10 ways to be liked in your job interview
Here are some tips from Toni Bowers.
1.
Don’t be a
smiley face.
Excessive
smiling in a job interview tends to show some weakness — nervousness and a lack
of confidence. Please avoid a Smiley Face which will tend to exude
phoniness, which will quickly be picked up by the interviewer. Instead try to be
thoughtful and pleasant.
2.
Don’t be a
Know-It-None
You must be knowledgeable about the company for which you’re
interviewing. Random and hazy facts about the company will not earn you the
favour of the interviewer. Never feel you have to fill an interview with small
talk. Find ways to talk about serious subjects related to the industry or
company. Pockets of silence are better than padding an interview with random
babble.
3.
Don’t Sweat
You can lose a job by wearing an undershirt or
simply a little too much clothing. Sweaty palms or beads on your forehead will
not impress. You are not applying to be a personal trainer. Sweat will be seen
as a sign of weakness and nervousness. Do a practice run with your job
interview outfit in front of friends. The job interview is one place you
definitely don’t want to be hot.
4.
Put down that Stop Sign
Interviewers are seek
candidates who are eager to take on challenging projects and
jobs.Therefore,hesitance and a naysaying mentality will perceived as a red tie
— and seen as a negative. Practice saying “yes” to questions about your
interest in tasks and work that might normally give you pause.
5.
Don’t be a Sheeple
Asking about the location of the lunchroom or
meeting room will clue the interviewer into your lack of preparation and
initiative. Be prepared. Don’t ask questions about routine elements or
functions of a company: where stuff is, the size of your cube and company
policy on coffee breaks.
6.
Don’t be a Liar Liar
Studies show that employees lie frequently in
interviews. Lying won’t get you the job. In a job interview even a slight
exaggeration is lying. Don’t. Never stretch your resume or embellish
accomplishments. There’s a difference between speaking with a measured
confidence and engaging in BS. One lie can ruin your entire interview, and the
skilled interviewer will spot the lie and show you the door.
7.
Don’t Be
a Bad Comedian
Humor tends to be very subjective and while it
may be tempting to lead your interview with a joke you’ve got to be careful
about your material. You probably will know nothing about the sensibilities of
your interviewer, let alone what makes them laugh. On the other hand, nothing
disarms the tension of a job interview like a little laughter, so you can
probably score at least a courtesy chuckle mentioning that it’s “perfect
weather for a job interview!”
8.
Don’t Be High Maintenance
If you start talking about the ideal office
temperature, the perfect chair for your tricky back, and how the water cooler
needs to be filled with imported mineral water, chances are you’ll be shown a
polite smile and the door, regardless of your qualifications. Nobody hiring
today is going to be looking for someone who’s going to be finicky about their
workspace.
9.
Don’t Be
A Minute Man
At every job interview, the prospective hire is
given the chance to ask questions. Make yours intelligent, to the point and
watch the person across the desk for visual cues whether you’ve asked enough.
Ask too many questions about off-target matters and you’ll be thought of as a
Minute Man, destined to waste the company’s resources with insignificant and
time-wasting matters.
10.
Don’t Be A Switchblade
Normally the Switchblade is thought of a backstabber, often taking
credit for someone else’s work. In an interview setting, the Switchblade can’t
help but “trash talk” his former employer. If you make it seem like your former
workplace was hell on Earth, the person interviewing you might be tempted to
call them to find out who was the real devil.
Source: TechRepublic
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The job market is a very daunting and competitive. Many new graduates seem disillusioned as to how to make vital in-route into the job market especially after serving (what we refer to NYSC in Nigeria).
However, if you check the dailies, internet and other publications on a daily basis you will be amazed at the rate which employers are seeking for different skills to meet their business needs.
An employer is in the market to make profits and he/she seeks specific skills that would help him/her meet short , medium or long-term objectives. Hence, the employer is in NEED of a resource.
The job seeker has specific skills which he/she has grown through formal education or other experience and is seeking an employer to hire him/her in order to meet his/her career, family, economic and other professional and/or personal needs.
When the headhunter or employer who in his case is the BUYER meets the job seeker who in this case is the SELLER then we can begin to speak in terms a JOB MARKET.
We already know that a market ensues when a buyer meets a seller. So how does the transaction or exchange or engagement take place?
On this page, we will make an attempt at describing the rules of engagement most from the perspective of the seller in order to help you the job seeker clinch on the next deal which is your letter or contract of hire or employment.
From time to time, we will stand on the shoulder of giants such as HR advisers, and professionals to help provide vital insights for your career success.
Happy reading!
