Do's and Don'ts at Interview

I am often asked some very basic questions about conduct at interview. What follows is an excerpt from an interview handbooks which I wrote to assist candidates in ensuring that they perform to the best of their abilities. Some of the information is basics, but is very important given that many hiring decision are made superficially and within the first few minutes of interview.
It is important that your interview begins when you walk out of your home or office door. Make sure you feel confident and look polished and professional before leaving for the interview. Whilst on your way to the interview imagine yourself doing well at interview and focus on the successful conclusion of the meeting. This type of positive thinking can sound silly but it is so powerful and statistics show that being mentally prepared has a huge impact on results. Be sure to be pleasant and professional to everyone you meet. Often times, companies ask employees throughout the company for their opinion on your candidacy. A comment from the receptionist that you were rude or impolite could raise questions about your suitability. Below is a list of Do' s and Don'ts at interview.
* Do Offer a firm handshake
* Do be confident and friendly
* Do ask questions
* Do be yourself
* Do NOT use slang or colloquialisms
* Do seek out opportunity to speak about your successes and strengths
* Do NOT put your elbows, handbag or briefcase on the table, desk or in your lap
* Do NOT slouch, cross your arms, shuffle your feet or tap your fingers
* Do answer questions honestly and concisely. Answer the questions raised specifically and avoid getting side tracked.
* Do NOT interrupt or try to control the interview session.
* Do NOT be afraid to seek clarification of a question that you did not hear or do not understand.
* Do NOT criticize or complain
* Do explain your reasons for changing jobs in a positive way
* Do smile
* Do look the interviewer in the eyes
* Do use the interviewer's nameDo NOT be negative or focus on problems within your current place of work.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Nail the Behavioral Interview

It used to be that you would walk into an interview knowing that there were four or five questions that you could expect to have asked of you. Then, you could effectively plan ahead for how you were going to answer them. Those included:

• Tell me about yourself and your experience.
• What is your greatest accomplishment?
• Are you a team player?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• What makes you best for this position?

But this isn't necessarily so any more. The new war for talent continues to take shape with the mass exodus of Baby Boomers from the workforce, and interviewers are finding it necessary to get creative with their interview skills in order to hire the right person-not only for the specific task or position, but also for their company. Behavioral interviewing is one such tactic that is helping organizations ensure they can find an individual with the right cultural fit, morals/ethics, well-roundedness, leadership, AND the ability to accomplish the tasks at hand. In a nut shell, it is all about identifying the key competencies in the candidate through questions that dig deeper by asking he/she to summarize instances when he/she employed specific competencies in his/her professional career. Such questions begin with, "Tell me a time that..." or "Explain a situation in which you..." Although they can be harder to predict than those listed above, there are still ways in which a candidate can effectively prepare. The easiest way is to make sure that there is a firm understanding of the job description and required competencies needed to qualify for the position. Then, using that knowledge, you can formulate a list of the possible areas that an employer might delve into using behavioral questions. For example, if you are interviewing for the position of marketing director, areas of competency can logically be deduced to: leadership, communication, dealing with different types of employees, and creativity.

Areas of Interest
Below is a list of eight possible areas of interest to employers and a related behavioral question for each.
Problem Solving Skills
-"Tell me about a situation where you faced a particularly tough challenge, how you overcame that challenge, and the outcome."
Leadership Challenges
-"Recount a time when you had to deal with a difficult employee. What tactics did you use and what became of that employee?"
Communication
-"Describe your personal communication style using an example of how you have dealt with peers/subordinates in your last position."
Organization and coordination
-"Tell me about a time when you had a client change a due date on a project and you had to rush to complete it. How did it make you feel/how did you react?"
Assertiveness
-"Describe a situation in which you foresaw a potential opportunity and took advantage of it upfront. Or one in which you used that opportunity to create an action or strategic plan for the team which served as betterment to the organization."
Creativity
-"Can you tell me about a time when you went outside of the box to solve a problem or meet a client's needs in which the situation required you to be creative with your solution?"
Goal Orientation
-"Tell me about your goals for the next five years. Include where you see yourself and how you expect to achieve those goals."
Flexibility
-"Was there ever a situation in which you were far into a project and there were factors that required you to change direction and take another approach? Was it easy for you to adapt and make the necessary changes?"
Conclusion
The very best thing you can do is think broad and then narrow down your scope to job-specific components. By planning in this manner, you can effectively prepare yourself for a winning interview and help eliminate the chances of being caught off-guard.

Article Source:ezinearticles.com

Finance Job Interview Tips - Financial Careers Advice

The best bit of advice you can offer anyone going for a finance job interview is to be prepared. The time you put into preparation will have a direct relationship with how well you perform in the interview and how likely you are to get the job.

Firstly, find out as much about the company as you can in advance. The more you know about the potential employer the better. You can never know too much and it will help in two ways. You will show you are an observant individual with an outwardly looking understanding of the industry and the knowledge you have learnt will show you know what you are talking about. Secondly it will also show that you have researched the company. This time commitment of the research also shows how keen you are on the position. Any recruiter is always going to appreciate pro-active candidates who show that they are keen to get the job.
Think in advance what questions they are likely to ask. Many financial job interviews follow a similar pattern, so think ahead about what they might ask. Draw up a mind map using both you CV and the job advertisement to decide topics. You won't need scripted answers but the more time you have to think about answers the more likely you answer is to be what they are looking for. A few bullet points will give you a head start over the other less well prepared candidates.

Visualise your success. You can never underestimate the power of positive thinking. The worst that can come out of a financial job interview is you don't get the job. You didn't have a job when you entered the room so it shouldn't be the end of the world if you leave the room without it. Understanding this and assuming you will do well can work wonders.

It is impossible to avoid tough questions; though as many financial job interviews are similar there are plenty of things you can bear in mind to avoid any unnecessary heart ache. It's usually safe to assume the interviewers might adopt a "good cop/bad cop" dynamic even if it isn't deliberate. By expecting this you can learn to respond to questions in they way the interviewer will expect and show how capable you are of dealing with difficult people.

If you aren't sure how to answer a tough question, ask a follow up question. It will show a keen-ness to answer the question but buy you a little more thinking time. If you still don't know the answers they want to hear don't be afraid to admit it. It can look much worse if you answer incorrectly than admitting you don't know.

If you are facing a tough round of questioning in your job interview it's easy to ramble and forget to actually answer the question. So be careful not to lose your thread. If they notice you aren't actually answering their questions they will think you are at best evasive and at worse out of your depth.
There is plenty to be gained from asking good questions in job interviews, it will show you are interested in the role and show you are curious to learn more. One good question to ask is about what they think the best and worse aspects to the job role. Asking questions like this enable you to gain a better understanding of the role.
Another good and unusual question to ask is about the company's work culture. It shows you have an understanding of the work

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Weight-Loss Surgery: The Psychological Screening Interview

Obesity is a national health emergency in the United States. Surgical weight reduction is one of the ways many Americans are choosing to deal with the battle of the bulge. Because of the high demand for bariatric surgery (gastric bypass and lap-band are two of these procedures), new protocols are being established to help assure the safety and appropriateness of these medical procedures.
Many medical tests are required before a patient is given the go-ahead for this surgery. The psychologist has become an integral part of the medical team. Both insurance companies and surgeons require a psychological consultation for each patient they are screening for bariatric surgery. Because eating issues are complicated and the emotional stability of the patient
is important, the psychologist helps assess the patient's readiness for surgery.
For those patients seeking this pre-surgery consultation, you can expect the
psychological consultation to address these important areas of mental health:

1. Details of the patient's personal history such as family background,education, marital status, home situation, work history, and current living situation.
2. A complete and detailed history of the patient's obesity history, from childhood to the present, including any and all efforts the patient has made to lose weight. This would include any history of eating disorders or any issues or problems with weight and eating.
3. Information from the patient about their exploration of bariatric surgery as an option. What do they know about the procedure? Do they understand the risks of the surgery? Does the patient realize that they will be making life-long changes in their eating? Have they thought about the details of the diet, exercise program, and vitamin regimen they will use?
4. A complete and detailed psychiatric history, including any treatment the patient may have received for psychological problems, current psychotropic medications, and current psychological and/or marriage and family problems. Having a psychological or emotional problem does not necessarily keep a patient from having the surgery, as long as they are being adequately treated. This history includes past substance abuse and current alcohol,tobacco, or drug use.
5. An assessment of the patient's personality characteristics and emotional resources which indicate that the patient will be compliant with post-surgery instructions and will be able to deal with the trauma of major surgery and subsequent recovery.
6. What are the current stressors in the patient's life, and what kind of support will the patient have during and after the surgery? What are the patient's expectations and fears? Would the patient consider psychological help if they needed it as they go through their weight loss?

