How To Sell Yourself In An Interview With Confidence

How To Sell Yourself In An Interview With Confidence

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 don’t 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 that’s sabotaging your achievement. In case you can’t BANISH this particular innocent, yet destructive way of thinking with regards to marketing yourself throughout the interview process, you’re going to fall in to a longer, more annoying situation than you’re inside right this moment. That’s why it’s 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!

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How To Choose The Right Skills To Include On Your Resume

How To Choose The Right Skills To Include On Your Resume

When you begin the job application process, you need to make sure your resume is optimized and ready to be sent out to employers. The struggle isn’t so much finding enough things to include on your resume. Rather, it’s choosing what skills, experiences, and accomplishments to include on your resume to boost your likelihood of landing an interview.

Choosing the right skills to include on your resume is easier said than done. What skills will really stand out to recruiters and hiring managers? What skills demonstrate why you’d be a great fit for the position? What skills best represent what you bring to the table?

Fortunately, there’s an easy process you can follow to ensure you’re answering these questions and setting yourself up for job opportunities.

Here are four steps for choosing the right skills to include on your resume:

1. Decode Job Descriptions

Before you hit “apply” on a job posting, it’s important to read through the job description and understand what the job actually entails.

You have to analyze the job description, then think about how you would fit into this “mold” of an employee that they have in mind for the position. Start to think about the core responsibilities you’ve had in your previous jobs.

Do your previous core responsibilities translate into skills that this job posting is asking for—skills that would make you a great fit for the position?

2. Ask Yourself “Can I Quantify That?”

Man thinks about which skills to include on his resume

Once you’ve decoded the job description and determined if you have the skills the employer is asking for, it’s time to think about which skills you should include on your resume (because you can’t include them all).

The key to getting your resume past the ATS is to include only hard skills on your resume.

Hard skills (skills that tie directly to core responsibilities) are what applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers want to see. They’re quantifiable. If you can’t quantify it, it’s probably a soft skill. Soft skills DO NOT belong on your resume.

So, when deciding what skills you should include on your resume, ask yourself, “Can I quantify that?” If you can, it’s a hard skill, and it belongs on your resume.

Both industry-specific and transferable hard skills can go on your resume. After decoding the job description, you will know which hard skills the employer is looking for.

3. Think About Your Brand

Woman on laptop thinks about her personal brand

The next step in deciding which skills should go on your resume deals with personal branding. You want to make sure you are “branding” yourself correctly for job opportunities.

By that, we mean knowing what type of service you provide for a company—and what skill sets support that service.

After all, here at Work It Daily, we know every job seeker is a business-of-one. Are you branding your business (yourself) correctly in order to attract customers (employers looking to invest in you)?

Know your brand, and own it!

4. Customize, Customize, Customize

Man on laptop customizes his resume

The last step in deciding which skills should go on your resume is customization.

Customizing your resume is very important. You’ll probably have to highlight different skills for the different jobs you apply for. That means customizing your resume for each job application.

  • What projects did you work on?
  • What expertise did you gain?
  • What skills should you be emphasizing?

If you ask yourself these questions for each job you apply for, your answers will most likely differ. That’s how you’ll know you’re customizing your resume correctly and giving yourself the best chance to land an interview.

As you’re thinking about your resume, remember you have more skills than you realize. Your job is to make it easy for employers to see the connection between your skill sets and the skill sets needed to do the job. When in doubt, ask yourself, “Can I quantify that?”

The goal at this stage in the job search process is to get an interview. You can only worry about getting the job after you know you’re in the running. What skills are going to get you in the door?

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.

As you’re thinking about your resume, remember you have more skills than you realize. Your job is to make it easy for employers to see the connection between your skill sets and the skill sets needed to do the job. When in doubt, ask yourself, “Can I quantify that?”

The goal at this stage in the job search process is to get an interview. You can only worry about getting the job after you know you’re in the running. What’s going to get you in the door?

