Interview Tips, How to Impress Potential Emolyers
Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. This is the
state from which great basketball players or Olympic skaters
operate. You'll need to quiet the negative self chatter in
your head through meditation or visualization prior to
sitting down in the meeting. You'll focus on the present
moment and will be less apt to experience lapses in
concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and
self-condemnation.
Expect to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself."
This is a pet question of prepared and even unprepared
interviewers. Everything you include should answer the
question, "Why should we hire you?" Carefully prepare your
answer to include examples of achievements from your work
life that closely match the elements of the job before you.
Obviously, you'll want to know as much about the job
description as you can before you respond to the question.
Set goals for the interview. It is your job to leave the
meeting feeling secure that the interviewer knows as much as
he or she possibly can about your skills, abilities,
experience and achievements. If you sense there are
misconceptions, clear them up before leaving. If the
interviewer doesn't get around to asking you important
questions, pose them yourself (diplomatically) and answer
them. Don't leave the meeting without getting your own
questions answered so that you have a clear idea of what you
would be getting yourself into. If possible, try to get
further interviews, especially with other key players.
Act spontaneous, but be well prepared. Be your authentic
self, professional yet real. Engage in true conversation
with your interviewer, resting on the preparation you did
prior to coming to the meeting. Conduct several trial runs
with another person simulating the interview before it
actually occurs. It's the same as anticipating the questions
you'll be asked on a final exam.
Be smart about money questions. Don't fall into the trap of
telling the interviewer your financial expectations. You may
be asking for too little or too much money and in each case
ruin your chances of being offered the job. Instead, ask
what salary range the job falls in. Attempt to postpone a
money discussion until you have a better understanding of
the scope of responsibilities of the job.
Know the question behind the question. Ultimately, every
question boils down to, "Why should we hire you?" Be sure
you answer that completely. If there is a question about
your meeting deadlines, consider whether the interviewer is
probing delicately about your personal life, careful not to
ask you whether your family responsibilities will interfere
with your work. Find away to address fears if you sense they
are present.
Consider the interviewer's agenda. Much is on the shoulders
of the interviewer. He or she has the responsibility of
hiring the right candidate. Your ability to do the job will
need to be justified. "Are there additional pluses here?"
"Will this person fit the culture of this organization?"
These as well as other questions will be heavily on the
interviewer's mind. Find ways to demonstrate your qualities
above and beyond just doing the job.
Follow up with an effective "thank you" letter. Don't write
this letter lightly. It is another opportunity to market
yourself. Find some areas discussed in the meeting and
expand upon them in your letter. Writing a letter after a
meeting is a very minimum. Standing out among the other
candidates will occur if you thoughtfully consider this
follow up letter as an additional interview in which you get
to do all the talking. Propose useful ideas that demonstrate
your added value to the team.
About the Author
Josh Nay
Employment Solutions 4u