8 Job Interview Tips To Put You Ahead Of The Pack

Job interviews are nerve-racking and an interview that goes badly can turn even the most confident person into a sobbing mess. Hopefully, these 16 tips will help put your mind at ease, and make your next job interview bearable, perhaps maybe even an enjoyable experience!

1. Be Confident.

It may seem obvious but confidence is definitely key. Even if your insides are like jello and you feel like you may throw up at any second, appear confident. Try not to look down at your lap, use too many ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’, or answer questions with only one word, such as ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

2. Do your research.

You need the employer to think that you really want this job, and by bothering to do some background research on the company, it shows that you do. The employer is bound to ask you something along the lines of ‘So what do you know about us?’, and having a depth of knowledge will really make you stand out from the other candidates.

3. Dress appropriately.

Even if you have the most outstanding resume, and are the best person for the job, if you don’t look the part, you won’t have a chance to prove this to the employer. People make their judgments about you in the first few seconds of meeting you, and if you show too much leg or cleavage, chances are that your impressive resume won’t even get read. Also, even if the job is in a casual environment, it is always better to overdress, than under-dress, so although it might to appropriate to wear sweats or jeans once you get the job, it is not for the interview.

4. Be on time.

If the interview is at 10am, make sure you get there ten minutes before. If necessary, take a trial trip the day before so you are certain of how long it will take you to get there. It is a really bad look, to be late for an interview, but if something happens, and it is unavoidable, at least call the workplace and let them know.

5. Turn off your cellphone.

And definitely do not answer it if you have left it on and it rings. Even if you’re out in the waiting room. The employer should not hear you talking to your best friend, boyfriend, mother etc, about last night’s antics and how drunk you got. Ever!

6. Don’t chew gum.

This is purely a manners thing. It is really distracting trying to talk to someone who is chewing gum, and is unprofessional in the workplace anyway

7. Ask questions.

Come prepared with a few questions that you would like to know from the employer, which shows that you are serious about the position and your career. Some examples are; ‘What advancement opportunities exist in the company, and in what time frame?’, and ‘What would you like done differently by the next person to hold the position?’.

8. Bring a notepad.

Most people do not, and it is a very easy and subtle way to make you stand out, and it also shows that you’re serious about the job. But, make sure that you actually write notes in it.

Career Tips for Teenagers

The teenage years are an extremely important time in a person's life. Teenagers have an opportunity to build upon what they learn in school and apply it to life either in the work force or as part of their post-secondary education. It is also extremely important for teens to start planning about their future, including their career goals.

Finish High School

Nearly every job requires some communication and problem solving skills. Compared to those with post-secondary education, high school drop outs have difficulty getting and keeping jobs. They also earn much less throughout their lifetime.

Plan your career

Seek out information about careers that interest you and have favourable prospects, high earnings and will afford you the type of life style you seek. Having a solid career plan can have a huge impact on your future job prospects.

Research career information

Start thinking about the various industries and companies that may interest you. A small investment of your time could pay huge dividends in the future as there are hundreds of occupations and choosing the right one and planning a career is a complex task.

Consider college or university

The more education you get, the more you will learn, the more you will be able to contribute to an employer and the more you will be able to earn. Post secondary education includes vocational training for those wishing to take up a specific trade.

Develop computer skills

Basic computer skills are absolutely essential in today's technology driven world. Take advantage of every available opportunity while at school or through local organizations to acquire computer proficiency.

Create a resume

You will have to market yourself and your skills to employers - one way of doing this is with a resume. Learning about resume preparation and job search techniques will help you now and in the future.

Gain work experience

Be on the lookout for a job, be it part-time, an internship or as a volunteer early on in life. Working is the best way to learn and the hands on experience is greatly sought by all employers.

Continue learning

It is important to continue learning, even when you have finished your studies and have a job. The average worker has eight jobs before age 32 so you have to be ready for change and learning is the only way to ensure that you are upgrading your skills and are ready to adapt you career. 

10 Tips for College Students Looking for a Job in a Tough Market

When you are actually looking for a job, it is always a "bad" market. Today's market just happens to be a little more so, especially if you happen to be an autoworker or a "big law" associate. But while many people lost their positions during the "Great Recession," others have found interesting and rewarding jobs. There is no magic formula for finding a job, but there are ways to take control of the process and enhance your odds of finding a job. Here are 10 tips for finding a job in an economic wasteland.

1. Know what it takes.

Different fields have different application requirements, and you need to know what those are for the field you are interested in. Do you need a résumé, a cover letter, a writing sample, a portfolio, etc.? You also need to know what these materials look like in your field and which skills and experiences you need to emphasize. A legal résumé is different, both in form and content, from a management résumé, which is different from a marketing résumé. Don't have a clue? Try to arrange an informational interview with a professional in the field to which you aspire to learn what it takes.