17 Good Questions To Ask A Recruiter In 2022

17 Good Questions To Ask A Recruiter In 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 aren’t sure how to approach recruiters when it comes to finding out information about a company or position. Fortunately, we’ve 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.

The Best LinkedIn Tip You’ve NEVER Heard Before

The Best LinkedIn Tip You’ve NEVER Heard Before

We guarantee you’ve never noticed this LinkedIn tip prior to. You might realize that interviewers get on LinkedIn to consider candidates, and they uncover the right candidates by simply searching specific keywords. Today, if you have individuals keywords in your head line, you may rank higher around their search results. That is where this tip is available in…

Up-to-date Your LinkedIn Headline Each 2 Weeks

@j. t. odonnell 1 Tip Might NEVER Heard About Making use of LinkedIn! #linkedintips #linkedinprofile #linkedin #careeradvice #careertips #jobsearchtips #jobsearch #careertok #edutok #careerchange #recruiter ♬ original sound — J. T. O’Donnell

If you have the correct keywords in your acte, you’re telling recruiters and even hiring managers you might have those skills together with that’s where your knowledge is. But did anyone know that every 2 weeks you need to go in to LinkedIn and upgrade the couple of keywords on your headline?

You should keep track of LinkedIn headline every single two weeks because the particular algorithm is always seeking at people who have got recently updated their report. The very first time you update the profile, you’ll notice a new lot of activity, much more profile views. Then you are going to notice it starts for you to drop off because if you’re not ranking as full of search results anymore. Yet if every two several weeks you go in and additionally swap something out during that headline and strike “Save, ” it activates the algorithm to position your profile higher.

And that’s exactly how you consistently get employers to look at your own personal profile.

This particular is one of the numerous tips of which I teach in Exactly how To Navigate LinkedIn Effectively . It’s an hour-long workshop that I’m training this week. You acquire a workbook, and also you find the recording. If people can, attend live. If you’re going to learn the biggest launch of the century to get more interviewers to contact you in LinkedIn.

Need more help together with your career?

I’d love that if you subscribed to Function It Daily’s Power Hr Event Subscription ! I actually look forward to responding to all of your career questions for our next live occasion!

Red Teaming – Defining Objection Handling Strategies & More

Red Teaming – Defining Objection Handling Strategies & More

What’s a “red team”?

On August 2nd, 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, and so started the “Gulf War.”

The United States and Western allies formed a “coalition of the willing” to remove the Iraqi Army from Kuwait.

A group of military planners, known as the “blue team,” set up shop in a hanger in an air base in Saudi Arabia, and created the basic plan for Operation Desert Storm in 24 hours.

This plan was passed on to another team, known as the “red team.” They were given the following instructions: “You are the Iraqi high command. You have all the known resources, materials, and manpower available to the Iraqi military. A spy has given you the alliance battle plans. You have 24 hours to prepare your response.”

The “red team” prepared their response, which was then passed back to the “blue team.” They spent another 24 hours building countermeasures and contingency plans to foil the “red team’s” responses.

The rest is history…

What’s This Got To Do With Me? I’m A Sales Guy!

Business people work on a sales strategy together

​When you face your customers, there are questions you would prefer they didn’t ask.

They may relate to your product’s weaknesses. They may relate to a change in the market which affects your product’s pricing or availability. They may relate to reputational damage caused by an embarrassing lawsuit or complaints on social media.

You have two choices. You can sit and sweat and hope they don’t ask you these questions, or you can “red team” it by asking yourself what nightmare questions they can ask you.

Write these down. Go back to “blue team” mode and prepare your answers.

Your answers may not be that convincing, but at least you have something to say if they ask.

What’s This Got To Do With Me? I’m Looking For A Job!

job search, looking for a job concept

Job seekers attend interviews. Interviewers ask questions that you don’t want to answer, such as:

  • “Why did you leave your previous job?”
  • “Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?”
  • “Tell me about your greatest weakness/strength/mistake?”

