The Interview Handbook

Going for an interview is usually a very stressful event. Most interviewees are very anxious and edgy both when they practice for the interview and at the actual one. Others step into the interview room only to find that their mouths have dried up and they’re at a complete loss of words. The only way to stop that from happening to you is to prepare yourself adequately.

The good news is, there are always a number of standard questions that you could be asked during an interview. Knowing what they are and preparing some clever responses to them can greatly enhance your performance in the interview. We now take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions and how you should respond to them.

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

When you answer this question, always focus on your positive traits, both personal and professional. Make it a point to emphasize your valuable skills, experiences, and achievements, without sounding like you are bragging. Before coming up with something witty, you need to study the job description thoroughly in order to customize your answer to the specific position you’re interviewing for.

What is your biggest weaknesses?

This is probably one of the more tricky questions. Most people think that the best way to approach it is to name a weakness that can be thought of as a strength. For example, you could say that you’re a perfectionist or that you work too hard sometimes. The problem with this is that most experienced interviewers are likely to have heard the same type of answer many times in the past. You would probably be better off just being honest. State a true weakness but make sure you can demonstrate that you are doing something to overcome it. For example, you could say that you have a hard time delegating work but that you have enrolled in a course that teaches delegation techniques.

What is your greatest strength?

This is the perfect opportunity to showcase what you excel in. Find a way to mention more than just one good trait and be sure to pick those that will contribute the most to the type of job you’re applying for. For example, if the job description says that you have to be a team player, you might want to mention that you are good at motivating other people.

Why did you apply for this job?

The reason most interviewers ask this question is because they want to see if you’ve actually put some serious thought into the job (as opposed to sending out resumes for any job opening). Doing some research about the company’s background and values will allow you to come up with a good answer. For example, you could say that the company’s values are in line with yours. Even more importantly, you need to explain how your skills and experiences will add to the company’s value.

Remember, your understanding of the interview process and the motivation behind these questions are crucial in determining how successful you are. Most employers will also throw some unexpected questions at you to test your ability to think on the spot. Don’t be afraid of them, the interviewer is not an enemy. There is always a good reason for every question, and if you are able to grasp what that reason is, you’re going to find it much easier to answer them.

Following Up After an Interview:

You are quite happy with yourself because that last interview went really well. You feel that your chances of getting the job are pretty good but you hate the part where you have to sit back and wait for the employer to call you back. Well, guess what? You’re not supposed to just sit back and wait. An interview is never finished when you shake hands and leave the room; you have to follow up on it.

Following up after an interview can give you a winning edge over the other candidates. The manner in which you follow up is also important because it can win you or cost you the job. The best way to illustrate this is with an example.

Elizabeth had been hoping to hire a market researcher to fill a position that had been vacant for several weeks. Henry, Melissa, and Barbara were equally qualified and she was having a hard time deciding which one to hire. When she listened to her voice mail on morning after the interview, Melissa had left her a message thanking her for the interview. She made a mental note of the fact that this candidate had shown a serious interest in the job by following up. That same afternoon, when she checked her mail, she found a letter from Barbara. She was impressed by the care and effort that had gone into writing the letter. Barbara had not only thanked Elizabeth for the interview, but she had addressed some of the organizational issues that had been discussed during the interview as well. Barbara was offered the job the very next day.

Now that you know how important following up after an interview is, here are some pointers to help you get it just right.

Get the time frame right

Towards the end of your interview, always remember to ask the potential employer how long it would be until a hiring decision is made. If you get a good idea of when the company will be hiring, you will know how quickly you need to follow up. If you know the company will make their decision in 5 days, then you need to send out the follow-up letter right away.

The Letter

A follow-up thank you letter is an excellent way to get your interviewer to remember you. The letter should re-emphasize why you are a suitable candidate and discuss any additional information about your qualifications that you didn’t have a chance to mention during the interview. Whether you use email, snail mail, or fax depends on the type of company you’re interviewing with. If it’s a high-tech, trendy one, you might want to go with email. A posted letter may be more appropriate if it’s a conservative company. In any case, check that you have the correct information with regards to the interviewer’s name, position, and address. Asking for a business card after the interview is a good way of making sure that you do.

