Cover Letter + Great Resume = Interview

It has been my experience recently that many candidates "know" this formula intellectually but few convert from the knowing to "doing." And that after all is the key.

I'm currently conducting a search and as one might expect the number of resumes received is almost overwhelming. I spend my weekends and nights just trying to empty my inbox. Not an easy task. About 65% of the resumes I receive have cover letters. Most to some varying degree give me the standard, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. Once in a while one will stand out so I take the time to read it. I particularly like the two column format as it quickly aligns their experiences with what I'm seeking for my client. (If you want to get an example, a free sample is available, just CLICK HERE).

These types of cover letters can get me very excited to actually read (not scan) your resume. The problem is too often the rug is pulled right out from under my high level of excitement. Simply put the resume sucks. There are many reasons for this, but regardless, this person had me and other recruiters, hiring managers and HR professionals right where they want them. They overcame one of the biggest issues with resumes, getting the resume read not just a 10 second scan. Only to disappoint the reader. What a tragedy.

In this example the formula was: great cover letter + average or below average resume = trashed resume.

Anyone who has been following Barry and I know we have written extensively that in this economy it is greatness that counts. Good only works in good times. Greatness works all the time, but is positively, absolutely, a must in bad times.

A great cover letter with an average or below average resume, is like a bad book with a great dust cover. It is still a bad book. How many times have you sat in a movie theater watching an upcoming movie trailer, then gone to the movie and it was really bad? Remember the excitement about waiting for the movie to come out, the excitement as you sat waiting for the movie to start, and then the disappointment when the movie was so bad you walked out. A great movie trailer doesn't make a bad movie better.

A great resume starts with understanding how a resume is scanned. Start with the basics:

1. Your contact information including a phone number. Sounds pretty basic to me. For some reason many candidates are starting to have only an email address on the resume.

2. Basic information about the companies you worked for (unless they are household names), such as sales, number of employees, and what the company does or the industry. 3. Basic information regarding the scope of your positions. Number of people supervised, basic duties and responsibilities, if multi-location, international, functional area managed, etc. 4. Education. When appropriate additional certifications or courses that enhance your marketability. 5. Company ownership. Is it a public company, owner operated, private equity owned or something else? 6. Some bullet points that directly align as closely as possible to the two column cover letter you included. 7. Bullet points that include results in dollars or percentages as to the impact on the department or company.

These are basics. There are more that will get your resume from good to great. At least review your resume to verify you have met the minimum.

Join our Linkedin Job Search Networking Group. Over 3200 members. CLICK HERE to join.

Download a free sample cover letter - that is the first step. You still need a great resume. CLICK HERE to get the FREE cover letter.

This is the winning formula for getting interviews. There are exceptions for personal referrals and networking contacts, but often even with these they will first ask for a resume.

About the Author

IMPACT Hiring Solutions is a retained executive search firm and best practices company. We provide the tools, resources and workshops to help candidate dramatically reduce their time looking for a job.

Topics : Job Interview, Cover Letter Samples, Resume Templates. Source: goarticles.com

Interview Killing Resume Screw Ups and How to Avoid them

Resume Articles : Interview Killing Resume Screw Ups and How to Avoid them by Nick Moseley

So, you're about to start making or updating your resume so you can go find your dream job (or hey maybe, just ANY job...in credit crunch 2008 that might be the best you can do for now). I know that it can seem impossibly difficult but it's not that hard at all. However, it IS very easy to make a mess of it - And messed up resumes and CVs get "round filed" real fast (thrown in the bin) and round filed = no job interview. Yep, a poor resume means you stand 100% no chance. So you want to get it right - right?
Fear not. It's not that hard at all - once you know what to avoid - and that's what I'll tell you now.

So what are the common mistakes that will mess your resume up?

**John Doe - No contact information**

Many people feel that because they're sending a cover letter, they don't need to include their name, address, phone number and email address at the top of their resume.

However it's very common for cover letters to be separated from resumes by HR departments who then pass the resume to various other staff members for review. At this stage your contact information is very likely to be lost forever! And I can tell you that it's very frustrating for a manager to receive a good resume that has all of the qualifications that he or she is looking for in an employee without a name or any contact information.

So - Very important - Include all of your contact information at the top of your resume. Name, address, phone, email.

