The Art of Interviewing

Are you nervous about your upcoming interview? Do you hear your heart beating like a stampede of elephants in the distance. Wondering if you will miss or score? You can rewrite your resume, and proofread your cover letter many times over, but in the world of interviewing, most people get one shot to make the right impression.

So how does one prepare for the unknown? Is there a science or art behind a good interview? Yes, and more important than the interview itself is the preparation for the interview. Below are 5 tips to help you succeed in the interview process.

1.   Get your mind right. Your psyche can either bring negative or positive energy, which may be recognized by the interviewer. Avoid stress and anxiety when possible.

2.   Research the company and read in between the lines. Out of 2000 bosses surveyed 47% stated the most common mistakes job seekers make during interviews is having little or no knowledge of the company.  Along with factual information, get a feel for the corporate culture, the interview process and how their values and mission fit your personal ones. This will also help you formulate smart questions discussed later. LinkedIn, Glassdoor & Twitter are great sources to help you gain insight.

3.   From head to toe, appearance matters. This is more than just about the clothes you wear. This is the time to sweat the small stuff.  70% of Employers claim that they don’t want applicants to be fashionable or trendy (unless it’s part of the company culture). Be neat and yet simple. Avoid any potential distractions (i.e. covering tattoos and skipping the cologne) because before you have a chance to say a word, your appearance (or odor, whether nice or not) will certainly be observed.

4.   Practice your responses, but do not sound rehearsed. Avoid clichés at all cost. You want to not only sound original, but genuine in your responses as well. Even if you have prepared a good answer to a tough common interview question, pause before responding as if giving thought to your response.

5.   Ask smart questions. Many of us may prepare for questions that may be asked of us, but fail to think about what questions that you may ask. Smart questions demonstrate your interest and knowledge. For example you may ask, “I understand that the company has a mission to decrease its carbon footprint, what role does this position play in that initiative.” Normally you are given the opportunity to ask questions towards the end of an interview so this may be your moment to make a lasting final impression.

Moving You Forward,

Cathy Francois
Career Coach
Founder of Rezume Forward

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Tapping into the Hidden Job Market: Get ahead of the competition

Let’s face it, it’s a tough time for job seekers today and with unemployment rates at record highs across the country the competition can be furious. Some may wonder how they can get ahead of the pack. It’s bigger than having a stellar resume and saying the right things at the interview, although important. It’s about seizing the opportunity before anyone else has a chance to; tapping into the hidden job market. 

According to CollegeRecruiter.com 80% of jobs are not listed anywhere. You will not find these opportunities on indeed.com or in your local classifieds. It may be a position in the process of being created, at a start-up or where the hiring manager is too busy to post the opportunity.

There are a number of avenues that may give you access to the hidden job market and it starts right under your nose. And no pun intended; literally. The first thing you need to do is open your mouth and spread the word that you’re seeking.  Don’t be shy and don’t be ashamed because closed mouths don’t get fed; literally. Instead of just asking for a job, have conversations about what you’re looking for and ask for referrals or advice. Reach out to your network of friends, family, former coworkers, anyone within an earshot and their networks. And with technology this can be done through a number of channels such as social media via LinkedIn or Twitter.

I can recall how I got my first job out of college when I decided to move back to my hometown after graduating. I was having a casual conversation with a former classmate about my job search. She provided me with a referral to a human resources manager at the company she worked for and the rest is history. When coaching a student who graduated and after sometime did not have a job in her field of study, I encouraged her to introduce herself to office managers at medical offices in her local area. I was thrilled when she called to tell me she was offered a position. And something tells me if she was waiting on that same office to post an ad online, the opportunity may have slipped her by.

I’m not at all suggesting efforts applying to jobs online or through your local newspaper are futile. However, coupled with networking and making real connections you can find your way to your next job exponentially faster. Explore the opportunities that may not be readily recognized by others. And remember looking for the right job may be a matter of finding the right person to connect you to it.

Moving you forward,

Cathy Francois
Career Coach
Founder of Rezume Forward

Continue the discussion on Twitter @rezumeforward
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