5 Tips to Prepare for that First ‘Real’ Job Interview
You have graduated high school or college and now you’re ready for your first ‘real’ job. You’ve mailed out résumés and have been called in for your first interview. How can you do well at the interview so you wind up being offered the job?
1. Dress professionally. No midriff shirts, low-cut blouses or flip-flops because you’re going to work and not the beach. While it’s not necessary to buy a suit, it is particularly important to look professional. If you’re trying to get a job in a conservative office such as an accounting firm, don’t dress as if you were going to a concert. If you are applying for a retail position, you have a little more freedom. Rather than list what clothing is and is not acceptable, I would tell you to dress as if you were going to meet one of the most important people in your life- because you are!
2. Make sure you are well-groomed. Don’t look as though you just rolled out of bed and couldn’t bother to take care of basic personal hygiene. Nothing will make the HR Manager bring the interview to a close faster than unwashed hair, dirty fingernails or body odor. As an employee, you will be a reflection of the company and no customer wants to do business with an unkempt person.
3. Be aware of your body language. A firm handshake at the start of the interview shows you are self-confident. Maintain eye contact, stay relaxed and be attentive to the interviewer. Ask questions and listen thoughtfully to the answers. Think before you answer questions from the interviewer- don’t ramble and keep the conversation on the topic.
4. Be prepared for the interview. Research the company beforehand- every business now has a website where you can learn what they do and who their customers are. This shows the interviewer you are interested in the job and took the initiative to find out all you could about the company.
5. Be present in the interview. I’ve interviewed candidates who acted as if they were waiting for a bus. They didn’t ask questions, but instead just listened to me, and I wasn’t really sure if they were paying attention. Be enthusiastic, ask questions and participate in the interview. After listing all the duties required of the position, I asked one candidate if this sounded like something she’d be interested in. Her reply was a quiet, “I can do the job.” She didn’t answer my question, she seemed indifferent, and she didn’t get the job. If you can’t be excited in the interview, you’re not going to be energized in the workplace either.
First impressions count, and you want to let the interviewer know you want the job, are willing to work hard and will do your best. You might not necessarily be the most qualified candidate, but still land the job because you were the most outstanding one. Good luck!
What to Do If You Dont Know How to Write
What to Do If You Dont Know How to Write a Resume
Are you interested in changing careers or changing jobs? If you are, have you started your job search? Even if you have started your job search, but you are currently coming up empty handed, you are urged to take a close look at your resume. Speaking of resumes, are you even using one?
When it comes to finding a new job or changing careers, it is important that you have a resume. Unfortunately, many job seekers mistakenly believe that job interviews are the most important component of finding a new job. While this can be true in many cases, it is important to remember that a quality resume is what enables you to get a job interview in the first place. That is why it is important that you not only submit a job application, but that you also attach a resume as well.
As important as resumes are, there are still many job seekers who do not submit them. One of the many reasons for this is because resumes, especially ones that are considered perfect, can occasionally be difficult to write. If you are unsure as to how you can go about writing a professional resume, namely one that will land you multiple job interviews, you will want to continue reading on. Just a few of your many options are outlined below.
If you are interested in developing your own resume, but you are unsure as to how you should proceed, you may want to turn to the internet. Online, you can find a number of websites that are commonly referred to as career websites. These types of websites often have information, including tips, on creating a professional resume. It should also be possible for you to find free resume templates online. These free resume templates can be used as guides for you, when looking to create a perfect, resume.
In keeping with finding free resume templates, did you know that many computer programs, such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Works, have free resume templates available with them? If you are using these two programs or other similar ones, you will want to examine your programs templates. What is nice about using your computers template programs is that you often have a number of different options. It is not uncommon for you to find ten or more free resume templates, that come in a number of different styles, already installed in your computer.
