Interviewing Archives - Page 12 of 17

6 Tips To Ace Your Phone Interview

September 7, 2022

If your resume has made it into the “yes” pile, then the first thing a company will do is a phone screening. The purpose of this is to test your communication skills and to do a quick check of your skills and experience to determine if it’s worth bringing you in for an interview.

Here are six important tips that will help you ace your next phone interview:

1. Be Prepared

Basic preparation steps include having your resume in front of you, making sure you are on a good phone line where there are no disturbances, and allocating enough time for the phone interview, even if it goes beyond what was scheduled.

2. Research The Company And The Interviewer

The first question I used to ask job seekers was, “What do you know about us?” If I did not think they had spent the time to do their homework, they were immediately downgraded. So, spend some time researching the company before your phone interview. Check out their website and social media accounts, and see what employees say about them on Glassdoor.

Also, go to LinkedIn and review the background of the person conducting the interview. Check if the manager you will be reporting to participates in LinkedIn groups and discussions, and see if you have anything in common.

3. Exude Energy And Interest

The words you use account for only 15% of the effectiveness of your communications. Intonation and body language are most important, and since you are on the phone, you live and die by your intonation. Put energy in your voice and demonstrate a high level of interest. An old telemarketing trick is to have a mirror in front of you and smile when you speak since that automatically affects your tone in a positive way.

4. Ask Questions And Build Rapport

People hire people they like, so it is important to turn the interview into a conversation by asking intelligent questions. Show off your expertise by following up their question with an insightful question of your own. Those who just answer questions and wait for the next question will lose here. Use a conversational tone, as if you are having lunch with a friend, telling a story, instead of just responding to questions.

For example, here are two ways to respond to, “Can you tell me about your experience at Bank of America”

“At Bank of America, I was hired to oversee the integration of systems that were the result from acquisitions.”

Or…

“You know, that was a really challenging experience because I had to integrate all the different systems that were the result of acquisitions. You can just imagine how tricky that would be since there were so many differences between them, and I had to research and document the trade-offs from an integration of each one.”

Which is more interesting? I did some interview coaching with a highly accomplished technical manager at Intel who was getting interviews and no call backs. It was immediately clear that he was just responding to questions in a fairly monotone manner and was about as interesting as a memory chip. After some coaching on how to build rapport using the above technique, he had three offers in four weeks.

5. Ask The Most Important Question

Companies have a reason they are looking for talent and it is your job to find out what their chief source of “pain” is. Do this by asking:

“What is the biggest challenge someone will face in this job in the next six months?”

This lets you target your responses and demonstrate how you have successfully handled these challenges before.

6. See If They Have Any Concerns

Don’t just end the call wondering how you did. Ask them. If you are going for a sales position, this is mandatory. State something like:

“Based on what we discussed today, do you think I am a good candidate for this position?”

Now, when they respond, you can handle any concerns they may have.

By using these six simple techniques in your next phone interview, you’ll be sure to make a good impression on the employer and, hopefully, move on to the next step in the hiring process.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

What Do You Know About Our Company? How To Answer

September 6, 2022

There are many important questions youâll be asked in a job interview, and âWhat do you know about our company?â is one of them. It seems simple enough, but it actually requires some work if you want to leave a good impression. This guide will teach you how to answer this question and give you […]

The post What Do You Know About Our Company? How To Answer appeared first on Career Sherpa.

7 Essential Questions To Ask In Your Job Interview

September 2, 2022

Asking questions in your job interview not only makes you stand out in positive ways. It also helps you find out things you need to know (during the interview and before you take the job).

Asking these seven questions in your job interview will put you miles ahead of your competition and give you a better shot at the job:

1. If Your Ideal Candidate Walked Through The Door Right Now, What Qualities, Skills, Or Experience Would They Have?

Why would you ask a question like this and potentially highlight how you’re not perfect for the job? It’s because there is no such thing as the ideal candidate. They can wish all they want, but they probably won’t get it.

Where you benefit from this question is that, when you hear what’s important to them, you can then talk about those or similar things in your own experienceâwhich elevates you as a candidate. It’s almost like getting a cheat sheet for your interview answers.

2. Was The Last Person In This Role Successful? Why Or Why Not?

Knowing the story of what happened to the last person in this job is important.

First, it will help you better answer their questions. If the last person didn’t do well, you can talk about how you would do it differently. If the last person did spectacularly well and got promoted, you know what you need to do to be considered successful. Second, you may even discover a few clues that will help you determine if you want to take this job or not.

