Taking Control of Your Destiny… Starting One Interview at a Time!

The job is absolutely perfect for you. So, you’ve researched, crammed, and rehearsed for hours prepping for this once-in-a-lifetime interview. You arrive early, but the interviewer shows up late. He appears disorganized. He has misplaced your resume, but forges on – claiming he doesn’t need it for the interview anyway. You, however, begin to wilt. After all, you worked hard on that resume and he should be using it as a springboard for a meaningful conversation about your skills and experience. Things aren’t getting off on the right foot, but what can you do?

Take control of the interview and blow that hiring manager away with your accomplishments, capabilities and enthusiasm. Here are a few tips:

• Be self-assured. Tell the interviewer that you can help him understand your background and accomplishments without your resume. Then, walk him through your experience and encourage him to ask questions along the way.
• Focus on the highlights. Keep your story it short and sweet, while emphasizing your unique skills and experiences. Summarize your accomplishments, highlighting only those things that you want to delve into further. This will allow you to take control of the interview.
• Don’t be a control freak. Interviewers hate long, drawn-out monologues. You have to strike a balance between letting the hiring manager ask questions and you answering them thoroughly. If you’re not being asked many questions, you are probably talking too much. And, if you are being asked a ton of questions, you are probably not talking enough.
  Encourage certain questions. You can help guide what the next question will be with your answer Leave your answer open-ended with a statement that will likely spur another question you want to be asked. For example: “I was also asked by my boss if I’d lead a special project which required a whole different skill-set.” The next logical question would be, “What was the project and what were the skills that you learned?”
• Learn from the masters. Leaders rarely directly answer the questions they are asked. Instead, they provide an answer they want to give. To do this, you must carefully respond with an interesting point that is relevant to the question that was asked. But, make sure you don’t appear as if you didn’t hear the question. In an hour interview, you must make the most of that time – but do so carefully.

When you walk into an interview, expect anything. The hiring manager may be direct with his questions, or totally scattered. But, be careful! Wide-ranging, unrelated topics can eat away at your hour. So take control, stay on message, and leave a good impression. Good luck!

Labels: Interview skills, job interview, job search, resume tips

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 9/23/2009 12:24:00 PM
| | Comments (1) | Permalink

Research, Rinse, Repeat

As college graduates head into the working world, they should definitely research where they are going. One of the most embarassing things you can do as a potential employee is to say something like, "I am really impressed with the new endeavors the company is taking on," and then be unable to explain yourself.

In addition to the company's current work, be sure to research their history as well. By being knowledgeable about how it was started and what its founding principles were, you will also be able to relate your own values to their organization.

Taking simple steps like these and the ones Seymour and Brian mentioned can help put yourself above your competitors for these positions. Keeping an open mind, while balancing your own needs and priorities for your job can certainly aid in landing your perfect job.

Labels: career prep, Interview skills

Posted by Amanda on 9/03/2009 11:04:00 PM
| | Comments (1) | Permalink

Prepare for the Inquisition!

That's why it is utterly vital to prepare for an interview using the tips that Seymour mentioned.  There is nothing worse than leaving an interview with a knot in your stomach because you weren't ready for the tough questions, or didn't plan ahead for traffic to hold you up.  YOU are the only one that is responsible for your end of the bargain, so be sure to study up and keep your eyes on the prize... you just may end up with a [job] offer you can't refuse!

Labels: interview preparation, Interview skills, interviewing process

Posted by Amanda on 12/31/2008 02:52:00 AM
| | Comments (2) | Permalink

Interview Skills: Showing Confidence Without Looking Arrogant.

All of your hard work has finally paid off-- you got the call back for an interview! Your resume has made an impression and a potential employer thinks that YOU might be the right person for the job. This is exactly what you’ve been waiting for, but what do you do now? Get through the interview with class, confidence, and most importantly, prove to your potential employer that you are a competent worker and the perfect person for the job. There are a number of things that can be done to ensure that you make the most out of your interview, but the key is to utilize all of them.

Come prepared--Do your research!
It is much easier to have confidence when you actually know what you are talking about. Find as much information as you can on the company you are interviewing for. This can help you to cater your answers to that companies wants and needs. You can easily determine the skills you possess that can add to the productivity of the company. You can use the information you’ve found to show your interest in the company. It can never hinder you to go into the interview fully briefed on the company and it’s policies. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your resume with you to the interview. If your potential employer doesn’t already have a copy in front of them, then this will serve as a nice reminder of your talents and skills.

Dress to impress.
The right choice of clothing can give you that boost of confidence you may need on the day of the interview. Regardless of the companies’ dress code, it is always better to be overdressed for an interview than it is to wear clothes that may be considered too casual. Wear conservative, professional attire and make sure that your clothes fit you well—they aren’t too loose or too tight. Choosing clothing that is too colorful and ornate may be to your disadvantage, as it can detract attention from your qualifications. Your clothing should show that you are professional and are there for only one purpose: getting the job.

Don’t be late!
In fact, arrive a couple minutes early to the interview. This would give you time to fill out any necessary paperwork or time to just relax and collect your thoughts before going into the interview. Showing up to the interview late will do nothing but hurt you. To an employer, when you are late to an interview the chances are high that you will be late to other important meetings or deadlines in the future. To avoid any complications, know where you are going beforehand and make sure you give yourself enough time to get there—don’t forget to factor in traffic time!