**What do you want to do? No objective**

Large organizations may have dozens of ads for employees advertised. If your resume goes first to an HR admin person for filtering then how will he or she know what job you're applying for unless you state this in your resume as well as cover letter (again same dangers of lost cover letters apply so put it on the CV header too)

**What do you want to achieve? No goals or ambition?**

Not necessary in all cases. Use common sense. Under your name and contact information should be a heading about your career objective. You can break this into two categories. One should be for the position which you are seeking. The other can be what you hope to attain in the future.

If, for example, you're hunting a job as a news reporter and have a career aim to be an editor or a features writer, then you could state this briefly in your resume as a career goal. This can be a handy indication that you're a long term strategic thinker as well as a loyal employee who is keen to develop new skills and add value to the business.

As I say use common sense. If applying to small companies it may not be wise to indicate that you want the job of the person who's recruiting you!

**You don't many or any skills, bye bye! They're not psychic you know!**

In any job no matter how junior there are skills required even if it's just a summer job selling ice cream on the beach (hey that's customer facing with a bit of sales you know!) Way to many CVs are thin on evidence of relevant skills.

To many applicants lump all their tasks in a short paragraph, which will not impress many possible employers.

So don't understate your past experience ' Include all of the tasks you performed at your old job, or know how to do, that concern to the position which you are seeking.

It's good to list all of the tasks and knowledge in bullet point format so that it makes it easier for the employer to see just what you can do. This is not the time to be shy or modest. Highlighting your accomplishments, knowledge and past experience can not be too underestimated when it comes to your resume.

**Got fired or saying my current job and company are rubbish - Writing why you left or are leaving**

Not necessary at all and looked at unprofessional. You will most likely be asked why you left your prior employment during your interview. Don't badmouth your last place of employment, even if your boss was a reincarnation of the Devil! Just say that you are seeking an opportunity for new development.

**I want, I want! Talking money right off the block**

NEVER put down how much you are making at your current job or how much money you expect to pull in at the new job.

While some employers will ask that you state your salary qualifications in your cover letter, this is never acceptable on a CV.

Many employees who ask that prospective employees state their salary requirements in their cover letter tend to pay low wages and do not want to waste their time with anyone who expects to be paid enough money to make a living.

**Your resume looks like a 5 year olds "art" project**

For a 5 year old it's cute. For a resume it's death. Coloured paper, fancy fonts and pics may look really nice but is generally considered to be amateurish. Use white paper. Black ink. Standard fonts. Standard lower and upper caps and make it simple to read.

**Uneducated barbarians need not apply**

You didn't spring into existence from nowhere so make sure that you put down your educational experience from the last college or university that you attended to the first.

If you have a post graduate degree, that should come first under the Education heading, along with the degree and any awards.

Your undergraduate university or college should come second along with degrees and accomplishments. If you have a post grad degree you don't have to put down high school information ' That's a given.

**No autobiographies please!**

Pages of life story filler are a sure way to get round filed fast. With that said, it's a context thing. Don't hesitate to make your CV more than one page if your accomplishments, experience and education warrants this in the context of the position applied for.

It's better not to underestimate yourself than to keep your resume short and sweet. On the other hand don't pout down long lists of hobbies, and non work related achievements, your junior schools, places lived in, travel done and so on. It's filler and noted as such immediately. Black mark.

**Summary**

So, avoid these clangers and you'll be well on your way to creating an interview magnet of a resume that will reflect all of the reasons why you are the best person for the job as well as a resume that reflects your personality.

About the Author
From London where he was an expert job hopper Nick now lives in Stockholm with wife Lena and Gunnar a Border Terrier. He likes long forest and lake walks, is learning Swedish, sells on ebay and publishes career help websites, for example http://www.thecareerdomain.info where you can find resume and interview help ideas and tips.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=881467

Resume Tips To Nail That Job Interview

Resume Tips Articles : Resume Tips To Nail That Job Interview by Belinda Sinclair

Your resume is extremely important. Think about it. In the span of a few pages, you need to convey that YOU are worthy of at least being considered for that job vacancy. It really doesn't matter if you are applying for a manager job or an executive position, what's important is that the resume contents and resume layout fit the position at hand. Sadly, many ruin their chances at job success because they cannot format their resumes properly. Don't be one of them. Follow our resume tips and you'll get the chance you deserve.

Resume Tips to Help you Get that Job Interview Call

Before you go on your hunt for great job interview tips, you should first focus on writing a great resume. After all, the job interview will come IF your resume says you deserve it.