As outlined above, you have a number of different options if you are looking to create a professional looking resume on your own. As nice as making your own resume is, as it is free to do so, you may not have the needed time or you may be unimpressed with your own resume. If that is the case, you may want to consider seeking professional assistance. One of the best ways to do this is by using the internet to your advantage, namely a standard internet search. When performing a standard internet search, you may want to search with phrases such as resume writer, or professional resume writer. Although you will have to pay to use the services of a professional resume writer, you and your prospective employers will likely be satisfied with the end result, which should be a great resume!
As outlined above, you have a number of different options when looking to have a professional resume to submit to all prospective employers. No matter which option you choose, you should find that having a resume, let alone a professional one, should increase your chances of finding a new job.
Ways to Impress Hiring Employers After the Interview
Are you currently on a search to find a new job? If you are, you may be preparing yourself for upcoming job interviews. Although a good percentage of your time should be focused on mastering the interviews at hand, you may also want to examine your actions and what they should be after an interview has ended.
As previously stated, it is advised that you spend a good percentage of your time focusing on mastering the interviews which you should have scheduled soon. These preparation tips may include familiarizing yourself with common interview questions, creating a list of questions that you should ask interviewers, as well as choosing a professional outfit for you to wear. As soon as you have each of these preparation steps out of the way, you may want to take the time to focus on after the interview.
After the interview? If you are wondering what you should after a job interview, you are definitely not alone. Unfortunately, this is where many job seekers make mistakes, possibly costly mistakes. Many believe that as soon as they finish up a job interview, the rest is in the hands of the management staff. While this can ring true in many cases, did you know that there are still steps that you can take to improve your chances of getting the job, even after the interview has ended?
One of the many steps that you can take, after your job interview has ended, is by going out of your way to thank the interviewer. In most cases, you will find that this person would be your supervisor if you were to get the position. Be sure to thank them for the job interview opportunity. Also, if you had a scheduling conflict or were late to your job interview, be sure to thank the interviewer for being patient and accommodating to you. This may improve your chances in more ways than you could have ever imagined, especially if you were late. Be sure to shake hands. Many view this as the official, closing of a job interview.
When you leave the interview room, there is a good chance that you would have to walk through the rest of the establishment. Whether you have to walk fifty feet or five hundred feet, there is a good chance that you will come into contact with other individuals, namely other employees. Be sure to acknowledge them with a quick hello as you pass. This is particularly important if a company supervisor is escorting you from the building or at least watching you leave. Acknowledging other coworkers shows that you are able to go out of your way to get along with them. This is a good sign that you may be a great team player.
Once you return home, you will want to prepare a thank you letter to mail out to the interviewer. There are many individuals who have pre made thank you letters. In fact, some will even mail out their thank you notes on their way home from the interview. While it is possible to do so, you may want to add a personal note to your thank you letter. This will help to prove it wasnt a necessarily a preplanned gesture. With that in mind, the sooner that you can mail out your thank you note, the better shape you will likely be in. You will want to try and have your thank you note reach its recipient before an official decision has been made on who gets the job.
As outlined above, there are a number of different ways that you can go about landing your dream job even after the job interview has concluded. What is nice is that these steps are relatively easy to implement. In fact, you rarely have to take any special action. These steps may not always lead you to be hired for the job, but there is no harm in taking a chance.
The Importance of Politeness When Dealing with Prospective Employers
Are you looking to find a new job? If you are, you will likely come into contact with a number of different individuals, likely from a number of different companies. No matter whom you are dealing with, it is important that you are polite at all times. For more information on the importance of politeness, when dealing with prospective employers, you will want to read on.
One of the best ways to understand the importance of politeness is to put yourself in someone elses place. For starters, imagine yourself as the hiring manager for a local retail store. If you were to come into contact with two job applicants, one of which who responded with please and thank you, and another that acted as if speaking to you was just a waste of their time, which individual would you be more likely to hire? It is likely that you would respond with the candidate who was polite. It is no secret that employers do not want to hire those who are impolite or have bad matters.
One of the many reasons why it is important for companies to hire polite and compassionate people is because their employees can either make or break their business. This is particularly true when direct customer contact is required. In keeping with the retail setting, retailers want and need employees who are warm, welcoming, and inviting. An employee with a poor attitude can cause customers to take their business elsewhere. That is why it is important to be polite when dealing with all prospective employers, no matter which type of industry you are interested in working in.
