Many people who look for a job find the scariest part of the process to be the job interview. It can be pretty intimidating to be locked in a room with a person who holds your future in their hands. To take the fear out of job interviews, read the following article.
When you are at an interview, relax. It can be really difficult to relax during an interview, but remember this: you will either get the job, or you will not. Your focus should be on presenting your best self, and worry about whether you’ll get the job later on, when you’re done.
It is good to make weekly goals when you are looking for a job. Make a schedule and aim for a certain amount of job search activities each week. This will make it easier for you to stay organized and it will increase your chances of going on more job interviews.
Most initial applications are currently done online, so present yourself in the best light with an impressive resume and cover letter. When you are contacted for a personal interview, make sure you dress appropriately and present yourself as a professional. Try to appear confident and hide any nervousness you might feel.
Make a name for yourself! In a job market bleeding qualified candidates, self-branding goes a long way in helping you to stand out from the crowd. Self-promotion and developing your personal brand is not a matter of ego. Instead, it is an opportunity to showcase your best ideas, initiative and creativity. Never exaggerate or falsify your best attributes, but do not be afraid to set your modesty aside.
Come up with good answers to your strengths and weaknesses in addition to what you can bring to a company before you go on an interview. These are common questions that you should have an answer to in advance, so that you are not baffled when they ask you face to face.
Include a cover letter when you are applying for jobs. This should include some information about yourself and why you are fit for the position. Cover letters make things more personal for the job that you are applying for and separate you from the rest of the pack who just include resumes.
Always ask for permission before providing someone’s name and contact information for a personal or professional reference. If your contact is caught by surprise by your would-be employer, he may not have time to give a positive, well-thought-out answer. You also run the risk of discovering that this person did not share enthusiasm for your performance, skills and abilities.
If you are currently unemployed, making finding a job your new “job.” Essentially, that means you should spend the same number of hours in a day looking for a new position as you did at your previous job. This is often hard to do, but if you establish a routine for yourself early on, you will be able to succeed.
No matter what your education or your work experience, do not be too picky about what kind of job you want. Sure, there may be a field you are very interested in, but you cannot discount another field if there are more opportunities in it. You can always take your second choice job until your first choice job becomes available.
During your interview, never bad-mouth your former employer, even if you felt you were not treated fairly. This will negative impress your interviewer who will think that you have no loyalty to your employer. If you have nothing good to say about your former employer, avoid commenting about them and just focus on your own contributions.
Always do your homework before going to any job interview. Research the company that you are applying to. Know everything you can about the company and the people who work for it. Any job applicant that knows what the company is about and the company history is going to be held in higher regard than an applicant who does not.
Sarcasm and cynicism have no place in a job interview. While many people use these tones as a means of breaking the ice or establishing rapport, neither sentiment is particularly effective in a professional context. Potential employers are more interested in the ability to communicate with others in a positive, encouraging and supportive manner. A negative tone may also come across as indicative of someone who holds grudges and is prone to conflict.
Sign up for unemployment benefits when you find out you’ve lost your job. Do not wait for your severance to end, or until the last day you work. Your approval will be faster and you’ll have benefits sooner if you apply early.
You should not use the same resume or cover letter to apply for different jobs. You should create your resume or cover letter in function of the position you want. Make sure you draw attention to relevant work experiences or specific skills that represent an advantage for the job you want.
Watch your online presence, as many things are going online. Occasionally Google your name to see what the results are. This will show you what prospective employers are going to see and you can make necessary changes.
Make sure you let all the parties involved know if you are using multiple employment agencies to find a job. There is nothing wrong with using more than one, but they need to be informed. This will help to keep them from duplicating efforts by submitting you multiple times for the same position.
A job interview can be scary, but it’s a necessary evil that all people have to face in order to get a job. Remember, a job interview is just a stepping stone for you to climb in order to get a job. Keep the contents of this article in mind and face your job interview with ease.
