| Ever been told to just relax, this is an | | | | begins asking you many inquisitive questions |
| informal interview? At Sequence Staffing we | | | | about yourself and your professional |
| have learned that there is no such thing. If | | | | background, accept in terms that you are |
| you consider every type of interview as a | | | | being formally interviewed. That way you |
| formal, serious affair then you will always | | | | will be in the frame of mind to give strong |
| be at your best, will give your best | | | | answers; answers that promote follow up |
| performance and will most likely land the | | | | questions and incite the interviewer to dig |
| job. | | | | deeper into your experience. |
| | | | |
| Likewise, if you drop your guard and approach | | | | #4 Take advantage of social settings. |
| the interview in an overly relaxed, informal | | | | |
| way you may well have handed your interviewer | | | | Not only do recruiters take advantage of |
| the reason to drop you from contention. Why? | | | | social settings, but so do smart owners and |
| Because you can come across as too laid | | | | managers of successful enterprises. It is a |
| back, or say something out of turn or out of | | | | great way to scout out future employees. So |
| character. If you are called by a recruiter | | | | it is good to join professional associations, |
| or employer, then consider the conversation | | | | attend the social gatherings, and treat every |
| to be a serious interview and they are trying | | | | one as if they are your next boss because |
| to obtain key facts and information about | | | | maybe one day they will be. Or at least they |
| you, and they are seriously sizing you up on | | | | might be the one helping you climb up the |
| every response. | | | | next rung of your career ladder. Always be |
| | | | on your best behavior; people do notice. You |
| #1 Be on guard. | | | | especially want to always put your best foot |
| | | | forward around professional associates with |
| The manner in which an informal interview | | | | whom you want to be associated with or wish |
| might be employed can be deceptive and | | | | to work for in the future. |
| purposely done. You might be at a social | | | | |
| function, perhaps a trade association | | | | #5 Mind your manners. |
| luncheon and a professional associate may | | | | |
| begin asking you all sorts of questions | | | | That said, watch what you say, eat and drink. |
| related to your professional background and | | | | Stay away from controversial subjects like |
| experience. You might interpret this as | | | | religion or politics. Do not tell off color |
| someone who has a keen interest in you, and | | | | jokes or stories. Likewise, avoid gossip and |
| that might be the case, but chances are that | | | | hearsay. Always speak well of others. Find |
| person is beginning to conduct an informal | | | | safe, common ground and keep your |
| screening interview and you do not even know | | | | conversation along those tracks. Keep an eye |
| it. | | | | on your table manners and watch your alcohol |
| | | | intake at social gatherings. If you believe |
| #2 Give thoughtful answers. | | | | getting drunk and acting silly makes you |
| | | | popular and gains you friends, you are sorely |
| If you keep this in mind and recognize it as | | | | deluded in the business world. Remember, |
| an opportunity to respond with thoughtful | | | | people are always watching you, taking mental |
| answers that are provoking as they are | | | | notes and making judgments about you, your |
| interesting then you will be well on your way | | | | actions and your character. |
| to the next step in your career. This is an | | | | |
| excellent manner that many recruiters use and | | | | #6 Good impressions count. |
| candidates have no clue they are under the | | | | |
| spotlight. But a recruiter can quickly size | | | | When you make a good impression on |
| you up and if you provide the sort of | | | | professional colleagues, it does not go |
| response they are looking for then you have a | | | | unnoticed or is easily forgotten. You want |
| better chance to land that next job you | | | | to put yourself in the situation that the |
| covet. | | | | next time you are looking for a job you can |
| | | | call the president of a competitive firm and |
| #3 Stay focused. | | | | your call will be gladly accepted because |
| | | | they are eager to learn you are available to |
| As flattered as you might be when someone | | | | join their firm. |