We wrote last time about the need to use your nervous energy before a job interview in preparation, studying the company and yourself (view that post here).  In this second part, we’ll focus more on tips for the interview itself.

During the Interview

Listen for hints – The questions and comments from the interviewer will likely give you clues about their preferred traits. Without resorting to flattery, target your answers and questions to these highlighted areas. You may want to have a way to take notes during the interview to help.

Give examples – After giving a stellar answer to an interviewer’s question, there is nothing quite so powerful as giving a past example of how you followed your own advice/value/prioritization/approach. Be sure and have several examples in mind so you can easily pick the best few.

Ask questions – When I hired in the past, the most impressive candidates were those who asked intelligent, open-ended questions about my organization. This showed an interest as well as preparation. It also showed someone who was willing to think (a great addition to any team). I was never attracted to a passive interviewee who simply waited for the interview time to expire.

Ask for a tour of your potential work area if appropriate – This is a simple request but can yield several positive things. First, you get more first-hand, personal education about the company. Second, you can ask more questions to build trust with someone already employed by the company. Third, you show a genuine interest in the organization and how it runs. Fourth, you will pick up valuable culture clues to either encourage your job quest with the company or alternatively scare you away.

At the end of the interview, ask a clean-up question – Here are two examples to get you started.

• “Do you have any other questions about my background?”
• “Do you have any concerns about my background that I could address now?”

Say “thank you” – It amazes me how little this two-word phrase is heard. Use good manners before, during and after the interview. Assume EVERYBODY you meet in or near the company setting has a say in the hiring decision and treat them accordingly. It is impossible to always predict pockets of informal power.

There you have it, 6 tips to utilize during the job interview.  Would you have any others to add?  Please take a minute and share your thoughts in the comments below.

This post was written by Michael Friesen, a coach at 360JobInterview.com. He is the author of Expected End: What Culture Is, Why It Matters and How to Improve It. He is leadership coach and a former CFO and Budget Director for the U.S. government. You can schedule an interview with Michael on his 360JobInterview.com coach page.

Photo iStockPhoto © James Tutor

There’s an interesting post over at USA Today Workforce titled Offbeat Interview Questions Asked to Make You Think. The article gives several examples of questions that are designed to see how you think. Many of the examples are pretty extreme. If you have a moment, click over to the post and check it out.

Have you ever been asked any questions like these? Share some of the questions and your job interview experiences below and help others on the job search. And Thanks!

Interviewing with any company can be intimidating but preparation will help chase away some of the butterflies. Remember it is unusual for a company to hire a candidate who fits the job description 100%. View the position advertisement as a dream sheet. You should have a majority of the traits but just because you’re missing a few parts of the experience does not necessarily knock you out of contention.

Without trying to be too traditional, here are some interview thoughts gleaned from hands-on experience.

Before the Interview

Learn all you can about the company – This is much easier in our era of mega-search engines. Look for names, facts, figures, news, anything, etc.

• What are the recent big news items?
• What are the company’s major services or products?
• What are their guarantees?
• What are the approximate revenues?
• What are the customer service trends?
• Who are the big names?
• How do competitor companies look at your interviewing company?
• If you know somebody at the company, quiz them about the organization.
• If appropriate, see if you can make an appointment with someone at the company for your educational purposes (be careful with this one).

Play stump the dummy – Nothing personal … but prepare a list of the toughest questions you can create based on your intimate knowledge of your own profile. The idea is to train hard to make the actual interview seem easier. Be as tough as you can on yourself during the preparation and you will find yourself more confident at the real event. Here are a few starter questions and you can think of more.

• What is your core message related to the position?
• What are your top 3-5 strengths?
• What are your weaknesses? How do you manage around or offset them?
• What will be the most difficult areas of the new job for you?
• Why are you unique?
• How would you interview yourself if you wanted to paint the most complete picture?
• How will you make up any shortfalls in your experience as it relates to the ideal job description?
• What will you do if you are not selected for the position?
• Do you like the company enough to apply for more positions?
• How will you respond if salary comes up early?

In a future post, we’ll talk more about how to maximize your time during the interview.  To summarize, focus any nervous energy you have on preparation. Write it, say it, and think it (or any combination thereof). This will help with the actual interview and keep anxiety in check. Remember too that a little nervousness will help you be sharper in the interview as well. All the best!