Some psychologists may use objective psychological tests to help
with the evaluation of a bariatric patient. Most, however, use their
professional skills and training in a clinical interview to make sure
the patient is able to understand and make informed choices about his or her
health.
The primary focus of the consultation is to assess whether this
patient is emotionally stable and psychologically capable of
undergoing the surgery. While it is not possible to predict with
absolute certainty that an individual will sail through such a
procedure with no emotional complications, the psychologist can
provide valuable insights that contribute to the overall assessment
of a patient for bariatric surgery.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Importance of Your Body Language During Job Interviews

When attending an interview, you could be oblivious to the fact that your interviewer is sizing you up by paying close attention to your bodies language. A lot is revealed by your body language, and therefore you have to be aware of potentially negative body movements and promote positive body gestures and behaviors.

People naturally transmit and pick up nonverbal communication; since time immemorial they have been practicing this. When your date crosses her arms but her face is displaying a smile, don't you wonder what is troubling her or why she is so aloof? During an interview, you do not wish your body language being at odds with what you are saying, as this looks as though you are lying. The initial impact, or the initial couple of minutes of the interview, tends to create a lasting impression.

Your body language gives a lot more information than words, and can demonstrate that you are secure with yourself. It can also give the impression of whether you are speaking truthfully, and reinforce your words. Your bodies language can also show if you are enthusiastic, as well as if you have a sense of humor.
The Handshake: Make sure your hands are dirt free, nicely manicured and sweat free. You wish to let the interviewer to make the first move towards shaking hands, and you should be able to return in equal measure the interviewer's handshake, never gripping his hand harder than they did. Smile and look straight at the interviewer and hold it for about 2-5 seconds. When the interview ends, the handshake might last longer, bend forward and smile as you shake hands.
The following are some things you must avoid when attending an interview:

• Holding your hands at the back of your head
• Fiddling with your tie all the time
• Sprawling in your chair
• Tugging at your collar
• Pulling at your attire or face
• Stiff smiles or stress on the face
• Not much eye contact
• Creasing your eyebrows
• Quickly bobbing your head
• Any uneasy tics
• Having your ankles crossed - indicates holding back information
• Having your legs crossed away from your interviewer
• Having one ankle crossed over your other knee
• Intruding into your interviewer's personal area
• Chewing on one's lips distractedly
• "Feigning" a cough when a difficult question is posed
• Having your arms folded or crossed
• Do not needlessly tap the desk or floor with your foot
• Earsplitting, insufferable laughter

Nodding your head while speaking can support or enhance your words. Hand movements can assist also, and will demonstrate your comfort level. Don't start with a lot of hand movement, instead, build up slowly throughout the interview. You want to tune your movements and posture to those you are interviewing with.
It's important to keep eye contact with all members of your interviewing audience with equal amounts. By keeping eye contact we are demonstrating confidence and trust. When one of the interviewers explains something or asks you a question, keep looking at them while they are speaking, this reinforces that you are listening. When you answer a question, look first at the person who asked the question, but while answering you should look at the other interviewers as well to best gauge your response.

In addition to your own body language, you should always be aware of how the interviewers are acting. Their movements will give you an impression of how you are coming across. Being aware of particular signs, such as crossed arms or leaning back, you can fine-tune your presentation.

These are just a few examples of how your bodies language influences the results of your job interview. You should arm yourself with as many skills as possible. You can learn a lot more at my websites, devoted to these topics.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Getting A Second Interview

What you really need to know
The majority of people find interviews a daunting task. You really should not. The long and the short of it is that an interview board have asked you to come see them. Taken time out of their day because they believe from just your CV that you have something they need. They have a vacancy and it is within all companies' priorities to get the best candidate. Whether the position is for waiting tables or as a CEO always remember that the interview board want you to be there and it is them that are lucky you are. Once you start believing that and knowing it is true,it will certainly ground you. That said it is okay to be nervous.
The last thing you want to do is leave people thinking you are too "cocky" for the role The only thing worse is if your CV speaks volumes about you but your personality or confidence on the day doesn't live up to what they were expecting. Here are some tips that should help candidates.

1. Sell Yourself:
   Don't be afraid to say you were the youngest person to be promoted in your last job, or even that you received highest leaving cert marks in your year at school. You can't do anything wrong doing this. Just remember it is meant to be a conversation and not a fact sheet on you.
2. Answer Briefly:
   When asked something, give direct answers, with minimal detail. Remember most interview boards will see many candidates for the same role. Don't leave them trying to remember the one good point in ten minutes of waffle. It is perfectly fine to ask things like "would you like me to give more detail on any of the responsibilities I undertook?" In an interview you should ideally be talking one third of the time, and never more than half the time. If you feel you are waffling then round it up and cut briefly back to main point to reiterate, then stop. Practise your own answers before hand it will help you focus on the points you want them to know.
3. The Why You Left Question:
   If people did not leave jobs then people would never do interviews. Do not come across as defensive or false. Describe why you left or are leaving; give references to support your work performance in your current or previous employment.. Stick with the facts and make sure you don't slate your company. This always scores black marks, even if they are direct competitors nobody wants to hear somebody in an interview with no respect for last job or colleagues. It immediately says you are not a team player.
   
   If it is the case that you are leaving because you are unhappy in your work place, don't be afraid to say this. The truth in most situations like that is that you know you won't be given the opportunity to progress, or possibly have been overlooked. Even if it is colleagues that are making you unhappy don't name names. Be diplomatic and simply and openly use something like "I have been doing my job for X amount of time, I have gotten to the stage now where I don't feel as challenged and (this could be a good place to put due to help of colleagues and team work I have got to this stage etc) I think I can do really well in a more challenging role with the experience I have gained". You can even say how there are things you would do differently in your next position or how you may be able to avoid an inevitable departure next time.
   
   It is never any harm to bring up a weakness saying something like "The truth is, I really need to work on my leadership skills. I'm a good worker and totally competent, but sometimes I lack the confidence to stand up and take a leadership position." Nobody is good at everything, and no interviewer expects it. But don't sugar coat it and certainly don't say i'm leaving just because I want to!
4. Take Control:
   It is ultimately you who takes control of the interview. Don't leave the interviewer have to ask you one question after another for an hour. That's when it going to feel like an interrogation. If you can't fit in a follow up to an answer question like "was I clear on that?" or "did I give enough detail?" then don't be afraid to ask generic questions like "how many employees are on this site?" or "will there be any further growth within this department in the coming months?" Even asking small things that aren't directly related to the job like "does the sports and social club run many events throughout the year?" will add a bit more filling to any interview. Most interviews end with "have you any questions for us?" Make sure you do, but don't ask about money or benefits at the first interview.
5. Be Prepared:
   In this highly technological era most companies will have a website or at least articles on their business published. Have something to say that will show you have an interest in this job and this sort of work. Even something as small as knowing that the sister company recently hired 50 new production staff, make the interviewer feel good about you and your capabilities and initiative and the rest will fall into place. A good tool is Google-News,( news.google.com) for checking up to date news on a company. The Sunday business papers will always have up to date facts on any of the big rollers. And the stock market can even tell you how well a company is doing.
6. Look And Feel Your Best:
   We have all worn that special something on a night out that made us feel great. Do the same at an interview but keep it professional. I would always recommend a suit and failing that at least long sleeves make you look more professional. If the budget is tight don't be afraid to wear the 5-year-old suit they won't have seen it before. All things are easily spruced up with a new top or even basic accessories. For longer hair if it is not tied back make sure it is looking well kept. Do not step out of the shower and tie up a wet ponytail either! Girls when it comes to make up stick with neutral colours that suit you best and neither guys nor girls should overdo it on the perfumery. You're going to be shaking hands with this person or persons don't have them get a mouthful of perfume and likewise they don't want to smell smoke either. If you smoke before an interview, it surely will be noticed. Take this from experience always have a mint or bottle of water with you.
7. Feedback:
   Regardless of the result, if you are called for a second interview or told no thanks ask for feedback! Whether it is with the recruitment agency representative or the company itself. If you hear something you don't like then try to turn it into a positive, i.e next time you will know that this kind of job/company really wanted a team player so you will emphasis your involvement in the sports and social club in your last job etc. Not only does it help you for other interviews or jobs but it does allow the person giving the feedback a bit more insight into you. They will remember how professionally you took the let down or how disappointed you were or how open you were to suggestions and it will stand to you. Hiring a recruitment agency is an expensive undertaking and if they think you might be right for the job next time round you can be sure they will call you directly. Even when the interview is over and if the next time you see the person is in a social sense even just remember why they know you.
8. In Short:
   Look good feel good. Approach with a smile, welcome all questions openly and know what you are talking about. The interview will be about you and who knows you better than yourself! Do not answer a question you don't understand simply ask them to repeat it or just say "im afraid I don't understand what you mean by ...." Make sure you make eye contact and ask the power questions that will make you stand out from other candidates. Do not give out too much information about your personal life, there will be plenty time for that later. Stay focused and listen. Mimic the interviewers' style and approach. Use your hands while talking to draw they're attention back if you start to waffle, then hush! Be enthusiastic!!! Remember, whatever you do, do not sound desperate, even if you have been unemployed for months let them be impressed with you and not depressed by your demeanour. And best of luck!!