There are others which are related to your personal situation, or to the job you are applying for.

“Red team” it by imagining you are a hostile interviewer. Think of the worst questions they can ask you.

Write them down. Go back to “blue team” mode to prepare your answers.

You may want to try these out on a friend (who can “red team” for you) and see how she reacts. If she’s not convinced, you may need to improve your answers. Better to do that before the interview.

What’s This Got To Do With Me? I’m A Student!

Students work together on a project

Everything!

I was a student too, and, to be honest, not a very good one! I was interested in military history, however.

When it came to exams, I adopted the mindset of a general preparing for battle. I reviewed each subject and “red teamed” it. What was my nightmare question? Where was I weakest?

That was where I made extra effort when revising and doing practice questions.

I really am not the smartest guy in the room. I did manage to get myself a bachelor’s degree, a teaching qualification, and an MBA, so I must have done something right.

Game On!

Bullseye concept, business

Got a big sales meeting coming up? Looking forward to a challenging job interview? Studying for a professional qualification and preparing for exams?

Get into “red team” mode and anticipate your “enemy’s” worst moves.

Prepare for them.

Be ready to use them.

Let me know how you get on!

Further reading…

Before you start “red teaming,” you need a position to defend!

Here is an article I wrote on building a business case: “What’s In It For Me?” The 3-Stage Guide To Answering This Question

Here’s one on preparing a sales presentation: Sell The Hole, Not The Drill! How To Make A Successful Sales Presentation

How To Apply For A Job You’re Not 100% Qualified For

How To Apply For A Job You’re Not 100% Qualified For

One of the biggest job search struggles is figuring out which jobs you should apply for. You have to look at the job description, the skill requirements, and the overall qualifications for the job, and then determine whether it’s a viable employment opportunity for you or not.

It’s often more difficult discerning which jobs you’re qualified for (the ones you really have a shot at) than you think. So, how do you know if you’re actually qualified for a job or not? Should you apply for jobs you’re not 100% qualified for?

The short answer: Yes, you absolutely should.

Here’s how to apply for a job when you’re lacking some of the qualifications.

1. Use The 90% Rule

The first step to applying for a job you’re not sure you are qualified for is determining whether you’re qualified enough. This is where the 90% rule comes into play.

After studying the job description, the list of qualifications, and the skill requirements, you should have a good idea of what the employment opportunity entails. Now, after looking at your resume, do you think you’re qualified? If you have 90% of the skill requirements, you are qualified for that job and should apply for it.

When you apply for a job, it’s always important to include all relevant skill sets, experience, and keywords on your resume, so it gets past the applicant tracking system (ATS). This is especially true when you only have 90% of the qualifications, since leaving out just one skill could prevent your resume from ever landing in the hands of the hiring manager.

Customize your resume for every job you apply for to avoid this mistake. This way, it’ll make it easy for employers to see that you do have most of the qualifications and skill requirements for the position. Remember: 90% is the magic number. Any less, and you’d be wasting your time if you apply.

2. Close The Experience Gap

Man writes his resume on his laptop

In order to close your experience gap, you need to offer the employer something else they won’t find in most job candidates—and that’s excitement for the job opportunity.

What you lack in experience you can make up with a common connection. Convey to the potential employer your enthusiasm and excitement for the company’s products, services, or mission. Explain what you respect and admire about the company. Even if you don’t have some of the experience and qualifications the employer is looking for, you have the internal motivation and desire to work for their company.

In addition, this connection shows that you would be a great cultural fit within the company. Whatever skills you don’t have, they can probably teach you. But employers know you can’t teach cultural fit. This is where you would stand out among other candidates for the position.

A great way to establish that connection with an employer is to write a disruptive cover letter. Tell your story, convey your excitement, and land that interview!

