Quest4Work

by William Z. Piker

Job interviews. Each interviewer thinks that they are using new and novel techniques. Really it all goes down to the book they read this week or most likely last year.  Once you realize that there is little originality in interview techniques your ability to succeed in interviews and hence jobs and promotions offered to you will soar .and you will be on the gravy train so to speak.  In actuality it is all about  giving the interviewer what is that they want to hear.

Management guru Riteway Strokon notes that the skill of getting through university is to learn to give back to the professor what he told in different words – and importantly words that he understands. So it is with passing interviews.

There is very little originality in interview techniques and questions no matter how elaborate and intimidating the interviewer and interview seems. If ever get an honest out of way real interview this is the tip off that this is either the company with its style of management or the superior you can work with and for to prosper.

First of all read and reread the ad or posting carefully. What are they looking for? 

What skills and traits are desired both by the organization and the ad? Do you have those traits or will you have to groom them.

Reread the ad to ascertain the “corporate culture”. How could you fit into that society so to speak? How would you present yourself both in appearance, attitude and answers to better fit the interview mold?

Further along the path of interview preparation, research the company either as if you were buying one of the company’s expensive products or purchasing a large block of stock. The internet affords the easiest and quickest ever means of initial research.

If you use Google as your search engine of choice try using other search engines – such as MSN or Yahoo. You can even try a search engine of search engines – a Meta search engine such as Dogpile or Clusty.  Look at the links leading to firm’s WebPages. 

Are there links leading from customers for tech support or product information? Who are their major customers? Often the real dirt and info on a company can be obtained from competitors. The best source of information about a Tylenol sales manager would be from their competition – that is someone who sells aspirin for example. Call tech support for the company to check customer service levels as well as the over demeanor and morale of company. If possible such as for retail stores try to talk to some real employees of the firm. What you are looking for is consistency in approach and philosophy all the way down the line and happy satisfied employees and customers. For example the job listing may be all about “targeting and core customer base”. However if you spot that the company is not targeted that their advertising as well as focus is all over the map with no discernable focus and that major customers are unhappy and are ready to jump ship then this is not a good sign for you. 

Just as you are playing a game at presentation in the interview process management often has to play a similar game with their supervisors who may be clueless. Look at what was the most major and vital industry to the American economy that was the automobile industry. It used to be said “What is good for General Motors (GM) is good for America. Now the American car industry with its insulated senior management is on its way to hell in a hand basket. Or at least with senior management is still being served executive meals on white linen far away from any employee cafeteria or worker lunchbox. Management may be shown a video or given a course and be clueless about basic concepts in life that your 4 year old nephew knows instinctively Preparation is the key to successful job interviews. Lastly it is always a good idea not to laugh at the incongruity of the interviewer’s questions and answer questions with a straight face while maintaining eye contact.

About the Author: Bill Piker Job Employment Coach Miami Beach billys_office@yahoo.com http://www.aceemploymentservices.net http://www.ace-training.net http://www.winnipegjobshark.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

by Steven French

Figuring out job interview question and answer strategies can be a nerve wrecking experience particularly for first timers or those that are in desperate need of a job. They would prepare endlessly for days, study self help books about ‘How to face an interview’, memorize answers to ‘expected’ questions etc. This article looks at the psychology of interviewers, job interview question and answer strategies, and what most people do wrong while faced with an interview.

Most people think that attending interviews means answering tough questions. Hence they try to prepare answers to as many questions as possible by reading books related to facing interviews. But it would be humanly impossible to remember all the answers and recall them at the right time. It should be borne in mind that by inviting you to an interview, the employer has already short listed you based on your resume that you are suitable for the job. Otherwise you would not have been called for the interview in the first place. Hence the purpose of the interview is mainly to ascertain three things - that the contents of the resume are true and that you are capable of doing the job, that you would be with the company as long as needed and that you would form a good chemistry with other employees of the company.

Keeping the above points in mind, the questions in the interview are likely to be oriented towards revealing the real you as most people write only good things about them in their resumes – as no one likes to admit that he or she was a failure. Most of the competing candidates would have more or less same qualifications; otherwise they would not have been called for interview and you have to stand out among the crowd by giving intuitive answers in the interview. While others might be busy rehearsing the generic questions, it might actually make it easy for you if you remember the main purpose of the interview as given above.

