Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The 10 best ways to handle a job interview

1.Be on time
Give yourself enough time to research your destination, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. You will have enough stress with respect to the actual interview. Don’t add to it by complicating your travel. Consider trying to find the company prior to interview day. Plan to arrive 10 to 20 minutes before your scheduled time.

2.Occupy yourself while waiting
Do bring work with you, so you can do it. There is always another e-mail or memo to write or a chance to review your to-do list.

3.Research the company
Google the company to find out more information.

4.Dress the part
Females and males need to dress to impress.
Proper Attire for Men
•Choose a conservative suite in navy, black or gray either pinstripe or solid.
•A solid white dress shirt.
•Ties should be made of a silk like fabric. Avoid ties with cartoon characters.
•Shoe should be clean and well polished. No tennis shoes or flip flops should be worn.
•Keep jewelry to a minimum and don’t wear any earrings.
•Personal hygiene is the key to success. Don’t over due your fragrance.

Proper attire for Women
•Start with a skirted suit or pants for the most conservative look. How ever skirted suits look more professional.
•Skirts should be knee-length or slightly above or below.
•Blouses and sweaters provide color and variety to woman’s clothing, but should be appealing and not revealing.
•Makeup shouldn’t be put on heavy.
•Avoid excessive amounts of jewelry. Keep it simple one ring per hand, and one set of earrings in each ear.
•Personal hygiene is the key to success. Don’t over due your fragrance.
•Wear dress shoes with a medium heel. Avoid flip flops and tennis shoes.

5.Tie your answers to the company/interviewer
Once you have background information on the company, try to tie that information to the work you have done. You will show initiative in doing research and have demonstrated the value you can bring to the company.

6.Be courteous to the staff
It’s easy to be courteous and respectful to the interviewer and the interviewer’s boss. How ever, make sure you are treating all the employees within the company the same way. The courtesy speaks well of you and could be something the company is observing.
7.Be energetic but not desperate
There is a fine line between being energetic and being desperate. Show that you are interested in the job, but don’t be so interested that the interviewer thinks that this interview is you only one, even if it is. The best approach is to have restrained enthusiasm.

8.Don’t badmouth current/former employer
Speaking unprofessionally about a former employer, could come back to haunt you. Even if the interviewer asks you what you disliked about your former boss, refuse to take the bait. You can speak about things you learned, even if the context is different from what the interviewer might be thinking.

9.Be clear on the next steps
Before you leave, get a sense of what will happen next. Will they make a decision? If so, when? Who should call whom? Will there be a second interview? By knowing this information, you can get an idea of what to expect and can prepare accordingly.

10.Send a thank-you note afterward
After the interview, take the time and send a “real” (non electronic) note to your interviewer. I know it means more time and expense, but sending a note can make you stand out from any competition you might have. Be sure to re-emphasize the points you made, plus any others that might have occurred since that time.

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