3. What Will A Typical Day Look Like In This Job?

Their answer to this will help you determine everyday tasks as well as company culture. Is this somewhere you can fit in and be successful?

4. What Are The Biggest Challenges Going To Be For The Person In This Position?

When they talk to you about their biggest challenges, you’ll know exactly what stories to tell about how you have tackled (and conquered) similar challenges. You will be showing them that you are a great fit for this job.

5. What Do You Love Most About Working Here?

Asking a positive question like this one will help you get a better idea of the employer and the kind of experience you could expect to have if you were hired, helping you figure out whether the job is a good fit for you or not. This will also be an opportunity for you to connect with your interviewer and stand out in the hiring process.

6. How Will I Measure My Performance In This Role?

By phrasing the question this way, you’re taking full ownership of your work, and the employer will notice that. You are sending the message that you will be accountable for your actions.

Plus, if they can’t explain how you’ll be able to measure your own performance to make sure you’re having an impact, that’s a huge red flag. This question will help you weed out the positions where there’s little opportunity to develop your skills, receive promotions, and earn raises.

7. What’s The Next Step In This Process?

Absolutely never, ever leave an interview without knowing what and when the next step is. Employers expect you to ask about it. If you don’t they may assume that you’re not that interested in the job. So, ask it to let them know you’re interested and to give yourself some peace of mind about what to expect.

Find out more questions to ask, how to research the company, the best interview answers, and cutting-edge interview tips in our Free Job Interview Prep Kit.

Always be sure to prepare a few questions to ask the hiring manager before the big day arrives. Write them down if you have to, and review them before the job interview starts. Good luck!

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

5 Things To Do Before Your Next Job Interview

August 31, 2022

Congrats! You landed a job interview. Now, how are you going to ace it and move on in the hiring process?

There are a few things that are absolutely CRITICAL to interview success. If you want to get a job offer, you’ve got to do these things before an interview.

Research The Company

Before you go into an interview, whether it’s a phone screen, in-person, group, panel, or virtual interview, you MUST do your homework on the company. You want to understand the companies to which you’re applying BEFORE the interview. That way, when they ask, “So, what do you know about us?” you’ll have a solid answer and won’t be flustered. (P.S. The last thing you want to say is, “Oh, not much. I was hoping you’d tell me!”)

Understand What Salary Range Is Competitive

Always, always, always understand what’s the going rate for your position in your industry. The hard truth is you might not make the same salary as your last job. You need to understand what’s a competitive salary BEFORE you apply for a job (and especially before you get into the interview process). Otherwise, you risk pricing yourself out of the job right off the bat, or worse, selling yourself short.

Know What You Bring To The Table

Know exactly what you bring to the table in terms of value. Why are you going to be an asset to this company? What problem are you going to solve and how will you solve it better than the ‘other guy’? You need to understand this inside and out. Otherwise, you’re going to have a hard time selling yourself to the interviewer.

Prepare Some Examples Of Your Wins

Examples help you back up your claims. They’re proof that you’ve been there, done that, and did it well. Prepare some relevant, quantifiable accomplishments that you can bring up during the interview to reinforce your skill sets.

Practice Your Delivery

Practice makes perfect! The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll be when you’re in the interview. You’ll look calm, focused, and confident. Consider doing a mock interview with a friend or a career coach beforehand to get you warmed up for the real thing!

By doing these key things, you’ll be one step closer to acing your next job interview and getting an offer. Good luck!

Need more help with your job search?

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Power Hour Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Sell Yourself In An Interview With Confidence

August 30, 2022

Do your spirit get the best regarding you during job interview? Do you feel ashamed if you talk regarding your accomplishments to other people? In that case, we’re here for you to show the ways to help sell yourself within an meeting with confidence!

Job search is usually challenging enough already, nevertheless when you donât have got confidence in yourself like a job candidate, it can make it even harder towards sell yourself for possibilities.

Confidence is definitely critical when it arrives to getting a job. A person might not even Understand that you have low self confidence thatâs sabotaging your achievement. In case you canât BANISH this particular innocent, yet destructive way of thinking with regards to marketing yourself throughout the interview process, youâre going to fall in to a longer, more annoying situation than youâre inside right this moment. Thatâs why itâs critical to get the mindset in the proper place if you want that will find a job.

