The Interview – Do’s and Don’ts

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by Scott Sestak, Staffing Excellence, Inc. While getting a foot in the door with a good resume is the first step, interviews are tough and stressful though there are many things you can do to prepare. You can make yourself look better than your competition by being prepared and get that employment opportunity!Interview “Do’s”:

  • Do prepare for each interview well in advance. Check out the company’s website, know what they do and how big they are. Review the job posting and relate your experience to every line.
  • Put together some good leading questions about the company, inviting the interviewer to talk. Get the interviewer to talk about themselves and their job.
  • Dress up! Unless otherwise told, dress in a nice suit/nice professional outfit. Dress conservatively, longer skirts and conservative tops are a must. Wear comfortable clothes.
  • Come up with some good short stories to tell about things you have done well/accomplished in your career. Practice these until they are second nature.
  • Practice with your friends, role play, get comfortable talking about your experience.
  • Choose your words very carefully and think through your answers. Also, be on your best behavior.
  • Practice practice practice. Never turn down an interview even if you know you won’t take the job. It is great practice and may even lead to new contacts/ideas.
  • Read a few books on body language and interviewing tips to become a professional interviewer.

Some people shoot themselves in the foot in an interview and some interviewers just can’t get over it. Below are just a few things NOT to say/do in your interview. And yes, candidate’s of mine have said/done these things over the years.Interview Don’ts:

  • Do not say “I have other offers but, yours pays a lot more and that’s why I’m interested.”
  • Do not say “I have demonstrated experience. Here, look at all of this…” Then proceed to hand over stacks of paper including old references, marketing plans, reports, misc papers etc. Do not offer any documents unless asked.
  • Never bring a gun into an interview. Yes, someone came into my office one day and it fell out of their briefcase. Not good!
  • Never walk around your interviewer’s desk and show them something on their own computer.
  • When asked: Why did you leave your job? Do not say: “My old boss was a jerk and the company was going bankrupt.” Come up with some better answers.
  • Turn your cell phone off. Never ever answer your cell phone during an interview and talk to the person calling!
  • Do not chew gum. Do not touch anything on the interviewers desk or try to peek at anything.
  • Do not preen your clothes, hair or fidget with a pen etc. Keep still and keep your hands/arms in an open confident position. Never cross your arms, stare or lean back like you’re in a lazyboy.

Be confident and smart with your answers. Think first and you will be just fine.Till next time. Good luck! Scott

When Job Hunting, What You Put on your FaceBook or MySpace Page May Come Back to Haunt You

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When you are having fun and posting stories or photos on FaceBook or MySpace, you are usually only thinking of the present moment and the friends who will read your entries. However, when you start job hunting, you may regret what you put on your MySpace or FaceBook page.Although the internet has become a friendly media for many, you are still putting details out to the public that everyone can read. Unfortunately, someday “everyone” may be a potential employer who will search for additional details about you online. Imagine how embarrassed you would be if you applied for a lofty position with a conservative firm and your prospective employer discovered compromising details about you by doing a simple search of MySpace or FaceBook. Besides the embarrassment, you may also be left out when it comes getting the position you want.Your MySpace or FaceBook page should not contain any information that would come back to haunt you if viewed by a potential employer. There are many ways an employers determines your character and whether you would be a viable team player for their company. Having a racy or questionable presence online will make an employer think twice and could cost you the employment you want. After all, will your new boss really appreciate your “pimping” skills or how hot you are at the clubs? The boss will probably wonder about your level of commitment to the job.When you make entries on your MySpace or FaceBook page, remember you are putting this information out to millions of people. Make sure what you write really reflects the person you are in your resume and would not humiliate you or jeopardize your chances in a competitive job market.

The Follow-Up Letter: An Important Tool in Your Career Search Arsenal

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You did everything you needed to do to make a great impression at your job interview. From an impressive resume to a suitable suit to impeccable manners, you feel that the job interviewer viewed you in a positive light. Is there anything else you can do to ensure top consideration for your dream job?Sending a follow-up letter after your employment interview is an important tool in your career search arsenal. By sending a follow-up letter, you are reminding the job interviewer of your existence. After all, the interviewer may be reviewing dozens or hundreds of resumes and people. Your follow-up letter may be the simple reminder the interviewer needs to keep your name and face in the forefront of their thoughts. Also, sending a follow-up letter after your interview gives you an opportunity to thank the interviewer for their time. This shows your ability to appreciate the time constraints of your prospective employers as well as your sense of savvy with regard to proper business protocol and communication. Sending a well-written, polite follow-up letter only takes a few minutes and can mean the difference between landing the job you want or being forgotten after you leave the job interview.

Part 5: The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement – HOW TO APPLY

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The final component of a Federal job vacancy announcement is the section that outlines how to apply for the position. Once you decide you are interested in and qualified for a particular Federal job, this section provides the specifics required to apply and try to get an interview.The how to apply section lets you know if you can send applications via email or facsimile as well as the deadline for applying. For people who are unable to electronically submit their Federal resume or the hearing impaired, information is supplied about how to contact personnel for additional assistance. This section will also let your know what supporting documents are required to apply for the position such as a formal application and resume as well as responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed in the vacancy announcement. For those submitting with a veterans preference, additional documentation for submission may be outlined. The how to apply section also lets you know the addresses and numbers where you should send your application paperwork and who to contact if you are disabled and require reasonable accommodations to apply for the job.When you are ready to try to get that dream job with the Federal government, the how to apply component of the employment vacancy announcement gives you all the instructions you need to get the interview you want. Carefully following the directions will ensure you have an opportunity to be considered for a coveted Federal position.

Part 4: The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement

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BENEFITS and OTHER INFO

Now that you have reviewed the overview, duties and qualifications for a Federal position you are ready to consider the fourth component of the Federal job vacancy announcement – Benefits and Other Info.The Benefits and Other Info section clearly defines the benefits you would be entitled to if you secured the Federal position you are considering. Health insurance benefits are specified as well as any costs that would be shared with a prospective Federal employer and the coverage you would receive. This section also provides information about life insurance, long term-care insurance and any other type of insurance you may qualify for as an employee. This section also gives you the facts about retirement benefits and the type of savings and investment programs you are entitled to participate in for retirement planning. Other possible benefits outlined in the Benefits and Other Info section of the Federal job vacancy announcement include transportation expenses, annual vacation time, sick leave, holidays, possible advancement opportunities and pertinent facts about relocation for the position.To ensure the Federal position you want also provides the benefits you need, it is important to review the Benefits and Other Info section of the job vacancy announcement. Most Federal jobs offer outstanding salaries with a comprehensive benefits package that is truly impressive.

Employer Feature – Allied Waste

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Allied Waste Industries, Inc., a leading waste services company, provides collection, recycling and disposal services to residential, commercial and industrial customers in the United States. As of March 31, 2007, the Company operated a network of 300 collection companies, 164 transfer stations, 169 active landfills and 53 recycling facilities in 37 states and Puerto Rico. Find Career opportunities  with Allied Waste – Have Your Resume Ready!