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Career & Employment
Career & Employment
10 Top Tips For First Time Job Interviewers
The excitement of graduation has settled down and now it's
time to get down to the business of finding a job. Here are
ten tips to guide you through your self-inventory and
preparation.
1. Give yourself some credit for completing college and
graduating.
Did you know that as many as 43-50% of people who start
college never finish? But "you" (the grad) are not one of
them - you have a diploma and a degree. So give yourself
credit for the accomplishment.
2. Take stock – do an inventory of what you have to offer.
It's difficult to put together a resume if you don't have
any experience. If you've had an internship or a part-time
job that will make for good content on a resume. Even
volunteer work tells the company something about you. If
you don't have any work experience, you will have to rely
on the courses you took.
3. Prepare a personal statement
The personal statement is an answer to one of the first
questions often asked in an interview, "Tell me about
yourself." This statement should include your major, any
experience that you have; your area of expertise - what you
think you are most knowledgeable about; at least one of
your strengths (e.g., communication skills); something
about your work ethic and style; and lastly something about
what kind of a person you are – something that makes you
unique.
4. It's never too soon to start to network – that means
with everyone you know.
The number one way to find a job is through "networking."
That means that you should get the word out to everyone you
know. For every ten people you know they in turn will know
ten other people – and so on and so on - the web continues
to build. Don't underestimate the power of networking – it
can happen at any place and at any time.
5. Research, research, research – companies, industries,
trends.
Your job right now is to find a job. That means using those
research skills you used so well in college and start to
apply them to the job market. Search industries, companies
to find out what going on out there. What's in demand –
what skills are being sought?
6. Familiarize yourself with the types of questions asked
in an interview.
There are many books and websites that offer "sample
questions" that will be asked in the interview. You should
think about some of the answers you will give to the basic
questions. Also be aware of the different types of
questions – general questions, behavioral questions,
situational/hypothetical questions. –
www.interviewcoach.com
7. Learn to make "small talk."
Preparation should also include some ideas for making
"small talk." You should be able to engage in conversation
with the interviewer or with anyone you meet at networking
events.
Stay current with news and world happenings so that you can
discuss or respond to questions that are asked outside the
formal interview questions.
8. Look like a Professional – regardless of the industry
You don't want to look like your Father or your Mother, but
you want to look like someone that a company would want to
have represent them. Invest in a nice interview outfit. It
should be the best quality that you can afford. Or, go to a
consignment shop and buy a second-hand garment that fits
well and is of good quality. Appearance counts.
9. Accept The Fact That You Will Be Nervous
It's OK to be nervous. Almost everyone gets nervous when
they interview. It's OK to be nervous. This is a new
experience and you may have to go to a few interviews to
get the hang of the process.
10. Practice, Practice, Practice.
Whether you practice with a family member, a friend, or a
professional, make sure that you are getting honest,
straight-forward feedback. While you want encouragement,
you do not want to continue to make the same mistakes and
blow the interview.
----------------------------------------------------
Carole Martin, America’s #1 Interview Expert and Coach, can
give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy
of her FREE 9-part "Interview Success Tips" report by
visiting Carole on the web at http://www.interviewcoach.com
The excitement of graduation has settled down and now it's
time to get down to the business of finding a job. Here are
ten tips to guide you through your self-inventory and
preparation.
1. Give yourself some credit for completing college and
graduating.
Did you know that as many as 43-50% of people who start
college never finish? But "you" (the grad) are not one of
them - you have a diploma and a degree. So give yourself
credit for the accomplishment.
2. Take stock – do an inventory of what you have to offer.
It's difficult to put together a resume if you don't have
any experience. If you've had an internship or a part-time
job that will make for good content on a resume. Even
volunteer work tells the company something about you. If
you don't have any work experience, you will have to rely
on the courses you took.
3. Prepare a personal statement
The personal statement is an answer to one of the first
questions often asked in an interview, "Tell me about
yourself." This statement should include your major, any
experience that you have; your area of expertise - what you
think you are most knowledgeable about; at least one of
your strengths (e.g., communication skills); something
about your work ethic and style; and lastly something about
what kind of a person you are – something that makes you
unique.
4. It's never too soon to start to network – that means
with everyone you know.
The number one way to find a job is through "networking."
That means that you should get the word out to everyone you
know. For every ten people you know they in turn will know
ten other people – and so on and so on - the web continues
to build. Don't underestimate the power of networking – it
can happen at any place and at any time.
5. Research, research, research – companies, industries,
trends.
Your job right now is to find a job. That means using those
research skills you used so well in college and start to
apply them to the job market. Search industries, companies
to find out what going on out there. What's in demand –
what skills are being sought?
6. Familiarize yourself with the types of questions asked
in an interview.
There are many books and websites that offer "sample
questions" that will be asked in the interview. You should
think about some of the answers you will give to the basic
questions. Also be aware of the different types of
questions – general questions, behavioral questions,
situational/hypothetical questions. –
www.interviewcoach.com
7. Learn to make "small talk."
Preparation should also include some ideas for making
"small talk." You should be able to engage in conversation
with the interviewer or with anyone you meet at networking
events.
Stay current with news and world happenings so that you can
discuss or respond to questions that are asked outside the
formal interview questions.
8. Look like a Professional – regardless of the industry
You don't want to look like your Father or your Mother, but
you want to look like someone that a company would want to
have represent them. Invest in a nice interview outfit. It
should be the best quality that you can afford. Or, go to a
consignment shop and buy a second-hand garment that fits
well and is of good quality. Appearance counts.
9. Accept The Fact That You Will Be Nervous
It's OK to be nervous. Almost everyone gets nervous when
they interview. It's OK to be nervous. This is a new
experience and you may have to go to a few interviews to
get the hang of the process.
10. Practice, Practice, Practice.
Whether you practice with a family member, a friend, or a
professional, make sure that you are getting honest,
straight-forward feedback. While you want encouragement,
you do not want to continue to make the same mistakes and
blow the interview.
----------------------------------------------------
Carole Martin, America’s #1 Interview Expert and Coach, can
give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy
of her FREE 9-part "Interview Success Tips" report by
visiting Carole on the web at http://www.interviewcoach.com