Finding Work: Don't Blow Your Chances
Blowing your chances in an interview will not only make you look delinquent, but it also makes for a bad impression of your integrity and employability. Here are some simple steps to avoid looking guilty:
-Dress professionally and appropriately for the type of company or place you're interviewing at. If you know what cultural references the interviewer might be interested in, try to include these, but don't be afraid to ask about dress code if you're unsure.
-Don't chew gum, smoke cigarettes or wear perfume/cologne during the interview because it may offend those around you, and it can be distracting during conversation with new people.
-Don't gossip about others, especially the interviewer. What you say about the interviewer can either be a compliment or something quite negative, depending on how you say it.
-Don't use profanity and avoid insulting others. Profanity may give off a negative image of yourself in the company, and insulting others may make you appear unprofessional.
-If you are late to an interview, call immediately upon arrival and explain the situation. If it was unavoidable, praise yourself for at least showing up on time, even if a little late. Just be sure to show sincerity during your expression of regret for being late to an interview.
-If you are late to an interview, apologize. Though it may seem that apologizing in the present tense is a sign of insincerity or guilt, it will be more believable if you expressed your regret in the past tense.
-Don't forget to thank others for the opportunity to interview for the position. Thank your interviewer for the opportunity to meet you and explain why you would like to work at their company. Make sure that this is sincere and not just an automatic reflex from years of being thanked too often. Don't be discouraged if your sincerity has not been picked up on, however; most people are off guard when they first realize that someone has sincerely apologized.
-Don't be too enthusiastic during your job application. If you are overly excited when you come to an interview, it will likely not look good on you. Be enthusiastic, but not over the top.
Other Job Interviews: "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit." - Oscar Wilde
Quote from 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu (Chapter 11).
Quote from 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu (Chapter 11).
Edited by The Canadian Layman . Edited 2 times by The Canadian Layman . Last update 09-11-08, 9:18pm.
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Find Reply The Canadian Layman
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Joined: Jul #3 RE: Interviewing Tips (for those who may have their future in the hands of some): Look good and do good! Quote: "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit." - Oscar Wilde
Quote from 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu (Chapter 11).
Quote from 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu (Chapter 11).
Edited by The Canadian Layman . Edited 2 times by The Canadian Layman . Last update 09-11-08, 9:18pm.
This site does not contain copyrighted material, all the articles are for information purposes only.
The Canadian Layman has no affiliation with the individuals mentioned in this article, nor is The Canadian Layman responsible for their actions.
Find Reply The Canadian Layman
Posts: 7,194
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Joined: Jul #4 RE: Interviewing Tips (for those who may have their future in the hands of some): Look good and do good! [ARTICLE START]
So you're interviewing for a job. You've prepared yourself for this day all month long. You've bought some good clothes, read up on the company's history and proven your ability to work, and even tried your best to get there on time...but something's missing. You're going to be sitting in the room alone with a complete stranger. Here are some tips on how to make this process less stressful and more friendly:
-If you have time before the interview, it's a good idea to ask your family or close friends for pointers on the best way to handle yourself in the interview. They can help you figure out things you don't know about yourself. You may also want to reassure yourself that you're going to be okay by preparing for what you will say in the interview beforehand.
-When shaking hands with your interviewer, smile and look them in their eye. This can show your enthusiasm toward being at the company, as well as interest in them as an individual. It also gives an impression of honesty during your meeting.
-Be very attentive during the interview. Don't write notes if you are taking notes on the interview, so as not to be distracted while you're talking to them. Pay attention to every word they say and every question they ask, so you're ready for whatever questions come your way.
-If anything is unclear, look at them and say "I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?" If they say nothing, keep looking them in the eye until it does become clear that they don't want a repetition again. If something's unclear and you're not sure how to respond or what to do further, ask them for help in an open and friendly manner. People tend to respect others who ask for help, so don't be ashamed to do so.
-If you don't understand a question that's been asked of you, or if you're feeling intimidated, say "I'm sorry. I must have missed something. Could you repeat the question?" You could also just keep repeating the words "I'm sorry" until they repeat themselves, but that may seem a little desperate and insincere. If this happens often in an interview, however, you may want to work on your assertiveness skills a little bit more.
-Make eye contact during the entire interview and keep a smile on your face; this will show them how comfortable and confident you are with yourself and your abilities. If you aren't comfortable with the situation, it will show in your body language. Keep good posture and move forward to the person who is interviewing you.
-Listen to them instead of thinking about your next sentence or trying to figure out what the company's deal is. By doing this, if they want you for a position and call you for another interview, you'll already have an understanding of what they do and some history on them as well.
-Be careful not to ask too many questions about the company during your interview; there may be a reason why you were chosen as an applicant from an extensive group of candidates.
Conclusion: If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.
-Oscar Wilde
Afterword: "If you have a short memory, you have long trouble." - Confucius (from The Analects)
Find Reply The Canadian Layman
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Joined: Jul #5 RE: Interviewing Tips (for those who may have their future in the hands of some): Look good and do good! [ARTICLE END] Quote: So you're interviewing for a job. You've prepared yourself for this day all month long.