Mealtime interviews pose a unique set of interviewing challenges, which are outlined
below:

1. Keep drinking to a minimum, or better yet, don’t drink at all.

2. Don’t order anything messy. It’s hard to concentrate on the interview when your
spaghetti is dribbling down your chin.

3. No smoking, please—even if you’re sitting in the smoking section of the restaurant.

4. Keep it simple. Never order too much food or choose the most expensive item on
the menu. It’s not your last meal and, as you’ve probably heard, there’s no such
thing as a free lunch.

5. Remember your company manners. No matter how comfortable you feel during the
interview, don’t shovel your food into your mouth, talk with your mouth full, or eat
with your hands (unless it’s finger food).

6. Keep the conversation friendly but professional. While you want to be likeable and
charming, you don’t want to turn on the conversational faucet by sharing too much
personal information.

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Communication is always a two-way street. In order to be responsive to interviewers’
needs, you must know how to listen and listen well. To improve your listening skills:

1. Focus your attention on what the interviewer is saying. If your mind starts to wander,
consciously force yourself to listen for the content, even if the interviewer’s intonation
is boring or the questions are phrased in a rambling manner.

2. Respond with appropriate nonverbal cues. Smile or nod your head in agreement
when appropriate. Conversely, don’t roll your eyes, clench your fists, or grimace at
the interviewer’s words.

3. Resist the impulse to interrupt.

4. Listen non-defensively. Do not be judgmental or critical of what you hear. This will
only prevent you from truly understanding what the interviewer is saying.

5. Don’t get distracted by trivial things that don’t really matter, like the interviewer’s
appearance, accent, lisp, or lipsmacking. Respond to what is being said rather than
how it is being communicated. Not everyone is a great communicator.

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1. Do dress for respect—conservatively and professionally.

2. Don’t sit passively in your seat and wait for the interviewer to do all of the work.

3. Do make small talk and try to find areas of common interest with interviewers, who
are—believe it or not—people, too.

4. Don’t look as if you are facing a firing squad. Smile and try to relax.

5. Do make sure to research the organization before the interview. This shows interviewers
that you are genuinely interested in them.

6. Don’t be late. This makes a terrible first impression. Instead, make sure that you
have proper directions and leave plenty of time (in case traffic is bad, the bus is
late, or you get lost).

7. Do bring extra copies of your resume in case the interviewer forgets or misplaces
your original copy.

8. Don’t call the interviewer by his or her first name unless they specifically instruct
you to do so.

9. Do remember the interviewer’s name and use it periodically throughout the interview.

10. Don’t dominate the conversation. Your answers should always be succinct, direct,
and well articulated.

11. Do learn to listen attentively and show genuine interest and enthusiasm. Remember,
employers want people who care.

12. Don’t deliver answers to interview questions as if you were making a speech.
Although you should prepare responses to typical questions in advance, your delivery
should sound sincere and unrehearsed. Remember: Make conversation, not presentations.

13. Do ask intelligent questions. Ask about job responsibilities, company goals, and
other related topics.

14. Don’t initiate conversations about money or benefits until you have a job offer.
After you have received an offer, you have a lot more negotiating power.

15. Do present a confident self-image that offsets any concerns that you may be hiding
something or have skeletons in your professional closet.

16. Don’t lie or get defensive. Try to frame negative situations as positively as possible
(in terms of a “mismatch,” “different styles,” or what you learned) without speaking
badly about past employers or colleagues.

17. Do answer the questions fully and punctuate your answers with good stories that
illustrate your competencies and style.

18. Don’t beat yourself up for making mistakes. It’s part of the process. The important
thing is that you learn from those mistakes so that you don’t repeat them in future
interviews.

19. Do follow up. If you agreed to provide references or additional information, make
sure that you deliver on your promises.

20. Don’t forget to send a thank-you note either by e-mail or snail mail. In your letter,
reassert your interest and qualifications.

21. Do continue to conduct your job search and look for additional opportunities. As
Yogi Berra is famous for saying, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

22. Don’t sit around waiting for the interviewer to call you. If you don’t hear from them
within a week after your interview, make sure that you check in to see where they
(and you) are in the process.

23. Do remember that “no” doesn’t always mean forever. Although you may not always
get a job offer, if you stay on cordial terms with the people who interview you, you
may end up hearing from them again.

24. Never burn bridges. However disappointed or rejected you may feel, try your best
not to take it personally. Make sure that the interviewer knows that you enjoyed
meeting them and are still interested in future possibilities.

25. Do move on. There are many, many fish in the sea of jobs—your challenge is to is
to spot them and catch them.

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When it comes to job interviewing, winging it is not an option. To find—and get—the
best position, you must prepare often and well.

✔ Determine your marketable skills. These include technical qualifications, general
liberal-arts skills (analytical, communication, problem solving), and character traits
(honesty, trustworthiness, dependability)

✔ Develop a selling strategy to persuade employers that you have the right stuff to do
the job.

✔ Learn to tell stories. Review your work experience and be prepared to give examples
that demonstrate your skills and qualifications.

✔ Anticipate tough questions. For better or worse, employers can be cynical and suspicious
that candidates are trying to fool them with lies and half-truths.
Recognizing the potential stumbling blocks in your history will enable you to anticipate
and strategize effective ways of overcoming these obstacles.

✔ Research the company/organization. To understand the needs and values of potential
employers, tap into your own network and go online to find out whatever you
can about the company and the kind of person they are most likely to be looking for.

✔ Deal with sensitive information sensitively. After you gain insight into an organization’s challenges and liabilities, you need to deal with that information tactfully.
Like individuals, organizations have emotional sore spots that, if pointed out in the
wrong way, can make people defensive.

✔ Organize. As part of your interview preparation, you will also need to handle logistical
matters. By managing issues of time and place well, you create an impression
of competence and professionalism.

✔ Negotiate. As you and your future employer explore the question of “fit,” you may
be asked to discuss compensation. Although it’s best to postpone salary discussions
until you have an offer, you must be prepared to handle the question whenever it
surfaces in the process.

✔ Practice makes perfect. Great interviewing skills are not learned overnight. To be
effective in job interviews, you need to develop a practice-and-perfection mentality.
This means learning from your mistakes, revisiting your communications strategy,
and improving your responses.

