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Home » Business And Finance Articles » Job Interview Tactics That Work

Job Interview Tactics That Work

So you've managed to secure a job interview for a position that fits you PERFECTLY. Now comes the moment of truth: Are you REALLY ready for the interview? If you've rehearsed what you're going to say and know the perfect answer to every potential question, you're half way there. There's just one important thing you've forgotten:

Yourself.

How do you sell yourself and show your potential employer how valuable you can be to their company? You want to make them hire you TODAY and not even THINK about other applicants. You know you're the right person for the job, so how do you make THEM see that? Here are seven easy steps you can take to really make yourself shine during the interview process.

1. First, find out everything you can about the company you'd be working for. Who are its customers? What is its mission statement? How does the job you'd be performing relate to the company's goals? Finding out this type of information gives you great insights on what kinds of questions to ask your interviewer and shows them that you've done your research and already have some background in the company's business and objectives.

2. Read over the job description carefully. Analyze your own strengths and see how you can tie the two together. If you have previous experience, make note of those times where you helped achieve a specific result. Employers give more serious consideration to applicants who have a background and a track record in their industry than those who do not.

3. First impressions count. It should go without saying that you should arrive 15 minutes prior to the interview, dress appropriately (if not above) the position you're applying for, greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact throughout the discussion process. Be enthusiastic, personable and outgoing. Show a sincere interest in the people you meet and the work you'd be doing. Interviewers can tell if you're desperate!

4. Show that you can solve problems and work well under pressure, since nearly every job will require both skills. If you can identify a particular problem in your industry or that you may face when doing this job, give the interviewer some ideas of how you would solve it. Be calm, relaxed and confident. Some nervousness is expected, but your overall mannerisms (such as fidgeting, nail-biting, slumping in your chair) will be an instant giveaway on how well you REALLY work under stress. Likewise, if you project confidence and security in how you carry yourself, the interviewer will definitely notice.

5. If your mind goes blank when asked if you have any questions (and you should ALWAYS have a couple of questions ready), consider asking why this position is open. What's the company's track record and turnover rate? Are they performing well and keeping employees on board? Remember, you're not just selling yourself on how you'd be a great fit for this company, but finding out how this company could also be a great fit for you.

6. If an interviewer asks a question that makes you feel uncomfortable, smile politely and ask, "Why would you like to know?" Remember, your employer is prohibited from asking you personal questions, including references to your race, gender, sexual preference, marital status and child care situations. Your interview should be focused on how well you can perform the job, not your home and family life.

7. After the interview, be sure to follow up with a thank-you note. Recount your strengths in the letter and highlight your qualifications. Touch on specific discussions or conversations you had with the interviewer to help them remember that polished, professional, enthusiastic candidate (you). Close the note by letting the interviewer know of your sincere interest in the position and your confidence in doing it well.

If you keep all of these suggestions in mind, you'll not only have seriously impressed your potential employer, but you'll come away from it feeling like a winner too! Good luck!

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Can I Do It All Myself...

Can I do it all myself...

Sometimes we feel that we are handling everything just fine. You're a business owner and your list of clients is growing leaps and bounds as you hoped it would. The money is coming in and you may even enjoy spending an extra hour or two at the office to get caught up at the end of the day or early in the morning before the phone begins to ring. This is how you wanted it but if only you had those one or two extra hours every day. The new blackberry is fine but you know you need a back up at the office 'just in case'. Your growing stack of business cards is piling up in an ever-tightening rubber band in your desk drawer and you promise yourself that you'll be organizing them into some sort of filing system 'one of these days - soon', you promise yourself.

The promotional letter and the mailing list you were going to do on Tuesday will just have to wait a few more days because an out-of-town client unexpectedly called and needs some of your time. You've lost the whole day but you don't mind because it's part of the job - reshuffling and rescheduling other clients and duties is a normal part of the business and you have to keep your priorities in order - after all, it's the client who keeps the money coming in.

While you're at the client you remember one more thing that has you distracted from the matters at hand. You were supposed to call and make an important lunch appointment with a 'potential' client you've been hoping to get and it completely slipped your mind. As you sit, you feel sure you left the name and phone number of the restaurant the client suggested on a slip of paper on your desk. This week isn't going quite as well as it should - you realize you've been having too many of 'these weeks' lately. Business is growing but things aren't being done in the timely manner they used to be.

You're losing ground in important other matters and so the once well-oiled machine is showing a bit of a strain. Instead of focusing on your clients, you're becoming bogged down with administrative office duties and they're piling up fast and furious. You lost the piece of paper, Wednesday appointments didn't get rescheduled on time, the database isn't being maintained and the invoices haven't been sent out - not to mention all the daily correspondence that isn't being taken care of.

On and on it goes. If only there was an extra hour or two, even for a week or two just to finish things up without distractions. Somewhere in your mind you remember clicking on a website that provides these services - some kind of an assistant over the internet that helps out and you don't have to pay for more than what work is done - even down to ten minute increments. As you jog your memory you remember the words Virtual Office Assistance or something to that effect. Then you remember Virtual Assistant - they already have the office machines and software and they're experienced professionals.

Now instead of wondering how you'll get caught up, you contact a Virtual Assistant and tell her what you want done. Suddenly your burden has become lighter and you feel the tension leave. After you make the call, you fax, email, upload files or whatever what needs done. Your VA takes it from there. The meeting was set up, the old appointments were rescheduled and you get reminders from you daily planner. She calls you with any unexpected problems that have arisen or are anticipated and she took care of your business trip to the west coast next month - even finding a better price on the airfare and hotel so you actually saved money. Now you're undivided attention is given to the client and you can increase your business potential and attend to your other clients.

You sigh with relief knowing that you need never feel like things are getting ahead of you again. As an added touch, your VA called you later to see how the meeting went - you tell her you got the client. As the VA congratulates her new client, she smiles as you both hang up the phone. Both have had a good day.

Article Author: Johan MacLeod
Author Contact: vcoa@care2.com
URL: www.virtuallyconnectedofficeassistance.com