The Perferct Interview

Companies do not hire people. People hire people.

The interview is arguably the most important part of the job search process. The interview gives you that all important chance to sell yourself in person. To successfully sell yourself you must sell the "fit". The "fit" means that the company and the job is perfect for you and that you are perfect for them.

For an interview to be successful you must be well prepared. No smart person would give a major presentation without proper preparation. Every job interview is a major presentation. A presentation of yourself. In this presentation you must effectively communicate to the employer that;

a) you really want the job,

b) why you can do the job,

c) how well you can do the job,

d) why the job should go to you instead of some other qualified candidate.

The following tips and guidelines will help all your interviews to be perfect.

Before your interview

1) Find out as much as you can about the company before the interview.

2) Try and get any information that you can on the interviewer if possible.

3) Find out as much as you can about the job itself. (Be ready to explain why you want the job)

4) Prepare a list of question that you would like to ask in the interview.

5) Arrange all the items that you need to bring with you to the interview.

Make sure you know how to find the place. It is a good idea to practice the route once before your interview.

At the interview

1) Go alone to the interview. Never bring family or friend with you.

2) Give yourself enough time in order to arrive at your interview 15 minutes early. Take the time to relax yourself and do any needed touch ups. Show up for your interview 5 minutes before the schedule time.

3) Be professional and polite to the receptionist and everyone else. Always state your name and the time of your interview.

4) Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake.

5) Remain standing until you are asked to sit. Sit up straight, do not slouch. You do not want to appear lazy.

6) Do not smoke or ask for permission to do so. Don't chew gum or your nails.

7) Do not address you interviewer by his or her first name unless he or she ask you to do so.

8) Make eye contact when responding to questions.

9) Show a controlled sense of humour, when called for.

10) Be attentive and show genuine interest when the interviewer is speaking.

11) Speak about your accomplishments with pride, but avoid being boastful and arrogant.

12) Concentrate on the employers needs by showing a strong desire to meet them.

13) Answer each question as honestly and as concisely as possible. Do not try to be evasive with your answers.

14) If it will take more than one interview to get the job, avoid bringing up the subject of salary in your first interview, unless the interviewer brings it up.

15) It is your responsibility to ensure that the interviewer has all the information he or she needs to properly evaluate you as a candidate.

16) Ensure that you let the interviewer know exactly when and where you can be reached.

17) Get a clear indication of what will happen once the interview is over. You need to know;

a) is the next step another interview,

b) will the interviewer be contacting you with his or her decision,

c) when can you expect a decision to be made

d) would it be ok for you to give a follow up call in a week if you don't hear anything.

18) Remember the interview is a two way street. Ask questions of the interviewer that shows your knowledge and interest of the company and the job.

19) Call a head to confirm your appointment. This helps to send the positive message that you are someone who pays attention to details.

20) Try to bring up in relevant context, anything that you may have in common with the interviewer.

After the interview

1) Leave as soon as the interview is finished. Making small talk after an interview can lead to problems.

2) Thank the interviewer for giving you the opportunity, with a firm handshake.

3) Say a polite good bye to the person(s) in the front office.

4) Send a polite and professional follow up thank you letter.

Interview Don'ts - Sure Interview Killers

With the job market as competitive as it is nobody can afford to make unnecessary mistakes. Making any of the following mistakes decrease your chances of being hired.

1) Not dressing appropriately for the job interview. 2) Don't smoke or eat 3) Don't sing, hum or drum.

How To Make A Good First Impression

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Before an interviewer asks you any questions he or she has already made several decisions about you based on the impression that you have given. Making a good first impression is very important.

Follow these guideline to make the perfect first impression.

1) Your hair should be neatly groomed

2) Your face should be neatly done.

3) You should be fresh smelling (use deodorant and mouthwash)

4) Your nails should be clean and nicely manicured

5) Your clothes should be clean, pressed and professional.

6) Your shoes should be clean, polished and professional looking. You don't want them to stand out for the wrong reasons.

7) Be careful about wearing too much cologne or perfume.

Why Some People Do Not Get Hired

Throughout your job search always try to think like an employer. This will help you to evaluate your interview preparation and conduct.

