Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Four Simple Tips For a Phone Interview

A phone interview tip that many people don’t do is smile. It is a very funny thing, that when smiling, people’s attitudes can be felt through the phone. During a phone interview, do not think that just because you are not sitting in front of anybody that it doesn’t mean that smiling and other encouraging body gestures aren’t important. One of the best tips that I have ever received was to smile and stay positive during a phone interview. In reality, a lot of people like to talk with their hands. If this is you, you may want to consider a telephone hands free set so that it frees up your hands.

Another good phone interview tip that is very valuable is to make sure you have a good quality phone. It may appear crazy to even bring it up, however the better the phone you use for the interview, the better your voice will sound to the person on the other end of the line. Many years ago, people rented their telephones from the local phone company. In today’s world, people own their home phones and /or mobile phones, and while a lot of people do use good quality phones, there are still many that are cheap and don’t provide the clarity needed for a phone interview. Add this additional tip to the mix: if possible, use a landline phone with a cord and not a mobile or cordless phone. Weak or dead batteries, static sounds, no cell phone tower signals and weather obstruction can make you sound awful to the other party at the other end of the phone line and you may not even realize it. When doing your telephone interview you want to be clear and make a great impression. Take this tip to the bank and use a good quality landline phone.

The next phone interview tip that may seem like pure common sense, but sometime isn’t done: Do your homework before the interview! Start off using the Internet, as this resource should provide you with almost all the information you need. Begin your Internet search with Google. Google will allow you to submit the name of the potential employer to its search engine and it will provide you with any and all information about the company on the net! Other sites to check out include Hoover’s and Yahoo Finance. If you don’t have access to a computer and/or the Internet, you can go to your local library and tell the librarian that you are looking for company related information. The librarian will be happy to provide you informational sources (including the free library Internet computer), that will help you seem knowledgeable during your phone interview.

Just being yourself, along with being comfortable is the last phone interview tip to keep in mind. Practicing for the phone interview is one of the best ways of maintaining comfort and confident. Ask a family member or friend to conduct a mock interview with you. Call one of your friends and provide them phone interview questions to ask you. This will allow you to practice answering interview questions over the phone. It makes perfect sense to practice for a phone interview, as you know that rehearsing anything is the best way to build your skills, and in this case your phone interview skills. Please take this tip to heart as it is the most important phone interview tip you will ever receive.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Popular Opinion Agrees That The Superstar Interview Guide Is A Great Interviewing Tool For Job Seekers

LANCASTER, PA, October 26, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ - Arthur Hand, Marketing Manager from New Castle Delaware, states "I believe The Superstar Interview Guide by James Malervy is a valuable resource for anyone newly entering the job market, or reentering the job market. From what to do once the interview is scheduled, to questions to ask during an interview, to how to follow up after the interview, this guide covers it all."

Steven Brown, Insurance Generalist from Chester Springs Pennsylvania, states "The Superstar Interview Guide has shed a new light on how to approach an interview, I now feel more confident, better prepared and approach the interview process with more enthusiasm."

If you want to get hired for the job you deserve, then the Superstar Interview Guide is your best bet. The Superstar Interview Guide helps job seekers give the best interview answers to interview questions.

Download your copy of "The Superstar Interview Guide" today at InstantJobInterviewTools.com

Contact:
James J. Malervy, II
Email: James@SuperstarInterviewGuide.com
Web: http://www.InstantJobInterviewTools.com
Blog: http://interviewquestions-interviewanswers.blogspot.com

James Malervy is an expert author and leading influencer on the subject of interviewing. He has worked with such companies as Sprint, Pepsi and the Walt Disney Company and brings his professional experience to job seekers in writing the "Superstar Interview Guide." He provides career advice to hundreds everyday and even provides his services as a Career Coach through www.Interviewquestions-interviewanswers.blogspot.com and the "Superstar Career Coach E-Zine" available through subscription at www.InstantJobInterviewTools.com. James is dedicated to helping others in becoming more competitive in the job market, gaining confident in their interviewing skills, and finally getting hired for the job they deserve.

Friday, October 9, 2009

The Greatest Defense – Tough Interview Questions

Worrying going into a job interview about your weaknesses being exposed, or what can be seen as flaws from your previous work history, won’t get you anywhere. The true is, focusing on your flaws often is displayed through the way you answer job interview questions, and even in the way you present your body language. Candidates who move a lot, plays with things like their pen, or loses their train of thought during a discussion, hurt their changes even more of getting the job.

Okay, so you may have some flaws. Perhaps there was a time three years ago, that you didn’t have a job and were out of work for several months. Or the potential employer requires a certain competency level that you have not reached yet. Taking all of those things into consideration, you are still a candidate for the open position.

