Showing posts with label Interview Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interview Tips. Show all posts

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Job Interview Questions : The Correct Way to Answer

by  job- search- adviser. net


Question 1 : Like me – Like me NOT

Image of a man using a computerOne of the most common interview questions is, “What did you like most, and what did you dislike most about your last job?”

When you give your job interview answer for this question you want to make sure that you do not speak too negatively about your prior company. If you do so, this may lead the person that you are interviewing with to assume that you will do the same with their company. Job interview answers are not always the easiest to spin into something positive. You may need to write, rewrite and rewrite again to get this answer correct.

Try an answer something like this: “I enjoyed the company because they rewarded the employees when all goals were completed. It showed us that they really cared about our hard work and us. I would have enjoyed the it more if they would have had more advancement opportunities.”  

Question 2 : weakness VS. STRENGTHS

Employers tend to ask about your strengths and weaknesses. They may form the questions like this, “What is your greatest weakness?” and “What is your greatest strengths?”

Most individuals can come up with a job interview answer for strengths in a heartbeat, but can’t come up with a weakness that they are willing to share with others. So they stumble over the answer and end up sounding a little weak in the interview. Make sure you do not refer to your weakness as such, spin it to a positive.

So look at the better way to have a job interview answer for this question: “I enjoy taking pride in my work so I tend to take a little too much time checking it. Luckily I have learned some new features of Microsoft office 2007 that have helped me to better and more efficiently check my work.

Question 3 : The boss is wrong!
There are times when interview questions that will ask you about your judgment. They may ask you, “What would you do if your boss told you to do something and you knew that was the wrong way to do it?

This question may make you start to squirm a little in your seat. How in the world are you going to answer this without getting them upset? Try a job interview answer along these lines: “To be honest with you, I’m not sure what I would do. If it was something minor I may just do as I was told, and go with the flow, but if it was something that I knew was really wrong I would have to talk to him about it.”

You may also want to mention the fact that some people take confrontation differently than others. There are supervisors that you can approach and would have no problem with you letting them know they are wrong. There are also supervisors that do not care to have their authority challenged, even in private conversations.

Question 4 : Have you done your homework?

Sometimes the interviewer will ask you this question, “How did you get ready for this interview?” or “What do you know about our company?”
 
OK, your first responses is Oh no, not a pop quiz! I can’t do that! There has to be a way to avoid this job interview answer! Alas, this is not so!
 
Make sure that when you do send in your resume that you look up the company on the Internet and see if they have a website. See what they are about, what their mission statement is, and if this would be a company you would want to work for. Then a great job interview answer would look like this: “When I found the ad in the Anytown Daily Press I did a Google search on your company and went to your website.

I was impressed by your mission statement and the amount of community service that you do every year, that is something that is important to me as well. I looked over your annual report and noticed that the company had a slight increase in the equity this year. I think that with me in the accounting office that I will be able to assist the Accounting Manager in at least doubling that target. As you can see on my resume…”

As you can tell, the interviewee did their homework, and was able to show the employer that he or she had as well. It’s important to keep the employer on your side. The best thing to do is to have knowledge, for knowledge is power.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Job Interview Tips > A few tips to help you score points

By lbramos

  •  Research the company
If you read my previous hub on this matter, before you sent your presentation letter and resume, and before you were called to the interview, you have already made a minor research about the company you're applying to.

But now, as you are called to the interview, research a little further! Go to their website and check every single page on it, read their mission statement, the "about us" info, who their clients are, what are the latests news on them. Also google them, to see what you can find, get to know the market where they operate, their business, their market share, and the rest you can find.

If possible, talk to someone you know that works there and get a little inside view of the things.
  • Research the competitors
Now that you know the market they operate in and their market share go and learn who their competitors are. Check their websites, news and other info you can find.

This way if during the interview some names show up you'll be prepared for it.
  • Research your interviewer
This maybe easy or not. When they call you saying you were choosen ask who the interviewer will be. If you haven't done it, call the company, say that you're just confirming the interview hour and try to get the name of the person.

If you can get the name, yep... research!!! Try the company website to see if they have info on the interviewer, google it, just try to know a little bit about him/her.
  • Read the newspapers
If you don't have this habbit, work on it! Specially the week before the interview, read the general newspappers, the economy ones, even the sports ones. Nowadays you don't even have to buy them, just check them online!