Here are some of the signs that employers are watching for as reason not to hire you.

Signs of: 1) Lying or dishonesty 2) Fooling around or irresponsibility 3) Boastfulness or arrogance 4) Tardiness or not keeping commitments 5) Disobeying rules or not following instructions.

Why Some People Get Hired

Employers hire people for many different reasons, but here are some of the basic signs that they look for in someone that they want to hire.

1) Dependable and consistent 2) Honest and trustworthy 3) Skills and abilities are of value to the company 4) Positive attitude 5) Takes pride in accomplishments. 6) Professionalism 7) Competent and disciplined 8) Good general appearance 9) Good judgment 10) Eagerness and enthusiasm

Why Employers Ask The Questions They Ask

During an interview every question that an interviewer asks has a purpose. The purpose is usually to answer the following questions.

1) Can you do the job?

2) Will you "fit" in?

3) Will you be motivated to a good job?

4) What skills or strengths do you have that the company needs?

5) Why have you changed jobs in the past?

6) What contributions have you made in your past jobs?

7) What kind of a person are you? a leader or a follower?

8) Will you stay in the job for a while?

9) How you compare to other applicants?

10) How you relate to people?

Frequently Asked Interview Questions

Interview questions are designed to help you communicate your personality, potential and strengths so that the interviewer can do a proper assessment. Because the interviewer wants to find out as much about you as possible, he or she will ask open-ended questions. These are questions that need more than a "yes" or "no" answer. Most interviewers ask the same type of questions.

The following list should help you prepare the perfect answer to the questions that you are most likely to be asked.

1) Tell me about yourself?

2) What did you do in your last job?

3) What do you think you have to offer our company?

4) What do you want to be doing in five years?

6) Why did you leave your last job?

7) What subjects did you like best and least in school?

8) What tasks do you find most boring to do?

9) What do you consider to be your major strengths?

10) What are your major weaknesses?

11) What are you salary expectations?

12) What are the three most recent books you have read?

13) What do you like to do in your spare time?

14) Why are you applying for this job?

15) Why do you want to work for this company?

16) What type of training or experience do you have that relates to this job?

17) Why should I hire you?

18) What did you like most or least about your last job?

19) Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?

20) What kind of problems have you had in the past with co-workers?

21) What do you know about this company?

22) What kind of boss do you like to work for?

23) When would you be available to start?

24) How do you feel about relocation?

25) What are your long term career objectives?

The Perferct Answer To Interview Questions

Use the following guidelines to help you give the perfect answer to any interview question. It is a very good idea to take the time to prepare written answers to all of the above questions. Then you need to practice each answer until you know them perfectly. Each answer you give should show knowledge, confidence, interest and enthusiasm. Ensure that each answer is truthful, direct and concise. Try and keep each answer from 15 seconds to a maximum of one and a half minute or 90 seconds.

Questions You Should Ask During The Interview

The interview is a two way street. It is also your chance to find out if the organization and the job is right for you. Asking questions also helps to convey your knowledge and interest in the job and in the organization.

1) What are the duties and responsibility of the job?

2) Are there opportunities to move up in this company?

3) What is the greatest challenge of this job?

4) Who would I report to?

5) What do you like best about this company?

6) Is there an opportunity for job training or subsidized work-related education?

7) What is the history of the company?

8) How did this position become available?

9) Will I be working in a team or mostly by myself?

10) How long have you been with the company?

You do not have to ask all of these questions. Never ask unnecessary questions. You should ask relevant and intelligent questions

How To Do A Perfect Follow Up Telephone Call

If you have not heard from the employer by the indicated time period it is a good idea to follow up with a telephone call. This call will help you find out if a decision has been made as well as remind the employer who you are.

Tips And Guidelines To Help You Make The Perfect Call.

1) Prepare a written script

2) Start by reintroducing yourself

3) Find out if the hiring decision has been made. (if yes thank the interviewer for his or her time, if no, continue to number 4)

4) Mention any relevant or advantageous information that you may have forgotten during your interview. Be as brief as possible.

5) Restate in one or two sentences why you are perfect for the job.

6) Thank the interviewer for his or her time and arrange a date for a final follow-up date, if he or she does not call you.