1 - DON'T SHOW UP LATE
There is no easier way to lose points with a prospective
employer than to show up late. First impressions do last.
And unfortunately, showing up late screams things like “I am
unreliable” or “your time is not important to me”. Is this
what you want a prospective employer to think before you
even have a chance to utter a word? Make it a point to try
to be early to every interview. That way, bad weather,
traffic and that last minute phone call stand less chance of
ruining your
entrance. If the unforeseen 18-wheeler does happen to dump
10 tons of tomatoes across the interstate, upon arrival,
apologize first thing, offer a quick explanation and move
on. (Ideally you would have called from your cell phone as
soon as you caught sight of the delay.)
2 - DON'T ACT DISINTERESTED
No matter what the circumstance never act disinterested
during an interview. If 10 minutes into the meeting you
become certain that nothing on the planet could convince you
to take a job with the
company continue to pay attention and act like you care
about the conversation. Remember that the interviewer does
not exist in a vacuum. He or she has friends, relatives, and
associates who may influence future job opportunities. If
you behave poorly, the interviewer will remember and will
share the story of you and your unprofessional behavior with
others. Haven’t you shared bad job
search experiences with people close to you? The interviewer
is probably no different.
3 - DON'T BE UNPREPARED
Being prepared has many facets. Interviewers expect you to
know something about the company and the position you are
seeking. Having this knowledge makes you appear both
motivated and truly interested. So make sure you do your
research! Excellent sources of information include, the
Internet, periodicals and people already in the field.
Another facet of being prepared is being ready for the types
of questions that may be asked. There are numerous articles
on the web and in bookstores with practice interview
questions and answers. Make sure to utilize all such
resources available to you. And finally, don’t forget to
have extra copies of your resume and references on
hand should they be requested.
4 - DON'T FORGET YOUR MANNERS
No matter how old fashioned it appears to use word like
“please”, “sir”, “ma’am” and “thank you”, do not delete
these words from your vocabulary. These simple words can
work wonders towards making a positive impression. Always
use a respectful tone of voice. Do not unnecessarily
interrupt the interviewer. Maintain eye contact and a
pleasant expression. Leave the slang, slouching and gum
chewing at home. Good manners signals respect for yourself
and the people around
you; never underestimate their importance.
5 - DON'T DRESS INAPPROPRIATELY
Whether you like it or not, the job interview is not the
time to express your individuality. Always remember that
your goal is to gain employment, not to make a fashion
statement. Accordingly, you should not dress in any way that
will distract attention from you and your qualifications.
Things to avoid include unconventional hair colors,
excessive jewelry and makeup and any clothes that you would
wear to a nightclub. Prior to the interview, contact the
companies HR department and inquire about the company dress
code. Do your best to dress accordingly. If there is any
doubt, err on the side of being overdressed.
6 - DON'T BE UNTRUTHFUL
Never, ever lie during an interview. Mistruths have an
uncanny habit of catching up to people. If the interviewer
catches you in a lie during the interview, you have
seriously damaged your chances of being hired. After all,
would you hire someone that you couldn’t trust? If your
employer finds out you lied after you have been hired, it
could be grounds for dismissal. Even if they do not dismiss
you, you are still in serious trouble as you have damaged
your integrity in the eyes of your boss. The bottom line is
that you should always be truthful when interviewing.
7 - DON'T BE MODEST
When searching for the right job, put your modesty aside.
Don’t be afraid to confidently describe your skills and
accomplishments. After all, if you don’t sing your praises
to your potential boss, then who will? Don’t count on your
resume to do all the work; it is only a tool to help you
land the interview. Once you get your foot in the door, it
is up to you to convince the interviewer that you are the
ideal person for the job. Worried that you will come across
as conceited instead of self-confident? Then practice how
and what you will say with a friend or family member who can
provide honest feedback.
8 - DON'T FORGET THE "THANK YOU" NOTE
Once the interview has concluded, take a few moments to jot
down your impressions of the interviewer, what you talked
about and any interesting points that were brought up during
the meeting. The ideal time and place to do this is in your
car a soon as you have exited the
building, as your thoughts will be most fresh at this time.
Use this information as you compose a well thought out thank
you note to the interviewer. Mail this note no later than
the day following the interview. Remember promptness signals
interest.
By avoiding these 8 simple mistakes, you can improve your
chances of having a successful interview and landing the job
of your dreams.
