Dress The Part:
When preparing for a job interview (as with preparing your professional resumes), whether with one person or an entire team of people, it is important to remember you are representing a salable product: YOU. The way in which you walk, speak and appear makes an impression.
Much has been said about the importance of personal appearance by job candidates when going to job interviews, yet examples abound every day of people getting it wrong. Here are a few things to remember when heading out the door to that hard-won interview.
Appearance Matters!
• I used to know managers who said they decided on a job candidate at the handshake. Studies show this is quite common. In that brief moment, it is not what you say that may matter most to them, but what your appearance says about you.
• Candidates interviewing with organizations having casual work environments are especially prone to error in knowing how to dress. Because all not casual clothing is suitable for every work environment, you must determine what is appropriate to wear to the interview. Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance club, exercise session, and sporting event may not be appropriate for a professional appearance at work.
• Clothing that reveals too much cleavage, back, chest, feet, stomach or underwear is not appropriate for most places of business, even in business casual settings. Additionally, clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled, and is generally unacceptable if torn, dirty, or frayed. Clothing having words or pictures that may be offensive is unacceptable, but clothing with fashion brand names conservatively displayed (e.g., Dockers, Izod, etc.), is usually okay.
• Proper dress for an interview in a business casual environment does not necessarily mean wearing a suit and tie. Even if the interviewer is sitting there in a t-shirt and jeans with big holes in the knees, it is best practice for you to present a clean, neat appearance, and be dressed to a higher standard than the workplace/job requires. Candidates are never down-rated for dressing too well, but frequently are for not looking the part.
Please remember to take a good look at yourself through the eyes of an interviewer before going to that interview, take steps to dress appropriately, and work hard at closing the "sale." Oh, what happened with the candidate mentioned at the beginning of this article? He was not considered a good job fit and did not get the job.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Preparing For Executive Interviews
So how do you properly prepare for executive-level interviews? There are a number of steps involved to get you on the right track and keep you there. Let’s take a look at what they are …
Make Sure You’re Impeccably Organized
If you’re applying with more than one company at a time then you want to make sure that you don’t mix them up as you keep track of specific details. How embarrassing would it be to recite incorrect statistical data, or reference a conversation from a representative of the wrong company in the interview? But this is not the only reason you need to make sure you’re organized.
Additionally, you want to make sure that you have studied the position you’re applying for inside and out. This takes a lot of time because you not only want to understand the position in relation to the inner workings of the company, but also in relation to the industry as a whole. As an executive, you will be expected to broaden the scope of the company, so before even going in for the interview, it’s good to organize ideas on how you intend to do just that if you’re accepted for the position.
Prepare Even More
So you’d consider yourself to be pretty organized at this point. You’ve determined what the company is looking for, how it relates to industry trends, and how you can make your contributions. But there’s even more preparation to consider. First, it’s good to know who your interviewer(s) is. If you already have a name, you can search for background information on business acquaintances, work experience and more via Google, DogPile, or LinkedIn. Additionally, it’s good to tailor your references to the interview, especially if you have internal connections. There’s nothing wrong with a little name-dropping as long as it fits the context of the conversation.
Dress to Impress
Something else to keep in mind is what you’ll wear to your interview. Since much of how you’re perceived is based upon how you look, it’s a good idea to prepare clothes for not just your first interview, but the possible second or third ones as well. You don’t want to wear the same suit to more than one interview with the same company.
Also, if you smoke, you don’t want the interviewer to know it. So keep this all in mind as you prepare your suits.
Before You Walk Out the Door …
Finally, before you walk out the door, don’t forget to bring extra resumes, as well as other materials/ideas in an interview folder. Some of those other materials/ideas may include interviewers’ names, pads of paper, a pen, key points you want to bring up, and your key skills.
The more prepared you are for your executive interview, the better your chances are of securing the position you want. So keep this in mind as you get yourself organized.
Make Sure You’re Impeccably Organized
If you’re applying with more than one company at a time then you want to make sure that you don’t mix them up as you keep track of specific details. How embarrassing would it be to recite incorrect statistical data, or reference a conversation from a representative of the wrong company in the interview? But this is not the only reason you need to make sure you’re organized.
