You have sent your resume and cover letter and now you've been called for an interview. You may think the job is a certainty but think again. Here are some of the top mistakes made by potential employees when faced by their future manager.
1. When you walk into a job interview you should have some knowledge of the company's history, goals and current activities. This helps the interviewer to know that you are not only prepared but also want to be a part of the organization. Do your research and it pays off.
2. And get directions or a map and arrive early. If something happens to tie you up and you can't make the interview on time, call ahead and request to reschedule or ask if you can be 10 minutes late. Nothing says "lazy and disorganized" more than arriving late to an interview.
3. Leave your gum, smoking and drinking at home. These are all items that help you to calm your nerves but none of them will help you now. More and more employers are less likely to hire smokers. If you are interviewing at lunch or dinner, others may order drinks but you had better not.
4. Dress for the interview. You're not visiting with friends and you're not going to a funeral or a wedding. Instead you are interviewing for a job in a business environment and you should look for part. There are very few positions where arriving wearing a Disney cartoons tie is appropriate. You don't have to wear a Brooks Brothers suit to an interview but you have to look businesslike. If you are applying to a traditional company then dress the part. On the other hand if you are seeking a position with a funky internet company then it may be perfectly acceptable to wear that Disney tie.
5. During the interview it is essential that you are friendly with your interviewer but engaging in too much camaraderie makes you look clingy. Don't spill your secrets, complain about your last job or believe the interviewer is your personal therapist. This is a time to be professional, act professional and instill confidence in the interviewer that you know and can do the job.
6. Be prepared to articulate answers to common questions. You know the interviewer is going to ask you what your strengths and weaknesses are. Be able to specifically list your major strengths and turn your weaknesses into positive. In other words you may articulates that one weakness is that you're a bit of a workaholic. This weakness may not play well with your partner but it indicates to your future employer that you're ready and willing to roll up your sleeves and get to work.
7. Don't sit through the interview like a zombie. On the other hand don't monopolize the conversation with all of your questions. Do your research to develop a set of questions that will tell you whether or not this job and this company is a good match. This helps you to limit your questions and not to overpower the interviewer about details that don't count in the long run. On the other hand, you'd better ask some questions. If you don't ask questions it indicates to your future employer that you are not interested enough to have come prepared.
8. Do not ask about the compensation or benefits of the position during the interview. Wait for the interviewer to bring up the issue and be sure to discuss your qualifications and the companies concerns, needs and wants.
9. At the end of the interview is the time for calls for action. When the interviewer indicates that your time together is finished be sure to convey your interest in the position and ask what the next step is. This indicates to your interviewer that you are interested in pursuing the position and gives them the end impression that you are a motivated and a directed individual.
Presented by Trish King
You can also find Trish at www.trishking.com or http://blog.stayathomebizreview.com
No comments:
Post a Comment