Again, during the interview a topic may show up, like an earthquake, a crisis in some sector, etc, and you have to know a little about it so you can't be caught of guard!
  • Prepare a few standard questions
There are a few standard questions that are asked in each interview. Things like "where do you imagine yourself in five years", "what are you career goals", "what's your jobs history"... Prepare yourself, train this kind of questions, try to focuses on the important things. Some people would say for you to write a script on them but I won't... Just prepare yourself, imagine you're been asked for this answers and do your best! The risk of writing a script is that if you forget something during the interview, the whole answer will sound false... So, just be yourself!
  • Get to know the place for the interview
This does't seem very important but it could be! You should go and see where your interview will be, get the car/train/bus/metro path till there, check the time it takes you to get there, etc.
Because remember that you will be a little nervous on the day of the interview and if you get lost, or in a jam, or something, the stress will rise up very fast and propably you'll compromise your interview and your chance!
  • Find out what to wear
Some interviews require a suit, others you can go less formal... Try to know what to where, ask the people who called you or when you call to confirm the hour, ask that. It could make the difference!
  • Don't be late
Last, but not least, don't be late! This is very important! Try to arrive 15m earlier, not more, or otherwise you could get more nervous waiting! But his is very important to cause a good first impression!
  • A great ebook to help you
Buy and read some books that contain about interview tips or you can also find lots of information on interviews on the web.
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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Interview Tips : Phone Interviews

By  www .jobinterviewquestions .org


Phone interviews seem to be growing more common as search committees try to make the difficult decision of who to invite for a campus interview. When you pass this level you will pass to the interview, and to campus for in-person interviews, and ultimately offered the position! If you are not interviewed by phone, these same questions are likely to be asked on site.

Some helpful hints:
  1. Introduce yourself clearly and directly. Engage in some “small talk” at the start of the interview, just as you would a face-to-face interview.
  2. Speak clearly into the receiver and modulate your voice. Your voice is the only way you have of showing eagerness, enthusiasm and zest for the job. Your voice reveals both your personality and your attitude toward the caller. Don’t forget to smile! It makes a big difference in a conversation, even on the telephone.
  3. Have your resume and the job advertisement with you for reference, and a pencil and some paper to make notes.
  4. Some students find that it helps to dress for a telephone interview as you would for a face-to-face interview – it often helps to psychologically prepare you for this form of business “meeting”.
  5. No matter how or where your interview is conducted, you should still have the same goal: to communicate to the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the position for which you are being interviewed. If the interview has been scheduled in advance, you should prepare as carefully as you would for a formal “sit down” in someone’s office.
  6. Eliminate any distractions from your immediate environment (desk toys, newspaper clippings, your shopping list). Dress professionally and maintain good posture. The one bonus to a telephone interview is that you can prearrange notes to prompt you and to keep you on track, but only if you can refer to them unobtrusively. You do not want the person on the other end of the line to hear you shuffling papers in the background!

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Interview Tips : Salary Negotiation

By  www .jobinterviewquestions .org



 Do…

  • Respond to the question positively without stating specific amounts. (Examples: “I’m earning in the low 30s.” “As a student, my jobs to this point have been geared toward gaining experience and making money to cover my educational costs.”)

  • Mention your desired salary, either saying that salary is negotiable depending upon the position or giving a $3-5,000 range (if you know the market value for the position and for someone with your skills and background). You may also use terms like “competitive” or “open” if you are responding to this question on an application form.

  • Know your salary requirements as well as what you hope to make. You shouldn’t mention these in your response to the salary history question, but you need to give this some thought for when you get to the negotiating stage.

  • Be prepared to respond to a request for previous salaries in an interview. It can be handled by responding without stating specific amounts. Avoid specific amounts if at all possible.

  • Prepare a list of your positions (in reverse chronological order) for your own reference and just in case an employer in which you are very interested is absolutely adamant. (This will not happen often!) The list should include name of each company or organization, your position title, your compensation, and a brief synopsis of your position.