Resume Tip No. 1 - Different resume types require different resume formats.

Your resume is really your 'first impression' and just like any real, one-on-one interview, it's important that your resume conveys the right 'image'. Whether it's a executive resume or one for a mid-level position, it's best present it with a cover letter outlining the highlights of your career. For the succeeding pages, it's best to list your work experience in reverse chronological order (i.e., most recent first). For new graduates, it's best to start your resume with your educational attainment and any related 'on-the-job' training or seminars even if you are currently employed.

Apart from the above, you can't go wrong with using a clear, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman 10 pt or 12 pt. Also, assuming you send in your resume via email, use general Word processing software like Microsoft Word. Don't use the latest version as it may not yet be used by those handling recruitments, rending your resume un-openable and thus, useless.

Resume Tip No. 2 - Include a no B.S. executive summary.

Job recruiters get really annoyed when they're fed with Executive Summaries that are VAGUE. The Executive Summary must answer the question on why you are the best candidate for the job. The best resume layout for this would be to enumerate your skills in a bulleted list. Each skill should be written so that it clearly shows how that skill makes you a perfect fit for the job vacancy in particular, and the company in general.

Resume Tip No. 3 - Do NOT lie.

Who doesn't embellish his resume to get that job interview? That's true... but don't exaggerate to the point of lying either. For instance, you know that figures are great in resumes, but don't say "Managed a $50 million dollar publishing project..." if it you cannot back up that figure. Don't forget that job recruiters, especially for managerial and executive positions, really do check up with previous employers.

Resume Tip No. 4 - What about online resumes?

A great resume tip that doesn't cost anything at all is to view sample online resumes! There's a lot of information out there for different types of resumes with samples to boot so do give them a try. Apart from free samples, there are also ready-to-use online resume templates you can purchase where all you need to do is just 'fill out the blanks'. If you opt for this, just ensure that the template really fits your resume needs.

Resume Tip No. 5 - Hire a professional resume writer.

When all else fails, or if you don't have the time, or the job is simply too important that you want to go in with your BEST chance at landing a job interview, then by all means, get the services of a professional resume writer. Not everybody is blessed with having that special way with words so a professional CV writer can definitely help you. Note too that such a person can help you 'smooth out' some job history problems you may have such as employment gaps or 'job hopping' trends (i.e., moving from one job to another in relative short periods of time).

When it comes top writing resumes, you should always put your best foot forward so you get called for that job interview. Hopefully, the resume tips we've provided here helps you achieve exactly that.

About the Author
Belinda Sinclair empowers men and women to increase their Wow Factor through personal development and image makeovers. Visit http://www.novawhite.com/?source=is16 for amazingly affordable professional tooth whitening systems.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=616092

Resume Videos - The Art of Interviewing

Resume Videos - The Art of Interviewing

Get the edge you need; Get the job you want. Instructinal Video on Resume Writing, Job Hunting, and Interview Techniques.

OPTIMIZING YOUR FOLLOW-UP LETTER

OPTIMIZING YOUR FOLLOW-UP LETTER

Teena Rose operates a prominent and professional resume writing service, Resume to Referral. She’s authored several career books, including "20-Minute Cover Letter Fixer" "How to Design, Write, and Compile a Quality Brag Book" and "Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales."

A follow-up letter seems like a last-ditch effort on the part of a jobseeker, am I right? Ah, but wait! The act of sending this kind of letter can actually sway a company in your direction.

Companies don’t always make hiring decisions when expected. Sending your follow-up letter a few days or a couple weeks after the interview can actually reflect your ambition and dedication to the employer. In some cases, it will reflect you as a more viable, dedicated, and persistent option to employers.

List new and unique content, and avoid regurgitating exact details contained in your original cover letter or those spoken in the interview whenever possible. Instead, keep it fresh by expanding in directions that put new angles or views on your work history.

A follow-up letter is referred to as a reintroduction or thank-you letter — although a thank-you letter is oftentimes only a few sentences versus the typical 2-3 paragraphs used in a follow-up letter.

Keep in mind that few jobseekers actually send a thank-you or follow-up letter. Therefore, when it actually occurs, it can sway a hiring manager’s decision in your direction. Remember, it’s all about who looks the best in the eyes of the employer. Here are just a few reasons for sending a great follow-up letter, along with suggestions on what to include in it:

(1) Thank the interviewer for his time. Everyone likes to be recognized and thanked, even if the “tree fails to bear fruit.” Send a follow-up letter even on those occasions when the interview didn’t go as well as expected.