Additionally, you want to make sure that you have studied the position you’re applying for inside and out. This takes a lot of time because you not only want to understand the position in relation to the inner workings of the company, but also in relation to the industry as a whole. As an executive, you will be expected to broaden the scope of the company, so before even going in for the interview, it’s good to organize ideas on how you intend to do just that if you’re accepted for the position.
Prepare Even More
So you’d consider yourself to be pretty organized at this point. You’ve determined what the company is looking for, how it relates to industry trends, and how you can make your contributions. But there’s even more preparation to consider. First, it’s good to know who your interviewer(s) is. If you already have a name, you can search for background information on business acquaintances, work experience and more via Google, DogPile, or LinkedIn. Additionally, it’s good to tailor your references to the interview, especially if you have internal connections. There’s nothing wrong with a little name-dropping as long as it fits the context of the conversation.
Dress to Impress
Something else to keep in mind is what you’ll wear to your interview. Since much of how you’re perceived is based upon how you look, it’s a good idea to prepare clothes for not just your first interview, but the possible second or third ones as well. You don’t want to wear the same suit to more than one interview with the same company.
Also, if you smoke, you don’t want the interviewer to know it. So keep this all in mind as you prepare your suits.
Before You Walk Out the Door …
Finally, before you walk out the door, don’t forget to bring extra resumes, as well as other materials/ideas in an interview folder. Some of those other materials/ideas may include interviewers’ names, pads of paper, a pen, key points you want to bring up, and your key skills.
The more prepared you are for your executive interview, the better your chances are of securing the position you want. So keep this in mind as you get yourself organized.
Getting The Job You Desire: Preparing For Various Interview Types
Sometimes you know what type of interview you’re going to walk into and sometimes you don’t. So to be prepared for anything, let’s take a brief look at varying interview types.
The Screening Interview
Often times, when you apply for a job, the company will look over your resume and cover letter as a sort of filtering process to determine whether you’re generally qualified for the job. However, on occasion, a company might go one step further by conducting what is known as a screening interview. In this interview – which might be conducted in person or over the phone – a representative will ask you some questions to determine your interest in the job and basic qualifications.
Structured Interview
Another interview type that you might be prepared for – and that is quite common – is the structured interview. In this type of interview, the interviewer will ask specific, predetermined questions meant to explore experience, skills and personality traits. The goal of this type of interview is to find the ideal candidate. Very often, this interview is the determining factor in whether you will be hired for a position.
Stress Interview
This type of interview style is rarer than others because it is a bit unorthodox. During this interview, the interviewer will try to intentionally upset you to see how you might react under pressure. You might be asked questions designed to make you feel uncomfortable. Or the interviewer may interrupt you while you’re speaking.
Group Interview
The group interview is pretty much just what you think it is. It is a number of representatives from the company opting to interview you at the same time. Often times, each member of the group is designated a style of questions to ask (ex. stress). However, other times, the interviewers may be allowed to start a sort of “free for all” as long as they don’t step on the toes of other interviewers.
Multiple Interviews
If you have been moving up the corporate ladder over the past few years then you may have noticed that you first started with structured interviews only. However, as you’re moving higher up the chain, you may be participating in multiple interviews.
Multiple interviews are usually a combination of several types of interviews you’re already familiar with. For instance, you may first undergo a screening interview so they can determine whether you’re qualified to move on to the next step. Then you may attend a group interview where multiple representatives will have an opportunity to determine your qualifications. Finally, you might go to an informal interview – possibly at a lunch – where you meet with one or more interviewers to talk casually about the job.
There are other interview types out there to consider, including targeted and situational. By knowing what’s out there, you can more easily prepare for any interviewing scenario you find yourself in.
The Screening Interview
Often times, when you apply for a job, the company will look over your resume and cover letter as a sort of filtering process to determine whether you’re generally qualified for the job. However, on occasion, a company might go one step further by conducting what is known as a screening interview. In this interview – which might be conducted in person or over the phone – a representative will ask you some questions to determine your interest in the job and basic qualifications.
Structured Interview
Another interview type that you might be prepared for – and that is quite common – is the structured interview. In this type of interview, the interviewer will ask specific, predetermined questions meant to explore experience, skills and personality traits. The goal of this type of interview is to find the ideal candidate. Very often, this interview is the determining factor in whether you will be hired for a position.
