3 Steps to Successful Interviewing

A successful job interview can be accomplished by performing and articulating precise details during the interview process that set you apart and land you the job!

The secret to a successful interview begins with just three easy steps:

1) Comprehensively researching the company prior to the interview- remember, to the interviewer- its all about the organization and what you can do for them;
 

2) Preparing for the interview by taking part in one or more mock interviews comprised of questions that the employer may ask during the interview;
 

And finally:
 

3) Most importantly, develop an answer to the questions which clearly articulates why you should be the interviewer’s candidate of preference.You can never do too much research regarding the position, duties, its place in the company’s culture, and most importantly – its role in achieving the company’s mission. To that end, ensure you know and fully understand the company’s mission statement because it is probably one of the most significant items in learning a company’s culture. Is the company numbers driven? Or, are they customer fulfillment driven? Familiarizing yourself with the company’s culture might also include checking to see if they display a diversity statement. A company that visibly presents a diversity statement is one that respectfully maintains that they do not discriminate against job candidates during the employment process and fully embrace a diversely rich workforce.

Don’t fail to remember that salary and benefits is a segment of a subsequent future interview and is not broached in the “initial interview” unless brought up by the employer. Finally, end each and every interview with a solid handshake and a genuine smile.

Superior job interview accomplished!

 

Accepting an Offer of Employment



 

When accepting an offer of full time employment or an internship (whether paid or unpaid) you should honor that commitment.  Additionally, when you accept an employment offer or other career opportunity, you should immediately withdraw from the recruiting process completely.    This includes:

1.   Removing your resume from all job sites.

2.   Contacting all employers you may have interviewed with to let them know you have accepted another position.

3.   Declining any and all future interview invitations (for at least one full year).

4.   Contacting any recruiters you may have applied with so that they will discontinue their search for you a position.

5.   Fully committing to your new position for at least one year – no matter what.

 

Overcoming Rejection

Don’t try to rationalize away the sting of being rejected. Turned down for the job? Didn’t get the interview? Lost the position to someone you believe to be a less qualified candidate? Don’t let your worth be defined by others... Even though it smarts, get right back in the hunt. Rejection is not a permanent condition; it’s a just short-term setback.


Examine your attitude and eliminate any negativity. When confronted with a challenging situation, what do you tell yourself? “I’m not good enough... I don’t have enough experience... I don’t have enough education . . . this is too hard a change for me . . . I’ll never make it . . .?” Don’t let your negative mental-talk sabotage your positive attitude.


Identify your credible fears. Exactly whom do you fear and why? What do you believe might go wrong? Who has the power to reject you? Why would that person say no? Finding the answers to these questions will help you prepare yourself to face your fears head on and preserve your self control, as well as help you to be prepared for the next interview.


Become more self-assured. Most fears of rejection rest on a person’s desire to have approval from other people. Don’t base your self-worth on others opinions.


Analyze what went wrong but don’t wallow in every failure. As written by James Joyce, “Mistakes are the portals of discovery”. Failure is a situation all of us experience in our life at one time or another. It’s how we react to those failures that differentiate winners from losers.
Don’t try to rationalize away the sting of being rejected. Turned down for the job? Didn’t get the interview? Lost the position to someone you believe to be a less qualified candidate? Don’t let your worth be defined by others... Even though it smarts, get right back in the hunt. Rejection is not a permanent condition; it’s a just short-term setback.


Examine your attitude and eliminate any negativity. When confronted with a challenging situation, what do you tell yourself? “I’m not good enough... I don’t have enough experience... I don’t have enough education . . . this is too hard a change for me . . . I’ll never make it . . .?” Don’t let your negative mental-talk sabotage your positive attitude.


Identify your credible fears. Exactly whom do you fear and why? What do you believe might go wrong? Who has the power to reject you? Why would that person say no? Finding the answers to these questions will help you prepare yourself to face your fears head on and preserve your self control, as well as help you to be prepared for the next interview.


Become more self-assured. Most fears of rejection rest on a person’s desire to have approval from other people. Don’t base your self-worth on others opinions.


Analyze what went wrong but don’t wallow in every failure. As written by James Joyce, “Mistakes are the portals of discovery”. Failure is a situation all of us experience in our life at one time or another. It’s how we react to those failures that differentiate winners from losers.

Job Search Ethics

Don’t Mislead the Employer

When searching for employment, don’t let your values, ethics, or judgment be disputed!  You should make ethics a part of your daily job search routine.  Here are a few tips:

1.  When creating your résumé, and when answering information in an interview, always be completely truthful!  Don’t lie or mislead employers about your past work experience, education, or qualifications for a position.

2.   Apply only to those positions which you are genuinely interested in for employment.    Thoroughly research the company, and the position, prior to any interview to demonstrate your interest.  Remember,   taking Interviews in order to practice your interview skills is inexcusable!

3.   Don’t ever “no show” for an interview.  Each employer sets aside their valuable time to interview potential candidates.   If you can't make an interview due to an unforeseen emergency, you should make every effort to call the employer at least 2 hours or more in advance of the interview time.   Some inexcusable reasons for not making an interview include not having the right date and time of the interview, oversleeping, running out of gas, or completely forgetting about the interview.

4.   Always go to every interview fully prepared, professional, and on-time!