  • Research Salaries in Your Field: Look at recent salary surveys, talk to others working in your field, and contact your trade or professional association to find out what other people are paid for doing the same work.

  • Be Flexible: When going through a salary negotiation you aren't likely to get the exact amount of money you want. You will probably have to compromise. The trick is to figure out how much you are willing to compromise and what you will do if your boss doesn't offer you a salary you find acceptable.


Don't...

  • Include your salary history on your resume. What you did in a job is much more important than what you were paid.

  • Lie about your previous pay rate. Employers can often verify your salary history through your reference checks.

  • Look at How Much Money Your Friends in Other Fields Are Making: You may be envious of your friends who are earning more money than you are. If they aren't working in the same field you shouldn't make those comparisons.

  • Talk About How Much Money You Need: When you are going through salary negotiations, don't tell your boss (or future boss) that you need to make more money because your bills are high, your house was expensive, or your child is starting college. 
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Job Tips -> Self Evaluation

By  www .jobinterviewquestions .org



Think about an important interview you have had. Evaluating your performance in that interview will help you to prepare for a future one:

1. List 3 things which made the interview a success.

2. a) List 3 things about the interview that you would change

b) For each of these three items, explain what you are going to do to improve for your next interview.

3. Were some of the interviewer’s questions difficult to answer? What were they? How would you respond if asked again?
   
Self Evaluation

4. What skills/qualities was the employer looking for? How could you better present these skills next time?

5. What further information do you need in order to determine if you would accept an offer?

6. What do you like/dislike about this company? (Consider a graph or other way to rate and compare the companies with which you have interviewed).


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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Job Interview General Tips

by www. cvtips .com
 
  • Do not smoke, chew gum, or eat garlic beforehand.
  • Wear suitable interview clothes.
  • Take copies of your CV with you.
  • Arrive on time for your job interview.
  • Any applications handed before the interview begins, are to be filled in as accurately as possible, make sure they match the information in your Cv and Cover Letter.
  • Always greet the interviewer by his/her last name and try to pronounce it correctly.
  • Have a good firm handshake.
  • Look alert and interested. Scan the room once and then keep your eyes on the interviewer.
  • Wait until you are offered a chair before you sit down.
  • Stress your achievements.
  • Always conduct yourself professionally and if something beyond your control occurs, show a sense of humor.
  • Be enthusiastic and show it in your replies and body language.
  • Answer the interview question by more than a simple yes or no but try not to go over the 60 second limit.
  • Avoid at all cost complaining about your current or former employer in your job interview.
  • Do not answer questions about politics or religion if the job is completely unrelated.
  • Do not raise salary discussions on your first interview - this is usually done on the second interview. Make sure you do your wage research before hand.
Your answer to the initial opening statements in the job interview are important, these are called "ice breakers".
Some times the interviewer will ask whether you had difficulty finding the company premises. Your answer should be brief and polite. The interviewer is merely being polite - if you had problems in finding the premises he/she doesn't need to know that.
Use replies such as:
  • I'm fine thank you, and you?
  • I'm very well, thank you.
These replies express a careless attitude:
  • So, so
  • OK
  • Not so well
There are various kinds of interviews:
  • One to One Job Interview
  • Panel Job Interview
  • Group Job Interview
  • Phone Job Interview
  • Lunch Job interview
Each job interview has it's own strategies and particular points one should be aware of.
  • Example Questions
  • Career Fair Interviews
  • 3rd Party Recruiter Interviews
  • Informational Interviews
  • Post Interview

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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Careers Tips : Interview Tips to Get the Job