SAMPLE RESIGNATION LETTER
Name
Address
City, state zip
(Date)
(Employer)
(Company Name)
(Address)
(City, State, Zip)
Dear (Employer Name):
This letter is to inform you that I wish to terminate my
employment with (company name) effective (date), two weeks
after this written notification of (date). I would also like
to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for
a rewarding employment experience with (company name).
My efforts, until my date of termination, will be to
conclude my scheduled projects and assist you in turning
over my responsibilities as smoothly as possible. Please let
me know what you expect, so this process is completed to
your satisfaction.
Thank you for the opportunities you have afforded me during
my tenure with the company.
Sincerely,
(Name)
10 COMMON REASONS FOR CANDIDATE REJECTION
Below are the most common reasons that employers reject
a candidate. Working closely with your search consultant
ensures that these factors will not come into play during
the interview process.
1. Poor Attitude. Many candidates come across as arrogant.
While employers can afford to be self-centered, candidates
cannot.
2. Appearance. Many candidates do not consider their
appearance as much as they should. First impressions are
quickly made in the first three to five minutes. Dress based
on the company's culture.
3. Lack of Research. It's obvious when candidates haven't
learned about the job, company or industry prior to the
interview. Visit the library or use the Internet to research
the company, then talk with friends, peers and other
professionals about the opportunity before each meeting.
4. Not having questions to ask. Asking questions shows your
interest in the company and the position. Prepare a list of
questions in advance.
5. Not readily knowing the answers to interviewers'
questions. Anticipate and rehearse answers to tough
questions about your background, such as a recent
termination or an employment gap. Practicing with your
spouse or friend before the interview will help you to frame
intelligent answers.
6. Too much Humility. Being conditioned not to brag,
candidates are sometimes reluctant to describe their
accomplishments. Explaining how you reach difficult or
impressive goals helps employers understand what you can do
for them.
7. Not relating skills to employers' needs. A list of
sterling accomplishments means little if you can't relate
them to a company's requirements. Reiterate your skills and
demonstrate to the employer that you can "do the same for
them."
8. Handling salary issues ineptly. Candidates often ask
about salary and benefit packages too early. If they believe
an employer is interested, they may demand inappropriate
amounts and price themselves out of the jobs. Candidates who
ask for too little undervalue themselves or appear
desperate.
9. Lack of Career Direction. Job hunters who aren't clear
about their career goals often can't spot or commit to
appropriate opportunities. Not knowing what you want wastes
everyone's time.
10. Job Shopping. Some applicants, particularly those in
certain high-tech, sales, and marketing fields, will admit
they're just "shopping" for opportunities and have little
intention of changing jobs. This wastes time and leaves a
bad impression with employers they may need to contact in
the future.
TEN REASONS FOR NOT ACCEPTING A COUNTEROFFER
Once you have accepted a new position and you are ready to
turn in your notice, you must be prepared for the
counteroffer. Some companies will try to offer you more
money to stay. Be aware, they seldom work in the long run.
1. You have now made your employer aware that you are
unhappy. From this day on, your loyalty will always be in
question. You will never be part of the Team.
2. When promotion time comes around, your employer will
remember who is loyal and who is not. The employee that
never thought of moving on will be the one that gets the
next promotion.
3. When times get tough, your employer will begin the
cutbacks with you. They will remember the day you resigned,
not all of the hard work you have put in.
4. Accepting a counteroffer is an insult to your
intelligence and a blow to your personal pride: you were
bought.
5. Where is the money for the counteroffer coming from? All
companies have wage and salary guidelines which must be
followed. Is it your next raise early?
6. Your company may immediately start looking for a new
person at a cheaper price. They may give you the extra money
now, but be aware in the future.
7. The same circumstances that now cause you to consider a
change will repeat themselves in the future, even if you
accept a counteroffer. There was a reason you started
looking, what changed?
8. Statistics show that if you accept a counteroffer, the
probability of voluntarily leaving in six months or being
let go in one year is extremely high.
9. Once the word gets out, the relationship that you now
enjoy with your co-workers may never be the same. You may
lose the personal satisfaction of peer group acceptance.
Word may get out that you were bought.
10. What type of company do you work for if you have to
threaten to resign before they give you what you are worth?
"Be careful of yesterday's success, because success tastes so
good it dulls the appetite for risk." --Alvin Toffler
JOB INTERVIEWING - 8 MISTAKES YOU MUST AVOID