Interview Advice & Tips

Interviewing can be an awful lot like first dates.  You put so much time and effort into what you are going to wear, what you are going to say, and how to put your best foot forward.

The entire interview process surely can play its toll on a person.  Take a read on some tips to help you make the interview process a smoother more relaxing one.

Quick tip:  Think of the stress that you have bottled up as positive energy.  You need that energy in order to be at your best.  The key is to be purposeful and use your energy to your advantage. 

Smile, walk with energy, be alert, and be fully engaged.  Remember your technical skills and experience may have gotten you the invite for the interview; however, what will land you the job is your interpersonal skills and competencies. 

So don't be afraid to show your enthusiasm for the postiion and the company!

Wishing you the best of luck on your next interview.

Until next time....Live on Purpose!

Nice list of leadership interview questions to consider when preparing for an interview.

I watch for leaders who provide not only individual accomplishments; however, leadership accomplishments.

Strong leaders tend to you words:  we, our, and team -- they can't help themselves.  If a candidate simply discusses everything in terms of "I, I did this, I did that, etc."  even when discussing the team's accomplishments, I am usually not sold that they are the leader for our organization.

The strengths and skills it takes to be a top individual performer are different than the strengths and skills it takes to communicate, recognize, empower, recognize, and lead individuals and teams to perform at their best.

Would love to hear your opinion:)

Until next time....PS - Live on Purpose!

Albert Einsten's quote:  "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough,"  is so relevant when preparing for a successful interview.

You will know when you are ready preparing for the position and company you are applying for, when you are able to explain things clearly and concisely, and you don't sound rehearsed.

Clarity is power!  You should be clear on why you are the best candidate for the position, clear that you can do the job successfully, and clear on how your personal values are aligned with the company's values and culture.

Hope this quote helps...Until next time, PS - Live on Purpose!

Okay so perhaps when Walt Disney gave this advice he wasn't talking specifically about interviewing.  However, I believe that the advice is perfect for interviews.

Think of interviews like actors going out for auditions.  The casting directors have a parciular skill or actor in mind from the beginning.  Regardless of the talent that they see, they keep looking. 

If you did your best, focus your energies on positive things like other opportunities or on developing your skills.  Interviewing can be tasking, and that is why we have these blogs to give you a network of support -- and we want you to know you are not alone.

Would love to hear from you.  Is there a question we coudl answer. 

Until next time...PS - Live on PUrpose!

Job Interview Advice can be pretty serious.  I thought that I would start bringing in a little comic relief to this blog. 

If you have any funny stories, please share with us to post.  Would love to hear from you! 

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Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Officer asked a young Engineer fresh out of MIT, "And what starting salary were you looking for?"

The Engineer replies, "In the region of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package."

The interviewer enquires, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5-weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every 2 years say, a red Corvette?"

The Engineer sits up straight and says, "Wow! Are you kidding?"

And the interviewer replies, "Yeah, but you started it."

While it is true that every interview is different, here are some tips to help you ace a pre-screening interview.  I discuss one tip here.

I discuss this in my Congratulations you Aced the Interview book.   

What you need to know:  The sole purpose of the pre-screening interview is to determine that you meet the requirements of the position, are within the salary range, and are a right ffi for the position, and the organization.  Your job is to convince the screener to invite you back to meet with the hiring manager.  Saying "no" to any of their questions regarding any of the job requirements could prevent you from progressing further in the interview process.  Don't ever lie; however, you do want to respond proactively to their questions. 

Preparation is like a triangle -- you need to know yourself, the job, and the company. Please read below to gain advice on how to research the job posting: 

 (JOB)  Preparation starts with the job description or job posting -

 Give yourself sufficient time to review each bullet noted in the job posting. If you have printed the posting, physically check each requirement and task that you have experience with. Be clear on how you will respond to any of the requirements if asked during the interview. 

Prepare to respond proactively to the requirements and tasks that you don't have current experience with.  For example, if you are not familiar with a particular software go online to research the software.  Is it something that you can enroll in an online class for?  How soon do the classes start?

You could also go onto Lynda.com and self teach yourself on most applications.

If you are asked if you have experience with xyz software instead of saying NO ---------

as long as you have followed my advice and done your research you would be prepared to answer something like this....

"I am familiar with xyz software it is similar to the software that I currently use abc.  I have taken classes online with xyz software, and I will be ready to hit the floor runing using this software.

There may be questions that you must answer no; however, your goal when you are in front of the screener is to show them that you meet the qualifications for the position so that they want to pass your resume along to the hiring manager to interview you next.

Hope this advice helps you ace your next interview.  Until next time...PS - Live on Purpose!

Thinking back, so many important moments in my life didn't happen by luck.  I was always one of those students who had to work hard for my grades, and for anything.

The first time I tried out for cheerleading I didn't make the team.  That experience molded the rest of my life, because I realized that in order to achieve my goals I had to commit to practicing harder than others and than anyone believed was necessary.  it was because of the practice that I had the confidence and of course improved skills to make the team the following season.

Our lives are built on moments, experiences, and important decisions.  For those of you who are hitting the pavement, and losing hope -- take a step back to determine what you need to adapt, adjust, and revise.

Your resume.  Is it repackaged and targeted for the position, industry, and company you are applying for?  Will it make it through the robots to be seen by a human?  Does your resume have direction, and amplify your accomplishments, strengths in both qualitative and quantitative terms>

Your Search Strategy:  Are you simply doing what everyone else is doing or are you reaching out to friends, colleagues, groups, networks to let them know what type of positions you are in search of and asking them to pass your resume along to the right person.  Make sure that you continue to adapt your approach.

Review the industry and position you are applying for.  If you do your homework, you may find that the position and industry is shrinking and not growing for the geographical area you are seeking.  You have two choices...repackage your skills and experience towards another job/industry or search where the industry is growing and thriving.

Interviewing is a skill that you can strengthen and improve.  Sure it takes alot of time.  Of course the rejections are easy.  Remember, when the going gets tough the tough get going. 

If any readers have any words of inspiration for our readers...would love to hear from you.  I have talked to many of you in search of jobs, and it is because of you that I do what I do.

Until next time....PS - Live on Purpose!