The Phone Call

If the hiring time frame has passed and the company still hasn’t called you, you can call them. During the phone call, let the company know that you are still interested in the position. Be gracious at all times and don’t be too pushy. You don’t want to give them the impression that you are desperate.

If you keep these pointers in mind when you follow up on an interview, you will be well on your way to making sure that the person who interviewed you keeps you in mind for the job. At the same time, you will also be strengthening your candidature.

After having sent out an endless number of resumes, you’ve finally been invited for an interview. You’re probably feeling a little strange in your stomach and wishing that the interview would be today instead of next week. Feeling nervous about an interview is absolutely normal. After all, it is a very important step in the job hunting process.

Surely, you’ve heard tales about people who looked perfect on paper but were complete disappointments in the interview. Many of these people didn’t get the job because they did not take the time to familiarize themselves with the common mistakes people make in interviews. A great way for you to reduce your pre-interview anxiety is to take a look at some of these and devote a little time into learning how you can make sure that you don’t repeat them.

Inadequate Preparation

Nothing demonstrates a lack of interest more than not being able to say anything about the company you’re interviewing with. You’re expected to do a small amount of research on the company’s background, product lines, divisions, and business purpose. This type of information can easily be found on the company’s website. A really good way to show the interviewer that you have read up on the company is to ask him or her a few questions about the company’s operations.

Making Negative Comments about Current or Former Employers

Even if your current or former boss treated you unfairly, the interview is not the appropriate time for you to seek revenge. Saying negative things about him or her will only make it seem like you are a disrespectful and disloyal person. In fact, the interviewer would be likely to think that you would do the same to him in the future. Nobody likes working with a gossiper or a person who bad mouths others. If you are asked why you want to change jobs, make sure you have a positive answer prepared.

Dishonesty

Whatever you do, never lie in an interview. It can be very tempting at times, but most experienced interviewers will see through you. Either that, or they will find out the truth at later point in time. Overstating your qualifications and bragging about your experiences is considered lying. If you are the right candidate for the job, there will be no need for this in the first place. And a company should want to hire you for who you are not for who you pretend to be.

Focusing on the Perks

How would you feel if you were asked for your insurance history before being allowed to test drive a car? It is completely inappropriate for you to start asking about the salary, vacation days, and yearly bonuses during an interview. The interviewer could easily think that you were more interested in the perks than the job itself. All these questions should be asked only after you have been offered the job.

To sum it up, a strong resume will get you an interview and a good interview will get you the job. Performing well in an interview requires a certain amount of preparation. Learning from the mistakes that others before you have made and being conscious of them can bring you that much closer to your dream job.

Inquisitive souls often find new tools that help them improve their performance. The old saying, “Curiosity can kill the cat,” is something you want to re-evaluate. Sure, if you become curious of something that would obviously cause you harm, then the cat just might die. Curiosity is a gift. We can use this gift to our advantage if we choose, or we can make serious judgments that cause problems.

As you learn to use your inquisitive tools to your best interest, you will start to focus your attention on the good things in life. Most people walk around looking only at the shallow light of our creation, products and so on. Instead of using a shallow mind, open your mind up to new horizons. An open mind however is not doing what is bad, rather opening your mind up to doing what is right. Too many times, I hear people say they have open minds, but often the minds are open to sexual deviations and nothing more or less. This is not a way to improve your life. Rather, you need to clean your mind of unhealthy actions, behaviours, images, etc, and start developing positive reflections.

Once you start to focus your attention you can move to change. You have to be willing to make changes to make it happen. Most people fear the unknown. To improve your life however you must not allow the unknown to scare you. The unknown just might be something that works in your favour. In fact, if you want to improve your life, you will start to welcome the unknown to your palace.