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

Resume, Cover Letter and Interview Strategies 50+

Recent surveys have shown that there are more seniors who are now returning or sticking on to their jobs than ever before! Today, there are more 50+ workers working in the job market than at any time in the past. The terms 'white-collar' and 'blue-collar' workers have now been joined by a third adage, which is, 'The Silver-collar worker'.

With over 77 million baby boomers in the United States and only 45 million Generation-X'ers, the difference in numbers clearly define a wide gap that needs to be filled by various strategies. So, the competition in the workplace between the two generations has increased twofold over the past ten years. So, if you happen to be a baby boomer on the look out for a job, then here are a couple of resume, cover letter and interview strategies to help you get started:

Resume Strategies for the 50+
o The thumb rule for all senior workers is to put at least 15 years worth of service on the resume.
o Don't emphasize on dates. Never list your birth date and omit all college graduation dates that are more than 10 years old.
o Try toning down the job titles that you have listed on your resume so as to not seem overqualified. For instance, you can put down 'senior manager' instead of 'Vice President'.
o Make sure you list all the professional courses and development activities that you have attended as this shows that you are willing to learn.
o List all the technological and computer skills that you possess.
o Highlight accomplishments, achievements and results that set you apart from the other candidates.

Cover Letter Strategies for Senior Workers
o Older workers tend to be proud of their work histories and are prone to putting self-applauding statements in their cover letters. With so much work experience, it is probably best you don't put such cumulative experience statements in your cover letter. Instead of bragging, stick to using statements like 'extensive experience' or 'significant experience'.
o An autobiography letter that rehashes your entire job history that is already on your resume isn't a good idea. But, as an older worker it is more harmful as it draws attention to your age.
o Add in your cover letter that you are flexible, adaptable and are willing to learn.

Job Interview Strategies for Older Workers
When you go for a job interview, remember that you will probably be interviewed by someone who is younger than you, so don't get embarrassed or unnerved by the situation.
o Start by stressing on how you are so willing to work and learn. Interviews claim that the biggest setback when it comes to hiring older workers is that most of the time their skills are outdated and they aren't willing to learn.
o Suggest that you have an unsurpassable work ethic, which could be possible as compared to the younger workers.
o Convince you potential employers that your maturity will only be advantageous to them as your past experience makes you wiser in problem-solving situations.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/

Thoughtful Interview Preparation: Getting Your Dream Job

You've identified an opportunity that you are excited about and well-qualified for. You've polished and targeted your resume, and crafted your cover letter. Great news: You are invited for an interview! Now it is time to really gear up. Preparation is key - whether you haven't interviewed in a decade or if you've had ten recent interviews.
Whether you end up in a conversational style Q&A or are engaged in a competency based (behavioral) interview approach, spend time in advance thinking about answers to some potential questions in advance so that you are prepared to answer them naturally and informatively.

Know your Audience:
Research the company and the people. Read about them online, ask your recruiter to share insights into the company culture and strengths, network with current and former employees, read the bios of the people you will be meeting with and upper management. Be prepared to identify what about this company attracted you to them, show that you are someone who will be dedicated and invested in this company.

Know the Industry:
Who are the company's competitors, who are their customers and suppliers? What are the key business missions, messaging, and the recent benchmarks? What are the recent trends, challenges and opportunities in the industry? Be prepared to show your knowledge of the industry players/issues and how your experience and skill set is pertinent to the company's business.

Know the Position:
Re-read the job description and be very clear on the duties. What examples can you offer of your experience in success at accomplishing these responsibilities? What are the most relevant highlights of your track record? Be prepared to elaborate on how your experience and skill set will contribute to the company's success.

Know your Take Away:
Why are you the right person for the job? Why should they hire you instead of other candidates? How can you fit in and contribute immediately? Be prepared to communicate your take away message on why you are the right person for the job.
Here are some examples to help you in your interview preparation.

Ability and Career Initiative questions:

• How would your boss describe you?
• What is your reputation at work?
• What professional accomplishments are you most proud of and why?
• What is the most important thing you contribute to any organization?
• Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?
• Name three things you like and dislike about your current/last position.
• Why do you want to leave/did you leave your last position?
• Why is your current organization a better place for you having worked there?
• Why would this position be a good move in your career development?
• What have you done in your current/last position to improve your company's bottom-line?

You want to paint a picture of yourself as a qualified, capable person, ready, willing and enthusiastic about contributing to the company's mission. If you are looking for a new position because the last/current one was negative, or if you've been unemployed for a while, formulate your response carefully. Never share dirty laundry and don't waste time on negatives. Focus on the proactive and the positive aspects of your interest in the opportunity you are interviewing for and what you can bring to the table. Show career pride and initiative.

Competency-based questions:

• Tell me about a situation in which you had a miscommunication with a customer/colleague/boss and how you handled it.
• Describe a time when you didn't accomplish a professional goal and how you rectified the situation?
• What was the biggest professional challenge you faced in your last position and how did you overcome it?
• Can you describe an example of when you worked with a colleague or group to solve a problem?

You will definitely need to have real-life examples ready. Be prepared to explain how you resolved the situation favorably, what you learned, and how that experience could be applied to the work environment of your potential employer. You want to demonstrate your ability to work well with others, accomplish the mission, be accountable and proactive, and problem-solve.

Real-life Work Scenario:
You may have a real work problem laid before you, and be asked to describe how you would proceed. While this is a little harder to prepare for in advance, you should be thinking about the aspects of the role and draw from your past experience. This is similar to preparing for competency based questions.

New-Age questions:

• If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
• If you were a fruit, what kind of fruit would you be?

The interviewer is looking for a correct answer of an animal that is efficient, proactive, social, organized, and a fruit that mixes harmoniously in a fruit salad medley. Hopefully no one is ruled out because they say cat (sleeps a lot) or an avocado (doesn't mix well in a fruit salad). Perhaps the true point is to see how you might react and if you have a sense of humor.

Gauging Interest and Engagment:

• What did you like on our website? What attracted you to our organization?
• What questions do you have for me/about the company/role?
• How could our company do better?

There is no wrong answer to these questions except to not have an answer. This is your opportunity to find out more about the company/management culture, goals, strengths, etc. And importantly, this is your chance to show your serious intent and enthusiasm for the company. If you have no more questions, take this time to express that the conversation has touched on all the points you wanted to explore more and that you appreciate the manager's candor and time; leave them with the impression of satisfaction as opposed to disinterest.

Formulate your responses using the STAR approach:
When formulating your response, maximize the opportunity to demonstrate your professional success. Situation. Task. Action. Results.
For example, if you are asked what you have done in your current position to improve your company's bottom-line, "As the International Channel Manager (situation) of a company trying to gain market share in international markets (task), I spearheaded and drove an International Distributor meeting with focus sessions on marketing and sales strategies and tools, introduction to add-on products, as well as software localization and OEM technology and coordination (action). The result was 2 additional language versions of the software being produced, strengthened communications and renewed marketing and sales motivation with a 20% increase in International channel sales and a strengthened relationship with our channel partners (results).

Do you have any funny interview questions or anecdotes? Please share them with us.

About Anna Mathieu, Marketing Communications Manager
Anna Mathieu's experience as a recruiter and as a seasoned sales & marketing professional give her a winning perspective on communicating Redfish's specialized recruiting services. Her evangelization and branding continue to drive bottom line results.

About Redfish Technology, Inc.
Redfish Technology specializes in locating talent in the High Tech and Green Energy sectors. Recruiting since 1996, the company offers nationwide coverage and boasts offices in Silicon Valley, the East Coast, and the Intermountain West.
As a full service, outsourced recruiting resource, we will partner with leading High Tech and Clean Tech organizations to source the world's next generation of technical and alternative energy leaders.

Article source:  ezinearticles.com

Thank You Letter - My Thanks To Steve Jobs

This is a letter of appreciation to Steve Jobs, who has personally inspired me a great deal in life by being such a wonderful success in an era wherein technology and modernization would most likely point to the younger generation as the frontrunners. The way I see it, he has encouraged, not only me, but many others to continue to strive to change the world for the better without seeing age or generation as a hindrance. For these reasons, he is one person I truly believe should receive this thank you letter.

