Here are some great posts on the 360jobinterview blog that you may have missed:

How to Get into Big Conferences & Network for Almost Free

We’ve written about the importance of networking before. It is undeniably one of the best ways to get ahead in your career, and even find a great job (or any job, at all). When someone meets a potential client/new hire/valuable contact in the flesh, it leaves them with a biased towards that person. They’ve created a connection, even was limited to a quick handshake and exchanging of business cards. Read more…

5 Surefire Ways To Screw Up Your Next Job Interview

Everyone knows the economy is junk right now and people are struggling to keep their jobs. With people being laid off left and right, it’s safe to say that there isn’t much hiring going on. Should you be lucky enough be to receiving an interview in these downward times, there are few horrendous mistakes you need to avoid making when you get the call. Make the best of this opportunity; you may not receive another one for a while. Read more…

Workplace Bloopers: 20 Hilarious Accidents and Pranks

Being at the workplace isn’t easy. Whether you work in an office, at a construction zone, a tough beat, or wherever the camera takes you, accidents are bound to occur at some point.

In hard economics times, the folks of 360JobInterview.com are aware that, once in a while, everyone needs a little humor in their life. Includes videos feature Chris Pirillo and Keven Rose. Read more…

Presenting Yourself for the Second Interview Session

So you snagged a second interview with the company. Great! Now what? You’ll likely be asked all of the same questions again, whether it is the same individual or a different interviewer. Why are they repeating these things? Didn’t they hear correctly the first time?

Of course they heard correctly the first time. The purpose of reasking the same questions deals with consistency, research, and preparedness. Do your second set of answers mesh well with the first? Did you do further research into the industry, company, and the position? Are you prepared with a plan? Read more…

Picking the Brain of a Senior Recruiter

After receiving a degree in Psychology, Brad decided that his life-long goal would be one of helping others. His love of people, alongside a desire to change peoples’ lives, was what drove him to the recruitment sector of human resources. In this economy, however, there is fierce competition in the job market, and many good, qualified people are being beat out by those with ‘inside connections’ or the ability to sell themselves more effectively. Read more…

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If you’re job hunting, chances are you have been scouring every reputable publication, in print as well as online, for valuable, potentially employment-earning tips, tricks, and tactics to put to good use if you’re one of the lucky few to score an interview. In this economy and given the widespread job loss across the country, if you’re given the chance to knock the socks off of a potential employer, you know very well that you may not have many other chances. So with a ‘time is of the essence’ attitude, you’ve most likely been searching for any and all information you can get your hands on in order to convince your interviewer that you’re just the person they’ve been looking for.

While business experts have been forth-coming with their abundant resources and lessons from the trade, it is very easy to take all of the information being supplied to you and apply it a little too vigorously. Being prepared for an interview is certainly a step in the direction of employment; it’s very important to know what kind of questions you will be asked and how you will be expected to answer. However, being prepared is something very different from being an automaton, which could happen if you are focusing too much on the grocery list of tips you picked up the night before on your latest Google search for ‘how to get the job.’

Through the time I have spent filling out job applications and sending out resumes I have come to know one thing about my self in the workforce—If I get the chance to be interviewed for a position I am seeking, I know I will land that job. That is the way it has been since I was asked in for my first job interview that led me to my first job right out of high school and the outcome has never been anything different. I don’t have any in-depth analysis of why this is or any knowledge of the underbelly of the business world; the only thing that I kept in mind during an interview is the fact that this company is interviewing me, not quizzing me on what I had learned while preparing for this moment.

The fondest interview memory I have is from the second job I have ever had; when I was interviewing for a position at a book store. I have been a constant reader all of my life. I have always seen books as a reward; either they were pumping me full of knowledge and intellect or they were providing new and exciting lives for me to live in for a little while, so naturally one of my first jobs was working at a book store. While I knew a great deal about the company, as well as what that company expected of me as an employee, and what that interviewer was expecting from me during the interview, I never lost who I was during the interview process. I was courteous, respectful, answered the questions I was asked exactly as I was supposed to, and was do my best to wow the pants off of the person who was conducting the interview by asking follow-up questions to the duties and responsibilities that were being outlined for me..and then I was asked about who my favorite authors were, and that is when I shined through and through. I never tucked who I was away for the event and as I listed the authors I so frequently read, admire, and cherish, that is the moment I knew I landed the job since right after we finished talking about our favorite authors, my second interview was conducted right there on the spot and the next day I received a call letting me know that the job was mine.

The key to any person-to-person exchange, whether a job interview, business contact, or acquaintance is to unapologetically be yourself. You can read as many interview preparation articles you can absorb in one sitting but the part of the interviewer that is going to stand out for the person conducting the interview is when you show them what kind of person you are and how valuable you would be to their company.

So you were let go from a job you gave years of your life to and more energy than you’d like to admit due to your company cutting corners and needing to let valuable, hardworking employees go. While you’ve been searching high and low for a job to replace your last, no prospects are turning up and as more and more companies politely tell you that they have no available jobs to offer you, your mood continuously plummets.