In our minds, we visualize who we think we may be. Most of us fear discovering something new about self. Do not fear what you may discover. You may discover a wonderful person waiting to get out and make the changes that most people fear. Changes are good. Do not fear change, since change is a part of life and it is what takes you to new heights in life. When you see something new about you, good or bad take it and use it. If you see something bad, evaluate it carefully to make sure it is bad. If you conclude that this feature about you is bad, figure out ways to change it. You have the power and control inside you to make those changes. What can you do to make those changes? What actions can you take to make your life better?

Once you discover new details about yourself move to organize your thoughts, visions, etc, and then sort them out. Take time to evaluate the details. Details have hidden messages you may have overlooked that will carry you to a new life. Do not fear. Fear is the worst problem we face in the world, since fear is one of the ultimate controllers of humankind.

When you discover details take the volume of information you gain and sort through it. Kick out the bad and bring in the new. Discover new ideas. Discover new relationships. Discover the new you. Play with the details and information you gain and see what you come up with, followed by organizing your new information. Put the pieces of your life together to make a new you. When you check the list of information and details, make sure you visualize the whole pie. Take a view at weight, categories, order, colours, and size and so forth, so that you get the most of your new findings. Once you are finish, build your confidence so that you can take action and carry forward without cease.

When applying for jobs, it is important that you read through the job description thoroughly before submitting your application. A lot of what employers are actually looking for in their potential associate is written right in the job description and requirements. In fact, you should review your resume against the requirements listed in order to make sure you have covered everything the employer is looking for. If you can address all the requirements by the information in your resume or in your cover letter, you will be on the right track for getting the job.

However, there is a whole list of skills employers look for that are never spelled out in the job description. These skills are typically referred to as employability skills, which are skills beyond your technical knowledge and qualifications that make you a great professional in your field. Don’t panic, you already have employability skills, you just may not think of them as critical for getting a job.

The employability skills have been grouped in eight categories:

• Communication skills

• Teamwork skills

• Problem-solving skills

• Initiative and enterprise skills

• Planning and organizing skills

• Self-management

• Learning skills

• Technology skills

Now that you have read the categories, you are thinking to yourself, Yes, I have those skills. But did you ever think to list them on the resume?

Most people focus on their professional achievements and responsibilities, and they often skip these skills in favour of those that are job specific. However, more and more employers look for these skills in resumes.

Your potential employer wants to know that you are a team player, that you communicate well, and will show initiative when needed. While you may think this is implied by your interest in the available position, employers like to see these skills called out on your resume or cover letter.

The best way to demonstrate these skills is through your experience and under your qualifications. Point out the initiatives you have participated in that required you to work in a team, under a deadline, or as a self-starter.

Demonstrate your loyalty through pointing out your accomplishments at an organization and how they benefited your team as a whole (not just you). You can showcase the employability skills in your cover letter by openly showing your enthusiasm for the available position, stating your commitment to your career objective, indicating your motivation and your integrity, and showing that you are above all un-selfish and credible.

These skills are just as critical to your ability to do a great job as your professional experience and education – employers are looking for someone who will be a great fit on their team and in their organization, someone who works well under pressure but also has a sense of humour and has a balance between their personal and professional life.

Review your existing resume. Does it contain any employability skills? If not, make revisions to incorporate those employability skills you feel you excel in. If you are unsure, ask your friends or family for an objective opinion, so that you can get a better idea of how people around you see you as a person as well as a professional.

Keep these attributes in mind as you compose your resume and your cover letter, and especially as you are taking part in interviews. These skills can make a difference between knowing how to do a job and being qualified to exceed goals and grow in your career.

Resume writing is a difficult task. While you can research information online, or seek assistance from a professional resume services, it is always helpful to have resources on hand that can assist in writing a new or rewriting your existing resume and/or cover letter. The following four books are my personal favourites, easy to read and follow each book offers you a wide rang of advice which you can put into action very quickly and start to see real benefits and provides you with a wealth of information on resume writing:

The first book you should consider is called The Elements of Resume Style. It was written by S. Bennett.