By employmentspot.com


Preparing for an interview is a time consuming and involved process. Getting the interview may be seen as the greatest barrier in finding employment, but getting ready for an interview is another important step in finding the right job. Of course, not all interviews are equal. Some interviews may involve more pressure than others or require more preparation. For example, the interview for your first job after college could be the most nerve-racking of your Careers. Or the interview to get the big promotion you have always wanted could leave you sleepless for days. On the other hand, some interviews, like an interview for a job you are not sure you want, could seem unimportant. However you are feeling, there are certain things you should do to prepare. Even if the interview does not seem too important, always make a good impression.
  • Invest in your Dress 
    Always look your best at an interview. Women should wear their hair in a modern and appropriate style. For both men and women, hair should be recently washed and styled. Women should wear some makeup, but should never go over the top. Nails and hands should be moisturized and groomed. Clothes should be conservative but also modern. Invest in a good suit! Taking the time to look great for an interview will not only impress the interviewer, it will give you a solid boost of confidence. People perform best when they look their best. Adhere to that famous adage: Dress for the job you want.
  • Know the Company
    It would be very embarrassing if the hiring manager asked you a question about the company and you either did not know or worse, got it wrong. Research everything you can about the company before the interview. Know it well enough to avoid verbal stumbles during the questions. Check to see if the company or its related industry has been in the news recently. Not only will this help you to prepare, you could get some insightful and well-thought questions from this research that you can ask of the interviewer.
  • Impress, Not Annoy
    The interview is a time to showcase your strengths and personality for the hiring manager. Your chances of employment will improve if you impress him or her, but there is a fine line between impressing someone and annoying him or her. Answer questions in a way that focuses attention on your strengths and abilities, but do not go on and on. No one wants to work with a braggart.
  • Ask the Right Questions
    When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, give a positive smile and proceed with a few prepared questions. Never walk into an interview with no idea of what you will ask at the end. An interviewer is looking for someone who can engage in conversation and wants to know more about the company and the position. It is always smart to ask about the day to day duties of the position or why the interviewer wanted to work for the company.
  • Demonstrate Enthusiasm
    No interviewer wants to spend time with someone who acts as though he or she is bored. When you arrive at the interview, initially say thank you for the opportunity to be there and how nice it is to meet the interviewer. Throughout the interview you should smile and acknowledge interest in the position. At the end, state how interested you are in the position and the company and how much you have enjoyed having the opportunity to learn more about them. Thank the interviewer again for his or her time. These verbal clues will help the interviewer to gauge your interest. Companies do not want to offer employment to someone who does not appear to desire the position.
  • Make Eye Contact
    Some people are naturally adept at making eye contact with others and engaging in conversation. If this skill does not come naturally to you, try to practice before an interview. It may seem odd to do so, but interviewers may be turned off by someone who cannot look them in the eye. Start with a mirror and engaging yourself in conversation while maintaining eye contact. Ask a close friend or family member to work with you and hold eye contact during questions and answers.
  • Review Your Information
    Depending on the type of interview, you may be asked questions about what you know. For example, an interview for an engineering job may require answering questions about actual problems. Before you go to an interview, review basic facts related to your industry or desired career. You may want to look over old notes from college or your previous employment and answer some example questions. You can never prepare too much.
Good luck with the interview process. Remember to always send a thank you note after an interview and offer to contact the interviewer with any additional information. With the proper amount of preparation, the interview will be much more comfortable. Your employment opportunities are sure to increase with a great interview!

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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Job Interview Questions From A Background Check

By Jason Barnes





Job interview questions which can catch you out may be preventable with a bit of research beforehand.

There's a lot of advice available both online and offline if you're going for an interview and need some pointers. This includes researching the company you're applying to, the types of questions you may be asked, what to wear, how to sit. In fact the list goes on and on.

What most, if not all of the interview advisors fail to prepare you for is what kind of questions you may be asked about your own background. Information you may not have wanted your prospective employer to know about.

I'm talking about the type of questions which would expose your history from long ago, like if you have a criminal record (not necessarily if you've done jail time), whether you've been involved in subversive behavior, why you've moved so many times in the last few years etc.

These are the type of questions which could catch you completely off guard and leave you looking red-faced. The problem is you really don't know exactly what the prospective employer does know about you, and if you lie then you could find yourself out of the interview room before you've even started.

The question then becomes, how did this prospective employer know so much about you?
This is what most interview advisers fail to prepare you for as it's something relatively new to the interview game. It's access to personal data from new technology.

Having worked in the Human Resources departments of a number of large (and small) companies, the one thing I have noticed in recent years is the mandatory background checking of prospective employees.

It has become standard practice for many companies to run a background check on prospects before the interview. During the interview, they can then ask the prospect to clarify some of the issues which may have come up from the background check.

The reason this has become so widespread, and continues to become more so, is due to the ease in which companies can now get access to public records, such as criminal history reports, comprehensive background checks and other personal information.

