Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Interview: Here and now

THURSDAY THOUGHT

Whether you are in an aggressive job search or trying to put in your 9 to 5, one thing we often lose sight of is living our lives in the present.  Really being present.  I am talking totally aware and being and doing your best NOW!

If you are interviewing you absolutely MUST find a way to be in the here and now... A brief interlude of inattention can cost you a job.... READ MORE    

DON'T STUMBLE OVER SOMETHING BEHIND YOU

WEDNESDAY WISDOM

Source: pinterest.com via Mary Sherwood on Pinterest

WHAT TO DO AFTER AN INTERVIEW

TUESDAY TIP

If your interview went well, you may be tempted to sit back and wait for the phone to ring with a job offer.  Many of my clients quit job searching - sure in the knowledge such a call is forthcoming!  As well as you think the interview went, the next one might have gone better.  ALWAYS continue your job search. 

After an interview, some job seekers write THANK YOU LETTERS...some don't.  Don't miss the opportunity to set yourself apart from the other job seekers. At the very least, a thank you note will remind them of your interview, confirm your interest, and associate warm fuzzy's with your name.  You may even tuck a nugget into the letter that you may not have mentioned or want to highlight again...ALWAYS send a thank you letter!

http://www.morguefile.com/creative/kakisky

It is also important to evaluate yourself after an interview.  This can be difficult both in terms of the actual exercise and in terms of what you assess about yourself.  Nearly every interviewee can find something they could have done differently, so don't "sweat the small stuffs" as the saying goes. DO think about anything you could have done differently and make note of this for your next interview prep session! 

If you get nervous and tend to overcompensate by presenting as overconfident or arrogant, you might try the following to see if it helps.

After an interview: 

1) Think about the interviews in which you feel you came across as arrogant.

2) Make a list of the behaviors, phrases, or body language that may be interpreted as arrogant. 

3) Think about any reactions on the part of your interviewer that lead you to believe you were viewed as arrogant and make a list of those.

4) Ask yourself - do you come across as "arrogant" in other settings?  If so, practice recognizing the clues that you may be coming across as arrogant and CHANGE that behavior, phrase or body language.

5) If you feel you are only seen as arrogant in an interview setting practice interviewing.  

Apply this same approach after an interview with any other aspects of interviewing you find you need to address: Nervousness, fidgeting, head-bobbing, etc.

Everyone hates to hear it because they say they feel stupid or silly, but you must PRACTICE. First in the mirror then with a friend then with a respected instructor or other "superior." The more you interview, practice or otherwise, the more comfortable and confident you will be when it really counts. Practice, practice, practice! 

Other articles that may be of interest:

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Job Search for the Rest of Us!: INTERVIEW ETTIQUETTE

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Behavior based interview questions are designed to determine how you have or will react under pressure, your thought process, and how quickly you can come to a solution. It is difficult to prepare for this type of interview.

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Behavior based interview questions are designed to determine how you have or will react under pressure, your thought process, and how quickly you can come to a solution. It is difficult to prepare for this type of interview.

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INTERVIEW SERIES PART IV

MONDAY MISSION

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Interview Series Part I

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Interview Series Part II

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Interview Series Part III

 LIAR, LIAR PANTS ON FIRE – NEVER LIE IN AN INTERVIEW!

http://www.morguefile.com/creative/xenia

It is imperative that you are always honest in an interview setting. Not only can even small fibs trip you up during the interview or in subsequent interviews, but it may be grounds for termination after hire. If your past is not perfect you may be tempted to shade the truth to enhance your chances of getting a job. This never works.

Make sure that your career and potential employer choices are realistic considering any blemishes in your background. If your choices are realistic, but blemishes in your background might prove challenging then develop answers to address those areas in a way that seems positive. Honesty in general is important to many employers, regardless of the industry or your circumstances.

18.  Have you ever lied? This very open ended question and one that is, ironically, designed to assess your honesty. Everyone has lied. If you say you haven’t – you are probably lying! 

Answer this question by stressing your understanding of the importance of honesty.  Relate your answer to the industry or the employer as much as possible. Illustrate with an example if you have a scenario in which being honest was difficult for you.

19. Have you ever taken any illegal drugs? If you are not prepared for this question you could blanch or blush whether or not you have ever done so! It is always important to not lie in an interview. 

If you can’t answer, “No.” to this question then carefully craft an answer in your own words that makes it clear you do not use or condone use of illegal drugs. Something like, “I do not use illegal drugs, no.” As always…practice, practice, practice. 

20. Have you ever stolen anything? Depending upon your industry this may very well be a legitimate question, but typically wouldn’t be asked this way in an interview. Ideally, you will be able to answer, “No.” 

If you have an issue that may impact how the employer will perceive you then practice an answer that will make it clear that you know it is wrong to steal and would not think of doing so.  For example, “At my last employer, stealing was a major issue. I didn’t steal from them and would not, of course, steal from anyone.” 

21.  Did you ever quit a job? An employer asking this question is likely trying to determine honesty and how quickly you think on your feet. Unless you have only had one job you have had to quit one or more, of course!

Answer this question by stressing that you “regret ending any good relationship, but you have had to give notice to benefit your career.” This type of response shows your sense of loyalty and that you have goals.

The questions don’t seem so strange, once you know the answers! Good luck on your interview.

 Other articles that may be of interest:

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Interview Series Part I

Jan 07, 2013

Sometimes employers plan to ask strange interview questions to get a feel for how you will solve problems and/or how poised you can be under pressure. In this situation what you answer may not matter as much as how you ...

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HOW TO TURN AN INTERVIEW INTO A JOB OFFER

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How to Greet Panel Members in an Interview - Job Search for the ...

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Sometimes employers plan to ask strange interview questions to get a feel for how you will solve problems and/or how poised you can be under pressure. In this situation what you answer may not matter as much as how you .

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IDC: Samsung extends lead over Apple in smartphone marketshare, while Huawei and ZTE increase influence - Right heels of too many financial reports and yet more smartphone research, IDC has weighed in with its own ...

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#FF FOLLOW UP FRIDAY

Here are some great posts from great career experts I shared last week:Shhhh.....Listen.....To your heart! »

THURSDAY THOUGHT So, what's stopping you? Source: Uploaded by user via Mary...

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INTERVIEW ETTIQUETTE »

WEDNESDAY WISDOM You can never start too early or prepare too much for an interview. This infographic has some good tips with practical and quick reminders about how to conduct yourself before, d...

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#JobSearch for the Rest of Us!: SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO GET YOUR NEXT#JOB http://ow.ly/h1xYP with links to @mindtools and @studygs

SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO GET YOUR NEXT JOB »

TUESDAY TIP http://www.morguefile.com/creative/Alvimann If there was only one tip I would give an interviewee hoping to get an offer for a JOB it would be: LISTEN. Many people today do not ...

INTERVIEW SERIES PART III »

MONDAY MISSION Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Interview Series Part I Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Interview Series Part II IRRELEVANT, IRREVERENT, OR ILLEGAL So many candidates forget t...

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Great advice from Great Career Experts!

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This is hurting a lot of job seekers right now.

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N Walnut St, Milford, Delaware

1050-1090 N Walnut St, Milford, DE 19963, USA

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