| You're just about ready to start your job | | | | prepared.Do your researchResearch as much as |
| search and send out your first resume. Stop! | | | | possible about the company you are |
| Before your send out that resume, are you | | | | interviewing at. One source of information |
| prepared for the job interview? Your resume | | | | is their website. You can also do a search on |
| just gets your foot into the door. If you | | | | the internet to see what information surfaces |
| want to have a successful interview, you will | | | | about the company. The more you know about |
| need to plan. Here are some tips to guide | | | | the company, the more effective you can be in |
| you in preparing for a terrific | | | | presenting your skills and knowledge.Prepare |
| interview.Know your skills and | | | | questionsMost of the time a candidate spends |
| accomplishmentsProbably the most common | | | | time preparing answers for the employer's |
| question you will be asked is "Tell me about | | | | questions. Don't forget your questions! I |
| yourself." Be ready to clearly present your | | | | recommend creating around 10 questions you |
| knowledge, skills and abilities and how you | | | | want to know about the position and the |
| can add value to the company.Employers will | | | | company ahead of time. Why is this |
| also evaluate your fit for the job by asking | | | | important? For two reasons: You are |
| "behavior-based" questions. Questions like: | | | | letting the interviewer know you did your |
| In your previous job what was your most | | | | research on the company; and second, you want |
| challenging situation and how did you handle | | | | to know if this job is a good fit for you.How |
| it? They want the details and will continue | | | | to dressKnow ahead of time what you are going |
| to probe until they have an understanding of | | | | to wear at the interview. Even if a company |
| how you dealt with the situation. The belief | | | | is business casual, dress in a suit so you |
| here is that past performance is a strong | | | | can make a great first impression. I |
| indicator of how you will continue to | | | | recommend that you select two interview |
| behave.Take the time beforehand to review | | | | outfits that you feel absolutely great in. |
| your job experiences. Collect some stories | | | | This way in case one gets dirty, and a job |
| about challenging situations or people that | | | | opportunity surfaces quickly, you have |
| you handled well, successful projects, or | | | | another great outfit to wear. It is known |
| solutions you have initiated that made the | | | | that the more confident you feel about how |
| work more efficient.Organize your | | | | you look, the better you will present |
| referencesMake sure you have three references | | | | yourself.Do a test-driveIf you are not sure |
| before you start your job search. Most | | | | where to go, do your test-drive to the office |
| companies include reference checking before | | | | before the interview. You don't want to be |
| making a final decision on a candidate. | | | | nervous about being late, so figure out |
| Bring to the interview the contact | | | | beforehand how to get there and how long it |
| information for your references, and only | | | | takes.Bring extra resumesJust in case the |
| give it to them if they ask.Ideally, provide | | | | interviewer can't locate your resume, bring |
| a reference from each company you have listed | | | | two or three copies of your resume with |
| on your resume. If you have an extensive | | | | you.Closing the interviewUsually an |
| work history, you can focus on references | | | | interviewer will end the meeting by asking |
| from your last two companies. Potential | | | | "do you any other questions?" If you are |
| references are supervisors or managers or | | | | interested in this position, this is a great |
| peers within the work place. If you | | | | opportunity to let them know you are |
| volunteered on a project, this is also a good | | | | interested in the position, and briefly |
| source for a strong reference.Your references | | | | summarize what you have to offer.Write a |
| should be able to discuss their relationship | | | | thank you noteCollect business cards from |
| with you, your abilities, knowledge, work | | | | everyone that you meet and send a "thank you" |
| ethic, and how you interacted with others in | | | | note to them. The effort is worth it, as you |
| the company. Don't forget, the employer may | | | | get another opportunity to state your |
| want to know your weakness as well, so ask | | | | interest and suitability for the position. |
| your references to be ready to answer that | | | | In the body of the note, sum up your |
| question.As soon as a company requests your | | | | strengths and remind them how you can add |
| references, contact them to notify them of a | | | | value to the company.What did you learn?Every |
| potential call. They are your partners in | | | | interview is a learning experience. As soon |
| your job search, so give them all the details | | | | as the interview is over, step back and |
| you have about the company and the position | | | | reflect on how the interview went. Did you |
| -- don't leave them in the dark. If you | | | | answer the interviewer's questions clearly, |
| can't speak with them directly, email or | | | | how did they respond to you, how well did you |
| leave a voice mail notifying them of the | | | | present your strengths, and did you get all |
| details.Practice, practice, practiceThe more | | | | of your questions answered about the job and |
| comfortable you feel about what skills and | | | | the company. Use this information to |
| knowledge you have to offer, the more | | | | practice for your next interview.© |
| confidence you will have in the interview. | | | | copyright 2004 by Pat Brill: all rights |
| It's a good idea to practice your answers | | | | reservedAs a senior level human resources |
| either in front of a mirror, or work with a | | | | professional,I have worked with individuals |
| friend or a coach.Prepare for a telephone | | | | to either broaden their current careers or to |
| interviewCompanies have different screening | | | | search for and create a new career path.If |
| processes to find suitable candidates for | | | | you are interested in exploring career |
| their open positions. It is not uncommon for | | | | coaching, I offer a 45-minute complimentary |
| a recruiter to screen you briefly on the | | | | session to learn more about coaching, as well |
| telephone, so be ready to present yourself as | | | | as me your coach. Call 718-631-9082 for |
| soon as you send out your resume. Don't be | | | | your complimentary session. |
| casual about any contact with a company -- be | | | | |