Dear Steve,
As an American business mogul and Chief Executive Officer of Apple Inc. you have displayed your success to me and millions across the world, which has served as a great inspiration and testament that with persistence and the development of great ideas, there is no limit to what we can achieve. I personally use most, if not all, your products and are consistently impressed with their quality, functionality, and design. In truth, your creations have helped me become more productive at work and even given me new ways to enjoy things, and for that I would like to extend my thanks to you.

So many people believe today that the young generation is our future. And yes, in many degrees they certainly are but you have also shown that members of other, perhaps older, generations, particularly the Baby Boomers, should not stop nor give up on trying to improve the world because there is still much that we can contribute and change. The way you prevail over and redefine your field of expertise serves as a heart-warming story of encouragement and I believe you are deserving of my thank you letter for it being so.
Your belief that life improves over time and the steps you have taken to make this real has also provided me with great insight. I share in your concept of never sacrificing the quality of what we do for any other factors and this has had such positive effects on most of the work I have done. I am pretty sure that it is not only me whom you have had this influence on.

Thank you for demonstrating and reminding me that age and generation are immaterial factors to the success that a person can achieve. Please accept my thank you letter as a sign of my gratitude.
Respectfully Yours,

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Best Interview Preparation For Medical Device Sales Reps

If you're in the job search for a medical device sales job, you know how tough it is. Even if you have the right background in science and technology plus sales experience, there's some intense competition for these fantastic positions. What can you do to prepare for your medical device interview so that you're the one who walks away with the job offer?

* Harness the power of LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a powerful resource for the job hunter. Once you have a profile, you're good to go.
You can research companies you're interested in, as well as the profiles of the people who work there. That's going to give you a lot of information you can use. The LinkedIn pages of companies are usually a lot more informative than their corporate pages. By researching individual employees, you can see who's who and get a clearer picture of what's going on there.

You can get involved in groups and discussions on the medical device industry and the job market. Not only will you become known by people in the area, you'll pick up quite a few nuggets of knowledge on companies, the industry, and job leads. Start with the Sales Cafe: Sales Rep Careers.
You can actively job search by using LinkedIn to contact hiring managers directly. You'll get much better results than by going through traditional HR channels. Check out this video: LinkedIn Ninja Tricks to Bypass HR and Get the Job. It's full of the insider advice you need to gracefully, professionally, and effectively get hiring managers to call you for an interview.

* Hire an interview coach
Seriously. It doesn't even have to be me. Before you go into another interview, find a career coach. Maybe you just need a resume review. Maybe you need to put a positive spin on a dicey situation. Maybe you need an image check, a body language refresher, or better answers to interview questions. You'll be amazed at how much faster you'll get job offers with the right coaching. If pro athletes at the top of their games need coaches, you do too.

* Bring all the tools in your toolbox to the interview
So you know to bring your resume (plus extras for the other members of the management team you'll be meeting). Have your references already lined up and prepped. Also, don't forget your brag book and absolutely don't forget your 30/60/90-day sales plan. (In case you're not familiar with that, a 30/60/90-day plan is a written outline of what you will do when you start the job...how you'll get trained, how you'll bring yourself up to speed with the team and your customers, and how you'll bring in new sales.) That's the one document that impresses hiring managers above all others. You might think you can bring up your ideas as part of your conversation, but that's an iffy possibility that doesn't allow you to take control over your interview. You can control the interview with a 30/60/90-day sales plan.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

4 Powerful Tips For IIM MBA Admission Personal Interview Round

Here are 4 useful tips that will elevate your chances for clearing that all-important Personal Interview.

1. Show initiative by researching the chosen career objective.
If you picture yourself in finance, do some research on what differentiates Trade Finance from Merchant Banking and how Investment banking differs from Private Equity? You do not have to show your exact chosen area as even the Personal Interview panel knows you cannot make such an early decision already, but having knowledge of the basic differences of these different fields shows a heightened sense of awareness

2. Show composure under pressure by replying well thought-out, meaningful questions.
When you are asked a question, pause for 2 seconds to think the answer through. Don't blurt the first thing that comes to your mind (I don't know). For example if asked a question on - "How would you solve the dispute between the ASEAN and India's bilateral trade agreement" Your reply should be "Well there are 3 parts to the issue (1) Final duty levied (2) Point of origin of goods and (3) Sensitive agri- commodities effect on Indian farmers" - from there you can frame your further reply

3. Show your savvy by connecting your own educational experience and achievements to the specific needs of the chosen career profile.
This is particularly important if you are young fresh out of college, and don't have any job experience. Stress upon the activities that you have performed; you have run a youth group, that may have sharpened your leadership skills. If you published the campus newspaper, you will certainly have communication skills. Talk about how these skills make you right for the job.

4. Show energy through your body language and tone of voice.
Sit up straight in the chair, lean forward slightly to listen as the interviewer speaks. Nod and smile appropriately to show you understand. Inject enthusiasm into everything you say. Nobody wants to hire someone who sounds bored with the job before he or she has even got it!
Using these tips to prepare well will improve your chances in the final Personal interview round.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Learning How to Ace Your Final Interview

It's definitely possible to go through a series of interviews before you will know if you get the job or not. However, of all the interviews, the most important will definitely be the last one, aptly called the final interview.
During the final interview, someone of the highest position will be the one to talk to you. Expect the questions to be more difficult than the previous ones. It's also nerve racking as these managers have been trained to spot errors, inconsistencies of statements, and insincerities in action. The good news is acing the final interview is definitely possible, as long as you stick to the following tips:
1. Still be very much prepared. Never think that you're already clinching the position. Final interviews are not for formality's sake. They are still part of the process. Moreover, unless you receive the job offer or sign a contract, you're still considered an applicant.
It's therefore right to come to the interview fully prepared. There is a bunch of lists you can read online on the possible questions that are going to be asked. You can practice on them, so you have a better idea on how to answer the inquiries.
2. Be honest. There's no other way to it but to be honest in everything you're going to say. Avoid giving false hopes or expectations to the manager. However, for your weaknesses, make sure that you don't end up highlighting them. Instead, you have to downplay them. For example, if you're not that good in certain programs, emphasize that you're easily trained.
3. Ask questions. The final interview is actually the best time to ask the questions that are bothering you. After all, the interviewer may be the best person to ask. Talk about salary, working conditions, more ideas about your job description, etc. You can definitely use the information if you need to assess your possible contribution to the company or if it's worth taking in the first place.
4. Develop a sense of confidence. Even in a tension-filled situation, don't allow your confidence level to go down. You can utilize subliminal messages to help you in this case. The subliminal messages are often called affirmations because they point out to you your inner strengths. Therefore, the subliminal messages have an ability to assist in bringing out the best in you.
While you're waiting for your turn or even a few days before the final interview, you can repeat the subliminal messages as often as you can. You can try "I am eager to get the job," "I am looking forward to sharing what I've got," etc. The more you repeat them, the more you become confident about yourself. The more you are also inspired.
Be careful, though, of being overconfident. As mentioned, this doesn't guarantee a job. There's even a chance that it's not only you who's being considered. If you're asked about how much you want to get for a salary, be honest but don't be too greedy.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Let's Interview Everyone! Best Practices For the Interview Process

Bob, Director of Human Resources, walked into Mikela's office a little after 3pm. "Well, Mikela," he said, "How are you feeling about the slate of candidates we've assembled for the open manager position?"
Mikela turned away from the computer screen she'd been staring at. Clearly, her mind was still on her analytics, but she dragged her attention to Bob and the question he'd posed.
"Hi Bob," she said. "I really appreciate all the work you've done to compile these resumes." She glanced guiltily at a folder on the corner of her desk. "But I haven't had time to do more than glance at them."
"I certainly understand, Mikela," said Bob, "You have so much responsibility for the new brand launch. I'll do whatever I can to help. I'm happy to schedule interviews for you if you let me know which candidates you'd like to bring in and who from your department you'd like them to meet."
Mikela laughed. "To the extent that we can, I'd like the candidates to meet all the managers in the department. We've had too much turnover already and I don't want more distraction on this project. I want to know we'll all work well together. I know that won't be easy, because we're all so busy here. But that's the best way I know to be sure the new person will be welcome. As for who to bring in, I guess we should bring them all in, right? They all seem to have the key qualifications."
"But Mikela," Bob objected, "you have eight managers and there are 12 candidates! That's a coordination nightmare, not to mention the time you're asking your staff to devote to this. I really think we should narrow it down a bit."
"I wish I knew how," said Mikela, the frustration in her voice obvious. "But I can't tell enough just from reading a resume. And if I don't ask my team to be part of the process, how will I know if we've gotten the right person?"
Bob and Mikela talked for another few minutes. It was clear to Bob that Mikela's plan was time-consuming and expensive, and he was concerned that even going through the process her way was no guarantee that Mikela would end up with the "right" candidate.
Hiring managers and Human Resource departments struggle to find the appropriate balance in designing the hiring process. Like Mikela, one extreme is to invite anyone and everyone to come in for an interview with everyone in the department. Because "hiring process" is not a line item, the costs are not easily recognized or reigned in. On the other end of the spectrum, managers take a rather nonchalant view of bringing in new employees, skimming a few resumes immediately before the interview and hiring based entirely on one or two interviews. Experience has shown that under-resourcing is just as dangerous as devoting infinite resources to the hiring process.