This book, as its cover states, will provide you with great advice on writing resumes and cover letters. Here, you will find valuable advice of working through and setting your career goals, marking your qualifications, delivering your resume to your employers and composing your cover letter. The author is not afraid to discuss the commonly made mistakes, the importance of knowing what you want to do in your career, sentence structure, and even salary requirements. This book makes for a great resource for both beginners and experienced resume writers.

The second book is titled Competency-Based Resumes and was written by two writers, Kessler and Strasburg.

Competency-Based Resumes is a great resource for professionals that are confident in their career objective and are searching for a more targeted way to develop their resume in order to get noticed in the specific industry of their interest. The book discusses techniques used by employers at various industries that scan resumes in order to determine applicant’s experience based on their work habits and skills. The book offers you a new and effective way to create resumes that makes your skills and your education the number one priority, and provides you guidelines of highlighting specific areas in order to create a winning resume.

The third book contains 101 Best Resumes and was written by Block and Betrus.

Members of the Professional Association of Resume Writers have come together to provide 101 best resumes for this book.

The sample resumes included in this book will show you what winning resumes look like, and help you in creating an effective resume of your own that will get you the interview and the job. The book discusses personalizing your resume to positions that you want, highlighting your qualifications, developing your resume and writing cover letters. In addition, you will get some great advice on what to do once your resume is ready and how to win over your potential employer in an interview.

The last book of choice has Resumes That Knock ‘em Dead and was written by Yate.

This bestseller will teach you everything you need to know to get started in resume writing. It is a perfect read for beginners as well as those who have not written a resume in a long time. The author discusses how to gather all the information you will need to get started with writing a resume, how to chose the verbs you include in your statements, select the appropriate format and how to go about submitting your resume via email or the Internet. In addition, this book provides a great sag-way into cover letters, and how to create one that best compliments your resume.

Each of these books can be found in your local bookstore, library online. They provide more than a great starting point; you can hold on to these books and use them as ongoing resources as you move forward in your career. Good luck.

If you have any other good recommendations on good books to read, please feel free to add them to the sit

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In order to seek out and apply for the jobs you are interested in, you will most likely post your profile and resume on a job search web site, such as monster.com or hotjobs.com. These search engines allow you to upload your resume in a Microsoft Word or text file format, or create one using their forms.

Outside of the job search web sites, e-mailing your resume as form of application has become commonplace. However, each employer or headhunter has different rules on the file they will accept via e-mail. Most companies will accept an attachment in Microsoft Word – this is why you have to be conscious of the font type and size, as well as margins you are using when composing your resume. If a company is requesting a text file, you should follow these steps to convert your Microsoft Word document into a text resume:
-    Select File, Save As
-    Name the file; as a best practice, use your name as the file name, and use underscores as spaces
-    Under Format, select Text Only
-    Select Save.

Now that you have converted your file to a text file, make sure to open it and review how the spaces, tabs, and bullet points have transferred over. You may need to do some edits in order to format the resume to fit the file type. Note that the plain text file doesn’t allow for bolding, italicising or underlining. Make sure that all your text is left justified and that the spacing is correct.

If an employer asks that you include your resume in the body of an email, treat this as a text file when formatting. Copy and paste your whole resume in an email. Keep the font styles basic; use Arial or Times New Roman fonts and keep the size at 10 or 12 points. Adjust all the spacing and bullet points as appropriate. A good rule to follow is to keep the email simple – avoid bolding or italicising text since you don’t really know the type of email software your recipient is using or if the accept HTML or text emails only.

