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INTERVIEW PREPARATION #1: BEFORE THE FIRST INTERVIEW
For many people, the interview process is their least favourite aspect
of a job search. What to wear? How to present myself? What to ask? How
to answer? It all feels like walking through a minefield. One wrong step
and "Kaboom!" For others, the interview process is where they feel the
most confident, secure in the knowledge that, "If I can just get the interview
I'll get the job."
Regardless of how you feel about interviewing, good planning and preparation
for this event, in advance, can substantially improve your ability to
participate in a productive manner, and will increase your confidence
level in this portion of the job search process.
Effective interviewing is more than answering questions with the correct
responses. It requires knowing what questions to ask in return, so you
can learn all you need to know about a position and a company in order
to make a sound decision.
Job candidates sometimes have their eyes so set on the goal of a job offer
that they forget to evaluate a position's fit for their own unique skills,
interests and needs. The offer of a job can be a tremendous boost to your
ego. We all want to feel appreciated, needed, wanted, and valuable, particularly
when offered financial compensation for our efforts.
However, don't forget the importance and long-term impact of this decision;
consider the outcome carefully. The more information you can gain during
the interview process, the better your ability will be to make an appropriate
decision for yourself.
It may surprise you to learn that many interviewers dislike the interviewing
process as much as you do. It is disruptive to their schedule. It is often
unproductive. It may be as awkward for them to know what questions to
ask you as it is for you to answer (this may explain why there are so
many poor interviewers out there asking inappropriate or unproductive
questions).
They may have only a general idea of the position's accountability and
demands. And at the very base of their concern is the knowledge that they
are accountable for this decision. They do not want to make a costly mistake
by hiring the wrong individual.
Yet, if you begin this process by realizing that, because of the fact
that you have been offered an interview, you have already secured at least
an expectation of being qualified for the position.
Something in your résum? cover letter, or recommendation has assured
your interviewer that meeting with you will not be a waste of their time.
So you should recognize how much control you actually have regarding the
course and outcome of this interview meeting.
By being prepared and perfecting your responses and participation in this
process, and by knowing what you have to offer, what you are looking for,
and how to present this information in a meaningful way, you will not
only make the interview process easier and more productive for you, but
for your interviewer as well.
The following are just a few areas that should be considered and refined
before the first interview is scheduled. . .
Telephone Communication Skills
Face-to-face communication skills
The Tough Questions
References
Dress
Company Homework
Thank you Cards & Postage Stamps
Resume and Reference Prints
Once you are ready for the interview process, start sending out résum?
submissions with confidence. As soon as you have secured interview appointments,
read the rest of the articles in this series.
Good luck with your job search!
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