Nothing in life taxes your flexibility quite like interviewing. Here are some of the interviewing
scenarios you might expect to encounter:

1. Screening interviews usually take place on the telephone and are conducted by a
human resources professional or executive recruiter. Their goal is to determine
whether you have the minimum qualifications to do the job and then move you
along to the next person in the hiring hierarchy.

2. Sequential interviews take place in organizations that prefer to hire by consensus.
As a result, you may find yourself meeting with several hiring authorities over the
course of a day, a week, or a month. The key here is to approach each interview
with freshness and enthusiasm. Don’t worry about repeating yourself; this will only
make you look consistent—not boring.

3. Group interviews can be conducted by a handful of people simultaneously or resemble
a regular mob scene (with a cast of dozens). These interviews are usually more
about presentation than conversation, but you should still try to establish rapport
with each and every person in the room whenever possible. Candidates with group
training or facilitation skills definitely have the edge in group interviews.

4. Stress interviews are another variety. While most interviews are by definition stressful,
stress interviews are intentionally and artificially stressful. The intention of these
interviews is mostly to see how you react to pressure and stress—the key is to recognize
that you’re in a stress interview and keep your cool!

5. Performance interviews often require that you give a presentation to an audience as
a way of showcasing your platform skills and expertise. You will usually receive an
assigned topic in advance, enabling you to prepare the information that you want to
deliver in an organized and articulate manner.

6. Many employers like to supplement their interview process with aptitude, personality,
and values tests. The experts vary in their advice about how to deal with these
tests. My advice is to be truthful and to make sure that you always put the best spin
on the truth. Answer questions with confidence, enthusiasm, and skill.

7. Computer-assisted interviews are changing the face of the selection process. During
a computer-assisted interview, you will often be asked to sit at a computer terminal
and enter information into the computer or answer by using a touch-tone phone.
The thing to remember here is that you shouldn’t say anything to a computer that
you wouldn’t say to an interviewer in a face-to-face meeting.

8. Mealtime interviews are a challenge for many reasons. Because of the more relaxed
atmosphere, interviewers sometimes ask personal questions that would otherwise be
considered illegal in a more formal setting. Don’t be lulled into shooting yourself in
the foot. Make sure you use your company manners and keep your game face on.
You don’t want to lose out on an interesting opportunity over the price of a steak
dinner.

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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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It is so easy to sit down to complete an application and suddenly your mind blanks. You can't remember dates or names or telephone numbers. If you have a varied work history, you can't recall which job came first. If you have worked for the same employer for years, you forget when your duties changed or when you received a promotion.

Do your research on work-related paperwork at home and make up a list of everything you might need. List every job for the past 10 years including the company name, address, telephone number and the contact person to call, usually your immediate supervisor. Have a list of education, both formal college and any special courses, seminars, or in-house trainings you completed, with dates. Have a list of five personal references with names, addresses and telephone numbers.

Carry the sheet with you so you are prepared at all times. Not only will it make completing applications a breeze but it will ensure that the information you provide is accurate and consistent. That will avoid the embarrassment and negative reaction in an interview when you realize there are errors on the application the interviewer is using as a guide and you have to make quick verbal corrections.

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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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 Congratulations! The hard work you have put into your job search has paid off. You now have a job offer on the table and are excited about the opportunities that this position presents. There is just one thing that is troubling you: the offered salary.

It is not unusual for the final part of the job search process to involve salary negotiation, but this conversation can cause even the most seasoned professionals to break into a sweat. A basic understanding of the negotiation process and methods to make salary negotiations go smoothly, though, will serve to both alleviate your anxiety and improve your negotiating effectiveness.

The key is to evaluate your qualifications and determine what your skills are worth in the current employment market. Ideally, you should begin research salary ranges before you even begin the job search process. To determine your approximate market worth, you can contact any one of the following sources:

--Professional associations or journals in your field

--Your state labor office

--U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

--Career Centers

You may also conduct a search of salary ranges on the internet to determine what companies are paying professionals with your background. Keep in mind that salaries range depending on a number of factors including years of professional experience, education, industry, geographic location, number of employees, and benefits. In order to get your estimated worth as accurate as possible, you will need to consider these factors.