(2) Refresh the interviewer’s memory concerning a particular topic you talked about in the interview. It helps to relate to the interviewer; and by bringing up a previously discussed topic, you can draw the interviewer’s attention on to you … even if only for a minute.





(3) Forum to reinforce knowledge, skills, and abilities brought up in the interview. Don’t be afraid to restate what makes you a prime candidate for the position. It doesn’t hurt to mention it, because maybe the interviewer missed something relevant about your skill set.

(4) Address new information that wasn’t originally brought up; e.g. you may have recently learned the company plans to expand marketing efforts in France. If you speak French, noting that in your follow-up letter would definitely be a smart move.

(5) Sometimes small gestures open a door to bigger rewards, such as a second interview. Receiving follow-up correspondence from a jobseeker can keep the line of communication open between the hiring company and the jobseeker.

(6) Spell out transferable skills not brought up in the interview. If you sat through the entire interview and left with a less than favorable feeling about the outcome, then detailing how your current skill set is relevant to the open position can build a bridge between your current, or most recent, position and your target position.

Don’t overlook any opportunity you have to increase your chances for employment. The hiring process is much like a dance. Fail to dance (and dance properly) in order to woo the judges, and your chances of winning diminish. It’s always best to stray from what the bulk of jobseekers are doing, so that you draw attention to yourself whenever the opportunity arises.

The Killer Interview Question You Need to Answer Well

by Gerry McLaughlin

In a job interview, the best way to separate the men from the boys, the sheep from the goats, is to ask a candidate what could go wrong with a project. If they had only done a course on the subject, they wouldn't be able to answer. If they had only used it very sparingly then their replies would be very limited.

However, if they had extensive experience of a technical area, then they could probably go on at length about the possible problems and their solutions. Experience in troubleshooting past technical problems can vastly expedite your interview process.

As an interviewer I have found greater value in asking the candidate what problems they have had when using the particular skill instead of giving them a technical test. Too few interviewers actually do this.

Turn the Interview Around

Why not turn the interview around so that you are able to bring out your knowledge of a particular technical area or skill?

Before you go to the interview, think of all the things that can go wrong when using the particular skill - and what you have done in the past to make them right.

Go to the interview determined to get this across - that you know what can go wrong and you can sort it out. It should be pretty easy at the interview to be able to bring up the topic, one way or another, of the problems that you have had and your solutions.

You might want to ask them about the main problems that they have had at their site, and then discuss the solutions with them. You can then go on to state other problems that you have had and what you did to correct them. If they haven't come across some of those problems yet, they might be very keen to have you for when they do.

Even if they have come across the problems, by bringing them up you will show that you have a broad based knowledge of the subject and can sort out problems in it.

Bad Previous Experience

I once did a series of interviews to find a couple of project managers. I interviewed quite a few people.

They all did well at the first part of the interview, and their resumes seemed great, this is until I started asking them what could go wrong with a project at the various stages of development, i.e. from scoping and estimating through analysis, programming and testing, to production.

I was surprised how few problems that they had actually come up against. Even when I came up with a problem myself, and asked how they would sort it out, they just looked at me blankly most of the time.

As there were no other candidates, I took three of them on, but my initial feelings about them were accurate - they didn't know how to run projects, although one managed to do very well in other areas. The other two were a dead loss.

Therefore, if you are an interviewer, the best way to find out who will be able to do a job for you (rather than run a course) is to find out from the candidates which problems they have had in the past, and how they sorted them out. If they don't know this at the interview, then they won't be able to solve problems for you when they arise.

If you are an interview candidate, make sure that you have prepared a list of what can go wrong and how you would put it right, and go to the interview determined that you are going to get it across.

Interviews Can Become Quite Pleasant

They say that companies only take on people that they like. If you are able to talk to them as an equal (or superior) in a subject that they know and like talking about, often the interview becomes quite natural after a while as you talk about common problems met and solved. The interview can even become quite enjoyable.

Often you'll know that you've got the job as you warm up to each other. You'll leave knowing the job is in your pocket.

Set the Agenda

Interviews are about setting the agenda and showcasing what you know, and hiding what you don't. They usually also have set times, e.g. one hour.

If you are able to turn the agenda to what you know, then you'll often find that they either don't have the time, or have satisfied themselves that you know what you are talking about, and won't bother asking those searching, testing questions that you would rather avoid.

