve-wracking. In my experience and the experts will tell you that one of the best approaches is to BE PREPARED. (That good old Girl Scout stuff pays off again.)An interview is definitely not one of those occasions where you get points for just showing up. So what are some key components of preparedness for interviewing?·         Research the organization. Duh. This might seem obvious, but there are many facets to it. Looking at the … [Read more...] about Tips to Boost Your Confidence While Interviewing

It's been a while, and you're used to hanging out in your bathrobe and fuzzy bunny slippers, catching up on all the back episodes of Psych and Leverage and tossing out a few dozen résumés every week. Now, after months of surviving on unemployment checks and home-cooked meals, someone wants to interview you, tomorrow. Panic time!  Are your skills up-to-date enough?  Do you remember how to handle office politics with grace?  Does your alarm clock still work?  Are your business clothes pressed?  What about Psych?Step one was given to us decades ago by the great philosopher Douglas Adams: DON'T PANIC!OK, actually, that's Step Zero.  But it's good advice.  Step one is DECIDE WHETHER TO WORK.  The first thing you need to do is figure out if this job is actually worth going back to work for.  It might seem a little strange, but if it's a step down from your last position, it might be better to hold out.  Calculate how much money … [Read more...] about Months Into Unemployment, and The Interview Cometh – 3 Steps to Success

Being invited to a job interview is an exciting thing. It means you are one of the top prospects for the position.To save time, employers do not interview every job candidate who submits a resume. Instead, they carefully select a few candidates to talk to. So, congrats! You made it to next stage in the job search process.But this new stage can be a stressful. There is a lot hanging on the interview. You will meet face-to-face with a hiring manager or a supervisor for a relatively short time period. You don't have much time to prove yourself. If you impress the interviewer, you have a great chance of landing the job. However, if you blow it, you'll probably have to look for another job.There are many things you can do to leave a good impression in a job interview. For example, you can dress for the part, research your employer, speak clearly, and exude confidence. But based on my experience and from the material I've read, the best thing you can do is tell relevant stories about … [Read more...] about How to Leave a Great Impression on Your Next Job Interview