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Job Search Tip # 1 - Career Mentor
A QUESTION FOR FRESH GRADUATES: DO YOU REALLY NEED A CAREER COACH OR MENTOR?
I recommend this book for every fresh job seeker including experienced professionals.
So, YOU SEE, YOU DO NEED A CAREER MEN TOR!
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Job Search Tip#1 - Understanding the Competitive Environment
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Job Search Tip # 1 - Career Mentor
A QUESTION FOR FRESH GRADUATES: DO YOU REALLY NEED A CAREER COACH OR MENTOR?
Let's hear what an HR Expert has to say:
"For fresh graduates who are not sure of what they want, here is my recommendation. Look out for job adverts in the national dailies or online media platforms and scan through the job profiles and person specification required for the jobs...Pick the ones that connect with you the most, and share your findings with a TRUSTED CAREER MENTOR for clarification and more insights on what the jobs are about."
I recommend this book for every fresh job seeker including experienced professionals.
===============================================
Job Search Tip#1 - Understanding the Competitive Environment
One important thing you as a job seeker need to learn and understand before applying for a job opening is understanding the "WORK CONTENT STATEMENT".
This is usually comprised of the JOB DESCRIPTION or JOB RESPONSIBILITIES and the DESIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE from the recruiter.
You need to vitally map the keywords in the Job description with the Desired experience and/or skills and match these against your personal capabilities or SWOT analysis.
Don't simply 'post' or send your CV. Ensure it contains the right keywords under your 'skills' or 'education' or 'experience' sections. Otherwise, you might not have an opportunity for an INTERVIEW which is what you should be seeking to attain at this time.
Hence, your personal CV becomes your Proposal or Selling document outlining your own Unique Selling Proposition just as a Contractor or Vendor specifies in his proposal to a buyer.
Keep searching and keep watching this space!
Nice day!
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Career Mistakes You Should Avoid In 2013
The New Year is finally upon us, and that means it’s time to reflect on the past year and make some changes for 2013. While many are making personal resolutions this time of year, it’s important to focus on your professional resolutions, as well.
There’s a ton of pressure to keep up with a resolution throughout the year, and yet by the end of the first month, we tend to fail. So when it comes to improving your professional life in 2013, it can be best to simply focus on avoiding some big mistakes when it comes to your career.
For professionals looking to make this their year to shine on the job, here are four career mistakes to avoid in 2013:
1. Neglecting Your Online Presence. When’s the last time you took a good look at your entire Web presence? When’s the last time you conducted a Google search of your name, or went through your LinkedIn profile with a fresh eye? When’s the last time you sent out a Tweet or updated your blog with fresh insight? Keeping a clean online presence is important even if you’re comfortable in your job, as it shows an ongoing commitment to your professional growth. This year, commit to being more proactive in engaging with your networks and industry online.
2. Getting Sloppy With Your Networking Habits. You may have a job or career you love, but you can’t afford to stop networking just because you’re comfortable. Networking with professionals in your industry–and even in other industries you’re interested in–is important to focus on 365 days a year. Why? You never know when a new, better opportunity will arise. Or when you will need a new position. Plus, you’ve still got a lot to learn, and keeping in touch with other admirable professionals is one of the best ways to stay connected and up-to-date on the latest happenings in your industry. Vow to attend networking events a few times this year, and make a habit of reaching out to professionals whose work you admire, either via LinkedIn or a simple email or phone call.
3. Shying Away From Change. Maybe there’s a project you wish you could tackle in the office. Maybe your workplace doesn’t offer enough social time, and you’d like to fix that by planning a company picnic. Or, maybe you’ve been putting off taking that online course to improve your marketing expertise. Whatever the case, shying away from change is a big no-no in 2013. This year, vow to seize opportunities to fuel your professional growth, even if you feel apprehensive or apathetic at first. Pushing yourself to grow is monumental to overall skills development.
4. Not Focusing on Your Health. Just how much sleep did you get in 2012? Were you chugging coffee at all hours of the day, skipping exercise, and grabbing lunch from the company snack machine? What about your stress level – was it regularly too high to handle? Make 2013 your year to focus on your well-being – that means mind, body, and soul. No one wants to turn into a professional zombie and failing to focus on your personal health and happiness just leaves room for overwork and stress. In 2013, vow to relax, and finally take that vacation you skipped out on last year. You’ll reap the rewards if you continually take time to recharge.
2013 can be a big year for your professional life if you don’t let old habits get in the way. As you gear up for the New Year, don’t fall into a winter’s slump – follow these tips to keep your professional game sharp for the next 365 days.
Good luck!
Culled from Glassdoor(Posted by Heather Huhma)