Interview Tips (157)
Nail your Job Interview with these 5 Prep Tips
- Written by Alan Carniol
The interview process plays a huge part in helping a hiring manager determine whether or not a candidate is fit for the job. This means that if you’re applying for a career of a lifetime, the interview isn’t something you should take lightly. You have to come in prepared. By preparedness means doing beyond Googling possible interview questions. It’s more of making sure you make the right impression and exhibiting your knowledge in the position you’re applying for.
5 Blunders to Weed out to Win the Interview
- Written by Alan Carniol
Hunting for a new job isn’t as easy as it sounds. As it happens, it requires a lot of preparation and the entire process can be nerve-wracking and quite stressful. From choosing the right clothes to reflecting the demeanor you want to portray and getting ready for the questions you may possibly be asked - you only have one goal and that is to ace them all.
5 Things to Avoid in a Job Interview Thank You Email
- Written by Alan Carniol
A thank-you email after a job interview is something a lot of jobseekers usually ignore. But what we’re not aware of is that its power to help you land the job you applied for cannot be discounted. Indeed, sending a thank-you note after a job interview can benefit you in more ways than one. For one, it shows your interviewer that you know how to pay courtesy and respect. It’s also an excellent way to demonstrate professionalism and good written communication skills.
5 Tips to Ace your Skype Interview
- Written by Alan Carniol
More and more companies are leveraging technology to make the hiring process faster and more efficient. Besides accepting online applications, hiring managers and recruiters also conduct interviews online and one of the most common platforms used is Skype. Skype interviews especially come in handy not only for companies screening potential candidates but also for jobseekers who are planning to relocate to a new place for that position.
4 Ways to Nail your Second Interview
- Written by Alan Carniol
You passed your first job interview? Congratulations! Now you have the next one to worry about. The first interview may be nerve-wracking and you did all that you can to ace it but it doesn’t mean the second one would be any less challenging. This isn’t to scare you but it’s important to note that the second job interview is where the real vetting actually happens.
During the first interviews, hiring managers would usually look into whether candidates are fit for the role and the company culture. It is during the second interview jobseekers have to further emphasize their added value and prove the recruiter why they are needed by the organization.
Make the most of this given opportunity and nail your second interview with the help of these tips!
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.
There Is No “But”
- Written by Alan Carniol
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.)
What Kind of Handshake Was That?
- Written by Alan Carniol
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...
Cover Letter Signed By Your Daughter
- Written by Alan Carniol
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:
More...
“Why Should I Hire YOU?”
- Written by Alan Carniol
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?
They’re On Your Side
- Written by Alan Carniol
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.
What Do You Do When You Don’t Hear Back
- Written by Alan Carniol
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.
Secret Weapon For Interviews
- Written by Alan Carniol
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.