This kind of information is no longer the realm of law enforcement, or something which requires a trip to the public records offices, followed by payment of a large fee and a long wait for the information to get printed and mailed to you.

Nowadays, companies simply need to log on to the website of a personal data service, enter the prospect's name and address (which was provided on the application letter) and within seconds pages and pages of data comes up about the prospect which may or may not help their chances of getting the job.

What does this mean to you?
Well, if you knew what kind of information there was out there on you then you could prepare yourself for some of the questions which may be fired your way. Perhaps there was an innocent reason why you found yourself in front of the courts, maybe it was a long time ago and you've changed since then.

If you knew what they might ask, then forewarned is forearmed - you can have the perfect response ready.

Fortunately for you, the same information sources where the prospective employer gets their background checks done is also available to you too.

Why not get the upper hand and find out what information there is out there on you before you go along to your interview. A good response to a very difficult question could be the make or break of your interview.

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Interview Tips - Interviews Are a Two-Way Street

By Andrew C Abraham



I recently looked up the definition of "job interview" online and here's what I found:

Dictionary.com said "an interview to determine whether an applicant is suitable for a position of employment";

Wikipedia defined it as "a process in which a potential employee is evaluated by an employer for prospective employment in their company, organization, or firm. During this process, the employer hopes to determine whether or not the applicant is suitable for the job."

Various other sources reaffirmed the notion that interviews are to assess candidates, suggesting the control of the process lay solely with the hiring company. This isn't really the case though, as it's as much an opportunity for candidates to assess the suitability of the position on offer. When job-seekers enter each interview with the mentality that their only responsibility is to prove their worth to the employer, they set themselves up for failure.

If you're interviewing this summer for internships or graduate positions, ensure you are forthright in your questions so the interview flows more like a natural conversation rather than an examination. If you get to the end of an interview and you're asked "So do you have any questions for me?", then you've left your run too late to ascertain the intricacies of the position. Most people would use this as an opportunity to find out more about the qualities the successful candidate should possess, and other necessary details of the position. However if you were to discover the answers to such questions earlier in the interview, you can tailor your responses to suit the requirements. Why wait until the end?

An interview should be a two-way street and thrive on engagement. In fact any meeting of people in any context succeeds only when all parties are actively communicating. Have you ever been on a date where the other person is just nodding and listening to what you say with nothing interesting to contribute to the conversation? Perhaps you might have taught a creative writing course to primary school students that never contributed to the discussion. An interview is a similar situation and asking questions throughout not only shows a keen interest in the role but demonstrates your interpersonal skills.
Here are a list of some questions you might want to consider asking in your interview. Try and segue into them also; avoid randomly dropping them in when it's inappropriate:
  • What are some of the challenges associated with this position?
  • How would you describe the ideal candidate for this position? What qualities should they possess?
  • How do you assess if I'm doing a good job? Are there any specific appraisal metrics?
  • What is the likely career progression for this position within your company?
  • How would you describe the organisational culture?
I think it's of benefit to ask suitable questions that arouse a personal response from the hiring manager also. It shows you're interested in not only the job on offer but the people behind the company and their bigger picture. Here's an example:
  • What do you enjoy most about working for this company? (In my previous company everyone on the interview panel was taken aback when asked this by one of the candidates. I recall us going around the room and answering it one by one, and it seemed obvious that we were all in tune with each other. We later offered the said candidate a position and he was swayed not by the job itself, but rather the people he was going to work with.)
  • If you could change anything about the company, what would it be? (Some might think this is controversial [perhaps more so in Asia], but I think it's relevant and shows you have the cojones to ask what most others are afraid to. After all there are aspects of any job you aren't going to like - The Pope would probably hate responding to criticism against the Catholic Church in the media, Michael Phelps probably wishes he was in bed sleeping rather than doing laps on many an occasion, and I as a start-up founder hate doing administrative duties. These things just have to be done though!
If the interview has progressed successfully based on a healthy dialogue, then it should culminate to the interviewer asking you "So do you have any OTHER questions for me?". This is a timely opportunity to pose some wrap-up questions if they haven't been answered previously:
  • Based on the screening process so far, do I possess the competencies required to excel in this role?
  • Are there any qualities you feel I need to improve on in order to be successful in this role?
  • Is there anything further you would like to know about me to assess my suitability for this role?
  • What is the process going forward? When will candidates be notified of the outcome?
There are so many other intelligent questions that candidates can pose in interviews, that creating a definitive list would be impossible. The crux of the questioning should be to respond in a manner that illustrates you're the best person for the job.

