Your
purpose is to 'GET THE JOB' by focusing on
the interviewer's needs rather than their own:
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You
should match your goals to the interviewer's goals. |
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Should
establish rapport. |
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Show
interest and enthusiasm. |
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Making
a positive impression. |
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Demonstrating
they are a good risk. |
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Illustrate
their effectiveness. |
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This is a list of basic rules for interviewing. You may already
know most of them; if so, consider this a good set of guidelines
- for sharpening their interviewing skills.
It is the potential client's purpose to find
a solution to a problem. To solve their problem they are
going to contract or hire one or more qualified individuals.
They are usually looking for reasons why they should NOT
put you in this position.
Learn The Interviewer's Name And
Use It
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The
interviewer will feel much more comfortable when you
can respond directly to her with, "I understand
exactly what you mean, Susan." |
Enthusiasm Makes The Difference
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If
five resumes are somewhat similar, the interviewer
will chose the individual with enthusiasm. Remember,
enthusiasm isn't just acting the effervescence and
bouncing up and down in your chair. It takes a touch
of: "I can see you've been given a big assignment
and I'd sure welcome the opportunity to give you a
hand". "This sounds like an opportunity,
for both us. I'm sure we could work well together."
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Know Your Resume
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Don't
be surprised when the resume says you wrote 30 programs
and you told the interviewer you wrote 40. How many
years of experience does the resume say you've had?
If you stumble in this area, it will become a 'focal
point' for the interviewer to dwell on. Be sure you
can "BACK UP" the statements made. |
Consider Questions Before You Interview
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This
is especially true if you feel there will be objections
concerning light experience in a particular area,
your ability to express your past experiences without
problems or overcoming your nervousness or apprehensions.
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Be Honest
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"Any"
inconsistency will just bring focal point to the interviewer's
attention. He may dwell on that point and if he doesn't,
he will remember it every time he sees you. Being
a fake is just as negative as being dishonest. |
Listen, Listen And Actively Listen
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Rapport
is established by active listening. By that is meant
responding with interest to what the interviewer is
saying and asking important questions. Be sure the
questions are relevant to his/her needs and problems.
List to overviews. Overviews are a rich garden of
material for questions. |
Ask Questions
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The
interview process gives you the best possible (and
perhaps the only) environment to get the "whole
picture". After the interview, if you are accepted,
you will be placed in a position not knowing exactly
what you will be working on unless you ask questions.
Questions can become the most dynamic part of an interview.
You can ask questions which help align your goals
with the job. You can use questions to establish rapport.
You can ask questions to take the focus away from
you. You can ask questions to show your interest.
Questions help make a "productive interview".
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Know How To Answer To Objections
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Although
the first rule here is to turn a negative into a positive,
you must "know the objection". If it is
unclear, do not be afraid to ask: "What makes
you feel that way, Susan?" |
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Never answer just
"Yes" or "No" - always add a few
words to show your interest:
Question: Do you consider yourself proficient in COBOL?
Bad Answer: Yes.
Good Answer: Yes, I do consider myself proficient
in COBOL. I've spent my last four years doing both
maintenance and new development in COBOL. |
Never Make Assumptions
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If
things are questionable, ask a question. But, if you
do not ask a question, don't assume anything - especially
during the interview process.
Question: What is your interest in
graphics?
Answer: I'd really like to work on graphics
software and programming.
Response: Oh, that's too bad, we're
looking for an analyst rather than a programmer.
Better Answer: Although my eventual
goal is to work on graphics software and programming,
I am really looking for solid experience in the graphics
field. |
Be Careful Of Mirroring An Image
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If
your interviewer gets tough, that doesn't mean you
should get tough too. If your interviewer swears,
please don't. Live up to your own standards rather
than falling inline to a lesser set of standards.
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Balance The Interview
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Remember
the interviewer must find someone who can do the job
but will be turned off by a know-it-all. What you
must do is demonstrate your ability to do the job
and make the interviewer feel you can view this as
an opportunity also. You can learn and be productive
at the same time. |
Time Is A Valuable Commodity
There are three distinct rules with regards to time.