What are the best practices to find your next hire?
1. Develop a well-crafted job description. Most managers and business owners would never start a major project without a clear outline and understanding of the project requirements. Yet these same people are often content to work with a vague or "hand-me-down" job description for a position they want to fill. The "as long as I have something on paper to make HR happy" approach to job descriptions may be expedient in the short term, but will almost always cause regrets down the road. Taking the time to determine the needs of the position, the gaps in the department, the problem solving style required, and the company culture will go far in helping companies find the right candidate for the position.

2. Evaluate resumes against a concrete set of criteria. Based on the job description, list out the criteria you have for successful candidates. This may include specific job skills, kinds of managerial or industry experience, budgetary or decision making authority, education, presentation of resume (spelling, grammar, logic flow), writing skills, or any number of other items that can be gleaned from a resume. Also make a note of any items you wish to ask about for further clarification (e.g., gaps in work experience, unclear job descriptions, etc).

3. Use appropriate screening processes to narrow down the field of candidates. Yes, pre-employment testing is generally legal as long as certain guidelines are followed. And the right kind of testing can help objectively identify candidates that will succeed in the position. Many companies have stopped using pre-employment testing because of legal concerns, but this "throwing the baby out with the bath water" approach is unnecessary and allows much avoidable risk to remain in the system.

4. Check references thoroughly. Most of the time, reference checks turn up exactly what you expect: glowing praise and assurances that the candidate in question is undeniably the best possible person to consider for the job in question. Or you merely learn that the candidate did in fact work for the employer listed on his/her resume. As long you're not talking to the Human Resources Department (whose employees are limited by policy), however, you can often find out more about the candidate to help you make a hiring decision, draft follow up interview questions, or manage the person successfully if you do bring them on. Sometimes of course, you will find out things you never expected to learn. Since most candidates (correctly) assume that most employers don't bother to check references, they don't worry too much about who they list as a contact. I know a wonderful story about a store owner who discovered during a reference check that a candidate had embezzled from a previous employer. Needless to say, the store owner was no longer
interested in the candidate-but the previous employer was delighted to have the location of the thief!

5. Craft interview questions based on job requirements, company/department culture, resume and reference checks. Be clear about how each question will help you determine whether the candidate should become part of your team. After all, the goal of the interview is to decide whether the candidate should continue in the hiring process. Be sure to re-read the resume (and your interview guide) prior to the interview so you are well prepared.

6. Take time to meet with the candidate. There are few things more frustrating to job candidates or more of a waste of time for managers than having an interview in which the interviewer is unprepared, rushed, or obviously thinking about the problem du jour. Human capital is the most important resource a company has. Interviewers need to clear the calendar, hold all calls, and devote their full time and attention to the interview.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/

Idiotic $100k Interview Mistakes

Most job career advice professionals concentrate on coaching you on what you should be doing to guarantee your success during interviews for $100k jobs. However the below are a few blunders that you really need to avoid when interviewing for any $100k jobs. Most of them should be obvious, however interviewers never ceased to be amazed at some of the things they are asked or see.
1. If you have to run to an interview for any $100k jobs at another business during your normal lunch hour DO NOT take lunch with you and try to eat during the interview. Definitely not professional and not a way to show you are really interested in the position.
2. Your first questions at any interviews for $100k jobs or any jobs for that matter should not be 'how soon can I take a vacation?', 'do you hire people who smoke?', 'how much is the pay?'. They may be legitimate questions and you may need answers to them but if you really have to ask them in the interview they really need to be at the end of your list.
3. Never park in any of the specially reserved parking spaces when attending interviews for $100k jobs. Parking in the president's spot will get you fired and banned from the office before you even get your foot in the door.
4. While you may think it slick to compliment your interviewer on their appearance as a way to sweeten them up or even if you just think they are really smoking hot it is definitely a bad move. It just breathes lawsuit and sexual harassment issues from the get go.
5. Telling prospective employers for $100k jobs that you are searching for a new position because you just couldn't get along with other employees or are escaping from a psychotic lover at your old job probably isn't going to swing things in your favor. It's about as attractive as saying that getting a job is a requirement of your parole for embezzling your previous employer.
6. Do not answer questions about how you handle certain issues at work with tales of drama at home or what a soap opera your life really is. Surely your interviewer has day time TV and would rather be at home than listening to your sob story.
7. Never, ever, ever answer your cell phone during interviews for $100k jobs. It doesn't matter if your wife is in labor or your kids have just been kidnapped or you are losing a multi-billion dollar deal. There is just no excuse - the phone should be off anyway. If you do answer it, don't be surprised if the interviewer goes into another room, calls your cell and tells you to leave!

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

How A Woman Should Dress For An Interview

In the job hunting process, the way in which you are dressed has a direct influence on what the interviewer's first impression of you is. You may be thinking it isn't fair that you are judged by the way you are dressed. And under normal circumstances, you would probably be right. But when it comes to job hunting, you must remember that you are essentially trying to "sell" yourself to potential employers. The very first thing an interviewer will notice about you is your attire. It will also be the subject of the very first judgment he or she will make about you.

An interview is hardly the occasion to make a personal statement about your style. Dressing properly for the interview serves to show the potential employer that you respect the workplace and have a sense of professionalism. While dressing appropriately on its own may not win you the job, it sure can give you an edge over the other candidates. It will also set a positive tone for the rest of the interview.

If you are not sure how you should dress for an interview, your safest bet would be to dress conservatively. However, there are some things you could do to make sure that your dress code matches that of the organization at which you are interviewing. For example, you could make a quick call to the company's human resources department to inquire about their dress code. You could also pay a visit to the company on an information gathering trip and take note of how the women there are dressed. But make sure you don't go there when its "jeans and t-shirt" day or casual Friday.

Dressing properly for an interview does not mean that you have to go out and buy expensive designer label clothes. But you should have at least two good sets of professional clothes in your closet. If you get the job, you will obviously have to invest a little more into to your attire but you can worry about that when the time comes. Here are some additional tips on how a woman should dress for an interview.

• A woman should wear a business suit to an interview. The suit should fit your body well and you should feel comfortable in it. The length of the skirt should allow you to sit down without having to tug on it or adjust it.

• Psychological studies have revealed that women have a lot more leeway when it comes to the color of their professional attire. As an alternative to the standard black, grey, or dark blue, you might want to consider wearing brighter colours such as red or green.

• The colour of your blouse should match well with the color of your suit. The neckline should be on the high side and should not reveal too much skin. Transparent blouses are absolutely unacceptable.

• Stockings should always be flesh-coloured and you should wear closed shoes that have a dark colour. The heels of your shoes should not be too high.

• You should avoid wearing excessive jewellery. Any body piercings except for earrings should be taken off. Also, take care not to spray on too much perfume and make sure that your hair is styled neatly and professionally.

On a closing note, remember to check yourself in the mirror of the rest room just before you go in for the interview. Then, take a deep breath, feel good about yourself, and most importantly, smile.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Job Interviews - How To Ace A Sequential Panel Interview

The sequential panel interview is when they sit you in a conference room and send in anywhere from 3 to 6 or 8 people in to interview you one at a time. There are 2 keys to this type of interview. The first is stamina - get plenty of rest the night before and don't plan on doing anything that night. And take every coffee and bathroom break they offer. Also, you will, of necessity, be asked some of the same questions time after time.
Work at varying your wording so your answers don't sound canned. And the second key - if you use a success story with one person and the same story, from a different angle, is appropriate in talking to another person, tell the second person that you have already discussed this situation from a different angle and with whom so that, when they compare notes they won't be confused. And they will be comparing notes afterwards and make sure you are consistent. You don't want one of them to say "well, that's not what she told me". So nip that possibility in the bud.