If you are sending your resume as an attachment, format the body of your email as a cover letter. At the top of the email, include your name and address, as well as the address of your recipient. Typically, the address can be found either on the job listing or at the company’s web site. If you are sending the resume in the body of the email, follow the same guidelines in terms of the email content. Don’t make an assumption that including a resume in the body of an email is the only information you should include in your message to your potential employer. Even if the resume is copied into the email, you still need to let your employer know a little bit more about yourself via a cover letter. However, since you will include your address at the top of the email, feel free to start your resume with a career objective instead of including the heading with your name and address.

Much like proofing is critical in perfecting your resume, testing how your resume is displayed in a body of an email or how it opens as an attachment via another computer is important. Rally your friends or family for help, and send them sample emails with your resume included in the body of the message or as an attachment. This will provide a great opportunity for you to assure that your resume is reaching your potential employers in the format that is clean and professional.

Writing cover letters is a responsibility most people carry, regardless of their jobs. However, the most crucial ones are those written for prospective employers when you are searching for a job. Generally speaking, there are two kinds of cover letters you will need to compose with respect to your job search:

Letter of Application

This letter will probably be written in response to an advertised position. It may be submitted by e-mail or by snail mail, depending upon where the position is advertised. If you are responding to an online posting, there will usually be an e-mail address specified. On the other hand, if you have seen the ad elsewhere, such as in a newspaper or newsletter, you will be using the postal service to transmit your information.

Letter of Inquiry

Typically, this letter is a request for information sent to an organization regarding employment opportunities. You are interested in the organization and in the possibility of working for it, but you need to scout out any available openings that you qualify for. Likewise, a letter of inquiry may be sent to inquire about internship opportunities. Both of these may be sent either by e-mail or the post office, depending on your source for information about the company. If you found it online, it’s likely there will be an e-mail address provided. If you found the company elsewhere, you will send your inquiry via parcel post.

Tips for Writing Cover Letters

1. If you send a resume, it should have a cover letter.
2. Be specific. Don’t beat around the bush. Make your desire known immediately.
3. Explain where and how you learned about the position you are applying for.
4. Do your best writing on the cover letter. If it does not attract the attention of the reader, the resume will not be looked at.
5. Draw attention to your background, but don’t be long-winded. Be very concise and specific.
6. It’s important that your letter convey who you are—attitudes, personality, etc.
7. Fill in the gaps in the ad. It might have left out specifics such as when the job begins, when you will be available to start, etc.
8. Tell the reader how you are going to follow up—a phone call in a specific time frame—next week, for example. This is particularly important if you are sending a letter of inquiry rather than an application letter.

E-Mail or Snail Mail?

It’s better to wait until invited to use e-mail, especially with a company or employer you do not know. However, most websites virtually invite e-mail contacts for purposes of applying for or inquiring about jobs. The big difference is that if the website has been set up to accept e-mail applications, someone will be designated to field the inquiries. An e-mail sent without that structure will probably end up in cyberspace. When in doubt, use the hard copy route.

On the other hand, if an employer has contacted you by e-mail, it is advisable to reply in kind. Even so, pay attention to the directions in the contact message. You may need to send the e-mail to another person in the company. Just pay attention to the details.

There are two types of resumes: chronological and functional. As its name implies, a chronological resume is one that lists your experience and education in order, starting with the most recent jobs or achievements. This type of resume is sometimes also referred to as reverse chronological resume, because the order of the listing starts with your current employment. Functional resumes focus on your qualifications, not your career timeline. This style of the resume highlights what skills you have, rather than where and when you acquired or utilize them. In other words, instead of listing your experiences by your job titles, your resume will contained sections titled by your skills such as verbal and written communication, customer satisfaction, project management, etc.

The functional resume style is recommended for college students seeking internships or their first jobs out of college, for those with no professional experience, those who have not worked for some time, or for career changers. This resume style allows you to reference your hobbies and interests in a way that apply to your career objective only; listing hobbies and interests outside of your career objective is not recommended as it doesn’t promote you as a professional in any way.

Any time you are composing a resume, it is important to keep in mind your career objective. You want to present yourself in a best possible light to your potential employer. Thus, the information on your resume has to answer one question: Why are you the best candidate for the job?