If you are asked the typical question, where would you see yourself in X years time, a proper response would be that you would want to be in the same position as the interviewer is, both starting at the same time. This type of answer would prompt the interviewer to ask more questions seeking clarifications. It would also send a positive signal that you are serious about the job and that you would stick around with the company. Giving intuitive answers would make you stand out among the crowd and compel the interviewer to hire you. Other points to remember when attending interviews are: questions are expected from you also, show your eagerness to know about the company’s business and lastly clear any suspicions of the employer that he or she might have about your capabilities.  It is not a requirement to learn by heart expected questions and answers by guessing what the interviewer might ask. You just have to remain calm and allay any reservations that the interviewer may have about your capability and the job is yours.

About the Author: Steven French is a recruitment consultant to http://www.UteachRecruitment.com - the specialist UK teaching jobs recruitment agency. Visit Uteach Recruitment to find your perfect UK teaching job today.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

by Shaun Z. Stevens

The first thirty seconds of the interview will ultimately determine if you get the job or not. Not only are first impressions crucial they are everything. If you have created a bad first impression  you are sunk dead in the water. It would have been much better for your career and employment prospects if you had never shown up for the interview, called in sick so to say and stayed in bed at home for the day.

You have been screened into an interview because you have appeared qualified on paper. The employer uses the interview to learn whether or not you have the personal qualifications needed to fit into the organization. As well the interview process is used to confirm and further conform you work habits and work performance skills in action.

The first thirty seconds count most. People form basic opinions as well as basic assumptions about you within the first 30 seconds of meeting you. These opinions and assumptions may be conscious choices by the interviewer. In many cases this process in an unconscious one. The interviewer may never realize that they have determined basis assumptions of you - that determine you career path. It may never be acknowledged that these prejudices so to speak are even recognized as being held never mind acknowledged in conversation. The role of assumptions in our daily lives is integral.

If we did not make assumptions about people and places we encounter we would be spending most of our daily lives starting from scratch on everything in order to determine information, tactics and strategies.

The first thirty seconds do count.  Interviewers will often say that they usually form strong opinions about applicant in the time it takes for the job seeker to walk  across the room and say “Hello”.

How can you make those first impressions and those vital 30 seconds work for you as opposed for against you in your quest for that job or gainful employment or gainful advancement.

It comes down to 2 concepts. Preparation, presentation and attitude.

Prepare to be be prepared. Arrive on time with the essentials. Never arrive late or if an emergency arises phone ahead. Show that you are a person of honor, integrity and respectful toward others.

If the interview requires some preparation or tools plan ahead to either do the task or bring the equipment. Many a job interview is sunk even before the event when a potential job seeker does not bring a pen to fill out an application. Strike one. It is reasoned by many gatekeepers of the first step in the organizational hiring process that if a person cannot even prepare to bring a pen to fill out the application form then they are a person who cannot plan ahead for tasks and are a poor choice for employment at that place of work.

Second in the list of concepts is presentation. Dress well and appropriately. Be neat. Details count down to clean fingernails and clean and polished shoes. How to dress? Generally look at the industry and its employees. Do not overdress to impress the interviewer. If you are applying at an organization where people dress in a jacket and tie it is wise to dress as such or one step up. To come in an expensive tailored Armani suit may not be a wise idea.

Attitude after the previous two concepts are attended to can be the number one factor. Attitude is said to be the primary factor that influences an employer to hire. First of all concentrate on being likeable. Interviewers want to hire pleasant people whom others will enjoy working with on a daily basis.

To project that you are highly likeable it is best to be friendly, courteous and enthusiastic. Speak positively.  Use positive body language. Smile. 

It is best to project and air of pride and confidence. Act as though you thoroughly want and deserve the job – not as though you are desperate for the job. 

Demonstrate enthusiasm. An applicant’s level of enthusiasm often influences the employer as much as any other interviewing. The applicant who demonstrates little enthusiasm for a job or even life will never be selected for employment positions.  It is best to demonstrate knowledge of and interest in the employer. Saying that “I really want this job” is not convincing and mature enough. Explain in the interview why you want the position and how that position fits into your career plans and ultimately benefits the employment organization. It may even be that the employer’s position or firm offer unique opportunities or training that are highly relevant to your career and personal growth.

Perform your best at every moment. It is not as if you are on parade or presenting a false show. Be sincere but remember that there is no such thing as “time out” during an interview. Even from the beginning treat even the receptionist courteously.  You may want to enquire about his or her name and conduct basis small talk. In the end it can be said that you never really know who can ultimately help or hinder your job employment prospects and success.

Lastly remember that an interview and the interview process is a two way street. You should project a genuine and sincere interest in determining whether you and the employer can mutually benefit from your gainful employment.

About the Author: Shaun Z. Stevens Employment Search Consultant Ace Employment Services call_kirk@hotmail.com
http://www.ace-training.net http://www.aceemploymentservices.net

Source: http://www.isnare.com