Finally, be sure to thank each person individually with a personalized email the day of the interview and a follow-up hand written note within 24 hours . If you can refer to the conversation you had together, that really gives you a plus. Hint: make notes in your car before you leave so you keep who said what straight.
A final thing to remember about most types of interviews is that the interviewer may be a brilliant and talented in what they do - but interviewing isn't what they do. As a hiring manager, the amount of time they spend interviewing people to fill open positions is tiny and that means that, when it comes to interviewing, they are amateurs. Unless, of course, they are in Human Resources, and you shouldn't be talking to them anyway unless there is no way around it. Unless the position is in HR, the HR representative can only say "no". It is the hiring manager who can say "yes".

Article Source:ezinearticles.com

Do's and Don't of a Job Interview

While going for a job interview we are often confused as to how do we present ourselves. Do we overdo or under play ourselves. What will impress the interviewer the most about us. We all want to make a good impression but what are the ingredients that make a interview go well. We may be qualified for a certain position yet the interview has to go well in order to win over the future employees and first impression as they say is the last and lasting one.
Here are some points for you to help choose what's best for you and how you can strike a balance between your positive and negative traits. Keep these points in mind while going for an interview and you might just do well and ace your interview with right preparation.
While asked certain questions try to choose the answer that suggest positive traits and show the right attitude.
Some of the examples of these characteristics are-
Your answer should be Achievement-oriented
You should sound agreeable
Being Assertive shows the strength of your character.
You should be emotionally stable and imaginative in your answers.
You should be open to new experiences and sound adventurous.
Dependability is another strong trait.
You should be a good communicator and listening is as important as telling.
You have to be conscientious, trustworthy and responsible.
Being optimistic, sociable and tolerant also show positive side of your character.
You should always avoid answers that suggest negative traits of your personality like-
Dishonesty
Disagreement
Prejudice
Negative attitude
Over confidence
Poor impulse controls or temper
Emotional dysfunction
Lack of self worth
Rigidity
Disregard for rules.
Anti social or disregard for people.
All these traits doesn't exactly show the best side of you specially in a job interview where your future employees are looking for the best in you and want a candidate with not just qualification but an edge above the rest.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Behavioral Interview Techniques

Below are some behavioral interview techniques that you'll find useful:

1. Be prepared for the interview by analyzing and making an educated guess as to which skills are most desired by the employer. You can study the job description of the position or go to some job boards to review requirement sections of related jobs.
2. Compile a list of skills that are relevant to the position you are applying.
3. Identify behavioral interview questions by introductory phases like "Tell me about a time when...," " Describe a situation where you...," "Give me an example of..." etc.
4. Listen carefully to each question. If necessary, rephrase the question and ask for clarification.
5. Use STAR formula to answer behavioral interview question. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. Make sure that your answers are detailed and specific. This behavioral interview technique is widely recommended by career advisors.
6. Use your real-life examples instead of your opinions or theoretical statements. The employers want to know what you have done in the past, not what you think you would do in the future.
7. Vary the length of your answers. You can prepare short description of each situation but be ready to give details if asked. You can also determine if you have given enough information by asking questions like, "Would you like more details on that?" "Would you like another example?"
8. Be honest. It will be bad for you if the interviewer find out that your story is built on weak foundation.

Article Source:ezinearticles.com

Job Interview Tips for the New Applicant

If this would be your first time to apply for a job, you need to be prepared for the day of the actual interview. Submitting an impressive resume is just the beginning. More importantly, you want to give the best impression when you meet the recruitment officer for the job interview. In this article, we present job interview tips that can help you with your preparation:
Have a good rest. See to it which you may have adequate relaxation and sleep the day before the job interview. If you're as well exhausted or if you stayed up late, it's probably that you will not be able to focus on the concerns of your interviewer and you might even give out inappropriate answers.
Be punctual. It's crucial to make a great initial impression. Displaying up late for your work job interview is obviously a bad thing. You cannot give your interviewer any excuse for not arriving promptly. In the event you do not come on routine, the employing officer might think that you are not truly significant about getting the job or which you have the habit of being late with your appointments.
Do research. As soon as you submit a resume to a possible employer, you should start doing some research about the business as well. Whenever you get called for a job interview, you need to review what you've discovered such as the company's background, mission, vision, and present place in the market. Knowing these info will certainly give you an advantage particularly once the interviewers asks you about your expectations in the event you obtain the job or what you can contribute to the company.
Sell your self. Don't be ashamed to speak about your powerful factors and achievements. Throughout the job interview, you need to have the ability to display that you are self-confident about your skills and your skills and that you are the proper person for the job.
Practice. Anticipate feasible work job interview concerns and believe of the very best solution. Practice providing your answers out loud so you are able to build-up your confidence. It is a good concept to inquire a friend or perhaps a family members member to complete mock interview periods with you so you can by some means obtain the really feel of providing an answer in front of an additional person. Because panel interviews will also be to be expected, you should also practice providing solutions in front of a group.
Dress professionally. An additional way to make a great first impression is to dress professionally. You don't need to put on a costly suit as long as your clothing is clear, well-pressed, and appropriate. You need to also select clothing that you are comfy to wear so you are able to be calmer throughout the interview.
Ask your interviewer. The recruitment officer ought to not be the only 1 asking questions throughout the job interview. When an interviewer asks you when you have any query, do not be frightened to say sure. Generating the wise inquiries not only exhibits your curiosity for the company; in addition, it shows which you are a person who is prepared to discover.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Get Ready for that Job Employment Telephone Screening Interview

In a quest to save money, time and travel costs some firms and employment service agencies are now adopting "Telephone Job Screening Interviews" as a more and more standard and accepted job employment screening technique. If you expect to be interviewed by phone, prepare by getting a member of your "network" to "role-play" the interviewer. Practice delivering your answers and answering typical run of the mill standard interviewing questions. After all there are very little variations in interview questions and interviewing style in these workups. It is if all these interview "technicians" all read the same book and attended the same school.

If you have submitted resumes or applications, then you should be prepared to expect and handle a call from an interviewer at almost any time. Ensure that you have a businesslike outgoing voice mail message with your name and/ or phone number. Make sure that all of your housemates know to answer the phone professionally and take messages if necessary. Return calls promptly and be prepared to interview immediately or to leave a message with your full contact information and availability.
In order to succeed in a telephone interview there are a number of preambles.

First you must be prepared to take an interview at almost any time, and on the spot. Post your resume and short written spiel or script somewhere in your home so that it can be found accessed and read and referred to in a flash of time. Have paper and pen (pens) handy so that you can write down names and information on the spot. Otherwise you will forget important information - such as names and phone number of contacts. Keep a log of your calls. Transfer this and the contact information, as well as phone notes promptly to your notes which you can store on your computer, in an easily remembered as well as accessible record.
If you do need a moment to collect yourself, politely ask the interviewer to hold for a brief moment while you move to a quiet location. Eliminate all distractions and background noises.

During the phone interview process it best to focus the call on why you are interested in working that or that prospective employer. Obviously this can and should be done on pre interview research. Make it a point to understand and comprehend the employer's product, services, current developments in the marketplace and business practices and philosophies.

Always, always be professional, courteous and friendly. It is best not to try to lead or "control" the conversation. Let the caller lead the conversation, but ask questions of your own.
Maintain pose and posture as if that very person was standing alongside you, personally interviewing you in that very room, at that very moment. Stand up, smile and speak directly into the mouthpiece of the telephone while you are talking. This will give your voice more energy and a most pleasant tone. Never smoke, eat or chew gum while on the phone.

Beware of yes / no answers. They give no real information or elaborate about your abilities. Similarly be factual in your questions. The rule is to be brief but thorough.
In the same way if you find that you need time to think about a question or series of questions, it is best to avoid using repetitive phrases to "buy "time. There is nothing wrong in noting "I need some to think about that".

Lastly when the interview wraps up, ask what the next step or steps are. Directly tell the interviewer that you are available for a face-to-face interview at his or her earliest convenience. Follow up on the phone interview. Call back on or two days later. At that point thank the interviewer for his or her time. Restate your interest in the employment position. When you do the follow-up always try to leave the information directly with that very person or job contact. Only as a last resort leave this message by voice mail, fax or email. These are easily forgotten in the whole job employment filling process.
Always be prepared and on the ball for a telephone screening job employment interview.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Improving Interview Body Language

Being aware of your body language is just as important as practicing interview questions before entering a job interview. Your body language provides an immediate and overwhelming insight into your emotional state. Most experienced employers can detect nervousness, hesitation, arrogance, confidence and the many other feelings expressed by the candidates during the job interview.
Body Language is different from one candidate to another, yet it still provides similar cues to an interviewer when evaluating your responses during a job interview. Learn how to use positive body language in a job interview. Doing so correctly will make you look and feel more confident, which in turn will improve your responses and better your chances of having a successful job interview.
Handshake: Shaking hands with interviewer(s) is good first impression. It helps you create a friendly and professional image. Make sure your handshake is firm and same pressure. Mirror your grip with the interviewer; it avoids any dominant vibes.