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Every year, hundreds of millions of dollars are wasted because candidates are hired for
positions they aren’t qualified for, while others are turned down for jobs that they are
more qualified to fill. To make sure that you don’t become one of these workplace casualties,
you need to take the time to understand what employers are looking for.

1. Shared values

Companies often espouse a particular set of values and ideals. Review their mission
statement to determine what those values and ideals are.

2. Commitment

Most employers are fearful of job hoppers. Although it’s no longer expected that
employees will spend their entire careers in one place, employers do want to know
that you are going to do more than collect a paycheck and use them as a stepping
stone in your career ladder.

3. Energy and enthusiasm

Employers are impressed with candidates who have the desire, enthusiasm, and
energy to do the work they are hired to do—and more.

4. An innovative spirit

Many employers are seeking to gain the competitive edge and, in that spirit, are seldom
content with the status quo. Translation: They look for employees who bring a
sense of creativity and innovation to their jobs.

5. Responsiveness

Employers want their people to be responsive to their organizational goals and
needs. It’s good to be able to work independently, but it’s also important to
acknowledge and be comfortable with the reality that you work for them.

6. Accountability

The buck has to stop somewhere and there are times when it will stop with you as
the responsible employee. This means that you must be willing to take responsibility
for your mistakes and be willing to be accountable to the people you work for and
with.

7. Team players

Many employers want team players who can work collaboratively more than they
want individual stars. In a technologically advanced, highly competitive workplace,
they look to hire people who can work together effectively.

8. Compatibility

Managers prefer to hire employees who will improve their own standing in the
organization. Demonstrate that you can look good and they’ll race to hire you for
their team.

9. Communication skills

The ability to communicate—both verbally and in writing—is an essential skill set
in every industry and profession.

10. Style

Employers also evaluate how an individual’s work style fits in with their organizational
culture. If there’s a match, this can be an important factor in the hiring
process.

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Closing the Interview

Knowing how to successfully close an interview can make the difference between getting the job and being one of the unfortunate individuals who receives a rejection letter in the mail. While much attention is given to the matters of how to write a resume and cover letter as well as what to expect in regards to interview questions, far too many job seekers are unprepared when comes to knowing how to successfully close an interview. Keep in mind that this is perhaps your last opportunity to demonstrate why you are perfect for the job. Successfully closing an interview walks a fine line between being too aggressive and not being aggressive enough.

It's always a good idea to bring along some questions that you can ask the interviewer at the end of the interview. This shows that you have more than just a passing interest in the position and truly want the job. If you have taken the time to do your research on the company, this also demonstrates initiative and increases your chances of being hired.

Once all questions have been asked and answered, it is quite appropriate to ask the interviewer when they anticipate making a hiring decision as well as what the next step in the interviewing or hiring process will be. Make a point to ask the employer for a business card so that you can have readily available contact information for following up with the employer in the days to come. This will also make it much easier for you to mail the all important interview thank-you letter as soon as you return home.

Also don't forget to shake hands with the employer and summarize how your skills and experience, as well as ambition and desire, make you the perfect candidate for the position. If you're really confident and don't mind taking risks, you might ask "So, is there anything stopping you from offering me the job right now?" This ploy should only be used if you feel the interview has gone well, however. Otherwise you might be setting yourself, as well as the interviewer, up for an embarrassing response.

A much milder version of this tactic would be, "Is there anything else I can answer for you to make a hiring decision?" If you really aren't sure how well the interview went and don't want to waste your time waiting for a call that may never come, you could simply ask, "Have I done well enough to advance to the next level of the hiring process?"

This puts all the cards on the table and an employer who appreciates honesty and frankness will reciprocate by letting you know where you stand. If for some reason, you were not the candidate the employer was looking for this may give you a golden opportunity to clear up something that might make you the ideal candidate. Otherwise, at the very least, you won't be spending the next two weeks waiting by the phone and you can begin concentrating on other employment prospects.

In the event that the employer does not offer you a firm commitment and seems to be a bit hesitant about when a firm decision will be made, don't take it as a personal affront. There could be any number of reasons why the employer is reluctant to hire you on the spot-the least of which could be the need to consult with superiors. It's important that even if you are disappointed about not receiving a job offer on the spot that you remain positive, up beat and confident. Finally, take the time to thank the employer for meeting with you. Above all, remember to always be professional no matter what happens.

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Many senior executives exhibit a distinct bias: the greater their success, the greater their certainty that there is only one way to do things correctly--their way. Most senior executives are experts within their chosen field, but it's intriguing that, when pursuing new challenges, they consider themselves a "10" at all that is required, be it identifying new opportunities, targeting industries, interviewing for jobs or negotiating employment packages. Although one's expertise may be supply chain management, the executive somehow assumes that job hunting requires the same skill set.

For example, the other day I was meeting with a high-level executive who had spent the majority of his career making a positive difference in other people's lives. He told me that, in retrospect, his proudest accomplishment was the number of people he had helped to achieve senior-level executive positions. Clearly, mentoring was of prime importance to him. He had carried many flags for many people and, as a result, they moved up ladders, made more money, were recognized for their contributions, and often became noticeable community leaders.

He then shared with me that he felt it was "his turn" now. He had outgrown his position and was no longer feeling challenged. He had informed his network so that they would quickly rally to help him. He had received verbal support and was presented with two opportunities--neither of which resulted in an offer of employment or even a second interview. Ironically, when asked how he rated his interview skills, he replied, "Why, I'm a 10!" I then asked him what he would say if he were to interview with an executive who was not aware of his reputation and asked to take a minute to talk about himself.

He replied with his age, marital status, number of children and grandchildren, stated and that he was a loyal, honest, hardworking, people-oriented person. I agreed. He was all those things--all very nice behavioral attributes--but not relevant to the situation, and clearly ineffectual in an interview. People don't get job offers based on behavioral attributes. Obviously, we prefer to work with people that we like, but that is not why we are hired. We are hired because we will either make the hiring decision-makers more money, save them money, or do something they don't want to do, know how to do, or have time to do. We are hired based on our achievements, which are usually excellent predictors of what we can do for the new company.