Once you have done your research, you can now enter the salary negotiation process with a firm understanding of the value of your skills in the marketplace

It's important to approach the negotiation in a professional manner and for both you and the employer to maintain the mutual respect and trust that you have enjoyed throughout the hiring process. After all, if the negotiation works out, you will be working for the company, so don't burn any bridges before you start orientation.

A couple of key tips:

--Do not personalize conflict. It is important to remember that you and the employer have different interests and that negotiation is a give-and-take process.

--Always be tactful and diplomatic.

--Persuade rather than coerce.

--Establish a common ground for agreement.

--Remain objective and focused on your priorities.

--Clearly describe the benefits of your proposal.

--Be persistent, but know when to let go and when to walk away.

Finally, be flexible in your negotiations. If you sense that an employer is making you the best possible offer based on available financial resources, considering negotiating for a better benefits package as an alternative.

In conclusion, by taking a close look at your unique skills and understanding their value in the current market, you are better prepared to approaching salary negotiation as a mutually beneficial discussion between you and the employer. Such an attitude will not only allow you to maintain your professionalism, but will greatly increase the likelihood that your negotiations will be a success.

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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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You are one of the fortunate few who have not been downsized. However, your current job isn’t exactly fulfilling. Perhaps it isn’t what you enjoy doing. Maybe the hours are too long. Perhaps you are having some conflicts with your supervisor. Your salary may not be on par with average job salaries for the same type and level of position, or not come close to what you feel you are worth. Whatever the reason(s), you have decided to enter into a job search.

So you begin your search. You work hard and spend quite a bit of time searching for your new job. Your efforts are finally rewarded; you have received an offer. Congratulations! Now comes the hard part. Wait a minute! Did I just say “now comes the hard part”? What am I talking about? The hard part is finding your new job, isn’t it?

If you are employed while searching for a job, you must inform your present employer that you have received an offer of employment elsewhere. When you give notice, two things can happen. Either your present employer will accept, with regret, your decision, or they will do whatever they can to persuade you to stay.

Your present employer probably spent a lot of time and money hiring and then training you. They are accustomed to your work habits and abilities, and know you work in harmony with your peers. You have achieved a number of accomplishments during your tenure there. To find your replacement at this juncture would be costly.

Your company will most likely attempt to retain you with a counter-offer.

A counter-offer represents the company’s monetary sense of what it’s going to take to retain you as an employee. It will be fashioned as an offer difficult to refuse, and include a substantial increase in your compensation along with whatever other perks are deemed necessary to win you back. What should you do?

The answer can be found in the reason you went looking elsewhere in the first place. If you accept the counter-offer, you will make more money, but in every other respect, your situation will remain the same. You need to ask yourself if the added income and perks will let you overcome whatever it was that caused your lack of fulfillment. Temporarily, you may be satiated, but you will most likely reach a point where you eventually seek a new position.

While it may be difficult to turn down a counter-offer, it may be your best option. The sooner you find yourself in a more fulfilling position, the more creative and happier you will be.

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A near middle-aged man in one of my last workshops had followed his calling for the past decade with unbounded zeal. Alas, his career had never developed into long-term employment but rather, was fraught with numerous set-backs, lay-offs and even dismissals. With five children to feed and his life passion now shelved this man faced depression and desperation.

Yet, we could all borrow a page from this man’s heroic story as he further explained how he was managing this most difficult passage. He said rather than allowing himself to be crushed by these demeaning events he emphatically reminded himself of his numerous life successes. Through this, he refueled his belief in himself enabling him to persevere with a measure of dignity.

All of us could benefit from focusing on our many successes. Stop now and list at least ten of your life successes. Reminding ourselves frequently of our accomplishments rather than nagging ourselves with our so-called “failures” is the crux of finding meaning and peace in work and life.