And if you have any thoughts or ideas, take a minute and share your best ideas or experiences in the comments below.

This post was written by Michael Friesen, a coach at 360JobInterview.com.  He is the author of Expected End: What Culture Is, Why It Matters and How to Improve It.  He is a leadership coach and a former CFO and Budget Director for the U.S. government.  You can schedule an interview with Michael on his 360JobInterview.com coach page.

Photo iStockPhoto © Ken Kan

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Interviews today are focused on behavioral-based questions. A behavioral-based question is based on a dimension which is a required competency for the position.  In order to answer this question you will need to relate a previous experience to the interviewer’s question.

An example question might be, “Tell me about a time you had to resolve a customer’s problem? “

In this example the dimension is customer service.  Your response must be focused and to the point. A good way to do this is to practice your answer using these 4 elements to guide you in your response:

• Situation -What occurred that created the problem?
• Task- How did you plan do to resolve the issue?
• Action- What did you actually do, what resources did you need to resolve the issue
• Result- What was the outcome as a result of your action?

In your response cover each element in order.  In the Action step, focus on the actions you took, or “what did you do?”Often the interviewee will answer with what a group did as opposed to their role in a task or project. It takes practice to learn how to accentuate your accomplishments without sounding arrogant.

Companies put more emphasis on multiple interviews and the dimensions required to perform the job. Dimensions are not only on-the-job skill; they are also about job fit. T he interviewer scores the applicant responses which are later discussed by the hiring team to make a final determination to select the best candidate. This is done by scoring the interview with a (+,-) or a numerical value. If you do not answer the question you may receive no value which does not help with your score or getting the job. Usually the interview may ask 10 questions and possibly that could in turn be 30 questions by 3 interviewers.

The bottom line: Be a job interview star! Stick with the Situation – Task – Action – Result (STAR) methodology and focus on your personal accomplishments. Future posts will cover other dimensions and specific approaches for specific types of questions.

Need help now? Make an appointment with your own personal coach@360jobinterview where you can choose from over 300 experienced Human Resource professionals. Choose a pro in your field as they can coach you in developing your action plan.

So, you got the interview.  Congratulations!

Now what?  There is much to do my friend!

How long does it take to make a first impression? Not very long, believe me….the first 5 seconds is all you get.

How long does it take to change that bad first impression?  Basically – you can’t. It is done. You have that hurdle to deal with – and, oh by the way – you are there for an interview…..right?

Let’s discuss how to make that fabulous first impression!

It starts when you get the call to come in for the interview. Ask questions; repeat back the time and date they want to see you, and the location. Google map the location, if you are driving; check bus or train, or ferry  schedules; taxi cab availability etc. ; allow enough extra time. In case there is traffic, you won’t be late. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. Do a dry run a few days before. Make sure your cell phone is charged – in case you are unavoidably delayed – you can call and let them know the reason.

Immediately, look at your wardrobe. You will need clean, pressed clothing that you are comfortable in – no tight fit or loose and baggy! You will be squirming to get comfortable and focus on rather than forming your great responses to their questions.

Casual culture, casual dress code? Go dressed professionally anyway – you are making an impression. Your attire needs to say “I am your person for the job”, regardless of whether it is a casual environment and very informal attire is the norm. Get the job first – then wear the jeans, or other casual clothes to work! There may be times when you are representing the company – and dressing professionally shows them you can dress up

If you don’t have adequate clothing – shop the consignment stores, the clearance sales, and outlet stores, to invest in an interview outfit or two. Get things that can mix and match with what you have, or get one great outfit  – and change it with different shirts, tops or other accessories, so it will look different, should you have more than one interview with the same company. Shoes need to be polished!!! NO flip flops!! If you can wear them when you get the job – great; but NOT before. Tone down the jewelry. Body piercings and tattoos should be covered up. Do not wear any jewelry that is noisy and clangs. You are going to an interview – not nightclubbing.