It's happened to me before. They reached the point of the interview where they were to ask technical questions. They said to me in an embarrassed way, "You obviously know what you are talking about, so there's no need to ask you these", and then closed the folder of questions.

I was very thankful for that. I started the following Monday.

About the Author
Gerry McLaughlin has fulfilled every role in Software Development from Trainee Programmer through Systems and Business Analysis, Project Leader and Manager, Systems Manager and Chief Information Officer with a department of 80 people. Tens of thousands of IT Contractors visit www.ITContractor.com each month to keep themselves in touch with the market.

Source: www.goarticles.com

What Kind Of Interview Question Will You Be Faced With Next

by Abrahem Mittell

There is nothing like a good hard interview question to strike fear into the heart of even the most qualified applicant. This is a great chance for both parties--the applicant to strut their stuff, and the potential employer to see if the potential employee has the mettle that it will take to perform the job in question well.

So it therefore behooves both parties to prepare well to both ask and answer these sorts of questions. But where do these "million dollar" questions come from? Do they have to be or are they original? Is there a place to find and prepare for an interview question? It turns out that the answer to both of these questions is Yes! Often they are found in the same place, and now more than ever the best place to look is on the internet.

There is more information concerning interviews--how to conduct and how to survive them--on the internet than ever. The information, depending on how hard you look, can be very specific too! For instance say you are a small software development firm in silicone valley amongst giant sized competitor companies. You thrive on the pressure exerted from and the competition provided by these larger companies and your constant mission is to beat them at their own games. Well you are going to want employees to thrive under pressure right?

So the trick is to find questions that load on the pressure and get the interviewee into a situation where they feel slightly uncomfortable but should be able to reason their way through the interview question and provide an answer that shows that that is what they have done. If you search you will find websites that provide you with gobs and gobs of questions like this. Some even group them into specific areas and some also offer advise for interpreting answers and providing follow up questions and feed back.

On the other side if you are an interviewee, part of the preparation is trying to think ahead. First to the types of skills that will be needed to perform well in this job and then to the types of questions that show case these skills. The nice thing about this is that there are only so many interview questions that exist and if you do the first part of your research on the job well you should have no question finding information about classic questions that are designed to bring out certain qualities. You therefore have no excuse about not being prepared and in the same manner about not getting a great job!

About the Author
Abrahem Mittell has over 20 years of experience in employee recruiting, loves to offer advice based on his observations. To find out more about kind of interview question you will be asked at your next interview visit www.interviewquestionhub.info

Source: www.goarticles.com

The Killer Interview Question

by Harry Joiner

Did you know that an ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain? Yep. And they probably have a better eye for management talent than many companies.

All management recruiters are in the business of trying to help companies get their arms around what Peter Drucker believed was the final frontier in competitive advantage: Attracting, hiring and growing great people. So much has been written on the subject -- yet so many companies get it wrong, which is why it's still a reliable source of competitive advantage.

And it's not like I have all of the answers. But I do read old-school management books by guys you may have never heard of. Like Richard Sloma -- who wrote "No Nonsense Management" way back in 1977. Mr. Sloma had a cult following among management students who enjoyed his clear, unvarnished way of handling issues. In particular, Mr. Sloma had a knack for distilling complex issues down to one or two key points.

The World's Greatest Interview Question

For example, Mr. Sloma had ONE, single job interview question that he used for learning almost everything you need to know about an interviewee's managerial competence. Are you ready? Here it is ...

"What was the worst mistake you ever made; and what was the worst damage you did to your employer's P&L and balance sheet?"

According to Mr. Sloma, you immediately learn four critical things about a candidate from his or her answer:

1. The magnitude of the mistake directly identifies the level that the candidate had in his employer's hierarchy. Mr. Sloma always reasoned that candidates cannot make big mistakes at low levels.

2. The magnitude also demonstrates the extent to which leadership was exercised.

3. Since few people repeat a mistake once made, you learn the depth of experience gained by the interviewee.

4. Finally, the elaboration in the answer reveals character traits -- especially the extent to which the mistake was palmed off as someone else's fault. All of this makes perfect sense. Executives who get great results often lead great, big projects -- and the bigger the project, the bigger the risk. And sooner or later, even the most successful executives are bound to taste failure.

It's like my dad used to tell me: "Sometimes you gotta go out on a limb because that's where the best fruit is."