If we can’t encourage and support ourselves now, the “ideal job” will not supply us with the happiness or fulfillment we seek. If your self confidence is being tested by unemployment, underemployment, a new promotion, a job interview, child raising, or life (!) affirm your successes and renew your faith in yourself. We can’t wait for other people to bolster our confidence and nourish our being!

Nourish Your Being

Turning fifty years old this week supplied me with the perfect opportunity to either nourish or negate myself and my life. As I reflected upon the last decade of my life I found warm comfort in the woman I have become. Not always so. As I reread my “Fortieth Birthday” column, I’d written for a local newspaper a decade ago, I could clearly see how far I’d come.

Back then, my fortieth birthday reflections led me to grieve. I had left behind decades of broken relationships and lost businesses – all strung together by my deep need to be loved and approved of by others. Within that column, I spoke with somber sadness of not wanting to repeat my broken past in the next half of my life. In closing that Fortieth Birthday column I made an earnest wish for myself, I wished “to live the next forty years being true to myself.”

Rereading this column showed me clearly my wish had come true this past decade. This priceless gift affirmed how far I’d grown from that 40 year old woman who had abandoned herself – for decades – seeking inner worth, love and acceptance through external props and people. How remarkable to have unearthed this time-capsuled treasure, written a decade ago, upon my fiftieth birthday!

We can all give ourselves this priceless gift of affirming our lives and nourishing our being by pondering our past and seeing how far we have come. Our mistakes no longer have to be something we punish ourselves for. Now, we can make an effort to have compassion for ourselves and give thanks for the lessons learned.

By performing these small rituals of remembering and affirming our lives, we nourish and build our being. It is in here, inside, we build a strong, solid foundation that can help us weather the storms of life. Through building a strong sense of self we can find a new freedom.

Freedom at Fifty

The slogan “Freedom at Fifty” takes on a new spin when I think of how free I am now compared to when I tried so hard to please everyone. The disease to please, often driven by feelings of insecurity and unworthiness can be chronic and life debilitating if left unchecked. Do you balance your needs for quiet, private time with the needs and demands of work, career-search, family, friends, life?

A client of mine, aged “fifty-something,” regularly stops and asks herself, “What do I want/need here?” She went on to say that now, in her fifties, she is able to set boundaries with her family as never before. We both affirmed we have discovered a real freedom in our fifties.

Before you accept that next job, take on another task, commit to someone else’s agenda - stop. Take some time and ask yourself, “What do I need here?” How can we hope to find our Way if we do not listen to ourselves or find time for ourselves?

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These letters can make all the difference in being called for an interview or having your file stay with an organization for a long time. When you have been in continued touch with the recruitment officers, they are more likely to remember you and call you for an interview. As most firms use computerized data bases for finding candidates, keeping in touch with the recruitment officer is an excellent method of keeping your file active.

Letters of Continuing Interest
These letters keep your file active and should be sent every three to six months to employers who have you on their data bases. If any changes have occurred in your resume, it is important to send employer's letters to document these changes. Also, remember to inform employers if you have accepted another position as it is in your interest to maintain contacts and relationships.

Follow-up Letters to an Interview
After an interview, a follow-up letter should be sent immediately to thank a recruiter for the opportunity to meet them and learn about the organization and position they are looking to fill. Use this opportunity to send additional information that is related to the interview and would further your chances. This letter also gives you an opportunity to clarify or correct an error during the interview. Ensure that the letter is enthusiastic and optimistic of your chances of getting the job.

Formatting Notes
Adhere to being a thorough professional and never send any photocopied mater or handwritten materials. Be precise in addressing your letters to a specific person, using 'Dear Sir/Madam' when the name is not known and never 'To whom it may concern' which will likely ensure that you never get the job. It is acceptable to send your resume to more than one person in the same organization, but you must inform both officers by adding a 'cc' at the end of the letter; for example, 'cc. Mr. Steve Brown, Manager, International Marketing.' Be observant and use titles such as Dr., when the recruiting officer is a PhD or President, when addressing the head of the organization. Avoid using abbreviated terms such as P.O., St., Ave., etc in international addresses. Always make a notation of the items enclosed, using the abbreviation 'Encl'; for example; 'Encl.: Resume, application form, two reference letters.'