Stress Interview
This type of interview style is rarer than others because it is a bit unorthodox. During this interview, the interviewer will try to intentionally upset you to see how you might react under pressure. You might be asked questions designed to make you feel uncomfortable. Or the interviewer may interrupt you while you’re speaking.
Group Interview
The group interview is pretty much just what you think it is. It is a number of representatives from the company opting to interview you at the same time. Often times, each member of the group is designated a style of questions to ask (ex. stress). However, other times, the interviewers may be allowed to start a sort of “free for all” as long as they don’t step on the toes of other interviewers.
Multiple Interviews
If you have been moving up the corporate ladder over the past few years then you may have noticed that you first started with structured interviews only. However, as you’re moving higher up the chain, you may be participating in multiple interviews.
Multiple interviews are usually a combination of several types of interviews you’re already familiar with. For instance, you may first undergo a screening interview so they can determine whether you’re qualified to move on to the next step. Then you may attend a group interview where multiple representatives will have an opportunity to determine your qualifications. Finally, you might go to an informal interview – possibly at a lunch – where you meet with one or more interviewers to talk casually about the job.
There are other interview types out there to consider, including targeted and situational. By knowing what’s out there, you can more easily prepare for any interviewing scenario you find yourself in.
Importance Of Body Language In Interviews
It is said that body language always tells the truth. If we can't trust on what we see or what we hear, we should go by body language of the person. When an interview is being conducted, effective use of body language should be made by the interviewee. Interviewee should sit comfortably in the chair. He shouldn't sit in stiff position. He should maintain an eye to eye contact with the interviewer. He should sit in appropriate and confident posture, straight and balanced. His hands should be neatly placed in the laps or in the arms of the chair. All these convey to the interviewer that interviewee is smart, confident, energetic, assertive and cautious. It leaves a good impression. There is no need to feel shy, hesitant or conscious.
It should be remembered that employers are human and kind. Arriving on time is most important. Time should be always valued. After being punctual and arriving at right place, it is important to relax. Waiting graciously is always recommended. The interviewee shouldn't show eagerness and shouldn't be impatient. He should be polite to all. Fiddling with things and chewing should be avoided in waiting room. The interviewee should be dressed formally and not casually. There should be a warm smile while greeting the interviewer. Interviewee should be well groomed. All this signifies something positive to the interviewer.
It should be remembered that employers are human and kind. Arriving on time is most important. Time should be always valued. After being punctual and arriving at right place, it is important to relax. Waiting graciously is always recommended. The interviewee shouldn't show eagerness and shouldn't be impatient. He should be polite to all. Fiddling with things and chewing should be avoided in waiting room. The interviewee should be dressed formally and not casually. There should be a warm smile while greeting the interviewer. Interviewee should be well groomed. All this signifies something positive to the interviewer.
How To Write A Resume - 3 Tips To Get More Interviews
Tip 1 - Remember the Goal
When writing your resume, it's important to begin with the end in mind. What do you want your resume to accomplish?
The purpose of the resume and cover letter is to land you a job interview. A secondary purpose is to pre-sell the interviewer on your value before you walk into the room.
Think of writing your resume as the opportunity to capture the perfect pitch that sells you as the right candidate for a job.
This is your chance to say all of the right things, without having to worry about whether you'll stutter, or hem and haw.
This is your chance to sit in a relaxed environment and create a miniature salesman - one who flawlessly delivers the perfect pitch - which you can send to hundreds of employer’s offices.
And it's your chance to do so in a low-stress environment – your living room – where no one else ever has to know that you didn't know how to get started or sweated bullets and suffered from writer's block.
Tip 2 - Your Resume Should Sell You - in Print
Others have spoken of a resume as a marketing document, but I say that it is a sales document. Why? Because when people hear the word "marketing" they think of super-bowl-commercial-type marketing, not the give-me-what-I-want-now attitude that a good salesman has.
And that's fine for others; let them try to create a good image and personal brand awareness for themselves while you and I go out and get a job using good salesmanship.
We'll go into some specific techniques you can use to sell your value to an employer in print later, but for now it is sufficient to acknowledge that your resume has a sales job.