3. Network Your Way Into The Company

Woman networks on her

Here at Work It Daily, we believe your network is your net worth. And the statistics agree. Over 80% of jobs are gotten via referral. So, receiving a job offer usually comes down to who you know.

If you’re not 100% qualified for a job, your networking skills will play a big role in your ability to get an interview. Use your network to get introduced to someone who works at the company. Begin by reaching out to current employees of the company or friends who might happen to work there, and ask what it would take to stand out and get hired. Note: you’re not asking for the job. You’re just asking for more information.

This strategy is extremely effective at opening doors with potential employers and getting your resume in the right hands.

When you have most of the qualifications and a great connection story explaining why you’re passionate about a company, networking is the perfect final step. Next time you’re debating whether to apply for a job or not, remember the 90% rule. Employers know there’s no such thing as the perfect job candidate. But with these steps, you can be a great one.

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.

7 Mistakes Job Seekers Make

7 Mistakes Job Seekers Make

Are you in the process of searching for a new job but can’t seem to get the callbacks you want? You could be making some big job search mistakes.

Don’t worry, though! We can help you identify what you’re doing wrong in your job search, and teach you how to fix it. Here are seven common mistakes job seekers make:

1. The Aimless Search

If you’re sending out resumes without knowing what your ideal job is, you’re wasting your valuable time. So, before shipping off another application, be sure to sit down and define what type of job you’re looking for. Try to make an interview bucket list. This way, you’ll have a more focused search and can create a customized resume to match.

2. Bad Interviewing Habits

Woman answers a question during a job interview

Do you have bad interviewing habits? In other words, do you assume you’re on a first-name basis with interviewers? Or do you slouch in your seat? If so, be sure to learn about appropriate body language and ways to address interviews so that you can always come across as a confident candidate with plenty to offer.

3. Bad-Mouthing A Previous Employer

Woman answers a question during a job interview

Many interviewees get stuck with the question, “Why did you leave your previous employer?” While you may want to say that your previous boss was a jerk, this is not the time or place to mention it. So, if you’re asked this question, just say you are looking for new opportunities that align with your career goals.

4. Not Attending Job Fairs

Woman and man attend a job fair

While job fairs may feel like impersonal functions for individuals who are desperate for work, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, some great networking opportunities can be found at job fairs, not just with company representatives but with other job fair attendees.

5. Wearing Unprofessional Attire

Man dresses casually for a job interview

When interviewing, company representatives are watching your every move, including how you’re dressed. If your attire is too casual, sexy, or plain outrageous, your amazing resume or interviewing skills may do little to get you hired.

6. Forgetting To Follow Up

Woman on laptop follows up after a job interview

Another mistake to avoid is not following up with an employer after your interview. To make sure you remain on the employer’s mind, send a follow-up email of about three or four paragraphs that summarizes your skills, reiterates your eagerness to be hired, and thanks the entire staff for their time.

7. Sending An Ultra-Long Resume

Hiring manager reviews a job applicant's resume

Although your professional history may be so amazing that you want to share every piece of it, it’s important that you avoid creating a resume that stretches out too long. By focusing on related positions and highlighting the top moments in your career, you can easily reduce your resume to two or three pages.

As you can see, there are a lot of ways to make mistakes when conducting your job search. The good news is that these mistakes are avoidable if you are aware of them. By following the tips above, you’ll find job search success in no time!

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.

3 Things You Need To Know About Remote Work

3 Things You Need To Know About Remote Work

As a 20-year career coaching veteran who used to be in staffing and recruiting industry, I know exactly what companies are thinking about right now. And you need to pay attention because a lot of the remote jobs you see aren’t going to stay remote.

If you want to stay remote or if you want to get a remote job now, you need to know these three things…

1. Startups & Lifestyle Companies Will Likely Stay Remote

@j.t.odonnell 3 Things You Need To Know To Get Remote Work. #remotework #remote #work #remotejobs #remotejobs2022 #careermode #careertok #edutok #careerchange #jobsearch #jobsearchtips #careeradvice #careertips #jobs #careers ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

The first thing you need to understand is that startups and lifestyle companies are the ones that will most likely keep jobs remote. Startup companies are trying to save money, so if they don’t have to rent space and have all that overhead, it gives them more opportunity to spend money to build the business. So they’re going to be more inclined to allow you to work remotely.

