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It
doesn't matter where you went to school, how dazzling your resume
is or
who you know on the "inside." Getting your next job comes
down to just one
thing -- the interview.
Ace
the interview, and you get the job. Blow it, and you’re done.
There are
no second chances.
Obvious, right?
If
so, why do I get emails like the following almost every week, from
job
seekers who failed the interview because they failed to prepare?
"They
loved my resume and called me for an interview -- apparently they
only interviewed 3 people! Unfortunately, I was nervous and the questions
were very involved. Needless to say I did not get the job. Oh well,
better
luck next time." -- Michelle (last name and address withheld)
To
keep this from happening to you, here are 3 tips to help turn your
next
job interview into a job offer &
1) Practice your answers to standard questions
There’s a core of 10-20 interview questions you will almost always
be
asked. So practice your answers to these “golden oldies”
until you have
them down cold. Examples include “Tell me about yourself,”
and “Why should
we hire you?”
If
you and the interviewer both know you'll be asked these “standard”
questions, it’s unforgivable if you flub them. So … practice,
practice,
practice.
A
good starting place is this list at Monster.com –
http://interview.monster.com/articles/iq/ And don't forget to search
at
www.google.com for Web sites that list typical interview questions
and answers.
2) Research the company
It amazes me how many job seekers walk into an interview knowing almost
nothing about their potential employer. This is a cardinal sin, especially
with the ocean of information available online.
When
you research a company before your interview, three things can happen
-- all of them good: you can answer their questions more intelligently,
ask
your own smart questions and offer suggestions for improving their
business.
The
more you know about your potential employer, their products/services,
customers and competitors, the better you will interview. Period.
Start
your research at your target company’s Web site. Read their annual
report, press releases, mission statement and bios of company officers,
for
starters. You may learn that the person interviewing you had the same
major
in school -- talk about an ice breaker!
Don't stop there.
Search
using www.newslink.org to comb
through a mountain of newspapers at
once. Ask your local library if they subscribe to www.hoovers.com
-- a
great source of corporate info. And don't forget the old standby,
www.google.com
3) Negotiate from strength
To win a higher salary at a new job, you must prove your value. So
bring
proof to the interview.
I
recommend you bring along a portfolio to document how much money you've
saved or earned in past jobs or internships. Your portfolio can contain
testimonial letters, photographs, work samples -- anything that fits
in a
three-ring binder and backs up your claims.
If
you can demonstrate in writing that you produced $75,000, $90,000
and
$115,000 per year in profits or savings at your last three jobs, for
example, it’s much easier to negotiate for a $45,000 salary.
Why? You've
proven you can produce more money than they'll pay you!
A great resource to help you create a portfolio is www.career-directions.com
Your next job interview is a great opportunity to improve your income
and
workplace satisfaction. But a great opportunity will only make you
look
foolish if you don't prepare. So do your homework, then reap the rewards.
Now, go out and make your own luck!
++++
Copyright © 2003 by Kevin Donlin
Kevin Donlin is Managing Editor of 1 Day Resumes. The 1DR writers provide same-day, one-on-one resume writing assistance. He is also author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. For more information, please visit Resume and Cover Letter Secrets