While it is not only understandable, but expected to lose your drive and take on a defeated attitude when searching for a job that you believe will never come, it is important to recover from your poor spirits quickly. As cliché as it may sound, you never know when the perfect opportunity is going to come your way, but if you’re not there to take it, it’s going to become someone else’s perfect opportunity and with the way the job market is now, there is hardly time to waste before the opportunity slips from your grasp.

When you conduct your life, especially your job hunt, with a defeated attitude, you will unconsciously go about looking for a job without applying the effort needed to sealing the position. When you go in for an interview with a prospected employer, the moment you begin to think that there is no way you will be hired for the position you’re interviewing for, you will immediately stop trying as hard as you would if you thought there was no way that you could be turned down for the position. Attitude is everything and if you walk into an interview confident and sure of yourself and your ability to perform the job you are applying for, chances are that the person interviewing you for the job will pick up on that self-confidence and will at the very least, ask you back for a second interview and at the most, land you a job that you will excel in.

Interviewing as a Two Way Conversation by Barry Miller, Ph.D.

Joe Jones’s credentials could easily have won him a new position. Especially in this market where there is a great demand for accounting managers. The 55-year-old former corporate controller started his career as a staff accountant for one of the now Big Four accounting firms, He was quickly promoted to a senior accounting position before leaving to become an assistant controller for a New York- based Fortune 500 company. He later landed the controller’s job, which he held for five years until a merger caused the position to be eliminated.

Despite his track record of accomplishments and progressive promotions, however, Mr. Jones rarely reached first base when interviewing for a new position. Further, he was baffled when asked what was wrong with his interviewing style.

Just talking with this hapless candidate for a few minutes revealed the problem: When asked a question, Mr. Jones told long, rambling tales, often going off on tangents that left interviewers overwhelmed with unnecessary detail. He was so anxious to please that he gave too much information to prove his competence. Interviewers could only conclude that Mr. Jones was, at best, a poor communicator, and, at worst, quite boring.

If your performance during job interviews is more like a Shakespearian soliloquy, chances are that you, too are a boring interviewee. To you, your discourse may seem, talking for your own benefit, you aren’t addressing specific topics a lively, but to interviewers, it’s more unfocused and dull. If you’re employer wants covered. In fact,  many employers complain that candidates don’t relate their qualifications to the position or company needs. Some candidates counter by saying that interviewers should take responsibility for having their questions answered successfully. In this employment climate, no job seeker can afford this attitude. A better approach is to assume that you are responsible for the success of your interviews and that interviewer’s assistance is an unexpected gift.

To avoid being boring during interviews the candidate should use a conversational interview style that allows them to probe for areas of interest to employers, and then discuss them. Begin this process before the actual interview by researching each company. This can help you form questions or comments about the organization and the available position. During the meeting, ask questions to determine what topics to cover. Finally, limit your answers to two sentences so you don’t ramble. The following explanation of the conversational interview style should provide pointers on how to approach your next interview.

Tell me about yourself. This is often the first questions employers ask because they want to know what you can offer them. Instead of reciting your life history or rehashing your resume, define yourself by the position you are seeking. Answer by giving a generic title of the position and listing four or five areas of competence. A sample response might be:

I’m a human resource professional, with more than twenty years of experience in industrial organizations. My background includes designing, coordinating and monitoring programs and systems for human resources planning, management development, performance appraisal and career planning. I’ve developed and implemented training programs at the corporate, division and plant levels, and counseled groups, managers and employees on individual assessment, assessment, career development and job search tactics. I’ve also researched and evaluated approaches and techniques for improving organizational effectiveness and managerial performance.

You’ve now defined yourself as a professional with a variety of experiences and skills. Next, ask the interviewer, “Which one of these areas would you like me to discuss first?” The interviewer’s response will help you hone in on areas that are most important to the position.

If the interviewer wants to know about your experience in designing management development systems, your response might be: I created a procedure to monitor and develop both key and high potential employees. Plans were implemented to prepare these employees to assume higher-level positions.

Note that your answer took only two sentences. By keeping the response brief, you can maintain a two-way conversation and find out more about the position. Next ask an “orienting” question such as” would you like any additional information?” Then if prompted to provide more detail about management development, say: Key employee were defined as individuals at director-level and above. High potential employees were rates as 5 on a 1 to 5 scale. The development plan were implemented and monitored on these people.

Then ask the interviewer another orienting question, such as “Is that sufficient information?” If the answer is no, ask if you can provide another example of your management development experience.

After a maximum of two examples, try to turn the conversation in a different direction. For example say: I’ve given you several examples of my management development experience. What are the management development responsibilities for the position we’re discussing?

This is an “open-ended” question, which can’t be answered with a”yes” or “no”. The interviewer’s response will give more details about the job requirements. You can then match your experience to the new information as follows:

You mentioned that part of my responsibilities would be the development and implementation of training programs. I’ve had a considerable amount of experience in this area. Would you like me to elaborate on it?

