With the price of gas and travel skyrocketing, many companies are cutting back on the number of face-to-face job interviews that they conduct. Instead, companies are resorting to alternate interviewing strategies that include multiple phone interviews, videoconferencing interviews and yes, even virtual interviews (check out Second Life) —how cool is that!!!!
This means that job candidates must adapt to these new format in order to remain competitive. I came across an article that discusses how to approach and successfully manage these new interviewing formats.
Just remember to keep those wings and halos to a minimum during your next virtual interview!!!!
Until next time…
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Ten tips for the interview : follow-up
I came across this excellent article written by Carol Martin a professional career coach. The tips that she provides are useful and have stood the test of time! So read and learn!!!!
Not getting a follow-up call when promised is a very common occurrence. Candidates are sometimes sure that they aced the interview and are perfect for the position, in fact they are anticipating a call and an offer. But instead they get "nothing." No offer; no call. They never hear from the company. This is not only frustrating, but reflects poorly on the company. In fact it is rude. What can you do about this situation? Here are some tips on how to handle the follow up that may save you from some anxiety.
1. Try to find out about the decision-process before you leave the interview. Ask when you could expect to hear back. Take that date and then add a few days before you start to worry.
2. Always send a follow up addressing any concerns you may have picked up or any thoughts you had about the position since the interview. Think of this as one more chance to put yourself in front of them.
3. After you have waited for a reasonable period beyond the date they stated, call and inquire as to the status of the position and whether you are still in the running.
4. As a general rule, don't call on Mondays - bad day to market anything. 5. If you leave a message inquiring about the status of the job, and no one calls you back after a couple of attempts - move on and forget about it. Don't call back more than a couple of times. There is a fine line between being persistent and being a pest. 6. If you are told you are no longer under consideration, try asking for feedback (most of the time they won't give you any, but still worth a try). Ask if there is any additional information that you can supply that will convince them that you are the right person for the job.
7. Don't rely on one job interview. No matter what was said in the interview – continue your search. There have been too many bad examples of those who thought they were a shoe-in - only to get a reject letter.
8. Don't take it personally! There are about a thousand reasons that could have affected your chances.
9. Accept the fact that not all companies are right for you. Just like blind dates - they are checking you out and you are checking them out. Sometimes it's chemistry – and sometimes it wasn't right for you – for whatever reason.
10.Try not to get discouraged by the rejects. It's a numbers game and your turn will come if you hang in there.
Until Next Time….
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!
Not getting a follow-up call when promised is a very common occurrence. Candidates are sometimes sure that they aced the interview and are perfect for the position, in fact they are anticipating a call and an offer. But instead they get "nothing." No offer; no call. They never hear from the company. This is not only frustrating, but reflects poorly on the company. In fact it is rude. What can you do about this situation? Here are some tips on how to handle the follow up that may save you from some anxiety.
1. Try to find out about the decision-process before you leave the interview. Ask when you could expect to hear back. Take that date and then add a few days before you start to worry.
2. Always send a follow up addressing any concerns you may have picked up or any thoughts you had about the position since the interview. Think of this as one more chance to put yourself in front of them.
3. After you have waited for a reasonable period beyond the date they stated, call and inquire as to the status of the position and whether you are still in the running.
4. As a general rule, don't call on Mondays - bad day to market anything. 5. If you leave a message inquiring about the status of the job, and no one calls you back after a couple of attempts - move on and forget about it. Don't call back more than a couple of times. There is a fine line between being persistent and being a pest. 6. If you are told you are no longer under consideration, try asking for feedback (most of the time they won't give you any, but still worth a try). Ask if there is any additional information that you can supply that will convince them that you are the right person for the job.
7. Don't rely on one job interview. No matter what was said in the interview – continue your search. There have been too many bad examples of those who thought they were a shoe-in - only to get a reject letter.
8. Don't take it personally! There are about a thousand reasons that could have affected your chances.
9. Accept the fact that not all companies are right for you. Just like blind dates - they are checking you out and you are checking them out. Sometimes it's chemistry – and sometimes it wasn't right for you – for whatever reason.
