Top 6 Interview Blunders To Avoid From Jobstreet

Jobstreet put together the top 6 blunders to avoid during job interviews. These include being totally unprepared or not arriving with your best foot forward. Read on below for more details

1. Be unprepared. Going to the meeting knowing nothing about the company but its name or having only a vague idea of what the position entails predisposes you to a hasty, unceremonious exit. What’s there to talk about, anyway? Do some background checking before showing up. Being ready also means planning for any contingency. Bring along extra resumes, your portfolio, your references’ contact numbers and your social security or tax number in case you need to fill out an application form.

2. Dress unprofessionally. First impressions can make or break you, so always meet company representatives in your professional suit. Remember this rule even if the employees themselves wear casual outfits. You can follow prevailing in-house fashion after you’ve been hired. You needn’t look like a glossy magazine pinup boy either, but do look neat and clean. Avoid in particular chunky jewelry, loud prints and overpowering cologne.

3. Act uncool. You may be drooling for that job, but do you have to show it? Employers will quickly lose interest in someone who appears desperate for work. It’s also so uncalled for to be self-deprecating or self-apologetic. After all, the employer won’t bother to get in touch with you if you’re not qualified. The best approach: Strive to appear calm and in control, even as you convey warmth and enthusiasm. Smile, maintain eye contact, sit up straight and answer slowly and clearly. Don’t fidget, chew gum or make other nervous movements.

4. Rambling on and on and on. Employers have a hearty dislike for those who over-talk during the interview. They get the impression that you either can’t organize your thoughts, are stalling for time, or are glossing over some inadequacy. The solution: Practice your answers to frequently asked questions and role-play the interview scenario with a friend.

5. Talk money too soon. If it’s your first interview, resist the urge to ask how much you might earn. It shows you’re primarily interested in the salary, not the work. If you prove yourself capable, you’ll get an offer and the chance to negotiate the salary you desire. But while you shouldn’t ask just yet, you must already have a fair idea of what the position should be worth. Include salary matters when you do pre-interview research so that you can haggle well if you do receive that offer.

6. Be too honest. You can be completely candid in the confessional and you’ll feel good afterward. But being totally honest during the interview is courting disaster. For instance, if you’re asked why you left your previous employer, you shouldn’t say that you resigned because your boss is a pain in the neck or the company is the pits. Remember that you’re selling yourself: Couch your replies with care, being mindful to project a professional image at all times.

Video: Job Interview Tactics

Job Interview Tactics from Frankfurness channel on Youtube

Monster's Interview Tip on How to "Tell Me More About Yourself"

Here's another cool article from Monster.com on how to get through a successful interview. Tell me about yourself, is one of the most commonly asked questions. It's normally the first one too.

Your response to this request will set the tone for the rest of the interview. For some, this is the most challenging question to answer, as they wonder what the interviewer really wants to know and what information they should include.

Eleanor dreaded this question. When it was the first one asked at her interview, she fumbled her way through a vague answer, not focusing on what she could bring to the job.

"I'm happily married and originally from Denver," she began. "My husband was transferred here three months ago, and I've been getting us settled in our new home. I'm now ready to go back to work. I've worked in a variety of jobs, usually customer service-related. I'm looking for a company that offers growth opportunities."

The interview went downhill after that. She had started with personal information and gave the interviewer reason to doubt whether she was an employee who would stay for very long.

* She's married, and when her husband gets transferred that means she has to leave; she did it once and can do it again.
* She has some work experience with customers but didn't emphasize what she did.
* She is looking to grow. What about the job she is applying for? Will she stay content for long?

The secret to responding to this free-form request successfully is to focus, script and practice. You cannot afford to wing this answer, as it will affect the rest of the interview. Begin to think about what you want the interviewer to know about you.

Focus

List five strengths you have that are pertinent to this job (experiences, traits, skills, etc.). What do you want the interviewer to know about you when you leave?

Eleanor is strong in communications and connecting with people. She has a strong background and proven success with customer relationships. Her real strength is her follow-through. She prides herself on her reputation for meeting deadlines.

Scripting

Prepare a script that includes the information you want to convey. Begin by talking about past experiences and proven success:

"I have been in the customer service industry for the past five years. My most recent experience has been handling incoming calls in the high tech industry. One reason I particularly enjoy this business, and the challenges that go along with it, is the opportunity to connect with people. In my last job, I formed some significant customer relationships resulting in a 30 percent increase in sales in a matter of months."