There have been many articles and books written to help people understand that they need to sell themselves in the marketplace--that they are a product and the hiring decision-maker is the buyer. There has been much focus on what is often referred to as the "elevator pitch" or "infomercial"--an abbreviated statement of value. Yet most senior executives still fail to grasp that they must market themselves and do so appropriately.

Every decision-maker has problems. Every decision-maker is looking for solutions. Imagine the difference my executive friend might have experienced in those two interviews if, instead of talking about his personal life, he quickly and effectively presented himself as a solution! In two minutes this gentleman could have addressed his 25 year successful track record, citing various industries and positions he has held, and illustrated with a significant success or two. Then, and only then, he could have outlined his passion for growing and developing people. In other words, imagine if he had presented a quick commercial of why his product should be bought.

My friend changed his approach to job searching, including his introduction, and his next interviews had significant, positive results. He was invited back again and again, and ultimately received an offer. He commented that he now realized he was a "10" all along, but had to learn how to effectively communicate that to others. And that is the art of successful interviewing.

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If your current CV or resume is not generating the interview offers you want, it is time to start assessing it. Check to see that the following descriptors apply:

*Begins with a succinct, clearly stated career objective tailored to the particular job for which you are applying.
*Highlights how your skills and qualifications match the company's specific needs.

*Employs appropriate titles for previous jobs to demonstrate clearly that you are suitably qualified for the advertised position.

*Gives a concise description of your previous employers - their products, services, industry, etc. - and your role in the company.

*Uses PAR statements to describe your accomplishments. P identifies the 'problem' you faced; A describes the 'action' you took to solve the problem; R describes the 'result' of the action you took.

*Quantifies your accomplishments using numbers, percentages, etc.

*Makes effective use of the key words and phrases contained in the job advertisement to describe your skills and areas of expertise.

*Every sentence starts with an action word, for example: "increased production by 20% while saving £200,000 in operating costs" Examples of effective action words are: compiled, conducted, created, designed, developed, established, implemented, introduced, invented, maintained, negotiated, operated, organized, produced, and published.

*Explains how, in your previous jobs, you increased sales and profits, improved productivity, saved time and costs, and established good customer relationships.

*Provides evidence of the competencies most valued by employers, for example: your communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, initiative, organisational ability, and teamwork.

*Includes any pertinent awards or honours you may have received.

*Provides your educational history and details of training related to the position you are seeking.

*Employment history is logical and consistent; and gaps of more than one year between your jobs are clearly explained.

*The layout is neat and uncluttered, with an easy-to-read sequence of sections and no large blocks of text.

*Contains no errors in spelling or grammar; and all unnecessary words have been eliminated.

*Hobbies and interests have been included only if they serve to reveal characteristics, skills or accomplishments that support your career objective.

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It is a very tough job market now days. You have to have additional skills to be successful. A little careful study and practice will give an edge over the others and you will come out with flying colors. Here are some useful tips and suggestions.

First step for getting a job is to be able to get a call for personal interview from perspective employer. Your record till date matters a lot and how do you present that in the CV will get you noticed among the crowd. Be sure that your CV is written properly and is impressive. You may like to take expert help for writing the CV.

Second step, which comes across, will be in form of written test for

·IQ and reasoning.
·English.
·General awareness or general knowledge.
·Abilities with basic math.

The third and final step before you are called for a final interview could be in the form of a Group Discussion where your various abilities, which are discussed later, will be tested.

Congratulations now that you are through with first three steps the finale has come and you have to show "Do you have it in you". For this you have to know what do they really want?
What your interviewer is looking for is how suitable you will be for the job can you hit bull's eye by having showing them suitable mix of Qualities in you? Just remember that having these qualities is one thing and demonstrating these is another, which is more important. Do not think that you have the qualities and it is for them to judge these qualities. You will 100% go wrong. The qualities are

Must Qualities Following qualities can be considered to be must which you must posses, however depending on job profile there could be some differences: -

·Your Attitude
·Sincerity
·Faith in yourself
·Determination and self confidence
·Depth of knowledge
·Analytical abilities
·Integrity
·Interpersonal Skills
·Team spirit
·Loyalty
·Discipline
·Leadership
·Clarity of Thoughts

Should Qualities. These are additional qualities which, though not essential qualities but can be labeled as desirable qualities: -

·Maturity
·Adaptability
·Flexibility
·Wisdom
·Punctuality
·Written and verbal communication
·Initiative
·Your over all Personality
·Ability to influence others
·Physical Appearance
·Tolerable stress levels
·Sense of Humor
·Value System
·Motivation Level
·Honesty
·Good IQ and EQ
·Noticeable past demonstrated performance
·Good listening skills

This all put together reflects your overall potential for the suitability of the post on offer. There are few more qualities which can be put as could have qualities, which will give you, edge over others should there be a tie among you and your competitor: -

·Learn to solve problems and not create them.
·Plan and organize work in systematic manner.
·Get things done through other people.
·Show evidence of your motivations and interests.

Let us come closer and see what prospective employers have to say about their disliking about a candidate. These are results of a survey, which was undertaken by a popular magazine to find the reasons for not hiring an otherwise suitable candidate: -

You can eat away your chances of success if you: -

·Act disinterested
·Do not do your homework
·Talk too little / TOO MUCH
·Display bad manners
·Run down your current or past employer
·Take credit for things you did not do
·Hide holes in your resumes
·Show lack of confidence in the prospective employer
·Negotiate too early about the salary even before they tell you that you are hired.