Leave a lasting impression…
Turn OFF your cell phone before arriving for the interview. It would be unprofessional and embarrassing if your phone happened to go off during the interview. In order to save yourself from any embarrassment turn your cell phone completely off. When called into the interview greet your potential employer with a nice firm handshake, eye contact and a smile. Make sure your smile is friendly and not creepy. Creepy smiles and penetrating eye contact could give your potential employer the wrong idea about you. Never feel too comfortable—always sit up straight and use proper language (NO SLANG!). Be sure to emphasize your strengths and call upon as many details of the company as you can. You must make sure that you don’t over do it with the facts, however. Remember that your potential employer already works for the company and already knows most of the details. Your main goal is to show how your strengths work with the company’s wants and needs. When the interview is over make sure you thank your interviewer by name and end the meeting with a nice firm handshake, eye contact and a smile.

If you follow all of these steps it should be easy for you to walk into any interview with the confidence and charisma that could land you the job. Good luck!

Labels: interview dress code, interview preparation, Interview skills, job search tool

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/24/2008 11:44:00 AM
| | Comments (1) | Permalink

Brush Up on the Company and Yourself!

Whether you're seeking employment at a fast food chain or a Fortune 500 company, it is extremely important that you know what it is you hope to gain from working there.  Saying you're excited for "the experience" will only get you so far and it is imperative that you have more clear-cut outcomes defined.

Labels: advice, dream job, Interview skills

Posted by Amanda on 11/19/2008 01:30:00 AM
| | Comments (0) | Permalink

Would You Hire Yourself?

It’s time for a little introspection. What kind of person do you think you are? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What opinions do others hold of you? Is your personality tailored to your aspirations, or are you measuring up a bit short?

If after doing this you find yourself ready to take on the real world, stop reading this and go for it! I’ll be here to back you up. If not, relax… you’re still young and nobody’s perfect. However, there’s no time like the present to enhance your personal resume and to get yourself prepped for success. The following are questions likely to be asked by a prospective employer. More importantly, these are the questions that you should be prepared to ask yourself first.

What are your ambitions?
Speaking clearly about your career aspirations is an important skill to learn. If you can’t articulate what they are and the reasons behind them, set aside some time to formulate an answer. A frivolous response won’t cut it – think long and hard about what you want to do and why. If nothing comes to mind, it might be time re-evaluate your goals.
What have you accomplished? Determination means very little in the absence of evidence. What have you done to prove that you’re willing and able to succeed? A strong, extensive resume or portfolio is a must. Volunteer, enroll in classes, take a part-time job in the your industry of choice; do whatever it takes to build-up a body of work strong enough to support the claims made in your resume.

Who are your references?
Ability does not go unrecognized. Ever hear the metaphor, Birds of a feather flock together? Movers and shakers associate with other movers and shakers. References with legitimate business connections (preferably outside of your immediate family and circle of friends) will score you major points on your resume. Professors and former employers/co-workers are a good place to start – if you’re not sure whether they’ll put in a good word for you, get out there and ask!

How long do you tend to keep jobs?
A checkered job history cannot be explained away easily. Employers look for dedication and stability, because hiring is costly; they’ll want to make sure that you’ll stick around. Unless you work freelance, month-long stints with a company aren’t very meaningful. Make a commitment and stick to it if you want to prove your worth and improve your job prospects.

How well do you think you’d interview?
Do you see yourself coolly breezing through your interviewer’s questions or are you freezing up and biting your tongue? Identify how best to play up your strengths and improve your weaknesses when under pressure. If you’re the nervous type, practice in front of a mirror or an impartial observer (professors and classmates are good for this). Practice makes perfect, and after a few trial runs, your confidence will explode!

Once you’ve fired off a resume or two, try to get inside your prospective employers’ heads. Work out some specific questions that you think that they’d ask and see if you’re ready to tackle them. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! Give these suggestions a shot and you’re certain to find an employer willing to give you a shot. Happy hunting!

Labels: career, Interview skills, job history, references

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 11/14/2008 11:21:00 AM
| | Comments (3) | Permalink

Keep it fresh.

I feel that I can't stress the competitiveness of the job market enough. There are less jobs for more people and it is becoming ever-more important to utilize all resources available to you in your search. There are a few important skills that need to be learned. A few of them have already been touched upon in this blog-- resume building skills and interview skills. Just as it is essential to have an amazing, show-stopping resume, it is also crucial to wow your potential employer during the interview/ interviewing process. I feel that a lot of the experiences I have had can translate into the work force. Many of the clubs that I have joined have taught me the conversation and interview skills necessary to attain the goals I strive to attain. It's nice to finally have a list of things you shouldn't do during an interview, rather than a list of all the great things. Sometimes learning things from a different angle, gives you more insight on the topic and enables you to think outside the box. Thinking outside the box and innovation are two very important skills that can keep you fresh and make you stand out above all the rest. 

Labels: innovation, Interview skills, interviewing process

Posted by Jen on 11/14/2008 06:51:00 AM
| | Comments (1) | Permalink

Tips for Successful Interviewing

Thanks for the tips, Seymour!

Interviewing can be the absolute worst experience if you're not prepared, and I can speak from first-hand knowledge! Needless to say, I didn't get that awesome summer gig that I had been counting on. Instead, it was another hot summer of babysitting a bunch of snot nosed kids- ugh!

To help combat this and future interviewing nightmares, I came across some pretty helpful (and simple) interviewing tips offered by College Recruiter's Resume Writer's Blog. The post is titled: Job Hunting: 3 Tips for Successful Interviewing.

It's definitely important to know what you should avoid doing in an interview, but the question still remains... What should you be be doing in an interview?

Labels: interview blunders, Interview skills, interviewing skills

Posted by Melissa on 11/11/2008 11:32:00 AM
| | Comments (0) | Permalink