For more information tips on how to build your business, see http://www.ManagementRecruiter.com

About the Author
Harry Joiner is an executive recruiter specializing in marketing and ecommerce. His clients and candidates appear frequently in magazines like Fast Company, Internet Retailer, Advertising Age, and Multichannel Merchant.

Harry has been featured in MarketingSherpa's "Great Minds in Marketing" series and received coverage in the Wall Street Journal's Career Journal Online. He can be reached at http://www.ManagementRecruiter.com

Source: www.goarticles.com

Be Prepared For Any Interview Question

by Heather Eagar

Things can go really against you despite your thorough preparation for a just a couple of 'types' of interview questions. However, it is possible to ignore or forget the other types of possible interview questions. This brings us to different 'types' of interview questions, along with traditional questions or questions pertaining to your core skills.

Types Of Interview Questions

It is crucial for you to be able to anticipate different types of questions that may come up in an interview. Let's categorize them into three types:

1. 'Out of the box' questions and hardcore questions are the traditionally asked ones that cannot be readily anticipated. They may or may not be related to the job at hand, and are designed to see how well you can 'think on your feet'.

2. Questions That Test Behavior And Problem Solving Abilities. These aim to find how you have conducted yourself in difficult situations and how will you do if the situation were to repeat itself. Interviewers always want to test you for unexpected and accidental circumstances.

3. Lastly, There Are Illegal Questions which are sometimes cleverly framed. These are aimed to find out your nationality, religious or ethnic background, marital status, etc. Illegal questions are not always intentional, but sometimes they are. The world isn't fair, and you may as well know this going in.

Sample Questions

Let's look at some samples from two categories:

Traditional Questions/Behavioral Questions

1. Tell us about yourself. In my humble opinion, the most overused and overworked, and unfortunately the most likely first question in any interview. This question can be manifested in any form. As there is no right or wrong answer to this, this is an open-ended question, most often used by inexperienced interviewers. However, if this question does come up (and you should assume that it will), then stick to answering strictly in business terms; NEVER volunteer personal information.

2. Why do you want to join us? This is another question belonging to the same category as the earlier one but usually follows it. As such, it is routinely predictable and you should have your answer ready. You need to list the benefits of your joining them from both points of view (the employer's first, then yours).

3. How would you describe yourself? Adopt a realistic approach towards this question and use adjectives like 'honest', 'hard working', etc., instead of the overused/ambiguous answers like 'courageous' or 'results-oriented'.

4. 'Describe a situation which demanded working overtime' (or any variations on this question). If you have been in the corporate world for any length of time, you should have encountered this scenario. This question is devised only to see how you will possibly conduct yourself, as the new employer is probably anticipating similar situations happening should you be hired.

5. 'Tell me about a decision that you made which was a bad one'. This may well be a hypothetical question. But if you had had made a bad decision, a 'positive you' will explain this in a structured mixture of truth, admission, failure analysis and so on. In other words, logically turn a potential negative answer into a positive one - avoid making yourself look incompetent at all costs.

Let's take a look at some possible illegal questions. Employers know they aren't supposed to ask them, but many do anyway (and some in different variations, so as not to be overtly illegal):

Illegal Questions

6. Does your religion preclude you from working weekends? (overtly illegal question)

7. Are you planning to have kids? (designed to reveal your family status, or perhaps your sexual orientation)

8. When/Where were you born? (A clever way of finding out your age or ethnicity)

9. Your last name sounds unusual; what's your origin? (designed to reveal your ethnic background)

As a job seeker, you will invariable come across all types of interview questions. There are as many different types of questions as there are interviewers. It pays to be aware of the many types of questions that you will encounter - doing so will ensure that you handle such questions with confidence.

About the Author
Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end. Grab your free job search tips at http://www.JobSearchMasters.com

Source: www.goarticles.com

Job Interview Question And Answer Strategies

by Steven French

Figuring out job interview question and answer strategies can be a nerve wrecking experience particularly for first timers or those that are in desperate need of a job. They would prepare endlessly for days, study self help books about 'How to face an interview', memorize answers to 'expected' questions etc. This article looks at the psychology of interviewers, job interview question and answer strategies, and what most people do wrong while faced with an interview.