Tip 3 - Answer the WIIFM Question (what's In It For Me?) Every Employer is Asking
It must answer the question every employer asks when reading resumes: "What's in it for me?" Because, you see, every hiring manager has a reason she or he is looking for a new employee - and it's not because they want a new friend. If you can find out what their reasons are and show them how you deliver the results they want, then you will have success in your job search.
The following sales strategy will set you apart from 90% of your competition for a job.
When most people sit down to write a resume, their thinking turns inward – “How can I write about me?” is the thought in their mind. But a good salesman knows that a sales pitch is never about you, it's about the customer.
In this case it's all about the employer and what they want. Show them how they can have what they want by hiring you and you'll have the job.
This is the over-arching theme that should be running in the back of your mind every time you work on your resume – “What does this employer want to see and hear?”
Every sentence, every bullet, and every time you're not sure whether to include something, ask yourself "What do they want to hear?"
How to Write a Resume Conclusions
When you start thinking about how to write a resume, remember to keep your customer's interests in mind. Before you decide to include something in your resume, ask yourself how this piece of information appeals to an employers self-interests.
When writing your resume, it's important to begin with the end in mind. What do you want your resume to accomplish?
The purpose of the resume and cover letter is to land you a job interview. A secondary purpose is to pre-sell the interviewer on your value before you walk into the room.
Think of writing your resume as the opportunity to capture the perfect pitch that sells you as the right candidate for a job.
This is your chance to say all of the right things, without having to worry about whether you'll stutter, or hem and haw.
This is your chance to sit in a relaxed environment and create a miniature salesman - one who flawlessly delivers the perfect pitch - which you can send to hundreds of employer’s offices.
And it's your chance to do so in a low-stress environment – your living room – where no one else ever has to know that you didn't know how to get started or sweated bullets and suffered from writer's block.
Tip 2 - Your Resume Should Sell You - in Print
Others have spoken of a resume as a marketing document, but I say that it is a sales document. Why? Because when people hear the word "marketing" they think of super-bowl-commercial-type marketing, not the give-me-what-I-want-now attitude that a good salesman has.
And that's fine for others; let them try to create a good image and personal brand awareness for themselves while you and I go out and get a job using good salesmanship.
We'll go into some specific techniques you can use to sell your value to an employer in print later, but for now it is sufficient to acknowledge that your resume has a sales job.
Tip 3 - Answer the WIIFM Question (what's In It For Me?) Every Employer is Asking
It must answer the question every employer asks when reading resumes: "What's in it for me?" Because, you see, every hiring manager has a reason she or he is looking for a new employee - and it's not because they want a new friend. If you can find out what their reasons are and show them how you deliver the results they want, then you will have success in your job search.
The following sales strategy will set you apart from 90% of your competition for a job.
When most people sit down to write a resume, their thinking turns inward – “How can I write about me?” is the thought in their mind. But a good salesman knows that a sales pitch is never about you, it's about the customer.
In this case it's all about the employer and what they want. Show them how they can have what they want by hiring you and you'll have the job.
This is the over-arching theme that should be running in the back of your mind every time you work on your resume – “What does this employer want to see and hear?”
Every sentence, every bullet, and every time you're not sure whether to include something, ask yourself "What do they want to hear?"
How to Write a Resume Conclusions
When you start thinking about how to write a resume, remember to keep your customer's interests in mind. Before you decide to include something in your resume, ask yourself how this piece of information appeals to an employers self-interests.
Tips To Ace Your Airline Pilot Interview
You've been slogging around in crummy weather flying checks or doing crunch and goes as a flight instructor for a long time now. Or perhaps you are at a regional and got your dream shot at a major. Maybe you just retired from military flying and are headed to your first airline interview.
Whatever the case, you have your big day coming up and you don't want to blow it. Although the shine has worn off from airline jobs in recent years, they are still highly coveted jobs with plenty of qualified applicants clamoring for them. The thought of an interview and all the hoops to jump through seems daunting. The good news is that there is a lot of support out there from people who have been there.
Many companies, from regionals, cargo, majors, etc., follow fairly similar formats for interviews. I have gone through the process several times, including regional and major interviews. I have found a few general tips that are applicable anywhere and should help you:
1) Company IQ - Make sure you have done some basic research on the company and are confident it is one you would be happy at. Make sure on the day of the interview you know the president, CEO, stock price, fleet, bases, and principles of the company at a minimum...there may be a pop quiz during the interview!