Their Criticisms of the candidates

·Did not prepare well for the interview
·Failed to listen to questions asked / answered the wrong question.
·Provided superfluous information and unnecessary detail.
·Made negative comments about yourself / Showed low self-steem.
·Made negative remarks about the company or the interviewers.
·Were poorly motivated - didn't ask job related questions - didn't take opportunities to sell yourself.
·Showed poor face-to-face communication skills

Certain don't during the interview

·Use interviewers' names, unless asked.
·Sit down, until you are invited.
·Worry about being nervous. Be sure that makes you more nervous.
·Show samples of your work, unless specifically requested
·Show disappointment if things aren't going your way.
·Correct the interviewers unless in a tactful manner.
·Say anything negative about yourself/put yourself down.
·Criticize your current or previous employers.
·Give up hope if the interviewer is negative/abrupt.
·Ask how well you've done in the interview.
·Talk about salary/benefits/holidays unless they bring it up

Before D Day

·Do company research. Know about the company in general and the department you are being tested for. This will give you the idea about the type of questions you will be asked and also prepare for the answers you should be giving.
·Identify your skills & personal strengths and list these in a logical order.
·Match your skills to job requirements. By doing so you will position yourself at an advantage over others having similar qualifications and experience.
·List likely Interview questions

During the interview. Be careful your

·Turnout
·Body Language
·Listening and verbal skills
·Knowledge
·Sharpness
·Grasping power
ARE BEING PUT TO TEST

A word about Turn out

In a major survey of employer attitudes to candidate's appearance at job interviews, the majority agreed that grooming strongly influences their decisions on who will be hired.
The Secrets of Interview Success
·Express yourself with clarity and precision.
·Speak confidently, making sure to support your answers with relevant examples from your work
·Always relate your answers to the job for which you are applying.
·Always present a positive face
·You should state and supply evidence that you enjoy your job; that you are enthusiastic and ambitious; and that you welcome challenge.
·It is important to tell the truth in interviews.
·Convince them that your experience qualifies you for the job on offer.
Group Discussions: What is Group Discussion

Group Discussion is an important part of the selection process where employers evaluate the candidate's potential to be a leader and also the ability to work in teams. Groups of 8-10 candidates are formed into a leaderless group, and are given a specific situation to analyze and discuss within a given time limit, which may vary between twenty minutes and forty-five minutes.

They may be given a case study and asked to come out with a solution for a problem. They may be given a topic and are asked to discuss the same.

What is being tested?

You'll have to be able to understand the other person's point of view while making your point and ensure that your team as a whole reaches a win-win situation.
The group discussion is a test of your interactive skills and how good you are at communicating with other people.

The objective of a group discussion is to mainly check your team playing skills because as a manager, you will be working in organizations with people

Skills Tested during Group Discussion

·Persuasive Skills
·Communication Skills
·General awareness and knowledge
·Power to influence others
·Listening skills
·Ability to withstand pressure
·Interpersonal Skills
·Logical Thinking
·Leadership and team Skills

And other Skills

·Comprehension of the main idea and ability to generate ideas
·The rapport you strike
·Patience
·Assertion
·Accommodation
·Responsiveness
·Body language

Remember having qualities is one thing and demonstrating these during the discussion is another

Handy Points to remember

·Knowledge is strength.
·Addressing the Group as a Whole.
·If you are not sure about the topic of discussion, it is better not to initiate.
·A GD is not a debating stage.
·Language use should be simple, direct and straightforward.
·Maintain rapport with fellow participants.
·Use positive body language.
·Communicate with each and every candidate present.
·While speaking don't keep looking at a single member.

Tips for the Group Discussion

·A Good level of general awareness will come in handy.
·The wider your reading interests, the better prepared you will be.
·Take time to think of what you are going to say.
·Work out various strategies to help you enter the discussion.
·Starting the discussion is considered to be good however it isn't that important; what is important is that you speak for a period long enough for you to be able to communicate your viewpoint.
·Be patient; don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to.
·Don't take the discussion personally.
·Be responsive to ideas from other people and very receptive and open-minded but don't allow others to change your own viewpoint.
·Employers are looking for a range of different skills and although you may think that leadership is key, and want to demonstrate this in a discussion, you need to be careful that you don't dominate the discussion as this may come across as aggressive.
·Quality and NOT QUANTITY: Often, participants think that success in-group discussions depend on their decibel levels. Ironically, it's the opposite.
·Rounding the discussion off - when about 2-3 minutes are left, someone in the group must take the initiative and summarize all the issues discussed. Let it be you.

Remember the six C's of effective Communication

·Clarity
·Completeness
·Conciseness
·Confidence
·Correctness
·Courtesy.

Here are some of the GD topics of leading Institutes

·Managerial skills learnt in the classroom can never match those learnt from experience.
·Democracy is hampering India's progress.
·MBA in India is highly overrated.
·Religion is a private affair and should be of no concern for the state.
·Decreasing defense expenditure and increasing social expenditure is the need of the hour.
·Women's empowerment will lead to social development. (IIM Kozhikode, March'99)
·Computers result in unemployment. (FMS Delhi, March'99)
Are we raising a generation of burnt out children? (IIMB, Mar 97)
·Advertising is all glitter and little truth. (MICA, Apr '97)
·Is bureaucracy a hindrance to economic reforms in India? (IIMC, July '97)
·Filmmakers are indulging in cinematic Fortitution in the name of folk culture. (IIML, Mar'97X Are we raising a generation of burnt out children? (IIMB, Mar 97)
·Under Indian parliamentary democracy it is impossible to ensure balanced regional development. (IIMC, Mar '97)
·Corruption is the main outcome of democracy in India. (IIML, Mar '97) In an over-regulated society corruption is inevitable. (MICA, Apr '97)
·For the poorer sections of society, a state-controlled economy is better than a liberalized economy. (IIMC-PGDCM, March'97)
·With IT replacing middle level management, software jobs are more lucrative than MBAs (S.P Jain, March'99)
·Do you think accent holds you back? Would you prefer everyone speaking uniformly? (XIM Bhubaneswar, March'99)
·Men resent women power at work place (NMIMS, March'99)
Youth in India are becoming greedy by the day (MICA, March'99)
·MBAs should be taxed at higher rates in the country (IIMB April'99)
·Efficiency and corruption go hand in hand.

After the Interview

·Each job interview should be a learning process. Learn from your mistakes - don't repeat them.
·Carry out a post-interview analysis immediately after the interview while it is still fresh in your mind.
·Review tough questions and make notes for your next interview on areas where you might handle difficult questions better.
·Motivate yourself to approach your next interview in a positive frame of mind.
·Use the experience gained at each interview to improve your technique and overall presentation

Seven Mantras for Success

·Communication Skills
·Influencing Abilities
·Problem Solving
·Creative Thinking
·Social Skills]
·Managing Finances

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Although it's been said that "You can't judge a book by its cover," it happens all the time. In business as well as in life in general we are always judging and being judged. That all important first impression is lasting.

