Everything You Need To Know About A Job Interview

Picked this up from Monster.com's Carole Martin. It's a very succinct way of dealing with how to ace an interview. She called it the "Interview Cheat Sheet"

What follows is a very neat checklist of what you need to do and know before, during and after your interview to make sure you make the best first impression


In the Days Before the Interview

• Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. On the left side, make a bulleted list (kind of like this) of what the employer is looking for based on the job posting. On the right side, make a bulleted list of the qualities you possess that fit those requirements.
• Research the company, industry and the competition.
• Prepare your 60-second personal statement.
• Write at least five success stories to answer behavioral interview questions ("Tell me about a time when..." or "Give me an example of a time...").
• List five questions to ask the interviewer about the job, the company and the industry.
• Research salaries to determine your worth.
• Determine your salary needs based on your living expenses.
• Get permission from your references to use their names.
• Prepare Your Interview Answers 

Be ready to answer common interview questions such as these:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why did you leave your last position, or why are you leaving your current position?
• What do you know about this company?
• What are your goals?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What has been your most significant achievement?
• How would your last boss and colleagues describe you?
• Why should we hire you?
• What are your salary expectations?
• Before You Go to the Interview

Do you look professional? Check yourself in the mirror; part of your confidence will come from looking good.

Carry these items to the interview:

• Several copies of your resume on quality paper.
• A copy of your references.
• A pad of paper on which to take notes, though notes are optional.
• Directions to the interview site.

Upon Arrival

• Arrive early -- enter the building 10 minutes before your appointment.
• Review your prepared stories and answers.
• Go to the restroom and check your appearance one last time.
• Announce yourself to the receptionist in a professional manner.
• Stand and greet your interviewer with a hearty -- not bone-crushing -- handshake.
• Smile and maintain eye contact.

During the Interview

• Try to focus on the points you have prepared without sounding rehearsed or stiff.
• Relax and enjoy the conversation.
• Learn what you can about the company.
• Ask questions and listen; read between the lines.
• At the conclusion, thank the interviewer, and determine the next steps.
• Ask for the interviewer's business card so you can send a follow-up letter.

After the Interview

• As soon as possible, write down what you are thinking and feeling.
• Later in the day, review what you wrote and assess how you did.
• Write an interview thank-you letter, reminding the interviewer of your qualities.

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.

600 Students Needed For Cebu Summer Job Program

Sunstar Cebu reports that the local city government of Cebu will be hiring 600 students over the summer for a summer job program that will provide employment opportunities:

DMDP Chief Fidel Magno disclosed they were supposed to start interviewing applicants last March 1 but they have yet to receive the endorsements from City Hall.

Magno said, though, the City will only hire 600 students for its summer job program this year, 1,200 fewer than the number of students it hired last year.

“It’s fewer this year because we only have a P4-million approved budget for the program compared to P10 million last year,” Magno said.

Rama said it’s up to Councilors Edgardo Labella, Eduardo Rama and Joey Daluz how they will go about the endorsements, but added the matter must be dealt with urgently, now that graduation season is in full swing.
The executive department will reportedly endorse some 360 students for the Spes, while the legislative will be able to take in only 240 applicants.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, chairman of the City Council’s committee on labor, employment, livelihood and manpower development, said they can do nothing about it because it’s the discretion of the mayor.
“Last year, we had 30 students per batch, but now I think we’ll have only seven per councilor and the vice mayor,” Andales said.

Rama clarified that the ordinance did not mention any quota for each councilor, but the City Council may also be given a fair share of slots for their constituents.

Every year, the City offers summer jobs to high school and college students in line with Republic Act 7323.
The law seeks to help students gain workplace experience and make some money they can use for enrollment.
 
Magno said the Spes caters to students 18 to 24 years old, who are enrolled for the current school year.
He added that out-of-school youths can also avail themselves of the program, provided that they are going to enroll after the summer job.

Magno said the 20-day summer job will start on April 10 to May 7 for the first batch, while the second batch will report for duty on May 8 to June 4.