Lifestyle companies are ones where the executive team wants to work remotely, so if they want to work remotely, then they have to let their employees work remotely too. This is one of the reasons why remote work is here to stay.

2. You Can Usually Work Remotely As An Independent Contractor

Man on laptop works remotely

The second thing you should consider is being an IC (independent contractor) versus an FTE (full-time employee). It’s much easier to be remote when you’re in IC. That’s because as an independent contractor, a company can’t legally dictate where you work and the hours you work. So if a company hires you as an IC, you often can do the work wherever and whenever you want.

As a full-time employee, though, the company you work for can dictate where you work. Therefore, they could let you work remotely now, but then change their mind and bring you back in. So being an IC has advantages. However, if the company ever has to cut costs, ICs are the first ones to go because there aren’t any ramifications. There’s no impact on their unemployment insurance and other things like that. So you have to be careful because you’re easier to fire.

3. If You Work On A Laptop, There’s A Higher Chance You’ll Get To Work From Home

Woman on laptop works remotely

The last thing I want you to think about is that the work that can mostly be done remotely is tech work or computer work—something where you can take a laptop or a cell phone and do the majority of your work. And so staying in that kind of work can increase the chances that you can do it remotely from anywhere in the world.

However, one thing that’s happening now is companies are figuring out they can pay people less money because they want to work remotely. So salaries are going down. And on top of that, they’re saying, “Well, if I can hire people remotely, I can hire people in other countries. They’ll take a third of what people here in the U.S. want.” So competition is going to increase for these remote jobs, which means these salaries are going to decrease. So you’ve got to be prepared for that. You need to be thinking about these three things and the pros and cons of each one.

Need more help with your job search?

I’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Power Hour Event Subscription! I look forward to answering all your career questions in our next live event!

How To Navigate LinkedIn Effectively

How To Navigate LinkedIn Effectively

If you’ve never used an on the internet networking site, LinkedIn may seem to be a little daunting at first. Looking acquainted with other social mass media sites, you’ll still would like to take the period to learn to navigate the way around LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is the world’s biggest professional networking platform and something of the most important social media networks.

With over 830 million members in a lot more than 200 countries and even territories, you’ll want in order to utilize this tool to be able to market yourself as the business-of-one.

Members use the internet site to network or retain in touch with fellow workers, co-workers, clients, friends, together with family. But it could do so much more—build awareness of your brand name, enhance your profile, connect along with professionals, find job possibilities, etc.

This training will assist you:

  • Better understand how for you to navigate the LinkedIn system
  • Learn precisely how to search for particular topics on LinkedIn
  • Manage your own personal personal profile and accounts settings
  • Determine ways to market your self to your network

Sign up for our CEO, J. To. O’Donnell, and Director to help train Development & Training, Christina Burgio, for this specific live event on Wed, August 31st at twelve pm ET.

CAN’T GO TO LIVE? Which okay. You will have access towards the recording and typically the workbook after the program!

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

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

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

Recruiters look at a job candidate's resume

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?

Recruiter goes to shake a job candidate's hand

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!

Man looks for a job on his laptop

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

How To Overcome Your Interview Anxiety

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 them—before 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

Man wakes up after sleeping 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

Woman thinks about and plans her day

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 task—preparing for that interview.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

Man conducts a mock interview

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

Confident man on laptop prepares for his next job interview

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…

Young woman shakes hands with the hiring manager before a job interview

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?

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.

