Interview Tips (152)
5 Tips to Avoid Mistakes on a Job Interview
Written by Alan Carniol
So you’ve been scheduled for a job interview after the initial screening, congratulations! Now what? Whether you are a fresh graduate from college seeking to land your first ever job or switching jobs because you need career advancement, it’s important to recognize that a successful job interview is key to locking in a job offer. Therefore, you have to ace it or you lose the chance to land that job you’ve been waiting for forever!
5 Tips to Mentally Prepare for a Job Interview
Written by Alan Carniol
The old adage “mind over matter” may be handy and useful to many things in our lives but if you’re a job seeker who’s about to come over for an interview, remembering this phrase may not be of much help. It’s completely natural to feel nervous and tense just by the thought of going through an interview and it doesn’t mean you’re not qualified or confident. However, we all know that this is a make-or-break moment. This conversation could change your life forever. This could be the start of something great in your career. And because you only have one chance it's only imperative to come in prepared.
I have a quick tip for today that I think will help.
It applies not only for job interviews, but also for annual reviews, salary negotiations, and, in fact, any kind of "difficult" conversation.
Here it is:
Pay close attention to when and how you use the word "but".
In fact, if you can, get rid of it altogether.
(You can often use "and" instead.)
Handshakes are important -- especially when it comes to job interviews.
Why?
Because they're often the first and the last impression you leave. Also, interviewers believe that how you shake their (and their colleagues') hand says a lot about your personality and character traits.
I'm not sure if that's true.
Nonetheless, it's important to shake an interviewer's hand right -- i.e. in a way that conveys confidence, authority, and trust.
With that in mind...
This one might sound a little strange.
But it's one of those creative exercises that could yield something big for you, and perhaps even lead to a breakthrough in your job search.
Here it is:
Get your daughter -- or your son -- to write a cover letter for you, explaining why they think their mom or dad is perfect for the job.
Why might this lead to a breakthrough?
Because:
It's one of the most dreaded interview questions of all time:
"Why should I hire YOU?"
Here's the important thing every candidate needs to know about this question: There is no "magic" one-size-fits-all, fill answer. Not if you want to blow the interviewers away and ace the interview.
How should you answer this question?
We talk a lot about out-smarting interviewers and beating them at their own game -- but it's also worth remembering something important:
Most hiring managers do NOT like interviewing candidates.
Many of them completely hate the hiring process altogether.
Why?
Because it takes them away from their *real* work, and forces them to spend days, sometimes even weeks, interviewing different people.
Each time a new person walks through the door and takes a seat, they're desperately hoping that he or she will be the one.
A member asks:
I would like to receive your advice if you do not mind.
I had an in-person interview a few weeks back, and the Hiring Manager gave me some immediate positive feedback as he escorted me through the door.
He literally said, "You did really good in your interview".
When I got home, I emailed a thank you note within 24 hours. However, since then I have not received any response from the Hiring Manager or Recruiter regarding the position.
I sent a follow-up note to the Hiring Manager one week later, and also emailed a follow-up note to the Recruiter two weeks after the interview.
Today, I'm going to share a "secret weapon" with you.
Don't laugh. Although what I'm about to tell you sound old hat -- and to be fair, it's nothing you probably haven't heard before -- it is extremely powerful. This subtle shift can make or break your next interview.
Before I go any further, let's talk about neediness.
We all know neediness is bad. The problem is, though -- when you need a job, you need a job! There's no getting around that.
Yes, there are certain techniques you can use to project confidence. (I'll share some in a future blog.) This is kind of like papering over the cracks. It works most of the time, but it doesn't solve the real issue.
This "secret weapon" I'm about to share solves the real problem.
It’s not unusual for companies today to have multiple rounds of interviews. The first interview is for screening a basic set of qualifications that people need to meet.
While the second interview, usually involves a longer schedule. This is because you’ll probably meet with a couple of people in different settings. So if you were invited for a second interview, congratulations! But remember this is just the first step.