How to Prepare for an Interview

According to the U.S. Department of Labor we are in the worst job market in over 25 years. The unemployment figure rose to 10.2% in October of 2009, the highest since April of 1983. Looking for a job in this market can be a long drawn out frustrating and demoralizing endeavor. So in offering tips for interview success, it may seem trite to recommend that you stay enthusiastic and keep a positive attitude. But that’s exactly what you must do!

Here’s why; If you are down and carrying around a negative attitude, this negative energy will be felt by those you interact with. You may not intentionally be trying to exude this negative energy but it will come through. Just think of your own interactions with others and how you can feel someone’s positive or negative enthusiasm come through. Hiring managers want to add employees who will bring enthusiasm and a results oriented approach to the job. Those candidates who can come across with unstoppable energy will have a clear edge in the interview process.

Try these practices to increase your level of enthusiasm and energy.

• Focus on those activities that you can control, such as networking or interview follow up.
• If something doesn’t go your way, like not getting chosen for the next round of interviews, let it go. Keep moving forward, because in this tight market it is natural for your job search to be slower.
• Get involved with an outside activity. Volunteer, coach your kid’s sports teams, or help someone else in need.
• Hang out with others who generate enthusiasm and have a can do approach to life. Their energy will be imparted to you.
• Get some exercise as this will increase your energy and help burn out some frustrations.
• Ignore the talking heads on TV who highlight the doom and gloom.

Approach every opportunity with enthusiasm, not just the ones that interest you the most. This positive energy will be seen and felt by all you interact with. The positive aura that you transmit will give you an edge versus your competition. It might just be what gets you that job offer.

Technorati Tags: How to Prepare for an Interview, Tips for Job Interview Success

Anticipating interview questions and preparing answers for these questions is an important success step if you want to come out on top in the interview process. Many if not most job candidates are under prepared when they sit down for an interview. Those that take the time to prepare interview questions and answers have a decided advantage over their competition.

For example, many job candidates are caught off guard by the question “Tell me about yourself?”

In reality this is a question you want to be asked. It is an invitation for you to deliver an unedited commercial about yourself, one that you have prepared and practiced in advance. What could be more beneficial to the impression you are trying to make than to deliver a precise message about the value you can bring to an organization. In constructing your answer it is important to adhere to the following points;

1. Reinforce the value you will bring to the organization. Deliver new information that is not already in your resume or cover letter. Or present your value in a new context so that the hiring manager gains further insight into your substantial abilities. You want to stress that you are results oriented, so give an example.
2. Relate something interesting about yourself that is not work related. You want the hiring manager to understand that you are a fine and interesting person. So describe a non controversial activity that you like to participate in outside of work.
3. Give your answer with energy and enthusiasm. By delivering your message with conviction you will convey that you are passionate about what you do and what type of person you are. This energy will insure that your answer is not perceived as “canned”.
4. Practice your delivery. Your answer should be no longer than one minute. You do not want to ramble. Make your point and let the interview continue. It is important that you practice your delivery out loud, either to another person or a mirror. Get some feedback as to the content and delivery of your message. Is it memorable? This practice will also help you add the enthusiasm to your answer.

Preparing and rehearsing answers to common interview questions will allow you to approach each interview with the confidence needed to convince the hiring manager that you are the right person for the job.

Technorati Tags: How to Prepare for an Interview, Interview Questions and Answers