Sunday, 19th February, 2006
Job Interview Tactics That Work
So you've managed to secure a job interview for a position that fits you PERFECTLY. Now comes the moment of truth: Are you REALLY ready for the interview? If you've rehearsed what you're going to say and know the perfect answer to every potential question, you're half way there. There's just one important thing you've forgotten:
Yourself.
How do you sell yourself and show your potential employer how valuable you can be to their company? You want to make them hire you TODAY and not even THINK about other applicants. You know you're the right person for the job, so how do you make THEM see that? Here are some easy steps you can take to really make yourself shine during the interview process.
1. First, find out everything you can about the company you'd be working for. Who are its customers? What is its mission statement? How does the job you'd be performing relate to the company's goals? Finding out this type of information gives you great insights on what kinds of questions to ask your interviewer and shows them that you've done your research and already have some background in the company's business and objectives.
2. Read over the job description carefully. Analyze your own strengths and see how you can tie the two together. If you have previous experience, make note of those times where you helped achieve a specific result. Employers give more serious consideration to applicants who have a background and a track record in their industry than those who do not.
3. Show that you can solve problems and work well under pressure, since nearly every job will require both skills. If you can identify a particular problem in your industry or that you may face when doing this job, give the interviewer some ideas of how you would solve it. Be calm, relaxed and confident..
If you keep all of these suggestions in mind, you'll not only have seriously impressed your potential employer, but you'll come away from it feeling like a winner too! Good luck!
About The Author
Jay Bauder is the web owner of http://www.jobs-in.com
Planning Your Job Search
Today's job market is a dog eat dog environment. You are competing against global candidates, ever younger, ever more technologically competent, ever more willing to work for less. How you approach your job search is key to your success.
Here are the things you need to determine before you begin your job search:
1. What do you value in the work place? What do your ethics demand in the way of performance? What is your philosophy of working? Are you a 9-5 kind of person? If so, maybe the more structured government work routine is to your liking, then. Do you work at all kinds of odd hours, well into the night? Then maybe freelance work or self-directed sales is for you.
2. Make a long list of all the companies you think you might like to work for - do your research first and find out what their style is, what they are looking for, how they operate. Don't eliminate any company just because you are not sure you qualify. If the company appeals to you, put it down on your list.
3. Put down the names of everyone you know who might be able to introduce you to a hiring manager. Don't be afraid to ask for this help - people love to feel like they are "in the know" and will be happy to pass your name along. And if they can't give you a referral, they might have a good tip for you.
Once you start implementing your strategy, you will be amazed at how many people you know who can help you. Don't let up for even one day, because marketing yourself is a full time job until you get the job of your choice.
About the Author
Stefanie Spikell, owns Expert Resumes and Clear Communications Business Consulting, and is a noted business/careers coach, management consultant and resume writer. www.ExpertResumeWriter.com
Plan when looking for a job
Although we never truly like to grow up, at some point in our lives we will have to start planning for the future. Why not start now by taking a moment to plan out where you want to be in 5 or 10 years. One of the best times to plan for career progression is during your job search.
Most people have a tendency to look at the salary they are making and decide that they need to make more. Don't just look at the salary, start looking at the different types of companies where you would like to work. Look at what benefits they offer other than the salary and what chance for advancement they offer. Also, think about location.
Whether your chosen career is the one for you or you decide you need to change, there are some important decisions you will need to make when you get ready to plan your career progression.
First, do you have enough education to qualify for the position you want? If not, how do you plan to get it? Looking for jobs with companies that have great education benefits can help you in achieving your goal.
Secondly, do you have the depth and breadth of experience you need to get where you want to be? Will your current job offer you the opportunity to get that experience? If not, what types of companies will help you gain the required experience?
About the Author
Scott Brown is the author of the Job Search Handbook (http://www.JobSearchHandbook.com). As editor of the HireSites.com weekly newsletter on job searching, Scott has written many articles on the subject. He wrote the Job Search Handbook to provide job seekers with a complete yet easy to use guide to finding a job effectively.