2. Perfect your application materials.

 Always have your application materials reviewed by someone who is a better editor than you are.After polishing and massaging your résumé 100 times, you are probably too close to see the nits that need to be picked. Have your materials reviewed again whenever you make revisions or add updates. Don't know any good editors? If you are in school, try your career services office.

3. Activate your network.

Tell everyone you know what type of job you are looking for. There is no sin in looking for employment, so you need to get everyone in your network working for you. While your hair stylist is not a lawyer or a management consultant, he or she may know one. Follow up every lead you are given; you never know who knows the person who can get you the job you want.

4-Star Tip.

If you have a professor who has worked in industry or does extra work in the field you're considering, make sure to invite him or her to use their contacts on your behalf. Often, even an informal recommendation from a professor can open doors.

Extra-Pointer.

If a parent, family friend, older brother or sister, or employer of yours works in the field you want to go into, enlist their help, too. You never know who has the contacts that count.

4. Join a professional organization. 

Most occupations, from restaurant professionals to engineers, have professional associations. Join one. (Many have student rates.) Attend meetings, go to seminars, and read the materials. Like an anthropologist, learn the language and customs of your field, the issues of the day, and identify the key players, so that when you land an interview, you will "speak the language" like a native.

5. Be patient and persistent.

Set aside time every week to check for job postings, to do research on employers in your field, and to send out a manageable number of applications. It is probably not realistic to try to send out 20, letter-perfect, individually tailored applications in a weekend, so pace yourself. It is better to send five high-quality applications than 20 generic ones. Treat the job search as a marathon rather than a sprint. When you work on the job search regularly, rather than in fits and starts, it is easier to stay focused and to control the stress that inevitably accompanies the job search.

5-Star Tip.

www.job-hunt.org, www.wetfeet.com, and www.careerjournal.com are three of the many websites that will help you in your job search. They provide job search tips, career research information, company profiles, and many other features.

6. Don't treat an interview as an interrogation.

 If you are fortunate enough to land an interview, treat it as an opportunity to establish a professional relationship with the interviewer. Know the employer, and be prepared to ask intelligent questions. Engage with the interviewer, and do not be shy in letting the interviewer know how much you know about the employer and how much you want to work there. Be enthusiastic, not desperate.

Extra-Pointer.

It's always a good idea to do a little Web research before the interview on the company—and, when possible, on the individuals—that will be interviewing you. You'll make a much better impression when you know what the company is doing and how you might fit in.

7. Practice out loud. 

Try to anticipate the types of questions you will be asked, and practice your responses. If you lack experience or feel uncomfortable in interviews, find someone to do a mock interview with. Like any other skills, communication skills get better with practice. And though you may think you have a perfect answer in your head, you won't know it until you actually articulate it. In an interview, there is the answer you plan to give, the one you do give, and the one you wished you'd given. With practice, those three answers come together.

8. Be "on" from the start.

In this age of security cameras, you may be recorded from the moment you hit the employer's parking lot. Act as if the employer is watching you from the outset. Dress the part. Be friendly and respectful to everyone you meet. Stay focused. Even if you are left cooling your heels in the reception area, do not be tempted to check your phone. If you cannot resist the temptation, leave your phone in the car.

9. Make that first impression count. With everyone you meet at the employer, but especially with the interviewer, you want to make your first impression count. Stand up straight. Look the interviewer in the eye. Smile, and extend your hand for a firm, but not knuckle-crushing, handshake. (Again, these introductory behaviors can be practiced with your friends and family to polish your behavior and enhance your confidence.)
10. Be positive. Stay upbeat throughout the interview. Smile—it will register in your voice. Do not let the interviewer's facial expressions or tone of voice throw you off your game. Do not assume that a particular answer is "wrong" or that you have "blown it." Stay confident. If asked about a perceived negative, do not make excuses or provide elaborate explanations. Give it one sentence, and move on. Remember that there is no "perfect" candidate; just be the best you can be.

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10 Tips to Attract the Right Candidate for Interview

Hiring the right candidate is essential for any successful organisation. This article gives 10 tips which you can implement that will help you select the best match for any given job.

1.Develop a proper job description

The job description is often overlooked in many cases, this is bad practice because candidates' decision to apply will be based solely on the responsibilities and how the position is communicated. If the job description is too vague, it will fail to attract the right caliber of candidates. Also, careful attention should be paid for the job title, keeping it simple is better so use something which describes the role i.e. 'Cleaner' rather than 'hygiene technician'.

2.Select the interviewing team properly

A set of experienced employers should be involved in the interviewing and decision making however it can also help to involve the people who will actually be working with the selected candidate. Current employees who serve in a similar or the same position will be able to relate to the candidate and encouraging them to make decisions on his/her compatibility will help them to feel more motivated and involved.

3.Prepare fully for the interview

Proper interview style should be determined here and the relevant criteria and questions should be prepared ahead of time. Vital aspects such as the interview structure and good communication are essential at this stage to avoid discrimination. The interview questions should be based on the job requirements and should not discriminate on grounds of sex or race. See our interviewing article for more.