Let’s talk body preparation. Is your hair neat – or does it need a trim or shape up? Roots showing, color it;  touch up the gray by using a rinse, if you are worried about looking older than you feel; if you have wildly dyed hair color – get rid of it for the interview. Nails need to be clean with no ragged cuticles.   If you wear polish – insure it is not chipped or partially worn off. Facial hair needs to be neat and trimmed.

Do your hands get sweaty? Part of the first impression is to greet your interviewer with eye contact and a firm handshake (No knuckle crunching or limp and flimsy grasps please!). Eye contact and smiling are HUGE. You want to convey you are excited to be there, right? You need to demonstrate your confidence by looking them in the eye and smiling. Fake it until you feel it!

Hygiene: the worst first impression is having body odor or bad breath. Be sure to bathe/shower before the interview; clean hair, use deodorant, brush your teeth, and use mouthwash. Our body chemistry changes when we get nervous. (Carry mints to refresh before you sign in; go to the restroom and wash your hands and dry them completely).

Let’s face it – interviewing is nerve-wracking. It doesn’t have to be. Preparation and confidence can do wonders towards diminishing your anxiety. After all, you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. They don’t have all the power here! You want to ask them questions (again being prepared in advance: look them up online; study their website; what impact to their business has occurred, and how have they fared in this downturned economy?)More on this topic to come – stay tuned to this blog site for more suggestions on preparation for the interview.

Photo © Jacob Wackerhausen iStockphoto

“What are your strengths?”

How many times have you heard that question in an interview? There are few things that are more predictable in an employment interview than questions about your strengths and weaknesses, so I’m sure you’ve spent considerable time examining your answer to these questions….right?

OK, I know you have, but you would be surprised at how many candidates “wing it” when it comes to answering these (and other) common questions. Think about this for just a minute: if you consistently answer the same questions the same way, and have not yet been hired, should you rethink your answers….? (I’m just sayin’.)

Savvy interviewers ask these questions for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, they want to see how you respond. Do you spit out a standard answer that shows little or no thought? Are you confident or shy? Do you stumble over your response? Are you contemplative? Are you genuine or putting on a show? Consider that how you answer is often just as important as what you say.

Second, a good interviewer doesn’t stop with the initial question, but continues to explore your answers with additional questions that probe a little deeper. This allows the interviewer to discover how genuine your answers are, and how you deal with the stress of being pushed a bit. If you chose to regurgitate one of the canned responses available in those interview self-help books, the follow-up questions could pose a bit of a problem.

The best way to deal with the standard “What are your strengths?” question is to find out the true answer. My suggestion is to get a DiSC® profile (available online for $25 to $30) and read carefully through the analysis of your behavioral style. This assessment will provide a number of clues to the work environment you prefer, and will highlight your potential strengths and weaknesses. This exercise will allow you to answer the question and provide objective confirmation.

A second online test that I highly recommend you complete is the Clifton StrengthsFinder®. You can buy the book and take the online assessment for about $14. This assessment will provide tremendous insight into your workplace strengths and give you additional ideas about what occupations or positions will best capitalize on those strengths. This information will not only provide excellent material for answering the “strengths” question, but it will also help you understand exactly what jobs fit you best.

Avoid the trap of preparing for interviews by studying the “pat” answers to interview questions. Instead, spend that time learning about yourself and improving the skills you need to get the job you’re looking for.

The Basics

A job interview is a chance for you and your potential employer to become acquainted.  Both the employer and the interviewee are trying to determine if the other is going to be a good fit.  It goes without saying that the interview process can be stressful, and you should do your homework on the industry and the potential employer well ahead of time, but it can also help to be aware of the types of interviews you might encounter.

The Interview

There are aspects common to all types of interviews, however, and a smart job hunter will be prepared ahead of time.  Do you’re research on the position you’re applying for and find out as much as you can on the potential employer prior to the interview.  You may be asked about the company and it’s mission and you will likely win some points if you can show that you have some knowledge on what the company is all about. Not only does it show initiative, it proves that you know where to find information.

There are several standard questions that tend to show up in interviews across the board, and plenty of books on the market that help interviewees prepare for them, you might want to check one out.  Try to be ready for those questions, do practice interviews at home with a spouse or a friend.  Ask questions yourself.   Don’t let your interview turn into a one way conversation, you’ll find that most interviews go smoother when you have several well placed questions for the interviewer.