Next, mention your strengths and abilities:

"My real strength is my attention to detail. I pride myself on my reputation for following through and meeting deadlines. When I commit to doing something, I make sure it gets done, and on time."

Conclude with a statement about your current situation:

"What I am looking for now is a company that values customer relations, where I can join a strong team and have a positive impact on customer retention and sales."

Practice

Practice with your script until you feel confident about what you want to emphasize in your statement. Your script should help you stay on track, but you shouldn't memorize it -- you don't want to sound stiff and rehearsed. It should sound natural and conversational.

Even if you are not asked this type of question to begin the interview, this preparation will help you focus on what you have to offer. You will also find that you can use the information in this exercise to assist you in answering other questions. The more you can talk about your product -- you -- the better chance you will have at selling it.

Top Three Interview Questions And How You Should Answer

Wondering what they'll ask you during your interview? Here are the top three interview questions practically all interviewers ask during job interviews. More experienced (and senior) interviewers will go through your resume in detail and will jump start questions from different sections like where you previously worked, what you used to do.

The questions here are more the generic type that most likely an HR person will ask. As you go through the door, take note that the HR personnel is the gate-keeper. You are more often than not, not going to get to the boss if you are rude to the human resources department.



1. Tell me something about yourself

This is a natural question given the interviewer has no clue who you are. This is also a way to test your eloquence at presenting yourself.

The ideal answer here should be relevant to the position your applying for and should be brief but concise. Don't delve into your childhood or how well you play siatong. Be smart - put your best foot forward

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses

The key as always is to be honest. You don't need a job interview to tell you that. Your strengths and weaknesses will be recorded and referenced once you start or they will be cross-referenced when they do your background check

You HAVE to mention a weakness. There isn't a person in the world without a weakness so might as well be straight forward. But of course note how you are improving or the steps you've taken to improve

3. Why should we hire you

Now to be able to answer this accurately, you will need to do some initial research on the company and the position you're applying for. You can't just mouth off on all your skills (which may help sometimes) but instead of shooting in the dark. Your answer should be precise. Note the need of the company via your position. Understand what the company does and show your interviewer that you did look them up - this will definitely impress them.

These are just some of the secrets to getting hired. Stay tuned for more updates

Interview Tips from Jobstreet

Here are some tips on how to leave a great impression on your potential employer (by Jobstreet)




Confidence

Nervousness or being jittery are common feelings experienced by a candidate during interview. Avoid feeling inadequate for the position you are applying to. The fact that you were requested for an interview means that you were pre-qualified by the recruiter based on your resume alone. It also means you have bested some of the other candidates for the position.

Another way to gain confidence is to research information about the company before your interview. Gaining knowledge about the company would give you the confidence when you are asked what you know about the company.

Learning opportunity and Improvement

Treat every interview as a learning experience and a way to improve. If you have not been successful from your previous interviews, do not let it frustrate you. Try to remember what questions you had difficulty answering, and learn how to come up with a better answer. When similar questions are again asked, you will be prepared to come up with a better answer.

Interviews can also be a way an opportunity to learn something about the company, other people and even your self. If you are given the chance to ask, do not be afraid to ask about the company or the position you are applying for. This will give the interviewer the impression that you are interested to learn more about their company.

Showing up for a confirmed interview

Being late for an appointment or failure to show up for an interview on an agreed time will create a negative impression against you. As a candidate, it is your responsibility to show up to an agreed schedule. If for some unforeseen reason, you will not be able to attend the interview, you must inform your interviewer 24 hours before the appointment. But make sure that you have a valid reason in resetting the appointment.

*The article is from Jobstreet
*The cartoon is not, but it's funny

What do I wear to a Job Interview?

Here's a nice & helpful article about how to dress yourself up for an interview. I picked this up from Monster.com

You have a job interview in five minutes. You've learned everything about the company, you're prepared for any questions they ask, and you even arrived a few minutes early. You couldn't be more ready.

But when you stop in the restroom for a last look in the mirror, your mind starts racing: "Am I dressed the way I should be for this interview?"

"In an interview situation, you're marketing yourself as a product, and so you want and need to have the best image possible," says Amy Glass, a trainer and coach at Brody Communications Ltd. of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and an expert on presentation skills, business etiquette, professional presence and interpersonal communication.

Presenting a professional image is more about doing your homework than spending money. So as you prepare for your interview, keep these wardrobe tips in mind.