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They become more
and more important the older one gets. |
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Show up on time. A recent survey
said if a person was five minutes late for an interview,
60% of interviewers polled said it would make a significant
impact on the results of the interview. |
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Do not waste time. |
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This falls in more than one category.
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You know there is always a certain
amount of small talk, but do not make it last too
long. |
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Show that you can get back to
business. |
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The second category involves
taking too long when the interviewer asks a very specific
question. If he says, "What experiences have
you had in data processing?" you should not say…"Well,
it all started back in 1965, when I was riding a bus
and…"
It would be better to say, "Although I've had
15 years in data processing, I'd like to highlight
some of the relevant experiences I've had which show
I'm the right person for this position…"
Thank the interviewer for his/her time. "I sure
appreciate the time you've taken with me today." |
Know Your Value
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Consider
yourself a professional. Does a lawyer or teacher
have more specialized knowledge than you? Not likely.
Have some pride in your chosen profession and get
started on the right foot. It is not the most qualified
candidate that always gets the job - more often it
is the "most constructive, most enthusiastic
and most cooperative candidate". |
Know How To Pause
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Do
not always jump at every question, especially if you
are turning a negative into a positive. It sometimes
allows the interviewer to re-state the question and
make things clearer for you. |
Don't Drop Your Guard
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Remember,
this is your chance - NOW! You can't come back tomorrow
with another, more complete answer. So, follow "all"
the rules now. Don't lose it, even for a few seconds.
Think of the prizefighter. If he fights well for eight
rounds and then drops his guard for a few moments,
what happens? |
Try Not To Be Nervous
Some individuals really get uptight
and nervous during the interview process. The best way to
avoid and/or overcome nervousness is to:
FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEWS TIPS AND FOR THE FIRST DAY
AT CLIENT SITE:
Use Your Smile
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Smiles
are infectious. Wouldn't you rather interview an individual
who can look alive and happy while he's discussing
his background? |
Leave Your Habits Behind You
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Don't
bite your fingernails, wiggle in your chair, have
a nicotine fit or rap your fingers on the desk top.
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Dress Appropriately
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A poor
or too casual appearance gives the interviewer an
immediate reaction even before the first word is spoken.
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Introduce Yourself Properly
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Use
a firm handshake - (male or female), give your name,
company and purpose: "Hello, my name is John
Jones from ABC Consulting and I'm here for an interview."
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Find a forthright and comfortable way
to get started. |
Watch Your Interviewer's Body
Language
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Folded
arms, facing away from you, yawns, picking up papers,
or concentrating on something other than you, might
be negative signals. |
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Watch for changes in behavior. They
might indicate such things as your giving long explanations
when you should be brief, presenting negative information
or general disinterest. |
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React to negative body language positively
and accordingly. |
Good Eye Contact
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Believe
it or not, there is a significant impact made through
good eye contact. |
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Do not look out the window
while you are extolling your virtues. |
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Do not study the papers
on her desk while she is talking about your assignment. |
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Good eye contact helps to
portray an honest image. |
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Bad eye contact can show
lack of interest, dishonesty and lack of manners. |
Don't Be Discouraged
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A poor
or too casual appearance gives the interviewer an
immediate reaction even before the first word is spoken.
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SUMMARY
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Gain
confidence through knowing all of the above rules
and applying them. |
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Develop
an attitude about the interview process by asking
yourself "Why do interviews make me nervous?
Is it my background? Is it the authority figure I'm
facing? Is it because of my inexperience?" |
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Whatever
the reason, try to understand it first, then try to
overcome the real problem. |
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Good
eye contact helps to portray an honest image. |
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The
above interviewing rules should be a challenge for
anyone. There is no one who has such excellent qualifications
that he or she can disregard these basic rules. Your
career is a large part of your life and the interview
process makes for lasting impressions, so get started
on the right foot with a good interview. |
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