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Mastering The
Interview
The job interview is your proving ground, the place where you
must demonstrate why you are the best person for the job. Making that powerful
statement that you're the best of all the candidates requires the three Ps:
Preparation, Presentation and Perception.
PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE
When you walk into an interview, the more prepared you are, the
better the chances are that you'll succeed. Memorize everything you put on your
resume and cover letter and be prepared to explain each item. But you should
also be ready to talk about more than just yourself. Get to know your future
employer.
Your resume and application are fair game. Candidates should
study themselves and the company with whom they're interviewing.
Read industry trade magazines, visit the company web site, and do
a company search on Yahoo! Finance to find current news about your prospective
employer. Be prepared to demonstrate what you know about the company and the
industry.
The more an informed candidate
can tie past experience to the requirements of the job they are interviewing
for, particularly in terms of what the company is doing, the better.
Another important part of
preparation is making sure you look the part. Choosing what you wear is so
important that it deserves its own article - Interview in Style.
PRESENTATION IS PARAMOUNT
Keep in mind that you are
marketing yourself to everyone you meet. The more people you leave with a good
impression, the better your chances are of being remembered. Project yourself as
someone who is thoughtful, helpful, and prepared.
Effective presentation includes
being in the right place, at the right time. If you're late for the interview,
you could inadvertently tell your interviewer that you're not right for the job.
Once you arrive, introduce
yourself to the receptionist and turn off that cell phone. Having a phone go off
during an interview is a real turn off.
More than half of our
communication is nonverbal or body language. Body language is exceptionally
important. Positive, upright and open body language shows self confidence and
interest. During introductions give a firm handshake and then take a seat facing
the interviewer.
When you go over your resume
focus on your accomplishments instead of reiterating job descriptions.
Presenting yourself as an active problem solver will show an employer that you
can contribute and succeed in the role. Give very specific examples of your
qualifications. If you have qualifications in financial analysis, give examples
of projects you worked on where your analysis was necessary. Describe your
experiences that tie in to your skills or qualifications. Even better, tell me
how those will help you meet the requirements of the role you might fill in our
company.
PERCEPTION IS KEY
The best way to know if your
interviewer is getting what he needs is to ask questions. When your interviewer
asks you a complicated question, don't launch into your answer straightaway.
Make certain you understand what is being asked. A clarifying question, or
restating the question in your own words saves you from wasting your
interviewer's time, and demonstrates that your are a careful listener. Asking
the right questions can also demonstrate your ability to think strategically,
and help you decide if the position is right for you. To that end, end the
interview with this question: "What are you looking for in a candidate to fill
this role?" If the answer turns out to be something that doesn't match your
expectations, then you need to speak up.
Many candidates are so intimidated by the interview, they forget
that the interviewer has a stake in seeing the candidate succeed. They don't
want you to fail; they want you to show them why you will succeed with their
company. The sooner they hire you, the sooner the search can end.
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