If you found these tips useful then feel free to share them with friends and others in your network that are seeking work.

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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Second Interview - Avoid Failing Your Second Interview

By Steven Faulknr





Being called for a second interview is the best news an aspiring applicant could have. Just being in line for the first interview is awesome, but being scheduled for the second interview is simply superb! Nonetheless, there are a lot of questions that would probably linger in your mind. It is possibly the most important part of your career opportunity, right? So how are you going to be able to make it on your second interview? Of course you should prepare for the big day.

So what are the preparations needed for the second interview? Just like your first interview, documents should be made ready. It is best to ask your employer what documents you should bring so that you can have it prepared before hand. Also, by knowing what documents to bring, it will not seem as if you brought all the documents that you could get your hands on. Most documents that are likely to be asked of you during your second interview are your transcript of records, certifications (if there are any), diploma and your portfolio.

Of course, dressing in impressive business attire during your second interview is still a must. You may not expect it but who knows, you might be introduced to the president of the company. So be sure to be in your best corporate attire. Men should be in their coat and tie attire with leather shoes and groomed hair. Most companies prefer women to be in a skirt. So for women, it is best to come in a skirt, and a formal blouse with a blazer. Shoes should be closed toes and in heels. For those women who have long hair, make sure that you tie your hair in a neat do that won't cover your face. For women with short hair, secure your hair with a clip.

You should also be prepared for an exam. Some companies have qualifying examinations during the second interview. It is best to ask ahead of time whether you are to take an exam or not. Nonetheless prepare ahead of time just in case. Also do not forget to bring a pen and a notepad in case there are things or requirements that would be asked of you. You would not want to rely on your memory for such important requirements.

Remember, these are just preparations. You are on your own during your second interview so give it your best shot.

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Phone Interview Tips

By James A. Russell




Introduction
If you have ever been to a job interview, you know that it can make you very nervous. If you need to do an interview over the phone, a lot of your nervousness can be taken away. However, it is still necessary to take a phone interview seriously; it is still an interview! Here are a few phone interview tips to make sure that you still remain professional and land the position that you want.

Remain Professional
Just because you are interviewing over the phone, it does not mean that you should be talking in your pajamas. Dress like you are going to sit down with the person and have a face to face interview. This will allow you to have a business mindset. Clear off the desk or table that you are going to be sitting at. Be sure to have at least a pen and some paper to take notes. You should also have information about the job and company in front of you. I recommend that you sit by a computer in case you have to look anything up online. It is very important that you treat this like an interview and that your mind remains sharp.

Phone Etiquette
You should realize that anything that you say or do can be heard by the other person. Make sure that you are not chewing gum or eating any food. Make sure that there is no background noise like a fan. Find an open room to yourself so that no one opens any doors while you are interviewing.

Another important thing to think about is how you are speaking. Do not say "umm", "uhh", or anything else that would make the interviewer think that you can unprepared. Practice in front of the mirror or with someone to make sure that you do not make any of these mistakes.


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How to Write a Resume: 10 Resume Writing Tips to Help You Create a Professional Resume Every Time

By Adam Waxler




Remember the old Head & Shoulders commercial..."You only get one chance to make a first impression."

Well, with so many people searching for jobs these days it is of the utmost importance that YOU make a great first impression.
How?

Simple. Your resume.

In most cases, the only thing you have to create that first impression with is your resume. And, it is your resume that will get you the interview.
Here are ten tips on how to write a resume...these are resume writing tips that will help you create not just any resume, but a professional resume that clearly stands out amongst all the other applicants...a resume that will help you create that great first impression.

1. When writing a resume use a professional resume format. The two most accepted resume formats today are chronological and functional. Personally, I prefer chronological. From the interviewer stand point I find it much easier to read and follow.