9 Ways To Stand Out In A Group Interview

9 Ways To Stand Out In A Group Interview

If you’re a job hunter, you have to remember that job interviews are not all the same. Some job interviews not only require you to answer somewhat stressful questions directly from your interviewer, but they can also require you to face a group of co-interviewees and (technically) compete with them by practically standing out among the crowd.

This kind of job interview is (obviously) called a group interview.

If you’re still wondering, “What is a group interview?” you’re not alone. A group interview is just like the traditional job interview with a question and answer portion, and some examinations.

However, what adds more tension to the air is the fact that you have to go toe-to-toe with other job seekers, and force yourself to stand out without disrespecting and interrupting your interviewer and co-interviewees. You have to be both smooth and confident here.

If this is kind of scaring the hell out of you, breathe and just continue reading. After this, you will be as prepared as the ants during rainy season. Here are nine effective ways to stand out in a group job interview:

1. Research Beforehand

It is very important, whether it’s a group interview or a traditional job interview, to do research beforehand. You should know what you need to look for. Just make sure you know something about the company and any other details they can possibly ask you.

Keep in mind, though, that research doesn’t only pertain to Google. Go out and observe, or conduct your own interviews.

2. Arrive 30 Minutes Before The Time And Observe

Man thinks while waiting for a job interview

Don’t just be “on time.” Be there before the assigned time. This way, you can still rest and freshen up a bit. You can also continue on with your research by observing the office, and reading some posters or notes on their bulletin boards. Being early for the interview will do you a lot of good.

3. Prepare A Self-Introduction

Man introduces himself during a group interview

Most likely, you will be asked to introduce yourself, especially in a group job interview. To save yourself some time and pressure, compose and memorize fluidly a self-introduction. Give it all your best essay writing prowess. This will certainly come in handy.

Remember, the “first impression lasts” saying is still true.

4. Listen Very Carefully

Hiring manager talks to job candidates during a group interview

During a group interview, never let yourself float into nowhere. Always be attentive and alert. Don’t just listen to the questions asked. Listen to your peers’ answers as well. This will help you think and answer better.

5. Answer First Every Once In A While

Woman answers a question during a group interview

Make it a point to be the first one to answer your interviewer’s question every once in a while. I repeat, only once in a while. You don’t have to bully the other candidates. But you shouldn’t appear to be too shy and timid, either.

Being the first one to answer without obviously trying to dominate the group interview can help your interviewer’s easy recall and good impression of you as a job candidate.

6. Support Some Co-Interviewees’ Statements

Job candidates listen during a group interview

Since you don’t need to be the first one to answer all the questions, try to be kind and supportive of the other candidates’ answers every now and then. This way, you may appear to be a supportive leader and a team player at the same time.

7. Smile And Nod A Lot

Job candidates smile during a group interview

While someone else is talking, listen, smile, and nod a lot. It’s a sign of respect and that you are listening intently to them. It’s always better to be noticed because of nodding and smiling than to be all stiff and nervous.

8. Ask Brilliant Questions

A job candidate asks a good question during a group interview

As soon as your interviewer asks you if you have any questions in mind, try your best to formulate a good and intelligent one. That’s why, aside from thinking sharply, you also need to listen carefully throughout the course of the interview.

Once you’ve already formulated a question or two, do your best to keep them in mind and wait until your interviewer asks you if you have any. Don’t interrupt him or her.

Brilliant questions will make you notable. It means you’re listening well and you are eager to learn more. That’s why good and intelligent questions are so important.

9. Greet And Thank Your Interviewer And Co-Interviewees

Woman thanks the hiring manager after a group interview

At the end of the group interview, make it a point to thank your interviewer and shake hands with your co-interviewees. This shows you are well-mannered and respectful.

Group job interviews can be terrifying. However, they’re not as bad as they may seem.

Now that you know how to succeed at a group interview, you should already be more confident! Group interviews can even give you the edge that you need more than a traditional job interview can.

So, don’t fear your upcoming group interview! It’s just another opportunity for you to shine and prove that YOU are the best fit for the position!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.