4.Conduct a professional interview

Many interview strategies are available. The 70/30 rule should apply here. You should try to ensure that the candidate talks during 70% of the interview and the interviewer talks for only 30% of the time. See our interviewing guide for a detailed explanation of how to properly conduct a competency based interview.

5.Fully explain the job

Should the candidates idea of the job not match the reality of what the job actually involves, it is highly likely that they will leave soon after being employed. This is a disaster because it means you have to begin the entire recruitment process again. Be careful to fully explain the job to the candidates during the interview and check to see if they have understood. Remember interviewing is not just about selecting excellent people, it's also about making sure those people really want to do the job.

6.Communicate often Communication

Make sure you are communicative with all applicants throughout the process. Feedback should be given as soon as possible. Inform the candidates who are selected as well as those who have not been successful. Recognise that when someone applies for a job with you they are also often forming their first impression of interacting with your company.

7.Select a wide pool of shortlisted candidates

Be wary of shortlisting too harshly and only ending up with only one or two candidates to interview. Provided you have implemented a broad advertising campaign (click here to learn how), you should always have at least three candidates for the final interview. This will make sure that if you lose your top candidate, you will always have another two or more who are also good choices.

8.Undertake a structured induction

Having selected the best candidate, you should give him/her a detailed induction to give them enough information to become productive. Do not expect new starters to immediately become good performers, on average it will take 90 days for them to become fully effective.

9.Start on a probation period

The employee should be given the chance to start the work under a probation period. This will help the line manager to further test the skills and the talents expressed by the employee at interview and will give both parties an easy way out should the new hire fail to deliver in the expected way. Probation periods vary in length but are usually around 6 months. You may want to start employees on a slightly lower rate of pay or hold off giving full employee benefits until they have passed their probation.

10.Follow up

Once the employee has accepted the position, follow up promptly with the required paperwork (contracts, forms etc). When following up, it's important to make sure that any potentially contentious issues are discussed during the last stage interviews so that there are no unexpected surprises for the candidate. Salary, probation periods, benefits etc, should all have been discussed throughout the recruitment process.

6Tips for Developing Your Employees

1. Encourage professional development. High-potential employees are not satisfied with the status quo. You WANT these employees your team. They are typically ambitious, high performing, and dynamic. They will be the future leaders of your organization if they are given proper guidance in their development. If not, be prepared to lose them to the competition.

2. Create a plan. Planning is crucial to advancing your career. Help your employees establish goals that are aligned with their strengths, interest and experience and then create a plan to get there. A development plan serves as the roadmap that will take you to your goal. It can be simple or complex but it must include action steps, resources, and deadlines. Not sure where to focus your attention? Try the step-by-step promotion planning eClass. You will focus only on building necessary skills and overcoming obstacles to get you to your targeted position.

3. Pair your employee’s with a mentor. Once their goals have been established, find someone who is in a similar role to the target position to serve as a mentor. Mentoring enables an organization to use it’s existing talent to impart their knowledge and expertise to one another. Everyone – the organization, the mentor, and the mentee – benefits from the mentoring process.

4. Identify opportunities to expand their professional network. Having a solid network is imperative to the success of future leaders. A network is a great source of information, advice, support and inspiration. Recommend opportunities within the organization, as well as, networking or professional groups that will help them build strong connections.

5. Challenge your employees to move out of their comfort zone. You can’t move forward if you don’t grow and you can’t grow if you never leave your comfort zone. When possible, give your employees challenging assignments. Help them prepare by providing them a safe environment to learn from the mistakes that they are bound to make.

6. Hire a coach. For high-potential employees and employees who need to be redirected to another career path, it can be best to bring in an outside coach. An external coach provides a confidential environment where employees are free to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face in their careers through the use of assessments, powerful questions, and individual development plans.

10 Tips For New Employee in Career

Employee Career

You'll succeed in your new job by doing the best you can, regardless of whether the job is a temporary position or a professional job in your chosen field. Here are a few tips for the new employee:

1) Be a dependable employee!This lets your supervisor know your job is important to you.

2) Master your tasks and do more than is expected. Avoid "it's not my job" thinking.

3) Keep the lines of communication open. Inform your supervisor of how you're progressing and ask for regular feedback on your performance.

4) If any assignments are unclear, ask for clarification instead of proceeding in the wrong direction because you are fearful of looking foolish.

5) Enjoy the company of your coworkers. Get to know and be known by others in your work environment... your professional growth depends on it.

6) As a newcomer, avoid "office politics." Maintain confidentiality and avoid gossip.

7) Ask for advice and help from others, and let them know they can depend on you.

8) Learn the art of tact when working on a team, which includes being receptive to others' input and knowing when to compromise.

9) Be assertive, self-confident and visible. Think of the three "E s" - enthusiasm, energy and excellence.

10) Make use of the employee assistance programs offered at your workplace to help find your balance. Your employer is your partner in finding balance between the world of work and your personal and family life.