It's OK to Ask What to Wear

In many traditional industries, like finance or accounting, business professional dress will be appropriate: A conservative suit, shirt and tie if you're a man, or a conservative suit if you're a woman, with -- perhaps -- personality shown through your shirt or jewelry, Glass says. In other industries such as advertising, public relations, graphic design and information technology, what to wear might be less clear. If that's the case, Glass says, ask about the company's general dress policies when you're first contacted about an interview.

"You can say to the person you speak with, 'I want to make sure I understand your company culture and dress appropriately,'" Glass notes. "It's not a bad thing at all. In fact, it shows respect."

If in doubt, err on the conservative side. "I've been overdressed at times, and that can be uncomfortable," Glass says. "But that's much better than being underdressed."

Shop Smart

You don't have to buy several suits for different interviews at the same company. In many instances, you can get by with one suit combined with what Glass calls a "capsule dressing" strategy -- varying what you wear with the suit each time.

"If I'm a young woman and I invest in a nice black pantsuit, I could use that one suit for interviews, but change the shirt, jewelry or scarf each time," says Glass.

You Don't Need to Spend a Fortune

Visit higher-end stores, like Nordstrom's or Neiman Marcus, to look at interview wardrobe possibilities, Glass says. But when you're ready to buy something and money is tight, head for the outlet stores.

When considering your purchasing options look not so much at the specific price tags on various garments, but at the "cost per wearing," suggests Glass.

"Suppose you see a suit that's $150. If it's a trendy cut and it wasn't made of great fabric, you might be able to wear it once a month for two years. So your cost per wearing is fairly high. If you buy something for $300 instead, in a cut that will last longer -- not trendy but not old-fashioned either, and not screaming the year it was made -- your cost per wearing goes down dramatically. So don't look at the original price so much as how long the piece will be useful to you."

Don't Neglect Accessories

If you have leather shoes, Glass says, make sure they're shined. If you have suede shoes, make sure they're brushed. And if your shoes are five years old, have the soles redone at a shoemaker. If you have a leather briefcase and it's still in good shape, now's the time to use it. If you don't, a nice portfolio binder will do just fine.

Will all the effort and expense you put into looking the part during your interview make any difference? Absolutely, Glass says. In fact, it's essential.

"Your image matters because it shows your attentiveness to detail and gives recruiters an idea of how you'll represent their company to clients, both internally and externally," Glass concludes. "The visual message you send makes a big difference in how you're perceived and, ultimately, whether or not you get the job."

via Monster.com

How To Pass An Interview - 10 Tips From Monster Career Advice

Some of us aren't as lucky as the image of this lady embedded here.

Even the smartest and most qualified job seekers need to prepare for job interviews. Why, you ask? Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these 10 strategies to enhance your interview IQ from Monster's Career Advice

Practice Good Nonverbal Communication

It's about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a good, firm handshake. That first impression can be a great beginning -- or quick ending -- to your interview.

Dress for the Job or Company

Today's casual dress codes do not give you permission to dress as "they" do when you interview. It is important to look professional and well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the interview.

Listen

From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.

Don't Talk Too Much

Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may tend to ramble, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that information.

Don't Be Too Familiar

The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.

Use Appropriate Language
It's a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation -- these topics could send you out the door very quickly.

Don't Be Cocky

Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you're putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.

Take Care to Answer the Questions

When an interviewer asks for an example of a time when you did something, he is seeking a sample of your past behavior. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don't answer the question, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.

Ask Questions

When asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer. It is extremely important to ask questions to demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what is asked during the interview and asking for additional information.

Don't Appear Desperate

When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach, you appear desperate and less confident. Maintain the three C's during the interview: cool, calm and confident. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.

(image from hot-screensavers.com)

How To Get A Job Next Year

Here are a few tips on how to get a job this coming new year:

1. Update your resume. Make sure you've included all relevant experiences that relates to your career of choice
2. Dress appropriates. This is one of the things that I'm not so good at, although I know it is quite important. When you head for your interview, be dressed for success. First impressions mean a lot
3. Know yourself. You'll be asked a lot of questions and it helps if you go through some of the basic questions with yourself i.e. Where will you be in 5 years? What kind of person are you? What career path do you plan to take? Why did you apply here? What makes our company attractive to you?
4. Be eloquent. Speak clearly and always be confident. Interviewers can smell a push-over. I know, I've met a lot of them.

I'm not necessarily unemployed, but I am looking for better opportunity. Everybody is right? We all want to be in a place where we know we can grow old in and be stable. However with the many call centers and business process outsourcing places, most of us usually end up with one dead end job after another.

Know where your strengths lie and strive to be the best regardless of where you are and you're sure to stand out. For sure then you will succeed.