It's been statistically proven that people make judgments about others in the first 30 seconds to one minute of meeting them. Therefore, job seekers have only a short time to make that impression a positive one.

Everyone knows they should be clean, neat and polished "looking" when they walk in the door for the interview. That's only part of the preparation though.

When seeking employment, there is something you can do to make yourself memorable to the interviewer. Improve your interview skills. Following are ten (plus one) easy ways to do this. Each will demonstrate positive things about you to the interviewer.

1. Arrive for your interview at least ten minutes early. You show that you are interested and have manners enough NOT to keep the interviewer waiting.

2. If you are sitting when the interviewer arrives, stand up when they come in. Introduce yourself and give a firm handshake. Again, this speaks to business etiquette and interpersonal skills.

3. Prior to the interview, make sure you have scoped out the business. How? Research them online and discreetly stop by/drive by to gauge how people interact; what they are wearing, etc.

4. Be polite to everyone you meet. Leave the receptionist with as good impression of you as any other VIP! This shows that you consider everyone important.

5. Have questions for the interviewer and make sure you've listed them ahead of time. This shows you've given some thought to the position and have some idea of what the business is about.

6. Be able to discuss what you are "all about" in a two minute speech. Practice and memorize it ahead of time. You will almost always hear: 'Tell me about yourself." This way you can be ready to respond.

7. Bring at least two fresh copies of your resume. (Use good stock resume paper and not the paper you use every day.)

8. Make sure your resume reflects you. Don't make up things to make yourself look good-you will be found out.

9. If you are now employed, do not badmouth your current employer. When asked why you are seeking other employment, it's fair to say you want to expand your horizons or opportunities. Perhaps such opportunities are not available in your job. If you badmouth your boss, it will make the potential employer question your professionalism and loyalty and make them wonder how you would talk about people if you were hired.

10. After the interview, send a thank you note. In it you'll thank the interviewer for taking time to see you and you'll indicate that you are very interested in the position.

Finally: Ask for the job! So often people leave interviews and never express their interest. That's a mistake. When you don't ask for the job what message do you send the interviewer?

By using these suggestions, you'll make a great impression on the interviewer. As a result, you'll be the "book" that that is read beyond just the cover!

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Some interviewers do a good job and make sure they ask you pertinent questions. However, most interviewers are not good at interviewing and therefore will not ask you questions that will let you provide information showing how you're qualified and can do the job. A study by psychology professors Hunter & Schmidt in "Psychology Today" found a typical employment interview is only 7 percent more accurate than flipping a coin. This is because the typical interviewer doesn't know the right questions to ask and makes a decision based on their "gut feeling" about a candidate.

Unless you're dealing with an exceptional interviewer, which you can usually determine rather quickly, you should take it upon yourself to insure you find out what the employer is looking for and convey how you can do the job. There are two important things you need to accomplish in interviews: one is providing the interviewer with factual information supporting the idea that you are a good fit for the job; the other is for the interviewer to connect with that logic on an emotional level. Trial attorneys face a similar challenge when presenting their case to a jury. They need to provide them with both factual information and with an emotional connection to their version of the story.

The most powerful way of creating an emotional connection is through visualization. Just as a jury needs to visualize an attorney's version of a story for them to have an emotional connection with it, an interviewer needs to be able to visualize you in the role they're hiring for, doing the tasks of the job. The interviewer needs to see you doing those things and needs to be able to visualize the outcomes. Helping someone visualize your story can be done by using detailed descriptions of actions and through appropriate use of hand gestures and body language.

To illustrate, instead of saying the person burglarized the house, which is an abstract idea, a trial attorney would describe the actions: John walked up the brick walkway at 8:00 pm on a moonlit evening, shattered the side window and climbed into the house. The first way of explaining what happened just gives an abstract idea which creates either no image in the listener's mind, or just a vague image that they won't remember. The second way provides a vivid image they can easily recall and connect to. The attorney might even use some gestures and body language when talking about walking up the steps or shattering the window, which further reinforces the visual imagery.

"Lead with Need"

One of the most common mantras in the sales world is "Lead with Need." This means before you start blabbing about how great you are, find out what the customer needs first. Recruiters often describe jobs in terms of skills and education required. These are really just symptoms of a person who could be capable of doing the job but don't explain what is actually involved. You need to dig deeper and find out from the recruiter the specific tasks that need to be accomplished. Here are some examples of specific tasks:

- Migrate the office from Windows 2000 to Windows 2003
- Install the SAP enterprise software system in all offices nationwide
- Increase sales of our photocopiers to the pharmaceutical industry by 25% over the next 9 months
These are examples of deliverables - specific tasks that need to be accomplished. Ask follow-up questions to be sure you understand. Take notes when the interviewer is talking if you like. One caveat if you take notes: Just make sure you're coming across as being sincerely interested in the position and not coming across as a salesman or manipulator.

Pitching Your Background & Visualizing Success:

- Once you understand what the job entails and what needs to be done, you should mentally match the tasks with things you've done in the past.
- Start off talking about your strongest competencies, tying one of the tasks to be accomplished with something you've done successfully.
- You could start off talking about the task they need done, then talk about how you did something similar before, then paint a picture of how you would do it for them, including action words to help them visualize you actually doing it.
- Talk about symptoms of the success your efforts will create. Could talk about a more productive workforce with people spending more time talking to clients instead of doing paperwork. This will help create visual images in the mind of the interviewer that will help them remember you and make it easier for them to see you as being successful in the position.

For example, if the employer needs to migrate their systems from Windows 2000 to Windows 2003, you could first talk about how you migrated a similar-sized company a couple years ago from Windows NT to Windows 2000. You could talk about how you planned the project, how many people were involved, and how the end-users' productivity changed at the end (hopefully for the better). Then talk about the steps you would go through to do it for them, being as descriptive and visual as possible.

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The second step in getting a job is having an interview with a potential employer. The first step was sending your application and after careful review by the company, you are seen as candidate for the vacant position.