2) Survive the Sweatbox - Some interviews have simulator rides. The profile will be pretty basic and you won't be expected to be Yeager, but they are looking for basic airmanship. There are many prep companies out there, usually $500-$1000. If doing the prep takes the edge off and gives you confidence going into the interview, by all means do it. That $500 is chump change compared to the career earnings at a major. It would be a shame to lose your dream shot because you wanted to save a few bucks. Better to regret spending the money than regret not spending it!
3) Be Paranoid - Make sure you are on your best behavior at all times! Most airlines will fly you from you home to their headquarters on their airline. The interview starts as soon as you step foot into the airport. Some guys have blown it by giving ticket and gate agents a hard time. It may not be hard for an agent to deduce that you are interviewing and make a phone call to HR, sinking you then and there..IT HAS HAPPENED (especially if you are interviewing at a certain Texas LCC!) Smile and treat everyone respectfully because they are watching.
4) Know thy question - You know the expression RTFQ? When you are interviewing, LTTFQ!
Airlines used to ask What Would you Do type questions, but most interviews these days are Tell Me About a Time (TMAT) where they want you to tell them a story about something that happened to you. They feel that past behavior will predict future behavior. The format for the answer should be the SAR model:
Situation - give them a brief overview of the problem or situation
Action - how did you decide to solve the problem
Result - what was the end result of your action and what did you learn
Sometimes you have to decode the questions. For instance, they may ask "TMAT your schedule changed?" On the surface it may seem like a strange question, but what they are really asking is if they junior man you and make you work into a day off, will you get mad and storm off the jetway or will you make a positive experience out of it? Thus you would want to tell them about a story where you got your day off rolled but saw it as an opportunity to make more money, help the company, etc.
5) CRM: Use all resources - There are tons of resources out there for you. Wikpedia is good for researching the company. There are several "gouge" sites where people who interviewed post their experience. I strongly recommend an interview prep service that specializes in airline interviews, they will teach you what they are looking for when they ask questions and how to formulate your own answer. However, you don't want to sound "canned" as the interviewers are trained to see through it.
Some interviews, such as Cathay Pacific, are more in-depth than typical interview, and there are guides out there that explain how.
Good Luck and Tailwinds!
Whatever the case, you have your big day coming up and you don't want to blow it. Although the shine has worn off from airline jobs in recent years, they are still highly coveted jobs with plenty of qualified applicants clamoring for them. The thought of an interview and all the hoops to jump through seems daunting. The good news is that there is a lot of support out there from people who have been there.
Many companies, from regionals, cargo, majors, etc., follow fairly similar formats for interviews. I have gone through the process several times, including regional and major interviews. I have found a few general tips that are applicable anywhere and should help you:
1) Company IQ - Make sure you have done some basic research on the company and are confident it is one you would be happy at. Make sure on the day of the interview you know the president, CEO, stock price, fleet, bases, and principles of the company at a minimum...there may be a pop quiz during the interview!
2) Survive the Sweatbox - Some interviews have simulator rides. The profile will be pretty basic and you won't be expected to be Yeager, but they are looking for basic airmanship. There are many prep companies out there, usually $500-$1000. If doing the prep takes the edge off and gives you confidence going into the interview, by all means do it. That $500 is chump change compared to the career earnings at a major. It would be a shame to lose your dream shot because you wanted to save a few bucks. Better to regret spending the money than regret not spending it!
3) Be Paranoid - Make sure you are on your best behavior at all times! Most airlines will fly you from you home to their headquarters on their airline. The interview starts as soon as you step foot into the airport. Some guys have blown it by giving ticket and gate agents a hard time. It may not be hard for an agent to deduce that you are interviewing and make a phone call to HR, sinking you then and there..IT HAS HAPPENED (especially if you are interviewing at a certain Texas LCC!) Smile and treat everyone respectfully because they are watching.
4) Know thy question - You know the expression RTFQ? When you are interviewing, LTTFQ!