In this coaching, you’ll learn how so that you can:

Determine what’s impacting your employment interview confidence
Enhance your mindset before (and during) a job appointment
Sell your self in an interview along with confidence

Join our TOP DOG, J. T. O’Donnell, plus Director to train Advancement & Coaching, Christina Burgio, for this live occasion on Wednesday, September seventh at 12 pm AINSI QUE.

CAN’T ATTEND LIVE? That’s okay. You will have access to the documenting and the workbook right after the session!

17 Good Questions To Ask A Recruiter In 2022

August 29, 2022

Knowing the best questions to ask recruiters can make your job search simpler and save time for everyone involved. But a lot of job-seekers arenât sure how to approach recruiters when it comes to finding out information about a company or position. Fortunately, weâve put together this list of questions to make the process easy. […]

The post 17 Good Questions To Ask A Recruiter In 2022 appeared first on Career Sherpa.

How Many Candidates Make It To The Final Interview?

August 16, 2022

If youâre looking for a job, knowing how many candidates make it to the final interview can be nice information to have. It helps you know what youâre up against and your chances of getting hired! But unfortunately, determining this is not a simple process. This guide will help you understand how many candidates usually […]

The post How Many Candidates Make It To The Final Interview? appeared first on Career Sherpa.

10 Things Recruiters Won’t Tell You (But I Will!)

August 12, 2022

Recruiters have one job: find the right person for the position. Their performance is evaluated on how efficiently and effectively they match top talent to job requirements. Ironically, in the current economy, recruiters are finding their jobs harder than ever.

I’m serious.

There’s too much talent for them to weed through. What used to be “finding a needle in a haystack” has now become “finding a needle in ten haystacks.” As a result, recruiters have to determine a candidate’s marketability much quicker.

Translation: Candidates must pay even more attention to the power of the “first impression” factor.

First Impressions Really Do Matter (A LOT)

People skills, attire, etc. all become more important when competition amongst talent is this fierce.

Reality check: Those who are failing to make a good first impression get put in the “no” pile and are never contacted again.

So, if you aren’t getting called back by a recruiter after either an in-person meeting or phone call, there’s a good chance that, in addition to the fact you didn’t have the right skills, you also might have displayed one or more traits on the “I can’t market them” list.

Now, most recruiters won’t tell you what you did wrong. Why? For one reason, they aren’t paid to give you the bad news. Second, they don’t want to burn a bridge. And third, as I mentioned, they just don’t have the time.

And yet, how are you going to fix the problem if you don’t know it exists? I’ve put together the most common reasons why a recruiter writes a candidate off. You may not like what you read, but the good news is with a little attention and practice all of them can be improved upon.

So, ask yourself, “Am I guilty of the following?”

Top 10 Things Recruiters Won’t Tell You

1. Your interview attire is outdated / messy / too tight / too revealing / too flashy.

2. Your physical appearance is disheveled / outdated / sloppy / smelly / overpowering (i.e. too much perfume or cologne).

3. Your eye contact is weak / shifty / intense.

4. Your handshake is limp / too forceful / clammy.

5. You say ah / um / like too much.

6. You talk too much / use poor grammar / say inappropriate things (i.e. swearing) when you answer interview questions.

7. You appear overconfident / pushy / self-centered /insecure /aloof / ditzy / scatter-brained / desperate.

8. You talk too fast / too slow / too loud / too soft.

9. You giggle / fidget / act awkward / have facial tics / lack expression.

10. You lack sincerity / self-confidence / clarity / conviction.

So, How Do You Fix These?

Well, given that 93% of communication is non-verbal, I can tell you that many of the negatives above can be improved by focusing on one thing: attitude.

If you are angry, fearful, or confused, it’s going to show. You must find a way to feel good about yourself and your ability to contribute. This comes from knowing your strengths and embracing them.

It also comes from doing your homework on a company so you can articulate clearly and with enthusiasm why you would be a great fit for the job. I realize this is easier said than done, but it can be done.

I hope I’ve convinced you to take a hard look at the 10 reasons above and commit to finding a way to improve your first impression factor.

And Knowing Your Professional Strengths Will Help!

If you want to reveal your unique professional strengths, take our FREE Career Decoder Quiz! It’s time to unlock your TRUE potential and start selling yourself to employers!

Once you know your professional strengths, it will be much easier for you to convey why you would be a great fit for a position. And as long as you don’t make the above mistakes, you’ll be golden.

It’s your career. Own your actions and take control of your professional development. I promise, recruiters will take notice.