And as discussed in this post, be sure to follow up with the potential employer by writing thank you letters.  Not only does it show that you are courteous, it proves that you can follow through.

Some Job Interview Types

1. The Traditional Interview – this is probably what everyone first thinks of when they are going for a job interview.  Generally the interviewee meets with one individual and the interview is conducted one-on-one.  Generally a broad range of questions will be asked, and success or failure will depend on one’s ability to communicate, and an impression of how they would fit into the work environment.
2. Panel or Committee Interviews – these are also relatively common.  The candidate meets with several individuals associated with the potential position either in series, or all at once. Probably slightly more difficult than a one-one-one interview in that one will encounter several different personalities during the course of the interview.
3. Behavioral Interviews – during a behavioral interview a candidate will likely be asked to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities using specific examples and/or stories from their past in order to gauge how the candidate responds to certain situations and how they handle themselves in general.
4. Stress Interviews – are aggressive and confrontational.  Perhaps designed to see how applicants perform under pressure and to gauge character.   One should tread carefully if they are subjected to an interview of this type and ask themselves if this type of company would be an environment in which they could work.
5. Screening Interview – an initial meeting or possibly the first segment in a traditional interview is usually quicker and can be used by the employer to eliminate as many candidates as possible.

Further Reading

This is just a handful of the several types of job interviews you might come across.   Read more here and here.   If you have an interesting interview story to relate, share it with us in the comments section!

Cover letters can be almost as important as a resume when it comes to landing you that job you’ve been searching for. Often they are overlooked, but a well crafted cover letter can set you and your resume apart from the hundreds of other applicants you’re competing with.

Just like a good story, cover letters should start with a bang, hooking your reader and reeling them in, making them want to read on to see what you have to offer. Then, as quickly as possible, get to the point of the letter, why you’re writing, and what position you’re interested in.

Plainly present your qualifications for the position. Here’s where you can really shine by speaking directly to the qualifications specific to the position advertised. You should be specific and, if possible, list some cold hard facts and/or  figures that back up your claims. You say you’re good at coming in under budget? Tell them how you saved your company(past or present) that one million dollars last quarter. But don’t tell them everything, you want to make sure they pick up your resume so they can find out what happens next in the story of you.

End with a thank you for the reader’s time and always include a statement on the time frame in which you will contact the reader to follow up, or even better, to discuss the possibility of setting up an interview.

As with your resume, your cover letter should be flawless and presented in a format that is easy on the eyes and also similar to your resume. Using the same font and/or layout and headers can really tie the two documents together and lend your correspondence a certain cohesion, and it might just be one more way to make you and your resume stand out.

You take the time to write up your resume; you search for the job you want; you submit your resume to various organizations. No response. It’s as if you did nothing. Why? What can you do to ensure your resumes are ‘heard?’ How can you guarantee that your resume lands you interviews and ultimately a job offer?

To begin with, be sure to distinguish your resume and application from the other candidates. A hiring manager is simply looking for the best person who can become immediately productive for their organization. Your resume is their first impression of you, it is therefore important to:

• Tailor your resume to suit each job you are applying for; adjust your objective.
• Avoid turning your resume into a boring list of job duties and responsibilities.
• Information should be relevant to the position, and show how your experience fit the job criteria.
• Include strong active verbs like “directed,” “conceived,” and “calculated,” to give your qualifications power.
• Make your resume more tangible by quantifying your efforts as much as possible. This directly shows how your potential contributions can benefit the company.

It is best to have a professional review your resume to ensure you provide all of the above and to give it polish.

Get Noticed. Get Hired.

Now that your resume is up to par, some proactive work is necessary in order to procure an interview:

• Contact the hiring manager and ask when he/she would like to meet you for an interview.
• Suggest that you will be in the neighborhood and would like to hand-deliver your resume.
• Contact the recruiting manager to discuss how you can benefit the organization.
• Next, propose possible dates for an interview.
• Be sure to show respect for the manager’s time.
• Research the company you are interested in. Suggest improvements and possible solutions to a problem you may be aware of.

Remember, no one is going to find you; you have to go out there and present yourself!

“I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.” – Brian Tracy