The employer got this information through an ad that was placed in the paper, referred by someone in the company or a headhunter, or by a person who simply submitted an application via the company's website.

The first impression employers always look at is your resume. Given the many that apply, this usually takes about 30 seconds and so with the limited words, one must be sure that the resume is well written and grammatically correct.

During the interview, most employers want to know more about person since the resume only gives certain information such as the person's name, age, address, contact number, social security number, past and current employment.

The employer will likely ask about the experiences, lessons and accomplishments one has done and learned working for another employer. This will usually include how the person handled a situation in the company, the challenges of the job and the relationship with coworkers.

Another question will be the relationship between the applicant and family members. This shows character with how the person interacts with people who are close and those that know the person for a long time.

The employer will usually ask why the person applied in the company and where you would like to be in 5 to 10 years. Long term questions such as this will show if there is dedication for the job at hand and if the company can provide something beneficial for both the applicant and the employer.

Companies follow a certain budget in hiring qualified personnel which is why the interviewer will ask how much one desires to get for the job. If what is being asked is too high, the employer will usually ask if the salary is open to negotiation.

After the employer asks questions, room is usually given for the applicant to ask questions in return. This is the best time to know a little bit more the company one might be working in and to get a feel of the potential company.

If there are no more questions, the interviewer will then end the meeting and call the applicant back if the person has passed the initial interview so that the next phase of the application process can begin.

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In an interview, worrying about your perceived inadequacies, or what can be viewed as negative items on your history of employment, will get you nowhere. In fact, having a negative focus on things often comes through in the way you answer.

interview questions, and even in your body language. An applicant who shifts, plays with things like their shirt cuffs, or who loses track of the subject under discussion, is sabotaging their own chance at success.

Okay, so you have some weak points. Maybe there was a time two years ago, that you were out of work for eight months. Or the job that is open demands a certain skill level that you haven't quite achieved yet. Neither of those things can knock you out of contention like a lack of confidence in yourself.

We have a simple, two-part solution: First, make the best out of your "worst", and then make the company's priorities, your own.

Study the weak points in your resume and build on them. If you've had a period of unemployment, think about the experiences you had during that time, the businesses you visited, and what you learned about the current economy and job market. Show that you are attentive to detail, and enjoy learning from unexpected opportunities.

Express enthusiasm for the chance to expand on your present skills. Apply the same strategy to any other "weak" points you may have. Even a job that you left due to a personality conflict, can be given a positive light by emphasizing the experience you gained. Whatever you do, leave bitterness and pity at home. An employer wants someone with the desire to move onward and upward.

That brings us to the second item: presenting yourself in a way that makes you compatible with the company's needs, and highlights how you can benefit their present or future plans. Study the company's general business, and the department where you are applying, in particular. Find out why they are hiring someone (Did an employee quit? Retire? Are they expanding?) then emphasize the skills and experience that make you not only capable of filling the position, but of bringing new ideas and a positive attitude to it.

Find an "up" to every down point in your work history or resume. Then sell your skills and personality with an eye on the company agenda. The combination of competence and enthusiasm is often the formula for a successful interview.

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History has taught us that people are as changeable as the wind. I am sure that we have all had an experience where a friend or acquaintance said one thing and then changed it to something else a day later. This is human nature and nobody can control the changes except the person making the change.

With that being said, let's consider your job references. When you decide to look for a new job, it's a good idea to touch base with your references.

Stage your tasks

Looking for a new job and verifying that your references are still on your side can be a staged process. You can begin your job search and post your resume before contacting your references but don't wait too long.

Step One - get noticed

A good first step in your job search is to get your resume posted on all the job sites.  Generating leads is an important part of the process, regardless on how you choose to do it.

Stage two - email

Once you have posted your resume and sent it to as many recruiters as possible, send a friendly email to all of your references letting them know that you are searching for a job. In the email ask them to verify their contact info and current place of employment.

It is a good idea to attach a copy of your resume to allow your references to remember where you worked together and what your job responsibilities were. Most managers deal with lots of employees and prior employees and they may not remember exactly what you did.

Most, if not all of your references will respond quickly. If you do not receive a prompt response, then you must assume they either did not get your message, they chose not to respond or they might be out of town. No matter what the reason, now is the time to call them.

Stage two - call

When you call, make sure to listen to the undertone of your conversation. You can verify the contact info and find out what they are doing now but it is imperative that you listen to what they are saying behind their words. If you get the feeling that this person really does not want to be a reference, consider putting them on a separate list of secondary references.

Most references will do their best to give you an excellent reference but sometimes outside factors may be influencing their attitude and you do not want your reference's attitude to cost you a second interview or cost you a job.

Stage three - decide

When you talk to your reference, if they sound distant and unconcerned, they may not be the best person to use. If they are openly hostile, definitely do not use them. Life and people change on a daily basis and you never know when someone may change the way they feel about you.

The main goal when applying for a new job is to put yourself in the best light possible in the eyes of the employer. Everyone has a little tarnish and picking good references allows you to try and put some polish on it. All in all, the entire job hunting process is time-consuming and sometimes a real pain. Be proactive and eliminate any potential pitfalls by speaking with your references up front and deciding if you want to keep them as a reference.

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In a recent research study, undertaken by Extra Sensory Perception and commissioned by on-line recruitment company Ifoundwork, over 50 recruiter's from key industry sectors in the UK were questioned about the traits that they most like and dislike in an applicant. When asked about the things that made a positive impression on them during the interview process certain trends emerged. Six of the top twelve responses are listed below. So, if you want to give yourself the best chance of impressing a prospective employer, review them to see how you match up.

The research suggests that employer's like applicants who:

Stay calm and relaxed. There is a direct relationship between how relaxed you are and how confident you appear to a prospective employer. Remember that interviewing is a mutual process. You are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you. Relax and enjoy it!

Bring Samples of Work. If you don't have any start calling your old employer and get them. Always keep at least one ally at your previous employment; you never know when you will need something. Before you leave, create a portfolio and make copies of your work but omit confidential business information.

Do their Research. Do some research on the business before the interview. Know what you are getting yourself into by researching the culture and working environment. Have an understanding of the issues faced by the company.