10.Try not to get discouraged by the rejects. It's a numbers game and your turn will come if you hang in there.
Until Next Time….
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!!
More Interviewing tips
I happened upon this article that expands upon some of the interviewing ideas and tips that I presented in previous posts. The piece was written by someone from Business Week so it must relevant and might even be worth reading!
Until next time….
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!
Until next time….
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!
The top ten interview questions you hesitate to answer
Some of the questions may seem silly or ridiculous, according to interviewing etiquette and protocol (and how much you want the job) you are required to answer them. The intent of many of these questions is not to be flippant or intrusive but to determine whether a candidate can think quickly on his/her feet or field difficult questions that they may encounter as an employee.
An appropriate response to difficult interview questions (that appear to be personal or overly intrusive) is to couch your responses in the context of the position rather than revealing your true feelings or motivations. For example, if an interviewer asks: “Why are you looking for a new job”? An appropriate answer may be: “I am seeking new opportunities and challenges and I believe that I can find them at your company”. Don’t say: “My funding is running out or I can’t stand my boss anymore or I hate what I am currently doing.” In this instance, the interviewer isn’t really asking about your personal reasons or motives for looking for a new job or leaving an old one. He/she is probing to determine what your level of interest is in the job and whether you will be able to get along with employees who are already working for the company.
In my opinion, the best way to deal with personal or difficult interview questions is to be aware that they exist and to prepare “canned” answers for them. That said, I suggest that you carefully review the list of questions below and design well-crafted responses to each of them. Further, I think it is a good idea to conduct “mock interviews” with friends or colleagues to determine whether the responses that you crafted are sufficient and convincing enough. In my experiences, friends and colleagues have always been good barometers for the answers that I came up with. Hint: If they start laughing uncontrollably or look shocked or dismayed after you have answered a question, it may be a good idea to come up with a new answer.
While you may not be asked all of the questions on the list, I am willing to bet that you will be asked at least one of them!
TOP 10 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS LIST
10. Describe how you overcame adversity in your life
9. Tell me about your most disappointing experience
8. Tell me about your greatest achievements
7. Why are you looking for a new job?
6. Are you willing to relocate?
5. May I contact your current employer?
4. Why this company and not our competitors?
3. What are your weaknesses?
2. What are your strengths?
1. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Please feel free to send me any questions that you may have been asked if they don’t already appear on the list!
Until next time….
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!
An appropriate response to difficult interview questions (that appear to be personal or overly intrusive) is to couch your responses in the context of the position rather than revealing your true feelings or motivations. For example, if an interviewer asks: “Why are you looking for a new job”? An appropriate answer may be: “I am seeking new opportunities and challenges and I believe that I can find them at your company”. Don’t say: “My funding is running out or I can’t stand my boss anymore or I hate what I am currently doing.” In this instance, the interviewer isn’t really asking about your personal reasons or motives for looking for a new job or leaving an old one. He/she is probing to determine what your level of interest is in the job and whether you will be able to get along with employees who are already working for the company.
In my opinion, the best way to deal with personal or difficult interview questions is to be aware that they exist and to prepare “canned” answers for them. That said, I suggest that you carefully review the list of questions below and design well-crafted responses to each of them. Further, I think it is a good idea to conduct “mock interviews” with friends or colleagues to determine whether the responses that you crafted are sufficient and convincing enough. In my experiences, friends and colleagues have always been good barometers for the answers that I came up with. Hint: If they start laughing uncontrollably or look shocked or dismayed after you have answered a question, it may be a good idea to come up with a new answer.
While you may not be asked all of the questions on the list, I am willing to bet that you will be asked at least one of them!
TOP 10 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS LIST
10. Describe how you overcame adversity in your life
9. Tell me about your most disappointing experience
8. Tell me about your greatest achievements
7. Why are you looking for a new job?
6. Are you willing to relocate?
5. May I contact your current employer?
4. Why this company and not our competitors?
3. What are your weaknesses?
2. What are your strengths?
1. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Please feel free to send me any questions that you may have been asked if they don’t already appear on the list!
Until next time….
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!
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