Need more help with your job search?

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Power Hour Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Overcome Your Interview Anxiety

August 11, 2022

You’re familiar with the feeling: your palms start sweating, you start to shake and for some reason, your mind goes completely blank. Sounds like a dreaded case of interview jitters!

Nerves can bring even the most professional candidate to their knees, impeding their chances of securing the job, even if they’re the most qualified.

If you know that you’re prone to nerves, make sure you take the necessary steps to control themâbefore you step into the interview room, not after.

Here are a few helpful tips on how to overcome interview nerves:

1. Be Prepared

Nerves are often triggered by anxiety. It’s common to worry that you won’t know the answer to a particular question in the interview, or that you won’t have the necessary knowledge to wow your prospective employer.

You can help alleviate this concern by doing your research. Predict possible interview questions and make sure you know the answers. Feeling well-prepared can help calm your anxiety.

2. Sleep Well

It might be tempting to soothe your worries with several glasses of wine the night before. While this may feel good at the time, it certainly won’t the next day. Have a relaxing bath, avoid too much alcohol, eat well, and get a good night’s sleep.

3. Think Ahead

To save yourself time worrying in the morning, lay out your best suit, make sure you’ve already purchased your train tickets or petrol, get some money out if you need to buy lunch, and make sure all your time in the day is spent focusing on the important taskâpreparing for that interview.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

If you’re really anxious, ask a trusted friend or family member to perform a “test” interview on you the day before, also known as a mock interview. You’ll get a chance to practice your performance and also receive some valuable feedback.

5. Stay Positive

Remember, you can do this. You’re qualified for the job, you’ve got some great credentials, and you’ve got the necessary experience.

This company is just as lucky to be interviewing you as you are to be interviewed by them! Boost your self-confidence by telling yourself that it’s in your power to get this job. You can do it.

And In The Interview Itself…

If you feel your heart start to race and your forehead break out in a sweat, take a deep breath. Remember, the people interviewing you want you to succeed. They’re desperately seeking the right person to join their company, and they’re really hoping that you’re that person.

If you start to feel nerves getting the better of you, ask for a moment to pause and gather your thoughts. If necessary, be honest with your interviewers, and explain to them that you’re feeling nervous because the job matters a lot to you.

It’s likely that they’ll understand; after all, they’re human too, and they’ve probably experienced nerves at some point in their lives.

Take it slow and steady and keep reminding yourself that this is your job. You can achieve it!

We hope these tips will help calm your nerves and ease any interview anxiety you may be experiencing.

Remember though, it’s okay to be nervous; that means the job opportunity means A LOT to you. Whenever we embark on a new and exciting journey, our nerves let us know we’re on the right path.

Now, with that in mind, go out there and ace that interview!

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Effectively Demonstrate Your Value In A Job Interview

July 29, 2022

One of the most common reasons candidates get rejected after a job interview is that they don’t provide enough relevant, tangible examples of what they’ve done in their current/previous job that would be relevant to the position they are seeking.

When you’re looking for a new job, you need to provide specific concrete examples of the competencies listed on a job descriptionâwhether it is problem-solving, influencing, taking initiative, or managing change.

A lot of job seekers will give generic examples or just talk about what they’ve doneâbut without mentioning specific accomplishments. You could be very good at your current job, but if you struggle to effectively demonstrate your expertise and value in a job interview, you may miss out on your next career opportunity.

Here are a few tips to help you overcome any blocks you might have about talking about your achievements:

Discussing Accomplishments Isn’t Bragging

One of the reasons candidates shy away from talking about their accomplishments is because they don’t want to sound arrogant. However, the job interview isn’t the time to be too humble. Talking about your accomplishments and using facts and numbers isn’t braggingâit’s telling a story.

You have to remember that a potential employer wants you to do well in an interview. They are literally looking for an excuse to give out the job! So, tell them what they need in a clear, factual manner.

Demonstrate How You Overcome Challenges

A great way to answer questions while highlighting your skills and accomplishments is by using the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model and/or the STAR technique (situation, task, action, result).

What was the situation/problem? How did you solve this problem/overcome this setback? What did you learn from this experience? How did you apply what you learned to your career?

These methods are particularly beneficial when you’re answering behavioral interview questions that hiring managers ask to see if a candidate has enough self-awareness to know what they’re good at, and what skill sets need improvement.