It is also important to mention that you should be polite at all times and to whomever you come into contact with. Unfortunately, many job seekers make this mistake. Many mistakenly believe that the only person they need to impress is the individual conducting the job interview. Yes, most of your focus and politeness should be focused on your job interview, but you need to keep other instances in mind. For instance, should you drop off a job application or a resume, it is advised that you greet the acceptor in a pleasant and positive matter. It is not uncommon for some employees to pass word on to their supervisors about poor experiences they had with those dropping off applications or resumes.
Should you receive a call asking to schedule an interview, there is a good chance that the supervisor conducting the interview will not be the one on the telephone with you. Often times assistants or secretaries handles these types of scheduling issues. This is something that shouldnt impact your behavior or demeanor when speaking to the individual in question though. That is why it important that you are polite to whomever you may be speaking with on the phone. Whether you dealing with a secretary or an assistant manager, it is advised that you are polite as possible. Answering another telephone call, not saying thank you, or quickly ending the phone call can land you in hot water.
The above mentioned scenarios are a few of the many situations in which it is important to be polite when looking for a job. As a reminder, politeness comes in a number of different sizes, shapes, and styles. In most cases, saying please, and thank you, should be enough for those of importance to take notice.
Spontaneous Job Interviews: What You Should Do
Are you in search of a job? If you are, there is a good chance that you will enter a number of local establishments, retail or not, to submit a job application or your resume. Many professionals recommend submitting job applications and resumes in person whenever possible. In most instances, you will have your resume accepted and you will be told that you will be contacted for a job interview in the future. However, you may receive a spontaneous job interview in some instances. If and when that time comes, do you know what you should do?
Before focusing on what you should do or how you should handle spontaneous job interviews, it is first important that you familiarize yourself with them. Spontaneous job interviews come in a number of different formats. For instance, a manager may ask you to come in for a job interview that that day or the following day. Although you are given some notice, many are unable to prepare as much as they would have liked to for an interview that is scheduled right away. Speaking of right away, you may also find yourself having a job interview right on the spot. This is not uncommon, especially in retail. Essentially, a spontaneous job interview is one that is schedule at the last minute or without a large notice.
As nice as last minute or spontaneous job interviews are, they can be scary and overwhelming for many. With that mind, you should know that there are both a number of advantages and disadvantages to spontaneous or last minute job interviews. One of those benefits is the need. If an employer is looking to interview you right on the spot or if they are looking to set up a job interview as soon as possible, there is a good chance that they need to hire an employee right away. This vital need can significantly increase your chances of getting a job. With that in mind, the biggest con or downside to spontaneous interviews or last minute job interviews is the lack of preparation.
Although spontaneous or last minute job interviews do make preparation difficult, there are a number of steps that you can take to prepare for them, just in case. For starters, you may want to ensure that you are properly dressed. Even if you are just submitting your job application or your resume, you will want to make sure that your appearance is professional in nature, especially if you are submitting your resume or job application in person. A manager who decided to offer you a job interview right away should expect you to be a little bit unprepared, but why not take a few extra steps, like putting on a nice outfit, to show them that you can be prepared for just about anything.
As previously stated, many job seekers prefer spontaneous or last minute job interviews, while others tend to fear them. To prepare for the possibility of a spontaneous or a last minute job interview, you will want to take the time to do a little bit of preparation. This preparation may involve having a mock interview with your friends or family members, using the internet to research common job interview questions and so forth. Taking a few minutes or a few hours, at the most, to prepare for a job interview, even if one has yet to be scheduled, will do no harm. In fact, it is likely that you would take these approaches later on, so why not get a little bit of a head start with doing so?
The above mentioned points are all points that you will want to take into consideration, when you decide to submit your resume or your job application in person. As nerve-wracking as last minute or spontaneous job interviews can be, you will want to refrain from turning any down, as they can, literally, be the opportunity of a lifetime.