Airlines used to ask What Would you Do type questions, but most interviews these days are Tell Me About a Time (TMAT) where they want you to tell them a story about something that happened to you. They feel that past behavior will predict future behavior. The format for the answer should be the SAR model:
Situation - give them a brief overview of the problem or situation
Action - how did you decide to solve the problem
Result - what was the end result of your action and what did you learn
Sometimes you have to decode the questions. For instance, they may ask "TMAT your schedule changed?" On the surface it may seem like a strange question, but what they are really asking is if they junior man you and make you work into a day off, will you get mad and storm off the jetway or will you make a positive experience out of it? Thus you would want to tell them about a story where you got your day off rolled but saw it as an opportunity to make more money, help the company, etc.
5) CRM: Use all resources - There are tons of resources out there for you. Wikpedia is good for researching the company. There are several "gouge" sites where people who interviewed post their experience. I strongly recommend an interview prep service that specializes in airline interviews, they will teach you what they are looking for when they ask questions and how to formulate your own answer. However, you don't want to sound "canned" as the interviewers are trained to see through it.
Some interviews, such as Cathay Pacific, are more in-depth than typical interview, and there are guides out there that explain how.
Good Luck and Tailwinds!
Different Types Of Interview
An Interview is a communication between interviewee and interviewer in which a trained interviewer asks questions from respondents to elicit self reports of their opinions, attitudes, values, beliefs or behaviors. Interviews are usually carried out face to face although they can be conducted via telephone, interactive video or compute. The interviewer usually records responses of respondents. Usually this process is carried out in the organization at the time of selecting the candidate.
The questions asked in interview may be of following types:
Open Ended Questions: Usually subjective type questions where respondents can explain their answers and justify them. Example: Describe yourself Closed Ended Questions: In these types of questions respondents have little or no room for explanation. Questions are mostly multiple choice type questions. Sometimes respondents have to answer in YES or NO choice. Example: Are you the resident of this city?
Sometimes interviewers make respondents squirm with difficult questions, this mainly happens when the candidates are applying for more stressful jobs. Sometimes interviewers feel that by asking offensive questions they will be able to see the applicants true capabilities and weed out those personalities who wont fit in particular environment.
Types of Interview:
Informal Interview: These are interviews in which all informal questions are asked except few job related questions. These interviews are non-structured.
Formal Interview: These are types of interviews which held in standard place like employment office or organization premises and questions are asked by panel of interviewers and questions are structured.
Planned Interview: These are formal interviews in which questions to be asked, time per candidate, modus of operandi are all worked out beforehand.
Patterned Interview: Planned interview with high accuracy and patterned with sequence.
Depth Interview: These interviewers are conducted when candidate is found to be good and interviewers desires to ask more questions from him.
Stress Interview: Such interviews are conducted when job is very stressful and interview is conducted in stressful conditions to accurately judge the candidate performance and his suitability to the job.
Group Interview: Are conducted to measure the social and tam interaction capabilities of the candidate.
Panel Interview: The Interview in which a panel of interviewers sit to judge the capabilities candidate in different grounds by different questions to him from different fields.
The questions asked in interview may be of following types:
Open Ended Questions: Usually subjective type questions where respondents can explain their answers and justify them. Example: Describe yourself Closed Ended Questions: In these types of questions respondents have little or no room for explanation. Questions are mostly multiple choice type questions. Sometimes respondents have to answer in YES or NO choice. Example: Are you the resident of this city?
Sometimes interviewers make respondents squirm with difficult questions, this mainly happens when the candidates are applying for more stressful jobs. Sometimes interviewers feel that by asking offensive questions they will be able to see the applicants true capabilities and weed out those personalities who wont fit in particular environment.
Types of Interview:
Informal Interview: These are interviews in which all informal questions are asked except few job related questions. These interviews are non-structured.
Formal Interview: These are types of interviews which held in standard place like employment office or organization premises and questions are asked by panel of interviewers and questions are structured.
Planned Interview: These are formal interviews in which questions to be asked, time per candidate, modus of operandi are all worked out beforehand.
Patterned Interview: Planned interview with high accuracy and patterned with sequence.
Depth Interview: These interviewers are conducted when candidate is found to be good and interviewers desires to ask more questions from him.
Stress Interview: Such interviews are conducted when job is very stressful and interview is conducted in stressful conditions to accurately judge the candidate performance and his suitability to the job.
Group Interview: Are conducted to measure the social and tam interaction capabilities of the candidate.
Panel Interview: The Interview in which a panel of interviewers sit to judge the capabilities candidate in different grounds by different questions to him from different fields.
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