2. Create your resume in the proper order and with correct punctuation. Resumes with grammatical errors drive recruiters crazy. You can use spell check on Microsoft Word to check for spellings and grammar, but that is NOT enough. Print out your resume and re-read the hard copy AND then let a friend or colleague read your resume as well. It is amazing what a fresh pairs of eyes can find.

3. Organize your resume properly under headings (such as education, skills, work experience, training, etc.) and put those headings in bold.

4. Write your resume in such a way so that it matches YOUR skills and experience to the skills and experience needed for the available position. Highlight the details that match the employer's requirement. This will make your resume look as if it was created for this particular job rather than one generic resume you send out to everyone.

5. Use "industry-oriented" words in your resume. You want to make sure you are using the jargon (keywords) of the profession...this gives the impression that you are an expert in your field.

6. Avoid using "I" in your resume. Make use of action verbs like collaborated, managed, established, etc. A good resume uses both action verbs such as analyze, achieve, etc. and nouns and adjectives like capable, resourceful, etc.

7. Make your resume presentable. Print your resume on high-quality resume paper and print your resume using a laser printer.

8. References, references, references. When writing a resume make sure to list your references. Never state "references available upon request". Why make more work for the person reading your resume? Instead, list your references at the end of the resume. Also, make sure to include the job title AND the phone number with each and every reference.

9. When writing your resume objective, make sure to be as specific as possible. State the specific position you desire and one to two sentences why you would be the best candidate for that position.

10. Be specific with the rest of your resume as well. Far too many resumes are filled with generalizations. This is not a good way to show your experience and skills. Instead, your resume should contain relevant information for the job you are applying for.

Often times, employers only look over your resume for a few minutes...so use these resume writing tips to make your resume stand out from the others.
Remember, your "one chance to make a first impression" may just be your resume.

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Job Interview Answers That Will Leave You Jobless

By Steven Faulknr





Do you know the hidden secret to remaining jobless or perhaps the key to spoiling all job interview answers? If you are still jobless and have been uttering the same answers during career interviews then you hold these secrets, of which you are certainly not aware. Wondering what these secrets are that have been destroying your chances of getting the job? Here are some points and realizations.

Several times, or in fact often times, you come to an interview unprepared. When you are asked a question by your interviewer there is this dry awkward moment before you give your job interview answer, a moment of discomfort wherein simple questions like specifying what you have written in your resume will hit you unprepared. Undeniably you did not review what you had written in your resume and your job interview answers were nowhere near what was asked.

Giving false answers during interviews is also one secret as to why you remain jobless. Somehow you are compelled to give sham answers because you are very focused on impressing the interviewer, even to the point of lying. The interviewer will ALWAYS verify the things you shared. It is essential to them that all applicants are truthful in order for them to be able to hire an honest employee.

Giving job interview answers that are not concrete will leave your interviewer with space for doubts about whether they should hire you or not. Answers given out during interviews that question your sincerity, company knowledge, loyalty and what to expect are very critical and require concrete feedback from your end. Why give the answer "I can try" when you can say "I can do"? Trying means there is big room for not doing it at all while doing means opening a great door for accomplishing success.

Your job interview answers will help the interviewer determine whether you are the one they need to fill the job or just another option. If you answered anxiously or indecisively you are showing the interviewer directly that you are not really interested in the job. If you want to get the job, answer with confidence but with caution, stand out and let your employer know that you will deliver. With all that said, you may now realize that you could not previously get that job, because you were giving job interview answers that do not work for the employer.


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Tips In Salary Negotiation And Getting Your Desired Salary

By Ramir Sarmiento




The very peak of whole hiring process lands on salary negotiation. Most employers and employees as well turn out negotiation into anxieties causing hiring delays and unclosed salary deal.

If you have landed a job and you want to discuss about salary and other financial reimbursements, then here are some helpful tips to make an efficient salary negotiation:

1. Better have a research first of some measurable considerations that lay in the background of your salary. Contact the professional organization that embodies your field of career as they can give you hints regarding your salary information.

Through this, you can examine your monthly remunerations giving you much detailed money options. With the salary they've offered you, deduct at least 30% (taxes) of your total salary gross so you can sum up with your total monthly earnings.

