One of the easiest ways to build confidence before a job interview is to prepare answers to questions you might be asked. Whether you're applying for a position as a web programmer, accountant, or legal secretary, interviewers often use some general questions to assess candidates, so you'll increase your chances for success if you prepare for them in advance.
Six common questions are listed below, along with insights from several recruitment professionals about how to answer. As part of your interview preparation, take the time to formulate answers to each question, focusing on specific tasks and accomplishments.
"What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
This is one of the most well-known interview questions, and interviewers often ask it indirectly, as in, "What did your most recent boss suggest as areas for improvement in your last performance review?"
Lindsay Olson, founder of Paradigm Staffing Solutions, a firm specializing in hiring public relations professionals, suggests tailoring your "strengths" answer to skills that will benefit the prospective employer. Though you may have a knack for building gingerbread houses, it might be of little value for the job at hand.
When it comes to weaknesses, or areas of growth, Olson recommends building on your answer to include "how you have improved, and specifics on what you have done to improve yourself in those areas."
"Why did you leave your last position?"
"Interviewers will always want to know your reasoning behind leaving a company ? particularly short stints," says Olson. "Be prepared to tell the truth, without speaking negatively about past employment."
"Can you describe a previous work situation in which you ... ?"
This question comes in many forms, but what the interviewer is looking for is your behavior on the job. Your answer could focus on resolving a crisis, overcoming a negotiation deadlock, handling a problem coworker, or juggling multiple tasks on a project.
The theory behind this type of question is that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, according to Yves Lermusi, CEO of Checkster, a company that offers career and talent checkup tools. "The key to responding well is preparing real job examples, describing your behavior in specific situations that demonstrate important skills that the job requires."
"What is your ideal work environment?"
This question is not about whether you prefer a cubicle or an office, so think broadly to include ideas about supervision, management styles, and your workday routine.
Bob Hancock, senior recruiter for video game publisher Electronic Arts, says that he uses this question with candidates because it can give "a sense of their work habits, how flexible they are with their schedules, and how creative they are."
"How do you handle mistakes?"
The best strategy for this general question is to focus on one or two specific examples in the past and, if possible, highlight resolutions or actions that might have relevance to the job you're interviewing for.
"Employers want to know they're hiring someone with the maturity to accept responsibility and the wherewithal to remedy their own mistakes," says Debra Davenport, a master professional mentor and columnist for the Business Journal in Phoenix.
"What is your most notable accomplishment?"
Paradigm Staffing's Olson suggests that candidates think of three or four accomplishments and quantify what their actions meant in terms of increasing revenues, saving resources, or improving resources.
"Being able to quantify your achievements in your career will launch you ahead of the rest," she says, "and demonstrate your ability to do the same as a future employee."
The Second Interview
Congratulations! You wowed your prospective employers on your first interview and have been called back for an encore. So, how will the second interview be different from the first?
This time around, expect to spend more time at the company, talk to more people, individually and collectively, and have your skills and personality scrutinized more closely.
The Employer's Point of View
From an employer's perspective, the second interview is a chance to closely evaluate a candidate's abilities and interpersonal skills. Your prospective employer wants to see that you can do the job and work well with colleagues.
Be aware that many employers bring in several candidates on the same day to streamline the second interview process. Your challenge is to distinguish yourself from the other candidates.
To show you're a good fit with the company, focus on explaining how your abilities and experiences would enable you to do the job. Be specific. Offer concrete examples that highlight your competence and compatibility.
Who You'll Meet
On your first interview, you probably met with one or two people. This time, be prepared to meet several more over the course of the day, including potential managers, coworkers and other staff members.
You may meet individually with several people, who will most likely ask you similar questions. Keep your answers consistent but mix up your delivery so that your answers don't sound stale or staged. If possible, before the interview acquire a list of the people you'll be meeting with and do a little research on each one. Then ask questions that show your knowledge of each person.
If you meet with a panel or group, be sure to make eye contact with both the individual asking the question and the group as a whole.
Steps for Follow Up
It's rare to receive an offer on the spot, but it does happen occasionally. If the feedback is consistently positive over the course of the day, you may get a job offer at the end of the interview. If that happens, don't make a hasty decision. Ask for time to think about it.
If you don't get an offer, be sure to immediately send a brief thank you note to every person you spoke with. Some companies make hiring decisions in a matter of days, but many can take weeks to make their final choice.
Be patient, be flexible and be ready for an offer or an invitation for yet another interview.
Source: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/interview/Six_common_job-interview_questions__20061109-090925.html?subtopic=Interview+Preparation
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The Visual Impact Of Your Resume
Your resume creates an impact in two chief ways: that of content and the visual impact. Your resume must therefore, score highly on both counts because in many situations that resume is the first impression of yourself that you create on a person, so you should make it count. You should avoid making the oft made mistake when creating a resume, of concentrating only on content and not the overall design and layout.
Typeface / Font: When you talk about visual impact, one of the main things to take care of is the kind of typeface or font to use. Of course what is very important in determining what typeface to use is its legibility. The clearer and more legible the font, the easier it is to read. Fancy flourishes and stylish fonts are not for your sample resume. Perception of your level of professionalism, maturity and trustworthiness is based on typeface appropriateness. So if the typeface used in your resume sample is inappropriate it can have a negative visual impact on the reader. Choose a standard font or typeface, which is streamlined and straightforward rather than decorative, and keep it consistent throughout the whole document.
Layout: The resume has to be clear, appealing and easy to read at first glance, thereby prompting the reader to read further. Rather than structure long paragraphs, make it easier for the reader to read by making short to the point itemized paragraphs which can be separated by bullet points. Bullet points can be used to great effect when drafting your sample resume, they make clear and concise points, and differentiate items with clarity, increasing the level of readability for your resume. However you can err on the side of too much bulleting, bullet only those points which you want to draw the reader’s attention to at once. So it is a good idea to combine the paragraph and bullet layout for the resume.
Spacing: The text of the resume should be well spaced, in a sufficiently large and easy to read font size. A page crowded with words is both unappealing and difficult to read, thereby making it a turn off for the reader. It is a good idea to strike a correct balance between white space and text so that neither appears dominant on the page. Also if you can, try and make your resume concise enough to fit into one page; however if this is not possible let it carry on to the next page (or 2) rather than cram it all into one page.
Choose good quality stationery: This is an investment that will be worth its while: that of top quality stationery. Good quality stationery makes an immediate and positive visual impact, instantly conveying a good impression, which in turn makes the reader more willing to read your resume. You should also be carrying several pristine copies of your resume, lest you are found wanting when in need of an extra copy.
Put some effort into the visual impact that your resume will make and make that first impression count for something!
A good resume can go a long way towards getting you that coveted job. Check out the sample resume for every profession here. The resume sample can be used as a guide while formatting your own.
Source: http://www.articleheaven.com/article_611814_36.html
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