Most people think that attending interviews means answering tough questions. Hence they try to prepare answers to as many questions as possible by reading books related to facing interviews. But it would be humanly impossible to remember all the answers and recall them at the right time. It should be borne in mind that by inviting you to an interview, the employer has already short listed you based on your resume that you are suitable for the job. Otherwise you would not have been called for the interview in the first place. Hence the purpose of the interview is mainly to ascertain three things - that the contents of the resume are true and that you are capable of doing the job, that you would be with the company as long as needed and that you would form a good chemistry with other employees of the company.

Keeping the above points in mind, the questions in the interview are likely to be oriented towards revealing the real you as most people write only good things about them in their resumes - as no one likes to admit that he or she was a failure. Most of the competing candidates would have more or less same qualifications; otherwise they would not have been called for interview and you have to stand out among the crowd by giving intuitive answers in the interview. While others might be busy rehearsing the generic questions, it might actually make it easy for you if you remember the main purpose of the interview as given above.

If you are asked the typical question, where would you see yourself in X years time, a proper response would be that you would want to be in the same position as the interviewer is, both starting at the same time. This type of answer would prompt the interviewer to ask more questions seeking clarifications. It would also send a positive signal that you are serious about the job and that you would stick around with the company. Giving intuitive answers would make you stand out among the crowd and compel the interviewer to hire you. Other points to remember when attending interviews are: questions are expected from you also, show your eagerness to know about the company's business and lastly clear any suspicions of the employer that he or she might have about your capabilities.

It is not a requirement to learn by heart expected questions and answers by guessing what the interviewer might ask. You just have to remain calm and allay any reservations that the interviewer may have about your capability and the job is yours.

About the Author
Steven French is a recruitment consultant to http://www.UteachRecruitment.com - the specialist UK teaching jobs recruitment agency. Visit Uteach Recruitment to find your perfect UK teaching job today.

Source: www.goarticles.com

Job Interview Dressing Tips

by Yulin Peng

It's time to head for the interview and you have one question. What is the job interview dressing code? Yes. Everyone has that same doubt. Should you be too formal? Should you just be yourself? Should you portray yourself as a happy-go-lucky character and dress as you please? Ear rings, nose rings, tattoos and other stuff that has been your style statement ?should they come off? Would you make more of an impression if you stood out from the rest of the crowd? Yes. These are some questions that plague many people. Dressing for the interview is a big issue and many get stuck at this critical area.

The answer is actually quite simple. The job interview being a formal meeting between people who are assessing each other's capability and "fit" to work together in a professional environment, the dress code must obviously tilt to the formal. Prepare for it with all the seriousness it requires because you need to create an impression on the employers that you are a serious, responsible and resourceful kind of a person. Now that means that the casual look or the worn out look is out. It means that the conservative look is what you need to work at. Even if you were going for an interview as an odd job man or a part time summer job, it will surely make a difference if you go to the interview dressed formally. One rule that most human resource people advocate is that one must dress as if one is going to the interview of a job one notch higher than what one actually is.

The point of packaging yourself well is to leave behind an impression of your personality. Nothing does as much as the clothes you wear, the perfume you wear and the colors you wear. With conservative colors and clothes you are in the safe zone with most people whereas a daring fashionable look could just disqualify you for too much attitude of the wrong kind. Some of the things that are to be avoided are ?too much jewellery, bright colored clothes, nail polish, bad nails, skirts that are too short and clothes that are too tight, accessories that are too colorful or floral, inappropriate shoes, bare legs, collarless shirts etc. They just go to prove that you do not really care about the job and all you are worried is about your attitude, which may not be a great advertisement for someone who is looking for a congenial colleague.

Now what is it that you must wear? Colors that score in conservatism are the traditional blue and gray. Blacks and browns are fine as well but score lower than blue and gray. Whatever the job is ?remember organizations do want disciplined, professional, responsible people in their jobs and it is best that you reflect that in your attire and attitude. Sober colored collared shirts, tie and jacket (if dress code is casual you could ignore the tie).

If you are still unsure, it does make sense to call and ask beforehand what the dress code is and then dress appropriately. Good luck and make a good impression!

About the Author
Yulin Peng is a recruiting researcher and the owner of http://www.job-employment-guide.com. Please visit his site for more free employment tips.

Source: www.goarticles.com

Dressing for a Job Interview

by Will

Dressing for a job interview has a lot in common with the way a politician dresses for a public appearance. Since different companies have different styles, you need to do some homework to learn the customs of a potential employer. If the interview site is local to you, go there and observe what the people are wearing. You should also call the human resources department and ask about the daily dress in the department you'll be talking to. Don't worry about what the HR person might think of you. S/he is a professional and will be happy that a candidate is doing his homework.

