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Can Stock Photo
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Interviewing skills to land the job. Right...you're thinking. No doubt you have read many articles boasting about skills you need to land the job via the interviewing process. However, I will tell you that I personally know someone who has excellent interviewing skills and most of the time lands the job. I have never seen anyone else get jobs so quickly. Of course, that doesn't mean she accepts all of the offers. Nevertheless, here are a few of her secrets she shared with me:
- Check out the company's web site before your interview. Read the "About Us" page. Sometimes the interviewer will ask you about what you know about the company. They are usually impressed if you can bring out an interesting fact or two.
- If it is an area of work or products you are not familiar with, then "Google" or "You Tube" away! You may be asked something about the nature of the business.
- Adjust your approach to the interviewer. You are usually told to be yourself. To a degree that is true. However, is the interviewer on the conservative side or are they blessed with a good sense of humor? Respond accordingly.
- Check out the reception area or the office you may be working around or in. What do the pictures tell you? Are there funny sayings on the wall? Are there family pictures on the desks? Observing the area around you, that is if you are not ushered to a barren conference room, will tell you a lot about the company atmosphere and the people running it. As such, relate in your conversation to something you have observed. For example, maybe you observed they like golf or fishing. If you like outdoor activities too, then let them know. Pick familiar things to touch on in your conversation.
These techniques actually work. Incorporate one or all of the bullet points...and don't forget to relax before and during the interview.
(c) Can Stock Photo / sellingpix
Employers, step up. That might sound a bit demanding. However, so many times you only hear how accountable the applicant is as he goes through the interview process. What do I mean?
You've sent out dozens of resumes. You finally get called on an interview. You review what your best assets are along with your least desirable attributes. You repeat in your mind questions you might have to answer. Of course, even worse is picking that interview outfit. Not too formal, not too casual...hum?
Now what? You hang on to the last words of the employer as you leave the interview. Sometimes you get a good feeling...sometimes not. NOW YOU WAIT. This is the hardest part of the job-seeking-interview-scenario. Generally speaking, employers say they will get back to you. How long? Maybe a week or longer? You now hold your breath. A few weeks go by. No call. You obviously didn't get the job.
Here's where I believe many employers are lacking. If you took time to be interviewed with a company, then the courtesy of letting you know you DID NOT get the job should be carried through. Over and over again I have seen employers fail to let the person know he did not get the job. They just drop the ball. In fact, some employers will deliberately not return your phone call to avoid giving you the bad news. Not professional.
Being unemployed is not easy in itself. Budget problems galore. However, controlling your anxiety is the key. The longer the applicant waits to hear yes or no, the greater their anxiety level. It would be better if the employer knows the applicant is not a suitable fit to tell them as soon as possible. This reduces the anxiety level of the applicant while they can move on to another possible employment opportunity.
My message...employers everywhere...we are not wimps..just step up and let us know.