Appear calm and confident. First impressions are lasting and made in first 30-120 seconds of an interview. Present yourself well from the start be confident friendly and polite. Greet the prospective employer with a handshake. Make regular eye contact.

Ask Questions. Never leave an interview without asking at least 3 questions. Have a number of questions that you have complied beforehand and use them at the appropriate moment.

Listen attentively. Listen carefully to the questions asked. Ask the interviewer to restate a question if you are confused. Or if you need time to think of an answer just ask "How do you mean?" this will buy you time and will provide additional information.

Goog job hunting!

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You have obtained an interview -- congratulations! You feel prepared to discuss your strengths, your accomplishments, your willingness to work hard and learn quickly, and your ability to fit seamlessly into the employer's needs. But... you don't know anything about the employer. You may not even be sure what kind of industry they are in. Do some quick homework before your interview and you may glean a basic understanding of their business that can set you apart from other candidates.

In the "old days" you would have needed to visit a library to try to find the employer in a Business Directory or Manufacturers' Guide. Now you can use the Internet to investigate. If you are lucky, and find that they have their own website, explore it completely, like a search engine spider, page by page and link by link. It will provide you with genuine insight into their organization, their accomplishments, and their values. Try to identify what kind of problems and challenges they may be facing which you could address in an interview. If the company does not have a website, Google them and see if they show up on another site.

If you know their product or service (if you don't, anonymously call the receptionist and just ask what the company does) search for their name within similar sites. If you cannot find the company anywhere, or can't find any helpful details, look at the industry they are in and see what is currently a hot topic and what predictions for future change are being discussed.

All such information will be immensely valuable in your interview either to demonstrate your ability to solve problems or, at the very least, allow you to ask intelligent, pertinent questions.

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In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their mission is to know you and assess your worth, especially in relationship to the other candidates interviewed. Asking you questions is the way they accomplish that mission.

You'll be asked to tell the interviewer about yourself, your qualifications (especially as they pertain to the specific opening), your professional background, your likes and dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses, and your goals. So the first step is to know yourself. Be prepared to talk about your skills, competencies, qualifications and accomplishments. Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Explore the goals you have for yourself – both current and future.

Especially know how to convey the value you bring to the table – the strengths, unique gifts and marketable assets that are distinctly yours. Know your value proposition; it describes your worth. It is what uniquely defines you, and differentiates you from the crowd. If you want to stand out in the huge ocean of candidates that represents your competition, you need to become fluent in this arena.

You may also be asked why you left your previous position. This is where the interview can get a bit tricky. How you answer this question can make or break your chances. No matter how challenging your supervisor was or how grueling the workload or the sixty-hour weeks were, you must frame your response in a positive light. If you left your previous employment because you were downsized, that's ok. That's happened quite a bit in the past few years. If you resigned, be very careful how you state this. Your attitude can enhance or end your chances. Be honest, and be sure to indicate your desire for stability as an overriding factor.   

Keep in mind that while your answers will help the interviewer assess your skills for the position at hand, it's how you respond that more importantly determines your overall fit with the company. Personality is ninety percent of the battle. You may answer a question factually, but your attitude might tell them no.  On the other hand, it's far better to establish a rapport with your interviewer than to answer every question correctly. A skill can always be taught, but when was the last time you successfully altered someone's personality?  

Find out everything you can about the interviewer's quirks and traits. Are they confrontational or laid back, serious or informal, friendly or stern? What is their position within the company, and how long have they been employed there? Are they the decision-maker and therefore in a position to make you an offer? They may simply be a screen, filtering out all the non-viable candidates from further review by higher-ups. If they are a screen, try and discover upon whose shoulders the hiring responsibility falls.

You need to learn as much as you can about the position for which you are interviewing. Why does the position exist – are you replacing someone or is this a new position created because of company growth? If you are replacing someone, is it because they retired, resigned or were terminated?  Understand the fundamental responsibilities of the position, especially in relationship to similar positions you have held in the past. Know what possibilities exist for your growth within the position and the company.

Research the company, using Google, Dunn & Bradstreet, Hoover's, Standard and Poors, or any of the other sources of corporate information. Who are its competitors in the marketplace and what percentage of the market do they own? Are their processes state of the art and at the cutting edge of technology? Are they a public company or privately held? If public, how are they perceived by investment advisors, what is their earnings track and how has their stock performed? If a privately held company, is it a family-run business with non-family members being in the minority? That would be ok; however, it could affect your chances for future promotions and growth.

Know the industry. The company might be at the forefront in terms of their processes, sales and marketing efforts, and growth, but its industry may be on its way out. If you see a delicious-looking apple growing on a dying tree, you might hesitate before pulling it off and taking a bite.

Do your research in all these areas so you can be well-prepared. Get on the Internet and find out everything you can. Make phone calls. Make sure you know all there is to know, so that you will go to your interview with great confidence and self-assurance.

Come to the interview dressed appropriately. Establish a comfort level early in the interview and maintain that rapport throughout. The initial handshake must be firm but not gripping. Eye contact is critical throughout the interview. How you sit in your chair and shift your posture can make or break your effectiveness. Remember, you're there to sell yourself, so be sure to ask for the offer before the interview is over. Fully armed, you can ask all the right questions and come away a success.

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Non-verbal interview behavior can drown out your verbal self-presentation.

Practice interviewing in front of a full-length mirror or, better yet, videotape yourself if you have access to such equipment. Turn the sound down and watch yourself carefully.

How do you sit in your chair? Upright with an aura of energy and enthusisam or slumped as if you no longer care? Do you maintain good eye contact or look down at your hands when a question is difficult to answer? Do you lean forward to make a connection with the interviewer or appear distant and disconnected? Do you use your hands for an occasional gesture, to emphasize a point, or are they always in motion, as distractible as those ex-jocks on TV who constantly flail away regardless of what they are saying?

Can you cross your legs at the ankle and stay still or do you constantly shift in your chair and irritate everyone in the room? Do you have unconscious habits or mannerisms that distract from your professional demeanor such as twisting your hair, rubbing your nose, licking your lips, or cracking your knuckles? How is your voice? Is it monotonous, clear, nasal, or shrill? Do you smile - at appropriate moments not constantly like a beauty contestant on the runway?