Conclusion
Follow-up letters are critical to the success of your application and must not be overlooked. Use these letters to your advantage as another opportunity to sell yourself.

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It can be one the most frustrating aspects of the job hunting process if you cannot find the hiring manager’s name. If you simply address your cover letter to the HR Officer or 'To Whom it May Concern' you are bound to have a long job search. It is important to get the right contact person for your job application.

This in turn can lead to being unemployed for six months or more and the depletion of your funds. First you start to cut back on luxuries and eventually essentials such as cell phones and then end up working in a chain store because you need an income and security. If you don’t want this to happen to you, start saving now to make sure you can afford to job hunt should you get retrenched or fired. Apart from this, you can speed up the process by getting the right contact person for your job application.

Easier said than done, but how do you get the right contact person for the job when there is no name on an ad?

Company name

If you know the name of the company, you can locate the telephone number through a telephone directory or by typing in the company name on the Internet. You should have enough luck with this part. Call the switchboard and request the name of the person who heads up that specific department.

If the receptionist seems unhelpful, try to get the hiring manager’s name. If you are still unsuccessful, ask who the HR officer is. Don’t let her give you the name of the head of department. Ask for another person who normally deals with hiring. Address your cover letter to that person.

How to get the right contact person for your job application if there is no company name

If there is only an email or fax number, type that number into the Google search box and you should get the full web address where you can conduct all the research about the company. This should also give you the departments and job opportunities. Call the receptionist if you still cannot find the right contact person for your job application.

Using a guerrilla job hunting technique to find the right person for your job application

As an alternative, you can address your cover letter to the CEO or MD of the company and contact the secretary to find out where your CV went. Contact the person at the company and say you are just following up on the CV forwarded by Mr. CEO. This will serve as a name drop since the person will not know what your relationship is with the MD or CEO, will thus respond in a positive way.

These are techniques for finding the right contact person for your job application when the information is limited and your savings are spent. Rather than ending up in a job you don’t want because you are in a financial hole, start using initiative to get your application processed.

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Do not over look the thank you letter. It can be very help full to make you stand out from other candidates. In your job search you have to make use of all the tools, and the Interview thank you letter is one of them.

Thank You Letter General Guide Lines

• The letter has to be sent before the decision to hire a particular candidate has been made.
• It is your last opportunity to mention any information you missed to mention in your CV, Cover Letter or Interview.
• Clear up any misunderstandings.
• You can use some things you learnt during your interview to your advantage.
• This shows you are a professional.
• Your last opportunity to leave a good impression.
• Send it within one day of the interview.

When to use a Thank You Letter :

• After an employment interview.
• To a person or contact who referred to a particular job.

Thank You Letter Structure

• Short and Simple is the key.
• Mention Specific points discussed.
• Follow the how to write a cover letter guide lines.
• 1st Part Thank Interviewer, for time and interest.
• 2nd Part Emphasis skills, enthusiasm and why you are fit for the job. Mention also any new things you have learnt about the organisation.
• 3rd Part Provide your contact details, and any follow up action.

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An Overview

• A cover letter is sent with your CV. It can make the difference between being successful in your job search or not.
• Cover letters are generally not read during the first candidate selection, but usually they will be read when the candidates have been short listed. Do not waste such an opportunity.
• Always include a cover letter even if the job ad does not specify that one is needed. Occasionally, job ads also specify a hand written cover letter.
• Your cover letter should not be a copy of your CV. Specify some of your cover letter achievements and be sure you know how to handle Cover Letter weakness. (Uncertain as to what you're trying to say here).
• A cover letter is a way of showing your writing and reporting skills.
• Your cover letter should be customised per employer. However, if you are sending a lot of CVs, this task could prove impossible. Try instead to have a cover letter per industry or per area.
• Do not mention salary in your cover letter. If the job ad requests your expected salary then mention a range rather than a specific amount.

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