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Interview Tips

October 8, 2010 By

Job interviewing never seems to get any easier – even when you have gone on more interviews than you can count. You are meeting new people, selling yourself and your skills and often getting the third degree about what you know or don’t know. Here are job interview tips to help prepare you to interview effectively. Proper preparation will help alleviate some of the stress involved in job interviews.

Job Interview Tips

Practice

Practice answering interview questions and practice your responses to the typical job interview questions  most employers ask. Think of actual examples you can use to describe your skills. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to promote your candidacy.

Prepare

Prepare a response so you are ready for the question “What do you know about our company”. Know the interviewer’s name and use it during the job interview. If you’re not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.

Get Ready

Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.

Be On Time

Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the office ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there.

Stay Calm

During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm possible. Take a moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question before you answer and pay attention – you will be embarrassed if you forget the question!

Show What You Know

Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.  When discussing your career accomplishments, match them to what the company is looking for.

Follow Up

Always follow-up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position. If you interview with multiple people send each one a thank you note.

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Phone Interview

October 6, 2010 By

1. REMEMBER:   This is a formal step in the interview process.  It may actually be the ST IMPORTANT step as this interview will determine whether or not you get in front of the company.

2. Have your resume, paper, pen, prepared questions, any company material and a glass of water in front of you before you receive the phone call.

3. Be in a quiet environment: NO dogs, kids, television, music, dishwashers, etc.  in the background.

4. Be in professional attire. Business is as business does – Professional attire will put you in a business frame of mind.

5. Be on a LANDLINE phone.  You want clear reception without interruptions…Cell phones cannot be trusted.  If you use a cordless phone, make sure the battery is fully charged.  Don’t answer your call waiting. Never interrupt an interview to take another call.  SIDE NOTE: Make sure your message on your answering machine is professional just in case you miss their call.

6. Take your energy and enthusiasm up a notch. As you are on the phone, the interviewer cannot see your non-verbal communication.  Speak clearly and enunciate.  Build rapport and ask questions.  Stand up if you need to, move around to keep your energy level up.  Create a virtual reality – imagine yourself face to face.  Always sell positive – don’t sell negative.

7. Remember to close the interview by:

  • Thanking them for their time.  Tell them they were very informative and that you are very interested in the position!

-          You want the opportunity AND ask “When can I come in for a face-to-face interview?”

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Writing a thank you letter

October 6, 2010 By

WRITING A THANK YOU LETTER THAT SELLS

Thank you letters serve many purposes: They reinforce your interest in a specific position, correct a first impression and build on the relationship you’ve already established with the interviewer. Your thank you letter should be emailed, faxed, mailed or dropped off within 24 hours of your interview.  The letter should be in a professional business format.  Below is a four-part structure to help you get more mileage from your message:

  1. Tell the interviewer how much you enjoyed meeting him or her.
  2. Express your enthusiasm for the company and the position.
  3. Reiterate a specific selling point that was discussed in the interview.
  4. Establish your next point of contact.

Remember, it is very important to sound genuine and sincere, and that requires a personal touch. Below is a sample thank you letter:

January 1, 2010

Mr. John Brown

Director of Human Resources

Company Name

Address

Dear John,

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me today.  It was a pleasure meeting you and hearing about the future growth and expansion plans for XYZ Restaurants.  I am very excited at the prospect of joining you as one of your results-oriented managers.

I believe my strong management background, local marketing ability, motivational and leadership skills, as well as my success in cost control, will lead to a long and successful career with XYZ Restaurants.

I look forward to talking with you in the next few days.  If any additional information will be helpful regarding my candidacy, please do not hesitate to call me.

Again, thank you for the opportunity.

Sincerely,

Jane Smith

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Selling Yourself

October 6, 2010 By

FAB (Feature – Advantage – Benefit) Selling

During the interview, it is essential that you SELL YOURSELF.  Feature-Advantage-Benefit Selling is a fabulous way to do this!! FAB selling teaches you to effectively sell yourself by using personal examples.

FEATURE:                 A fact that sets you apart from other people.

ADVANTAGE:         A specific, personal example that supports your fact.

BENEFIT:                  How your fact and example benefit the employer.

As an example:        FEATURE: Motivated

ADVANTAGE: While at XYZ Company, I was regularly sent to

under producing stores to coach and mentor the staff and increase profits.

BENEFIT: I can bring my coaching/motivating technique and skills to your company and achieve positive results.

Below are additional features many employers look for in their candidates.  Examine your background and complete the advantage and benefit chart below.

FEATURE

ADVANTAGE

BENEFIT

Strong work ethic

    

Goal-Oriented

    

Aggressive

    

Resilient

    

Persistent

    
     
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Questions you should ask at the interview

October 6, 2010 By
  • What would I be expected to accomplish in this position?
  • What are the greatest challenges in this position?
  • How do you think I fit the position?
  • Describe your most successful employees.
  • What training will I receive? Where does that training happen?
  • What has your career path been?
  • What do you love/like about XYZ company?
  • What expectations do you have for the company over the next 5 years? 10 years?
  • What are my opportunities for advancement?
  • What separates your top managers from everyone else?
  • What is your competitive edge?
  • What is your company doing to gain market share?
  • If you had to isolate 3 things that determine a person’s success with your company, what would they be?
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