Thought For
The Week:
"The secret of success
is constancy to purpose."
Interview Tips:
Part of being prepared for an interview
is having your directions, questions, interview agenda,
and information about the company prior to the interview
so do your homework! If prepared correctly you (the
applicant) will know exactly where you stand and how you
did by the end of the interview.
Your goal should be to get an OFFER or
at the very least go to the next step which is another
interview. Remember you can turn any offer down but not
if you don't have it!
Keep in mind that the key to a hire
is chemistry. If you like someone, you will go out of
your way to make that person fit.
When you arrive you will frequently be
given an application to fill out. This application is
very important because whatever you put on it is what
the employer will be verifying (i.e. salary, reasons for
leaving, education, etc.). Remember, keep it simple.
Take a black pen to fill out your application. (This color
photocopies well.)
Salary Desired: Should always be
left open or written down as negotiable. NEVER
write a dollar amount!
Reasons for Leaving: Once you put
this on an application, it becomes a permanent record.
You have signed to have this verified by the potential
employer. Companies do not typically give information
beyond salary, start and end dates, and voluntary or involuntary
termination (involuntary could be lay-off or fired). Whatever
you write should be as positive as possible. Employers
look for patterns (i.e. job changes due to disagreement
with boss, lay-off more than once, conflict with other
employees, disagreements with management decisions, etc.).
When found, good or bad, they feel they get the picture
of the applicant. While you want to be honest you also
want to keep these reasons neutral if possible.
Education: Be accurate - state
correct degree and year received.
With their interview questions, employers
will be evaluating your business, analytical, technical,
and communication skills. When asked a question, first
answer yes or no (if appropriate), then give a short explanation
of your opinion. Think carefully before you answer.
ALWAYS BRING ADDITIONAL COPIES OF YOUR
RESUME - at least one for each interviewer. This will
smooth out the interview and attest to your planning.
Your counseler
will have more tips to help
make your interview a success.