Sitting in your chair: Sit down slowly and take a moment to get comfortable. If you look relaxed, it'll encourage your interviewer(s) to feel at ease in your company. Avoid flipping the chair around, sway back and forth or lounging back in your chair.

Posture: Make sure you feel comfortable with your posture. Sit upright or lean forward a little to project a confident image. You should not fidget. Keep your feet close together or crossed and your body facing the interviewer(s).

Eye Contact: Look at the interviewer(s) when answering questions. Don't just maintain eye contact with the interviewer, who asked you the question, acknowledge all interviewers when providing your responses. Make sure you look sincere and honest and don't forget to blink.
Remember; try not to overdo eye contact with the interviewer(s). A gaze that lasts longer than ten seconds can cause discomfort. During silence, look away and don't continue staring at the interviewer(s); this will cause discomfort.
Facial Expressions: A smile always eases nervousness, so smile; this will show your enthusiasm. Be careful not to look too eager or impassive that you don't seem to care.

Voice: Speak clearly and slowly without deviating from your natural tone. Do not rush your answers; pause when you are thinking of appropriate replies before answering questions. Pausing and thinking of your answer before responding to the question will help you avoid "uhs" and "ums" or other nervous mannerisms excessively.

Show Humor: Use humor appropriately in a job interview to relax your nerves and lighten up the atmosphere in the interview room. Be careful not to be overly humorous, your interviewer(s) may feel that you are not serious enough for the job.
The right amount of humor will show that you are a confident person who is relaxed
and capable of controlling tough situations.
Use your hands: The use of hands while expressing yourself as you speak shows a certain confidence in your responses. Use your hands to explain your answers or describe your ideas. The interviewer(s) will think you know what you're talking about. Try and keep your hands visible during the job interview.

Maintain Interest: Show interest when the interviewer(s) speak by nodding your head in approval and showing that you understand the question. Refrain from crossing your arms, thumb twiddling, finger drumming, and other fidgeting mannerisms.

Show Professionalism: Finally, keep your comments positive and on a professional level. Language should be clear, with simple jargon and no curse word or swearing.
Focus body language that's as free and natural as your speaking style, but don't be too controlled or rehearsed. When your movements are in sync with your answers, you'll seem confident and in control.

Information provided by, Moshin Manji, HRinmotion.
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Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Different Types of Second Interview Questions That You Should Be Familiar With

Congratulations, you have passed your first interview and are ready to move on to the next step, the second interview. This interview is generally more in-depth than the first and brings you one step closer to getting hired. In order for the interview to go smoothly you need to be prepared to answer any questions that be asked in the interview process.

The second interview questions are often similar to the initial interview questions. Because of this try to remember the questions you may have had difficulty answering during the first interview and practice new and improved answers. However, often the second interview questions are new and more difficult to answer than the first because the interviewers are really trying to get a good idea of who they are hiring and therefore may ask harder questions. Some of the possible types of questions you may be asked to answer are as follows:

o Open Questions. This type of question deals with your strength and personality by asking you to contribute a long answer. They usually begin with the interviewer asking you to tell them about a particular time in your educational or employment history. These questions are best answered by highlighting your strength and skills and remember that it is not wise to answer the question by stating your weaknesses and limitation.

o Closed Questions. Closed questions are generally answerable with a simple yes or no. However, in some instances, interviewers will ask for specific and factual information when you answer the question.

o Behavioral Questions. These questions try to forecast your future behavior based from your past experience. When answering this type of question, state your past experience by focusing on how you have developed your skills.

o Hypothetical Questions. Typically, this kind of question is one that forces you to think deeply. Generally, it is asked in a form of a "what if" question. The purpose of this type of questions is to assess your capability to think immediately, and provide a thoughtful answer.
In general these questions are usually more focused on your personality and technical skills so be sure to respond to the questions consistently. In addition, try to tailor your answer in such a way that the interviewer will like the way you answer the question. Your first interview was a success, that's why you got the second interview so study hard and be prepared to ace it with these great tips.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

How to Get Hired - Use These Job Interview Strategies

How do I know these job interview strategies really work? Simple, I have been conducting job interviews for more years than I care to count, and have talked with other interviewers to compare experiences. I am also a business owner, so I interview from the viewpoint of being the top boss.

You only have a few moments to make a great first impression. And since only 7% of communication consists of the actual words spoken, the rest must be body language and appearance. It is how you look, what you do, and what you say during the first 30 to 40 seconds of a job interview that will most impress the interviewer - or perhaps most "un-impress" the interviewer. First impression is most important.

If the interviewer is a Human Resources employee, or if the interviewer is a manager or office manager, the interviewer will be looking at you from the viewpoint of, "Can this person do the job, get along with others without rocking the boat, and make me look good because I hired the correct person for the job?"

If the owner of the business is conducting the interview, the owner is looking at you from the viewpoint of, "Can this person do the job, not steal from the business, get along with other employees, please my customers, and help me have the time to increase my business?"

There are the obvious three ways to make a great impression:
1. well dressed for the type of job,
2. friendly smile, and handshake greeting, while making good eye contact
3. open, attentive body language -- not folding your arms -- or slouching in the chair.
And there are the Not So Obvious three:
1. making yourself stand out above all other job applicants
2. getting the interview involved in ways you will help the company
3. making the interviewer feel good about hiring you
At the end of the interview you keep control by asking a simple question like, "What is the next step? Where do we go from here? What are you looking for from me? How can we follow up on this?"
But here is the clincher: You must call to follow up on the interview. You may need to follow up several times. Not doing so is how people fail to find a job fast.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/

Police Oral Board Interview Preparation Secrets You Must Know This to Get the Job

About 5 years ago it was terribly difficult for police agencies across the country to attract qualified police recruits, however with the recent downturn in the economy more and more people are realizing that the private sector is not as stable anymore. And as a result, they are turning to the security of government jobs. It's not uncommon to see five hundred applications for only a few law enforcement positions anymore. It has become extremely competitive, and to stay ahead of the pack, you must get prepared.

For those individuals who hadn't considered a career in police work up until the economy took a major nose dive, they are finding themselves extremely unprepared, and frankly overwhelmed with all the different aspects of the hiring process. Many of these people who are from corporate america can indeed pass the police exam, and are in good enough shape to pass the physical assessment test.

But the common hurdle that many seem to flunk is the police oral board interview. You see, the police interview structure is totally different from any other job interview that you've been through in the past. I don't think applicants even know the uniqueness of this process until it's too late. They will eventually find out during the interview that they are really under prepared, and as a result bomb the oral interview.
The oral exam is probably the toughest section of the hiring process, which seeks to assess the reasoning and judgment capabilities of the candidate through a series of tough scenario questions. The oral board exam is easily responsible for the elimination of more police recruits than any other phase of the hiring process.

So, how do you prepare for the oral exam?
In order to impress the oral board members you must come in confident and able to answer the questions with conciseness and clarity. You'll only be able to do that if you are familiar with the questions that the panel are going to ask you. There are common questions that all police departments no matter where it's located will ask you. They might even be worded differently but they are the exact same questions. All you have to do is to get your hands on these questions and practice answering them over and over again before the interview.

How do you locate some of these interview questions?
First, you can contact your local recruiter and ask them for an oral exam prep manual. If they don't have one, they'll point you to the right direction. Secondly, you can Google police forums, and you'll find plenty of active police officers who are willing to help you.

Article source:  ezinearticles.com

6 Reasons Why Thank You Letters Are Important After Your Interview

Don't be shy about sending a thank you letter because there are at least 6 reasons why thank you letters are important after your interview.

• Very few people are actually thanked for doing their job, especially when that job is to interview someone.
• The receipt of a thank you note can reinforce a decision to hire you.
• A Thank you letter allows you to restate your interest and commitment to the job.
• Thank You Letters can alter the hiring manager's perception of your interview.
• Thank you notes can be personalized for each interviewer.
• Thank you letters are actually sales letters in disguise.

Don't underestimate the impact of a 'thank you' letter as a valuable follow up to an interview because not many people receive thanks, especially for an interview, so they will remember it and it keeps your name in their mind with strongly positive associations.

You can't lose by sending thank you letters; if you weren't going to get the job, it won't make any difference, but if you're in with a chance it could tip the balance in your favor!
There are two forms of this letter; the first is a simple thank-you note which is personal and the only letter that can, and should be handwritten.

The second form of these thank you letters is more formal and is also valuable as a follow up when you realize after the interview that you didn't cover an area very well!

This is then a formal sales letter and should be word-processed and printed like any other business correspondence. It still carries all of the benefits as above but may also allow you to spell out some information you didn't impart too well at the interview.

