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Career Advice by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com
Does the thought of going on a job interview cause your palms to sweat and your body to break out in hives? Stop itching; you're not alone. The vast majority of job seekers admit to emotions ranging from mild uneasiness to downright panic leading up to their interviews. The good news is there have been no reported cases of job seekers who died of nervousness during a job interview. So relax and follow these simple tips for keeping your anxiety at bay before and during your interview. First, take the proper amount of time to
prepare for your interview. Being well-prepared will boost your confidence and
lower your anxiety. Experts recommend that you spend at least three hours
preparing for each interview. You should draft answers to the most common
interview questions and practice speaking them out loud. You also should read up
on the company with which you will be interviewing and prepare some questions of
your own. This lets the interviewer know that you are truly interested in the
company and the position. As a final step in your preparation, make sure you
have good directions to the interview site. Some job seekers make a dry run to
the interview site to ensure the directions are correct and to estimate the
amount of time they will need to get to the interview on time. Here's the chance to really sell yourself.
You need to briefly and succinctly lay out your strengths, qualifications and
what you can bring to the table. Be careful not to answer this question too
generically, however. Nearly everyone says they are hardworking and motivated.
Set yourself apart by telling the interviewer about qualities that are unique to
you. This is one tool interviewers use to see if
you have done your homework. You should never attend an interview unless you
know about the company, its direction and the industry in which it plays. If you
have done your research, this question gives you an opportunity to show
initiative and demonstrate how your experience and qualifications match the
company's needs. The secret to answering this question is
being honest about a weakness, but demonstrating how you have turned it into a
strength. For example, if you had a problem with organization in the past,
demonstrate the steps you took to more effectively keep yourself on track. This
will show that you have the ability to recognize aspects of yourself that need
improvement, and the initiative to make yourself better. Even if your last job ended badly, be
careful about being negative in answering this question. Be as diplomatic as
possible. If you do point out negative aspects of your last job, find some
positives to mention as well. Complaining endlessly about your last company will
not say much for your attitude. Sometimes it is hard to come up with a
response to this request, particularly if you are coming straight from college
and do not have professional experience. Interviewers want to see that you can
think critically and develop solutions, regardless of what kind of issue you
faced. Even if your problem was not having enough time to study, describe the
steps you took to prioritize your schedule. This will demonstrate that you are
responsible and can think through situations on your own. The secret to this question is being
specific and selecting an accomplishment that relates to the position. Even if
your greatest accomplishment is being on a championship high school basketball
team, opt for a more professionally relevant accomplishment. Think of the
qualities the company is looking for and develop an example that demonstrates
how you can meet the company's needs. This is one of the hardest questions,
particularly for those with little experience. The first thing to do before
going to your interview is to research the salary range in your field to get an
idea of what you should be making. Steer clear of discussing salary specifics
before receiving a job offer. Let the interviewer know that you will be open to
discussing fair compensation when the time comes. If pressed for a more specific
answer, always give a range, rather than a specific number. While this query seems like a piece of
cake, it is difficult to answer because it is so broad. The important thing to
know is that the interviewer typically does not want to know about your hometown
or what you do on the weekends. He or she is trying to figure you out
professionally. Pick a couple of points about yourself, your professional
experience and your career goals and stick to those points. Wrap up your answer
by bringing up your desire to be a part of the company. If you have a solid
response prepared for this question, it can lead your conversation in a
direction that allows you to elaborate on your qualifications. * * *
Copyright © 2005 by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com. Reprinted with Permission. Want more money-saving tips? Get a FREE Subscription to our monthly newsletter! Search for a Better Job Now...
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