2. In salary negotiation, what lies beneath a good salary condition is about your experiences and abilities. Employers commonly depend their employee's salary concerning one's abilities and experience. Put on your past experiences to them and show your abilities appropriate for your landed job career.

3. Show them your accomplishments in your past jobs. Remember that it isn't your previous job title they're concern with, but show them that you have increased department sales and you've got your productivity doubled in few months.

4. Know the different factors affecting your salary. There are different issues that mainly affect one's salary so you can assume getting the amount of your salary depending on these factors: the fair market value of your landed job, your job position in the organization, economic status of the industry and salary range both in your organization and region.
For you to know your fair market value salary, consider the economic, industrial, and geographic factors of the job offered to you. Consider the benefits of insurances, retirement arrangements, promotions and compensation agreements, allowed time off of the job offered to you so you can come up with a fair salary concession.

5. If the issue has been settled accordingly, never push beyond the limits of the negotiation. Once the offer is settled, be of positive attitude accepting the wage negotiation. Remember not to compete. Pushing them to make a further discussion regarding the issue could give negative drawback to your part.

6. Be of good course. Once you are hired for the job, bring out your skills and prove them you're worth the job offered to you. With this, you can get even higher promotions leading to a more enhance salary compensation.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

By jobinterviewquestions.org

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Even though the interview is over, your work is far from complete...
After each interview mentally review the questions asked by the interviewer and your responses to them. Were you caught “off-guard” by any questions? Could you have answered a question better, in more detail, or in a more focused manner? Quiz yourself after each interview and take notes. This will enhance future interview efforts.

It is advisable to send a thank you letter to the person(s) who interviewed you within twenty-four hours after the interview. It reinforces your interest in the position and can serve as an additional opportunity to separate you from the other candidates by recalling a notable topic or attribute discussed in your interview.

Most employers will tell you when you can expect to hear from them. If you do not hear by that date, it is appropriate for you to call them.

If the employer requests additional materials, such as an application, transcript, or references, send them as soon as possible.

If an employer indicated an interest in pursuing things further with you, but you are no longer interested in the opportunity, inform him/her of that fact as soon as possible.

Here are some things you can do:

Type or handwrite the letter. E-mail is not as personal, therefore it should be used in conjunction with a personal letter. If you absolutely cannot write a letter, an e-mail is better than not following up at all.

The letter should be brief and include the following:

1. Thank the interviewer for his/her time.
2. State the position for which you are applying.
3. Mention something from your interview to remind the interviewer who you are.
4. Describe in one or two sentences why you are the best applicant.

Address it to the recruiter, by name and title

Mention the names of the people you met at the interview.

Send a letter to appropriate individuals you interviewed with (always send to the main interviewer).

Keep the letter short, less than one page.

Mail the letter within 24 hours of the interview.

Thank the interviewer for his/her time.

Send a thank you letter for every interview you go on.

Demonstrate employer knowledge in 2-3 sentences.

Restate employment objective.

Answer the question – “What can you do for them?” based on something specifically discussed during your contact. Use accomplishment/ results statements that demonstrate your ability to meet those needs.

DRESSING FOR THE INTERVIEW

By www.jobinterviewquestions.org


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Wear clothing that indicates you are ready to go to work today.

Men and Women

All clothes should be neatly pressed.
Conservative two-piece business suite (solid dark blue or gray is best)
Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white is best, pastel is next best)
Clean, polished, conservative shoes
Clean and well-groomed hairstyle
Clean, trimmed fingernails
Minimal cologne or perfume
Empty pockets – no noisy coins
No gum, candy or cigarettes


Dressing for the Interview Men

Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern
Dark shoes (black lace-ups are best); clean and polished
Dark socks (black is best)
Short hair always fairs best in interviews
No beards – mustaches are acceptable (keep neat and trimmed)
No earrings
No heavy cologne


Dressing for the Interview Women

Always wear a suit with a jacket; or a sheath dress with a jacket
Do not wear extremely high-heeled or platform shoes
Do not wear open-toe shoes or mules (they are more casual)
Conservative hosiery at or near skin color (and no runs!)
If you wear nail polish (not required), use clear or a conservative color
One set of earrings only
Conservative makeup
No heavy perfume
No heavy cologne