There is an easy, two component solution: First, make the best out of you weakest flaw and next make the employer’s goals, your own.

Learn as much as you can about your weaknesses in your resume and build on them. If you were unemployed for a period of time, reflect about your experiences you had throughout that time period, the companies you visited, and what you took from the present economy and job market. Demonstrate that you pay attention to detail, and like learning from unpredicted opportunities.

Demonstrate your eagerness for having the opportunity to enhance your current skills. Apply the same tactic to any other flaws that you may have. Even if you left a job because of a character conflict, it can be seen as a positive if you can highlight what you took from the experience. No matter what the case may have been, you must stay positive and leave any negativity at the door. Interviewers want people that are positive and have the passion to move forward and grow with them.

Now onto the second solution, showcasing yourself in a way that makes you well-matched with the potential employer’s requirements, and emphasizes the benefit they receive by hiring you.

Learn about the employer’s business and the division in which you are applying for. Make sure you ask why they are hiring someone in the first place (Did someone quit, Are they growing? Did someone retire?) then highlight the competencies and experiences that make you not only qualified for the position, but of bringing innovated concepts and a positive outlook to it.

Make sure you have a positive point to every negative point in your resume or employment history. Next showcase your personality and competencies with an emphasis on each of the company’s objectives. The combination of your skills and eagerness is frequently the key for a winning interview.

====================================================================

If you want to provide the best job interview answers for interview questions and get the job you deserve, then the Superstar Interview Guide is your best bet! You can find the Superstar Interview Guide at www.InstantJobInterviewTools.com

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Top Job Interview Tips for College Seniors

You are told when you are younger that you need to go college to get a good job. Well, times have changed and just getting a college degree does mean you are going to land a job after graduation. In fact there is a good chance that you won’t land a job after college for at least 6 months to a year. College seniors need to be able to stand out in front of potential employers. Although most colleges do have career advisors available for their students, colleges don’t teach students how to interview for a job in the real world. Thanks to Global Jobs Network Group from LinkedIn, several members provided real world top job interview tips for graduating college seniors. See what some of them said.

1. Wear a well-fitted suit so that both males and females feel confident going into an interview. According to Monica Brooks of Brooks Consulting, “my experience with new or soon-to-be grads is that their wardrobes are horrible. Dress For Success isn't kidding, nor should it be taken lightly. Unpressed or ill-fitting, or old or worn-out or out of style clothes couldn't possibly enforce self-confidence. “


2. “Practice, practice, practice! Find a friend and have a mock interview.” According to Sonia Garrido of Sulzer, It is really helpful especially because you can sort of plan out the answers you can give to certain questions. Also, it makes you feel a little more comfortable when you are in the real interview and you won't be as nervous. Have your friend be critical about your answers and your overall presentation.”


3. According to Dana Bigman of the Casablanca Fan Company, “learn as much as possible about the company in advance and subtly weave that knowledge into your responses and questions. Also be sure to focus on what you can do for them (help them be profitable, solve a problem, etc.), not what they can do for you (a good starting salary, benefits, advanced education, etc.)”


4. According to Lewis Bryan of SellState Capital Realty, “be prepared to share your own (couple of them) business experience and if you do not have any, be prepared to share any life experience that would help the interviewer understand how you confront obstacle and how you handle yourself under pressure. Be honest in your answers and be yourself. Do not try to be someone you are not.”


5. “Make sure you firmly shake the hand of the interviewer and look them in the eye when you introduce yourself at the start of the interview.” According to Gary Trebels of IFC Credit Corporation, “make sure you firmly shake the hand of the interviewer and look them in the eye when you introduce yourself at the start of the interview. A flimsy handshake to me is weak and lacks confidence. First impressions are made in the first minute to thirty seconds and they are very hard to change. Why start off at a disadvantage when you can make such a favorable first impression within that first minute? My mother, who was a secretary to CEO's, drilled this into my head since I was 10 years old, and I am very thankful that she did.”


6. “Before the interview ends, and after you have decided if you want the job, in a polite way, ask for the job?” According to Paul Balutis of A#1 Southport, “So many people never close the opportunity at hand. You do not have to be too direct, just ask how you did, what's the next step, and oh by the way, I am more interested in the position than I was before this interview! This will separate you from the pack, this will make you stand out, and it may get you to step 2!”


Everyone of the interview tips provided is needed to succeed in a job interview. The most important job interview tip that you can use is just being yourself in a job interview. People are going to hire you because of who you are and what you have to offer.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you want more job interview tips and want to provide the best job interview answers for interview questions and get the job you deserve, then the Superstar Interview Guide is your best bet! You can find the Superstar Interview Guide at http://www.instantjobinterviewtools.com/