The biggest mistake people make on their resumes is including information that is not related to their professional experience. Facts pertaining to your volunteer positions, community work, interests and hobbies that disclose your race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or any personal descriptors that do not directly impact your professional performance must be excluded from your resume. The functional resume does not require you to list names or organizations you have worked or volunteered for; thus, you can list the experience you have acquired there without potentially disclosing any demographic information. Additionally, don’t create a separate section on your resume for hobbies and interests. This is typically seen as amateur, and gives your resume less credibility.

Listing hobbies and interests as they apply to the position you are applying for should be done under specific functional sections. For example, if you are seeking a position in graphic design, and have samples of work that you have done as a hobby, indicate this fact on your resume or in your cover letter. If your hobbies are related to the type of work you are seeking utilize them to your advantage. If you have read books or completed seminars at the community center that are applicable to your job, make a mention of them. Any employer will welcome the opportunity to have you demonstrate the qualifications that make you a perfect candidate for the job.

As a final step, have a friend review your resume, or if you are a college student, seek assistance from a career center at your school. Having another person review your resume will help uncover any items that may raise questions about your experience or education, as well as address if the inclusion of your hobbies and interests works to support your career objective. Perfecting your resume will assure that you show your potential employer that you are the best candidate for the job.

How to Handle Psychometric Tests

Companies have long hoped to be able to make the best possible hires to fill positions. However, most fail more than they succeed and find themselves in an endless turnover cycle. For that reason, all kinds of new techniques for making better choices have emerged over the past several years. The psychometric test has reared its ugly head for job applicants, and you need to be prepared in case you are asked to take one (or more) of them. It’s comforting to know that they are rarely used by themselves to make hiring decisions but are considered along with several other measures, with the conclusions of the interviewer carrying the most weight.

What are Psychometric Tests?

So what are they and what do they do? First of all, they are intended to objectively measure your abilities and probably your personality. The ability tests will ask you to carry out a range of tasks. The personality test will examine how you do things but more importantly how you interact with whatever surroundings you find yourself in and particularly with the people who make up those surroundings.

On the day of the test, you will be in a room with a lot of desks and other examinees. The test may be taken on a computer or it may be in pencil-and-paper mode. You can expect a thorough explanation of the procedures that will include a little bit of information about the tests you are taking and how long each will last. It’s the job of the test administrator to make certain the test is fair to everyone. For example, if you realize that you haven’t marked questions correctly, if you report it, it will not affect your score.

Tips for taking psychometric interviewing tests:

Some people suffer from severe test-anxiety and these tests may not be an accurate measure of their abilities or their personalities. Almost everyone experiences some of this, so it’s best to do some things ahead of time that can help you do the best you can. It would be a shame if you were the best candidate for a job but were eliminated just because you were not prepared for the test.

1. Practice. A number of practice tests are available. Look in a local bookstore or get online and Google “psychometric test”.

2. You are entitled to know why you are taking the test. If you are not given that information, ask for it.

3. You are also entitled to have your scores given to you privately. Again, if this doesn’t happen, ask why.

4. You are entitled to know who will see your scores and where they will be stored and for how long. Ask the question.

5. When you are in the testing room, clear your mind of other things and listen carefully.

6. If something is not clear, ask for clarification.

7. If you are taking the test on a computer, fiddle with it to be sure it is working properly.

8. Keep your mind on your own little space. It’s irrelevant how others are doing.

9. If you don’t know the answer to a question, guess.

10. Read each question carefully.

11. Don’t panic if you’re not going to finish. It may be built into the test.

12. If you finish early, go back over your answers. It helps if you’ve marked the questions you were not sure about so you can find them quickly.

The best advice is to calm down and deal with your anxiety before you even begin thinking about the test. If taking a practice test helps, then do so by all means. Use techniques for becoming calm and confident and you will have a much better chance of passing with flying colors.