Once you know how to look like you're already a member of the team, put what you've learned into practice. As a rule, it is best to dress one level more formally than the people you would be working with. In other words, show respect without going overboard.

If your interviewers will be wearing suits, men should wear a conservatively cut two-piece in dark gray wool. Pair it with a light blue cotton broadcloth long-sleeved dress shirt with button cuffs and a point or button-down collar, a navy blue silk twill necktie, and polished black dress shoes (with a matching belt if you wear belts). Women should substitute an ivory or light blue top for the shirt and skip the necktie.

If the people you'll be meeting don't wear suits, a navy jacket and either gray flannel or khaki cotton trousers is a step towards male informality. Pair them with a well pressed button-down collar shirt, brown slip-on shoes and a matching belt. Once again, women wear a top instead of a shirt.

Like your clothes, your grooming should be clean but unremarkable. Have your hair cut a couple of days before the meeting, trim your fingernails, and do not wear any scent. It goes without saying that your clothes should be clean and freshly pressed. Limit your jewelry to a dress wristwatch, a wedding band if you wear one, and discreet cufflinks for men or a necklace or pin for women.

When the first meeting is a success and you're asked to return, you can loosen up just a touch. That could mean a pinstripe suit instead of a solid, and dark brown shoes instead of black, but don't deviate very far from plain, conservative dress. If you wore a navy blazer to the first interview you could wear a patterned jacket to the second. Stick to city colors, such as a small black and white check. If the environment is appropriate, men could substitute a black mock turtleneck sweater for the dress shirt and necktie this time.

Remember, your objective is to impress people with your qualifications rather than your dress. You'll have plenty of opportunities to express yourself with your clothes after you're hired.

About the Author
Will speaks to groups on business dress and works with corporate human resources departments to help professional men and women build appropriate business wardrobes. He publishes the web's most popular blog covering classic men's clothing and style, A Suitable Wardrobe.

Source: www.goarticles.com

Job Interview Tips: How to Interview with Confidence

by Adam Waxler

Since just getting an interview can often seem like a job in itself, you can go ahead and give yourself a big pat on the back if you've landed one...

However, now the hard work really starts...

Now it's time to actually land the job!

The interview itself is the most difficult part of securing job. Not only do job interviews consist of many difficult questions, but you will most likely be faced with some fierce competition. Therefore, you should thoroughly prepare yourself each and every job interview.

Unfortunately, job interviews vary from one person to the other and from one industry to the next. However, all job interviews do have some similar characteristics and you can follow some basic rules that will help you face your next job interview with confidence.

Here are three things everyone interviewing for a job should do...

1. Communication ~ Whether it is verbal phone calls or written emails, poorly stated or disorganized communication shows a lack of professionalism. Also, during an interview, don't be shy or soft spoken. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer and carefully listen to everything they say.

Answer the interview questions confidentially without the use of slang or street language. In fact, make sure to use the jargon of the profession.

2. Body language ~ The fact is you are being judged from the second you walk into an interview. That's right, before you even say a word the interview committee is already judging you just based upon your body language.

Do NOT underestimate how important body language is during an interview.

There is no doubt that your physical appearance plays an important role in getting you a job. If you are dress too casually you won't be taken seriously for the job. Dress in a nice suit or other formal clothes that make you look organized, sharp, and controlled. When undecided about what to wear always weigh on the side of caution and dress more formal than less.

Hand shakes also play a big part of body language. A soft handshake doesn't make an impression while a firm handshake indicates you have drive and confidence.

Also, while seated, you should always sit with your back straight, keep a smile on your face, be attentive, and maintain eye contact with all interviewers.

3. Ask Questions ~ Having sat on countless interview committees I am always shocked at how many candidates do not ask us, the interviewers, any questions. Asking questions gives the impression that not just any job will do, but that you are looking for the right job...the right fit for you. As much as possible try to make the interview seem more like a two-way conversation rather than a one-way interview.

Again, while job interviews will vary from person to person and from one industry to the next, by following these basic guidelines you will be much more confident and that will shine through during your interview.

About the Author
Want to discover some of the greatest "think-outside-the-box" job search strategies ever revealed? Then sign up right now for our FREE one-of-a-kind Cover Letter e-Course @ http://www.Write-Impressive-Resumes.com

Source: www.goarticles.com