Since they are not too difficult to write and there are 6 good reasons why thank you letters are important after your interview, you should aim to send a 'thank you' letter on the same day as the interview for the best effect. These letters can easily be modified to suit your particular situation and should always be mailed to every person involved in the interview.

Most people's in-boxes are already too full with all manner of unwanted emails, so you run the risk of your letter being overlooked or simply deleted as spam if your thank you letter is from an unrecognized email address.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Working in Retirement: Job Interview Preparation

You deserve congratulations! You have identified why you want to work and the work that you want to do; you have researched companies and applied to their open positions; now you have achieved something that many people do not - you have actually earned a job interview. As you already know, the job market is very competitive and you need to use every advantage to land the job that you have identified. Preparing for the job interview is crucial if you want to move to the next level.

First, recognize that you may have an initial screening interview by phone or by camera using the internet. Preparing for either is different than preparing for a face-to-face meeting. In these types of interviews, you have to be prepared to backup what you documented on your resume (because the interviewer is fact-checking) and you can practice being direct and succinct in your answers. Also be sure to limit your surroundings if you are having either type of interview. It doesn't look or sound very good if someone (especially a child or pet) interrupts you during your interview. Make sure to communicate with everyone that you are off-limits during this time so you can devote your entire focus to the interview.

Once you have made it past the initial screening interview, it's time to decide what you are going to wear to the interview. In the past, it was easy to dress for an interview. Men and women alike wore their best blue or black suits, carried a nice briefcase, several additional pristine copies of their resume, and any additional documentation needed (like writing samples). Today, it is much harder to gauge what to wear. Go to the company website and look at photos of how the employees dress. Are they in formal business attire or are they in shorts/t-shirts and jeans? While you do want to look nice and neat at the interview, wearing a black business suit from 1990 will not cut it in an environment where everyone is wearing shorts to work. You will look dated and unable to change which makes it much less likely that you will get hired.

In that a very casual working environment, it is suggested that you wear a nice pair of slacks or a skirt, a matching blouse, and professional but stylish shoes. (If you are retired but looking for a job, it's important to look up-to-date without trying to look 20 years younger). A great way of dressing for job interviews these days is consignment stores. They often have wonderful clothes at a discounted price and often have very helpful sales people who can help you pick out something that flatters you and your budget.

In conjunction with preparing your wardrobe, you have to be ready for some tough interview questions. There are a variety of ways to prepare for these questions on the internet. Be sure to take the time to review them and formulate your own answers to questions like "What was the last project you managed and what was the outcome? Or "Give me an example of a time that you failed. What did you learn from it?" A great place to start for a list of 100 potential interview questions is Monster.com but there are many others as well. If you can practice your answers out loud with a friend or former colleague, you'll be even that much more prepared for the actual job interview.

It's the day of the interview and you've arrived at 15 minutes early. Take this time to use the facility, to freshen up and relax. When you go into the interview, remember that you are well qualified for the job and in your answers, you will highlight your accomplishments and how you solved problems in the past. You can also highlight your ability to adapt to new technology and the changing business climate. Certainly follow-up the interview with your own pointed questions to make sure that this job would be a good fit for you as well.
After the interview is over, treat yourself. Whether you get the job or not, you deserve a pat on the back for even reaching this important step. Then, take a minute to review what you did well and what you can improve on the next time. Also, take the time to write a hand-written thank you note. This is a step that is overlooked by most people who interview these days and it is one more way for you to set yourself apart from the crowd.

Now that you have the first interview under your belt, you will find that this success will most likely build on itself either with a job offer or with additional job interviews. Great news is that you are prepared for either!

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

The Purpose of the Phone Interview

You've already sent in your resume and introductory cover letter to a potential employer. So why do they want to conduct a phone interview? Why not just bring you in for the real thing?

First of all, in the current market, there are many qualified candidates for every position which becomes available. You would think this would make the job of filling the position easier, when in fact, it makes it harder. Recruiters and Hiring Managers have the daunting task of looking through hundreds of resumes and must narrow it down to a handful of the best qualified to bring in for an interview. This takes time and patience. Once they get the pool of candidates into a manageable number, they begin the phone interview process to narrow it down further.

If you've made it to the phone interview stage, rejoice! Already you've come quite far! By understanding the purpose of the phone interview, you will be able to better prepare yourself. Here are some of the reasons for the phone interview:

Assess Communication Style - regardless of what position you will be filling, employers like to know that the person is able to communicate. They like to know if the person is enthusiastic and has a good attitude. They want to get a sense of how the person will fit into their team. This is very important for every position.

Specific Questions - There could be something on your resume that is not clear to the Hiring Manager. Perhaps it is your level of skill in a specific area or perhaps your objective is not clear. They may simply wish to know if you're willing to work nights or if you're willing to relocate. Or maybe you have all of the experience they are looking for except for only one thing, in which case I always encourage the hiring manager to let me, the recruiter, call the candidate and ask.

Clarify Job History - Sometimes a person has exactly the right skillset for the job, but has hopped around a lot. The phone interview can be a way to find out if there was a specific reason for the movement...perhaps you love start-up companies and each of them have folded...or maybe you are a consultant and move to different assignments. If it's not spelled out on your resume why you left a company, then the phone interview can provide the answers the Hiring Manager needs.

Assess Compensation Requirements - Many times the Hiring Manager looks at a resume and makes the assumption that the person is too senior, and therefore, has too high of a salary requirement. When counseling my Hiring Managers, I always tell them not to let that be a deal breaker until we know for sure what the candidate requires. The phone interview can be the vehicle to have the candid conversation about compensation requirements.

Technical Skills - For technical positions, many Hiring Managers or Lead Engineers will conduct a technical phone interview where they will ask specific technical questions or problems. This could be as simple as walking through a coding exercise to being asked to solve an actual problem. They are looking for HOW you would go about solving the problem and how you think things through. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to answer the questions correctly. Rather, it's more about your process in solving it.
Look at the phone interview as an excellent opportunity to get to the next step in the process for getting hired. By understanding the purpose of the phone interview, you can prepare to answer questions that get the in-person interview.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Investment Banking Interviews - First Round Interviews Decoded

First of all, we're talking about the formal "give me a job" type of first round interview here. Not about the investment banking informational interview, which is simply a meet and greet.
First Rounders are where your banking lives really kick off and their importance comes down to the simple fact that if you mess up here your banking life is DOA - dead upon arrival!
For target school kids first round investment banking interviews will frequently take place on campus when the banks roll into town and will often be with an analyst or other junior banker who's an alumnus of your school.
In other countries it might take place at the bank's HQ and be with a representative from the IB's HR department - or a junior banker.
For non-target school kids who manage to get a formal recruiting interview it might take place at a nearby school or at the bank. More likely though you'll start out with informal interviews over coffees - aka investment banking informational interviews - thanks to your networking, which can then lead to formal interviews at the bank's HQ.
But location is the least of our worries, so let's move on.
It's more important for you to recognize that the purpose of the first round interview is to act as a quality control mechanism. Junior bankers simply aim to cull enough students so that final rounds (aka Super Saturday or simply Superday) can take place without a throng of 10,000 students storming the bank's offices.
And so they are only testing you on
1) your track record as listed on your resume,
2) your personality and
3) your basic technical skills.
Thankfully you will only be summarily grilled on these issues, because first round banking interviews don't go for that long. Think 20-30 minutes.
How can you sail through first round interviews?
Well, if you manage to 'get along' with the interviewer then you're probably through.
i.e. if you can talk about your resume for a couple minutes, get the banker smiling and answer some Basic as Ben Stiller questions about financial statements and Finance 101 valuation techniques you'll most likely get green lighted for another interview.

And if you can show you have serious passion for banking by talking about your journey over the years, how it has led you to banking and made you want it more than ever before, you're almost home.

Increasingly important in today's recruiting environment though, is your ability to handle some basic investment banking technical interview questions and brain teasers during first rounds. Banks are loading interviews with more than before, because it's the fastest and most objective way to eliminate a huge chunk of the candidate pool (an important point when supply & demand is as out of whack as it is now).
At the end of the day though these first round interviews are just about eliminating the Ben Stiller type retards - i.e. a 'basic smarts' cut. Or said with more panache, these interviews are simply about eliminating the also-rans, not about picking the stars. So don't stress.

Richard is the head writer for Inside Investment Banking - a one-stop shop of advice for students just like you who want to know how to get into investment banking without a 4.0 GPA from Harvard or nepotistic connections on Wall Street.
Created by a team of 5 young bankers, Inside Investment Banking contains all the real insider advice you need to write killer banking resumes, answer tough interview questions, network with bankers and much more.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com