Being aware of all that you are presenting to a potential employer can make your verbal presentation more effective and increase your chances for a successful outcome.

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A sample job acceptance letter should be kept on the computer of job seekers to be customized for a new situation and used when it is needed. A job seeker should also know how to use it, and when to use it. With that in mind, a sample letter follows.

Date Name of Hiring Manager Company Address City Zip

Dear Hiring Manager's name,

It is with great enthusiasm that I accept your offer for employment with Xyz Company. I look forward to a long and mutually profitable relationship, and will do my best to live up to the faith that you have shown in me through your decision to invite me to become a part of the team here at Xyz.

I'm excited about the prospect of contributing to the great success the company has had and look forward to this opportunity. You will recall that my experience includes sales, marketing and business management. I'm sure my skills will translate well to the excellent environment at Xyz.

Again, I thank you for your time, for the confidence you've placed in me, and for this wonderful opportunity to join the team.

Sincerely, 

The Guru 

You'll notice that this sample letter is short and to the point. It thanks the person who did the hiring without being sloppy or overly sentimental. It also congratulates the hiring manager on making a wise decision and choosing the right person, but in a way that is matter of fact, and does not seem like bragging.

It is always a good idea to keep your acceptance letter based on factual, short, precise, and a bit formal. You are in the early stages of the work relationship you are forming at this new company, and want to put your best foot forward. This letter will help you do that. You'll probably be excited and nervous after being accepted for the new position, and writing a sample letter before you are hired will allow you to do your writing with a clear mind, undistracted by concerns about what you will wear that day, or anything that came up in the conversation. Using a letter like this is an example of doing your homework and being a smart job seeker. In fact, you should also keep a sample cover letter, sample follow up letter, and a sample thank you letter for after the interview in your documents folder of your computer, ready to customize as the need arises.

Smart job seekers do everything they can to present themselves in the best possible light. That extra effort is what makes the difference between a low paying job with little satisfaction and a well paying start at a new career. Using samples of these documents you'll use in a job search just makes sense and will help you on your way to that satisfying new career.

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The interviewer hopes that YOU are the right person for the job. They are under pressure to fill the position so that they can get back to their own work. Therefore you are in a greater position of strength than you think. Concentrate on what you have to offer in the way of qualifications and experience instead of feeling intimidated.

An interviewer has 3 aims:

1) To learn if you are the right person for the job
2) To assess your potential for promotion
3) To decide whether you will fit into the company environment

The key to a successful interview is in preparation

Be prepared: For the types of questions you will be asked
Be prepared: To ask questions yourself
Be prepared: To research the company
Be prepared: To look the part
Be prepared: To turn up on time

Questions you may be asked
Example question: How would you describe yourself?
Your answer: Should describe attributes that will enhance your suitability for the position. Have some ready in advance.
Example question: What are your long-term goals?
Your answer: Should be career orientated. Make sure you have goals to discuss.
Example question: Why did you leave your last job?
Your answer: Could be more responsibility; better opportunity; increased income. Do not be detrimental to your previous employer. He could be the interviewer's golfing partner.
Example question: Why do you want this job?
Your answer: Your answer should be: more responsibility or better opportunity or similar. Not: because it is closer to home or the gym.
Example question: What are your strengths?
Your answer: Should highlight accomplishments and experiences that relate to the position for which you are applying. Also give examples of situations where your strengths have been demonstrated.
Example question: What are your weaknesses?
Your answer: Should not be a list of deficiencies. Don't mention anything that could make the interviewer question your ability to do the job, for example "I am always late for everything." Instead, discuss a weakness that could also be a strength such as "I am a workaholic!"

More Examples of Interview Questions
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Describe your current / most recent position.
What made you want to make this change?
What do you most enjoy doing in your current /most recent position?
Describe your future ambitions.
How would you describe yourself?

Questions for you to ask
Asking questions at interview has a number of positive effects:
It helps you find out more about the company and the position.
It can be used to divert the interviewer away from a subject you may wish to avoid.
It can help build a rapport with the interviewer.
It demonstrates an interest in the job and the company.
The questions must be about the position and the company.
Avoid questions about salary, benefits and facilities until after you have been offered the job. You should already have researched the company and it's products and services. Your questions should demonstrate knowledge of the company's history, successes and problems. If the interviewer is a representative of the personnel department the questions should relate to the company and be general. Specific questions relating to the position should be kept for the line manager who will have a more detailed knowledge.

Example questions relating to the position
What are the main responsibilities of the job?
What are the most difficult aspects of the job?
How did the vacancy arise?
What is the career path relating to this position?
How will my work be assessed?

Example questions relating to the company
What is the company hoping to achieve in the next 12 months?
What new products are the company planning to introduce in the future?
Are any major changes planned for the department/company?
Who are your biggest competitors?

Where to find company information
Information relating to companies, financial data, industries and business trends is available in business magazines which often publish on the World Wide Web and allow you to order
Annual Reports relating to specific companies.
Companies often have their own web site.
Newspapers - search on-line press reports including archived articles.
Local library

Presentation Tips
Obviously you should be clean and smart in appearance but you should also dress appropriately for the position, for example: a student placement that is more expensively dressed than the Managing Director may have a negative impact.
Clothes should be on the conservative side, which is more acceptable to people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. After all, you are asking to be accepted into the company. Therefore always avoid extremes in hair, clothes, make-up and jewellery. Taking trouble over your appearance shows the employer that the job is important to you.

Travel tips
Arrive 15 minutes early.
Make sure you have the correct address and know how you will get there:
Parking? Public transport access?
Do a dummy run if you are not sure.
Make sure you have a mobile phone and a telephone number so that you can ring ahead if circumstances beyond your control are making you late.
Be polite to everyone you speak to, it could be the Managing Director's cousin!
Have a copy of your CV with you.

Summary
You should show interest in all aspects of the job and the company especially if shown around the premises.
Do your homework on the company and the nature of its business. Take care in how you dress for the interview. First impressions still count!

Some of the main influences on the interviewer are:
Your experience in other employment or life situations Your personal presentation.
How your personality comes across in the interview
Your background and references
Your enthusiasm for both the job and the organisation.
Relevant qualifications for the position.

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