Holiday shopping, decorating, eating, and entertaining are over. It's time now to get down to business—the business of landing a job interview that will lead to the employment you've been preparing for.
Establish an Action Plan
Keep in mind that every outstanding job starts with an outstanding interview! Following is a list of action points to employ so you'll be ready when the hiring manager calls to request an appointment.
1. Take a look at yourself. What do you see? Pay attention to your strengths and weaknesses. Jot them down. Being realistic is the first step to being authentic when you're in the room with the hiring manager.
2. Take a look at your presentation. How about a new pair of shoes or polishing the ones you have? Consider a new suit/dress, accessories. You don't have to spend a fortune to be well groomed.
3. Take a look at your ability to speak clearly and succinctly. Practice speaking in front of the mirror or with a friend or into a tape recorder. Listen to the words you choose, the tenor and tone of your voice. Be friendly and confident in who you are.
4. Take a look at what you want from the employer. Remember you are interviewing him or her at the same time you are being interviewed. Does the company feel like a good fit for you? Does the job description match your skills and talents? If not, don't be afraid to say thank you and then move on.
5. Take a look at what you can bring to the job. Plan ahead. Let the hiring manager know about your unique gifts and your ideas for supporting the company's goals and objectives.
Even though a man or woman will be sitting across from you in an office, you can be in charge of yourself and how you come across. The hiring manager will be observing you as a person as well as a professional. Give him or her something to be excited about.
Share your background and experience, but also provide examples of how you have responded to others, especially in tricky situations or in times of stress. If you rose to leadership in a pinch, be sure to mention that. If you were able to bring peace and comfort to someone in need, speak about that too. If an idea you offered to management was incorporated be sure to share that as well. On-the-job experience is essential but personal behavior is also important—sometimes more so than job skills.
Tell the Truth—and Nothing But . . .
Following are some of the pointed questions you might be asked in an interview by an employer who is serious about hiring someone with skills, stamina, and social sensitivity.
1. Have you ever taken charge of a situation that was out of control? If so, how?
2. What is your primary professional goal if you should win this job?
3. How have you performed beyond the requirement of a job you held?
4. What would you advise a fellow employee who felt helpless in carrying out his or her duties?
5. What specifically have you done to resolve a problem with a difficult co-worker or superior?
6. What could you as an individual do to help promote the vision of our company and its financial objective?
Expect to provide details, dialogue, and a description of what occurred so the hiring manager will be clear about your ability to perform without question.
A Future Without Fear
Equipped with practical insight and emotional clarity, you can walk into any interview and establish a good rapport with the hiring manager.
Afterwards, all that's left is the question only you can ask and answer for yourself. "Is this the job for me?"
Happy New Year and happy job-hunting. Cheers to the position of your dreams in 2013!
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Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new "Secret Career Document" job landing system. Job Interview "Secret" Gets You Hired Fast…