Tips for winning interviews

by Amanda Faraci - Mar. 17, 2012 05:30 PM
Special for The Republic | azcentral.com

Most job interviews are stressful, even for the experienced worker. But that first job interview is probably the most stressful of all.

Still, whether it's your first job interview or your 21st, careful preparation is a must, career specialists say.

Clean up your online image.

All employers routinely turn to the Internet to research potential hires, so it's important you have and maintain a professional online presence. This starts with creating a LinkedIn account and keeping your professional Facebook and Twitter accounts and personal ones separate.

Before applying for work, search for yourself online and see what appears. This way you can change or remove personal or unflattering content, by adjusting privacy settings or deleting items.

Do research.

When you interview for a job, the goal is to "sell yourself." Conduct research on the company beforehand so you can share what you know about it and demonstrate why the company should hire you above others.

Be professional.

Career counselors say there are a few "common sense" basics to keep in mind when interviewing for a job if you expect to come across as mature and professional. They include: arriving 10 to 15 minutes early; dressing professionally; being polite to those at the front desk; leaving your cellphone off; not chewing gum; leaving food or drinks outside; cutting back on cologne or perfume; and most importantly, arriving alone.

Be confident.

But don't be arrogant. Show enthusiasm by smiling, using a firm handshake and employing good eye contact. Avoid negative body language, such as crossing arms or slouching.

Be honest and answer every question to the best of your ability, even if the answer is difficult, says Bobbi Moss, vice president and manager of Govig and Associates in Scottsdale. She suggests practicing the "sandwich approach," where you place a negative point you may need to address between two of your strengths. When done properly, the tactic draws most attention to a candidate's "positives," she says.

Know your behavior.

Many interviewers employ the behavioral interview approach, where the employer asks you to describe how you behaved in certain situations or asks you to describe a challenge and how you overcame it. So give some thought in advance to the questions you may be asked and the work experiences that apply where you demonstrated ingenuity and leadership to meet company goals.

Wrapping it up.

After you have completed the interview, Moss says, be sure to ask, "Is there anything else you would like to know about my education or experience that I can provide for you? Because I am very interested in this opportunity."

Collect business cards from every person you meet. Then send handwritten thank-you notes, a gesture that can make the difference in snaring a job.

Keep in mind that you do not get a second chance to make a first impression, says Mike Wong, director of career services at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

"It is critical to impress a prospective employer ... (and) it is important to recognize that you will make first impressions on many different levels," he says.

Source: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2012/03/13/20120313job-interviews-tips-win.html

mt rainier national park rose parade mount rainier national park drop dead gorgeous ticket city bowl 2011 nfl playoff schedule cowboys vs giants