BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

1. Their resumes are packed with relevant achievements. I’d estimate that well over 90% of all resumes end up in the shredder because they are missing key content. Those that generate interviews usually do a great job of describing and quantifying their owners’ most impressive accomplishments. If you can afford it, I’d recommend that you hire the best professional resume writer you can find. A good resume writer will not only create your resume, they will discover and flesh out your key achievements, experiences and strengths through an interview process. For resume tips, see link at the end of this article.

2. They do their homework on the prospective employer and include some of this information in their cover letter. The Internet is a wonderful source of information, since most companies have websites that you can access to learn about the company’s history, philosophy, service/product offering, future directions, media releases and key players. Other sources include newspapers, trade magazines, annual reports, front-line personnel, competitors, suppliers or your own network of friends and acquaintances. I’ve even heard of people getting the job because they contacted the manager of the target position, used them as a resource, and somehow created enough curiosity to be pulled in for an interview!

3. They build a network of contacts that can give them support, information and key contacts.

4. They submit their applications to as many employers as possible. Ideally, you want at least two job offers on the table at the same time. That way, you have both choice and bargaining power when it comes to negotiating a compensation package!

5. They don’t stop applying for new positions until they have accepted a job offer, and have a signed employment contract in their hands. I can’t emphasize this enough. I’ve seen too many people put their job search on hold for weeks or even months, in the hope they’ll be hired by a specific employer…only to find the job being offered to someone else. Don’t let that happen to you. Keep applying until you have an offer in writing!

6. They practice answering potential interview questions out loud before the interview. If you’ve gone to a zillion interviews, and are now so smooth that you get a job offer every time, skip this step. For the rest of us, it makes sense to practice ahead of time. You’ll score big points with the interviewer if your answers are well thought out and well articulated.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

7. They exude warmth, confidence, trustworthiness and credibility throughout the interview process. A warm smile, a firm (dry) handshake, good eye contact, easy conversation, calm composure and rapport with the recruiter are a MUST!

8. They establish themselves as the best person for the job by showing they have the right combination of qualifications, skills, expertise and attitudes needed by the potential employer.

9. They relate as many interview questions as possible to their relevant achievements (i.e. how they turned any problems or challenges into opportunities for growth or improvement, and the steps they took to succeed). The secret here is to keep everything factual. Once you start boasting about how great you are, you may turn some people off.

10. Faced with a complex question, to which they have no ready answer, they say something like, “That’s a good question. Let me think about that for a few seconds.” Then they take 15-30 seconds to pause and reflect to formulate the very best answer.

11. They never say anything negative about their past or present employers. This is critical. No matter how badly you’ve been treated, keep it to yourself. Any complaints or negative comments will only red-flag you as a potential problem.

12. They come across as team players who will work hard to achieve corporate goals, and who give credit to others who have helped them along the way.

13. They ask knowledgeable questions about the target position, the company and the challenges that the hiring manager expects will be involved in achieving goals.

14. They ask for the job.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

During her career as a recruiter, employment agency manager and resume writer, Julie Marseu has interviewed over 10,000 people, placed hundreds of new employees and written over 6,000 resumes. Currently, Julie is a resume writer and a job interview coach with High Impact Resumes Ltd. She can be reached via email at julie@highimpactresumes.com.

For more information on our job interview coaching or resume writing services, please call us toll free at 1 (888) 488-1812
or click here to email us your resume for a FREE RESUME EVALUATION.