Helpful Interview Tips:

Do:
Give a firm handshake, be friendly and engaging, make eye contact, smile and be 15 minutes early. Make sure you pass the "likability test."

Don't:
Use first names, sit down (until invited), show anxiety or boredom, look at your watch, discuss religion or politics, ask about benefits, salary or vacation.

Avoid 5 deadly traps:

1. Failure to listen to a question.

2. Answering a question that was not asked.

3. Providing superfluous information (keep answers brief and to the point).

4. Attempting to interview without preparation.

5. Failure to ask pertinent, insightful questions.

A successful interview is a collaborative process which provides the neccessary information to make an informed decision on whether their is a good match between your abilities and experience and the employer's needs. Consider yourself as a co-pilot working with the interviewer to reach a successful outcome.

 

INTERVIEW SKILLS

Your resume and cover letter get you in the door but the interview gets you the job. You may look great on paper, but if you can’t articulate your value during a personal interview, your chances of getting hired are significantly diminished.

To ace the interview, you need to understand the interview process and its components. The first component is the preparation stage. You need to research the company, the industry, the position and the interviewer(s). The more you know about their business and specific needs the more the interviewer will be impressed with you.

The second component of the interview process is the actual interview. To succeed at this step you’ll need sharp interview skills. Have you anticipated what questions might be asked of you? If not, you’ll be fumbling around for answers during the interview - a bad time to be organizing your thoughts.

What you say during the interview is important, but how you say it is just as important. Are you enthusiastic, confident and relaxed or distracted, nervous and diffident?

The interview is over, your work is done - wrong! The third component of the interview process is vital - the follow-up. Many tight races for a position have been decided by a follow-up letter or phone call. It’s always important to thank the interviewer, reiterate your interest in the position, resell major, pertinent qualifications, and address any concerns brought-up during the interview.

To help clients succeed in the interview process Career Focus offers an Interview Clinic. It consists of the Interview IQ Test, to measure your knowledge of the interview process and an Interview Rehearsal which measures your interview skills. Both services are designed to evaluate and improve your interview knowledge and skills.

The Interview IQ Test consists of multiple choice, completion and true/false questions. There are 50 correct responses. The Interview Rehearsal consists of role playing 50 interview questions that cover the 12 areas of employer concern. Responses are evaluated on both content and delivery. The clinic also helps you develop your 2 minute “personal commercial.”

Interview IQ Test: $75.
Interview Rehearsal: $175.

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Career Focus
Mahwah, NJ 07430
Phone: 201-825-2865
Toll Free: 800-585-1937
Fax: 201-825-7711
E-mail:Coach@CareerInFocus.com