sell yourselfNo matter what job you are interviewing for, sell your experience and abilities. Show up 15 minutes early, dressed professionally, teeth brushed, etc (I get annoyed when I have to interview someone not put together properly). Build rapport by making small talk with your interviewer (This will also help you determine if you're a cultural fit for the company as well. You will be unhappy if you are working with people you don't get along with.). Firm handshake, eye contact, be your best self, and be nice to the receptionist. Let the interviewer guide the process. Practice behavioral interviewing responses. The trend now for recruiters and hiring managers is to ask questions related to specific experiences you've had: "Tell me about a time when you were able to resolve a conflict with a client....etc." Prepare by writing down the most positive work experiences you've had, ie. names, job, situations, etc. And think of examples in which you personally have turned a negative situation into a positive outcome, a win-win situation. The interviewer may hardball you with objections and tough questions related to your negative experiences on the job. Use sales techniques, overcome the objections with positive responses. When the interviewer asks if you have questions, ask questions about the company's direction, the departments goals, the manager's goals AND sell your skills and how they can contribute specifically to those goals. Most importantly, if you want the job, CLOSE YOURSELF, ask for the next step. Ask the interviewer if he/she has any reservations about moving you on to the next step. If there are any objections, overcome them with positive responses. Don't talk about personal issues unless it is relevant to the job or company (things like divorce, race, age, death, birth, illness, sexual orientation, etc. are taboo. A good interviewer won't ask, so don't tell). I go through at least 90 resumes to get 1 hire, so this is a numbers game for you as well. The more interviews you go on, the more likely you will get a job sooner. Happy hunting!
If I may add to this, you should take it easy with joking. Some people start cracking jokes when they are nervous, and if the interviewer doesn't share your sense of humor, that can make the situation very awkward. Just yesterday, I was part of an interviewing panel and the applicant thinking he was being funny blurted out something extremely stupid that has taken him out of consideration. | |
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Career Tips
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