In this instance, you’re asking for permission to provide more detail. This stops you from giving the interviewer unwanted information and ensures that you have an active listener. Your question also shows that you respect the interviewer’s interests and time. The more satisfied the interviewer is with your responses, the more likely you’ll be considered favorably for the position.

Interpersonal Issues

Interviewers usually focus initially on matching your experience to a position’s requirements. Ideally, your conversation should go back and forth like a tennis match. Later interpersonal issues often arise. A typical question that arises at a critical stage of the interview is “Why are you looking for another position at this time?” This can be extremely stressful especially if you were terminated either due to layoffs or cause. It’s very important that you practice your response before the interview. If you are hearing it for the first time your body may give off non verbal signs of stress. The interviewer may interpret the signs of uneasiness as an indication that the candidate is hiding something.

After answering the question, quickly turn the topic to asking why the position is open. This can help you decide whether the position is right for you.

Continue asking the interviewer about position requirements or expectations concerning career goals, supervisory style, candidate strengths and weaknesses, preferred work environment or any other issues that surface. Before the interview ends, use the information to summarize the key points you’ve discussed. State clearly that you are interested in the position, if that is the case, and ask about the next step in the hiring process.

After Jones learned this approach, he became more confident and competent when interviewing. Within two months, he landed a controllership position at a salary and bonus that exceeded his previous earnings at a small, fast growing company. Learning the conversational, interview technique also helped him on the job, he says. Previously, he says, he “turned off” other managers when explaining his favorite projects because he failed to involve them in the conversations. Now, he says, he limits his comments and elicits responses from others.

An effective employment interview is a two-way conversation, with both parties learning from each other. This approach requires candidates to prepare thoroughly, but the payoff is worth it. Once you learn the technique, you can focus your energy on your interviewers, feed off their responses and give answers that support your candidacy.

“Outwit Outlast Outplay” and get job offer…

The dynamics of watching complete strangers compete for large cash prizes on reality shows like Survivor Island can be similar to competing for the job opening you really want.

And here’s why:

Immunity Challenge:

The immunity idol in Survivor keeps you in the game. And Interview Rounds dictate whether you move on in the interview process. Every opportunity you have to interview by phone or face to face influences whether you move on to the next round.

Reward Challenge:

During the interview process it could become clear the position you’re interviewing for isn’t necessarily the right fit for you. If you’ve made a good impression on the hiring manager this can still be a good way to build a professional relationship internally within the company. Even if you aren’t the right match, having this new bond will allow you a foot in the door for the next opportunity that comes up. So always send a “thank you” note, even when you don’t get the job. This will help you make a good lasting impression and keep you in top of mind.

Alliances:

Establishing trust, building rapport and adding value in a record time keep Survivor Island players in the game longer and build strong alliances. During the interview process you also have just a short period of time to make an impression on the interviewer. Since the interview will make or break you in the interview process you need to build professional credibility fast. This is a real skill to master, but if you are effective at it, it’s one that will keep you ahead of the curve and keep you in the process.

Tribal Merge:

More than likely you will find yourself interviewing with multiple internal managers. More often than not, job offers aren’t extended on the stop any longer. It’s important to build good professional rapport with each and every one of them of the perspective hiring managers you meet. Your goal is to have everyone recommend you for hire.
Don’t forget to be nice to the receptionist who greets you, smile at those you pass in the hall and don’t do anything publically that might discredit you. You never know who might be observing your behavior and influence a hiring decision so being polite and treating everyone with respect is a good rule of thumb.

Voted Out at Tribal Council:

You have been eliminated from the hiring process. Always try to ask what you could have done different or what the deciding factor was on why you were not selected. Be careful with how you ask and despite disappointment sound positive. Follow up with a correspondence to everyone that you interviewed with and to the recruiter or human resources rep who set it up.
Keep in mind, not everyone will get the job, so don’t take this personally and move on in a positive manner. There are more opportunities waiting for you this won’t be the last one and keeping the momentum going will keep you moving ahead in the career search game.

Million Dollar Cash Prize:

The winner of Survivor gets a million dollar cash price. As an applicant you are competing for the Job Offer. You want to win the job offer complete with salary, bonus, 401K, health benefits and other employment perks. Keeping your focus on what you ultimately want will help you stay focused and on track. Don’t get side tracked with petty stuff like lunch breaks, hours, etc. during the process. You don’t want to come across as nitpicky and lose out on the opportunity. Keep your eye on the prize. As a “reality show” junkie I’m prepared for my next job hunt. Watching different personality types thrown onto desert islands, forced to build rapid relationships has helped tremendously. You are competing with many other contestants (candidates) for the immunity idol (interview rounds). If you can out-interview, out- relationship build and out-perform in the interview rounds you may just win the game (job offer).

What reality show are you planning to play to win?