Use Numbers To Your Advantage

Numbers are great for demonstrating your skills and expertise. Did you increase revenue, or save time/money? Did you improve a procedure and, if so, how much time did you save? How many clients did you win in your last job? Don’t just tell the employer what the result was. Tell them how you got the result and what your decision-making process was.

Prepare several examples of quantifiable results for your next job interview and you’ll significantly increase your chances of getting that job offer!

Need more help preparing for your next job interview?

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. Itâs a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you prepare for your next job interview.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Handle Tough Interview Questions

July 28, 2022

Many employers now use behavioral-based interview questions to learn more about a candidateâs past experience as a predictor of future performance. These behavioral interview questions are usually the “tough” interview questions that interviewers use as a method of determining whether or not a candidate is a good fit for the open position.

While you canât predict every question you will be asked during the interview process, itâs a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the more common tough interview questions.

1. What’s Your Biggest Weakness?

Thereâs really no easy answer to this tough interview question, but it helps to be honest with the interviewer. No one is perfect and if weâre truthful, there are certain things that we can all improve. Try not to provide too much damaging information like an inability to arrive at work on time or at all. This is definitely a loaded question, so tread lightly, but perhaps mention an area that you are working to improve.

2. How Do You Handle Stress?

Interviewers are generally looking for an answer that indicates you can handle multiple priorities and projects at the same time. An answer stating that stress is a natural part of life and you feel equipped to handle the challenges of the job and balance them with the rest of your life may be just the answer that earns you the job.

3. Tell Me About A Time You Made A Bad/Wrong Decision

The interviewer is probably not as concerned with the actual decision, but rather how you handled the situation and the outcome. This question is asking about your problem-solving skills and ability to fix an issue.

4. Questions About Honesty, Loyalty, And Good Judgment

Employers want to hire ethical people with integrity, so donât feel like youâve been thrown a curve ball if an interviewer asks you a tough interview question about whether or not youâve ever lied or been faced with a moral dilemma. As is the case in most situations, honesty is the best policy in answering these questions.

5. Tell Me About Yourself

This seemingly easy interview question is harder than it may seem for many candidates. Itâs easy to ace this one if you have a prepared and practiced âelevator speechâ that includes a few highlights from your career history. This is an opportunity to emphasize your best career accomplishments, so take advantage of this question if you are asked during the interview.

6. Questions About Former Bosses And Co-Workers

Sometimes an interviewer will ask a question about what you didnât like about a former supervisor or colleague. These questions are asked to gauge how well you work with others, so be diplomatic in your answer and donât throw anyone under the bus with negativity.

Another great way to prepare for tough interview questions is to ask your friends about the most bizarre and off-the-wall questions they have been asked. You may be surprised at the type of responses you receive!

Need more help preparing for your next job interview?

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

#1 Secret Nobody Tells You About Getting Job Interviews

July 25, 2022

Let me tell you a secret that nobody likes to hear about job interviews. I’ve been a career coach for the last 20 years and so many people come to me and say, “J.T., I can’t get any job interviews. It’s so hard to get job interviews.” And the first thing I ask them is, “Well, how do you feel about interviews? Do you like going on them?”

Change Your Mindset To Get More Job Interviews

@j.t.odonnell What nobody tells you about getting job interviews… #jobinterviewtips #interviewtips #jobinterview #jobsearch #jobsearchtips #careertiktok #jobtok #careeradvice #jobhunting #jobhunt #jobhunt #dreamjob â¬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

Every single person responds with something like: “No, I can’t stand interviews. I dread them. I’m terrible at them. They stress me out.”

But here’s the secret nobody tells you about getting job interviews…

When we don’t like to do something, we’re not going to work really hard to make that thing happen. And so while there are techniques you can learn to attract more job interviews, you won’t actually get more job interviews until you change your mindset about them. You’re not going to attract more job interviews until you’re good at them, until you’re comfortable with them and don’t fear or dread them anymore.

Interview prep is vitally important. And, of course, they didn’t teach us proper interview techniques in school and it’s not a skill we just naturally have, but it’s not rocket science or brain surgery either. Once you learn how to prep for interviews properly, then you’ll actually be ready to go out and get interviews (or they’ll come to you!).

Need more help getting job interviews?

I’d love it if you joined my FREE community where professionals like you are learning how to become empowered in their careers so they can finally find career happiness and satisfaction. More importantly, I have tons of resources inside this community that can help you get and prepare for your next job interview.

Sign up for my FREE community and become a Workplace Renegade today! My team and I are looking forward to working with you soon.