© Written By Jimmy Sweeney
President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new, Job Interview “Secret”

You know the importance of dressing professionally for an interview and showing up on time ready to discuss the job you’re eager to fill. However, it’s equally important to come prepared with items that many employers will ask to see. And even if they don’t request them ahead of time, have them with you—just in case. You don’t want the hiring manager to view you as unprepared.

1. Your social security card, necessary to secure employment and payment once you’re hired.

2. Your current state-issued driver’s license or a government-issued identification card to show that you are who you say you are.

3. Your resume of past work experience, typed and printed out on standard white paper. Some job seekers believe they will make an ‘impression’ if they choose colored paper or sheets with decorative imprints. You will stand out––but for all the wrong reasons. Furnish the interviewer with information about your education, training, and former employment.

Include only those details that apply to the work you wish to do. This is not the place to mention your teenage job as a baby-sitter or newspaper carrier.

4. References. Don’t wait for the hiring manager to ask for them. Have them ready. These should include former employers, long-time personal friends, or other individuals (excluding relatives) you know well who can speak for your character and work ethics. Ask for their permission ahead of time.

5. Transcripts. Some employers may want to look at a copy of an official transcript of your educational credits, course work, degrees awarded or any professional license or job certification that pertains to the position you’re interviewing for.

Step up to the opportunity of a lifetime—the interview you’ve worked so hard to land. Then cinch the deal by arriving on time, dressed appropriately, and equipped with these five items. You will be received and welcomed as the professional candidate you are. In these current times, when the competition is keen, you can keep the edge by being prepared.

Then wait for those three words you’re eager to hear. “WOW, you’re hired!”

Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new “Secret Career Document” job landing system. Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, “Job Search Secrets.”

Visit our friends at Job Interview “Secret” and discover Jimmy Sweeney’s breakthrough strategy that will have you standing out from the competition like a Harvard graduate at a local job fair… DURING your next job interview.

What Should You BRING To Your Next Job Interview? is a post from: Free Career Advice

© Written By Jimmy Sweeney
President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new,
Job Interview “Secret”

Put your best foot forward.
Make a good first impression.
Look your interviewer in the eye.

Pretty standard fare, you might be thinking. You’ve heard these tips numerous times. But have you considered what they mean and how important they really are? If not, here are some reasons to do so for each one.

Not-So-Secret Secret #1:  Put Your Best Foot Forward

The wording here is a bit odd. It implies that we have three or more feet. It would make more sense and be grammatically correct to say: “Put your better foot forward.” But knowing what it means is what really matters: To start on a journey or task with purpose and gusto. In other words walk into your interview with a determined step, a smile on your face, a friendly handshake, and expectancy in your mind and heart. Be your best self and trust that your authenticity will compel the interviewer to take a good look at YOU, in person and on paper.

Not-So-Secret Secret #2:  Make a Good First Impression

It has been said again and again that the first impression is the last impression. How can that be true? People judge one another by what they see and hear first. It stays with them, regardless of what happens next. So it’s worth your time to express your true self rather than to try to impress with affectation and showmanship. Hiring managers are looking for authentic individuals who are honest, open-faced, quick to smile and shake hands firmly, ask intelligent questions, and speak openly about their qualifications for the job in question. Be positive and optimistic. Show your appreciation for the opportunity, get to the point of how you can benefit the company with your skill set, and avoid throwing verbal stones at previous employers or co-workers.

Not-So-Secret Secret #3: Look Your Interviewer in the Eye

You’ve probably heard the saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul.” And you know it’s true when you encounter other people. Our eyes sometimes say more than our words. So when you’re in an interview, look the hiring manager in the eye. Listen and focus on what he or she is saying. And when it’s your turn to respond, hold your gaze and avoid distracting gestures such as playing with coins in your pocket or flicking your fingernails. One way to lose points fast is to look over the interviewer’s shoulder or glance around the room or stare at the floor when you and he or she are engaged in conversation.

The next time you’re preparing for a job interview, review these three not-so-secret secrets, put them into practice, and the wait for those three magic words, “WOW…You’re Hired!”

Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new “Secret Career Document” job landing system. Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, “Job Search Secrets.”

Visit our friends at Job Interview “Secret” and discover Jimmy Sweeney’s breakthrough strategy that will have you standing out from the competition like a Harvard graduate at a local job fair… DURING your next job interview.

Not-So-Secret “Secrets” For a Successful Job Interview is a post from: Free Career Advice

Dining out is usually associated with pleasure and relaxation — except when you’re being interviewed for a job while you’re eating.

There are many reasons why an employer will choose to conduct an interview over lunch. Says career strategist and workplace consultant J.T. O’Donnell, “A hiring manager may not want office staff to know the company is hiring for a particular position. Also, both parties may be pressed for time and unable to sacrifice office hours.”

Outside of practical concerns, you may be invited on a lunch interview because “you’re a leading candidate and an employer wants to impress you, or the position may involve heavy client interaction and business meetings and you’re being evaluated for how you’ll perform in such a setting,” says O’Donnell, who blogs about career issues at www.careerealism.com.

Whatever the reason, in a tight job market, it’s best to be prepared for anything, including breaking bread with a potential employer. Use these do’s and don’ts to make sure you can land a job over lunch.
Do…

* Learn about the restaurant in advance. William Arruda, author of “Career Distinction: Stand Out by Building Your Brand,” suggests, “Use what you can learn about the establishment to connect with something about you. For instance, ‘I understand this building used to be a printing press. I really like the architecture of these 1920s commercial spaces.’”

* Engage your interviewer about the restaurant and why they chose it. Arruda recommends asking questions such as, “Have you been here before?” or “Do you have a favorite dish?”

* Beware the overly affable interviewer. Jodi Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, reveals, “Companies will often send you to a lunch interview with a ‘friendly’ employee — someone around your age, with a similar background, who adopts a relaxed approach that may prompt you to let your guard down. While you certainly can interact less formally, be extra wary of what you say.”

* Ask questions about the hiring manager first. O’Donnell advises, “Questions such as, ‘How did you join the firm?’ and ‘What do you like most about working there?’ are good ice breakers.”

* Turn off your mobile phone. She says, “Do not check your phone — not even once! Even if the hiring manager is checking hers frequently, DO NOT check yours!”

Don’t…

* Immediately start selling yourself. O’Donnell, author of “CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career,” recommends, “Let the hiring manager lead the conversation. She may not want to talk about the job until after lunch. Don’t dive into selling yourself.”

* Appear picky. Warns O’Donnell, “Aside from a death-inducing food allergy, order what’s on the menu, being sure avoid onions and garlic. Order water to drink and a food that can be eaten easily with a fork. Pass on sandwiches, pasta, and messy dishes.”

* Talk too much. “In both lunch and regular interviews, interviewers love to use the pregnant pause. It is phenomenal what people will say when nervous and faced with dead air, notes etiquette expert Smith. “When you are done answering a question, stop talking,” she says.

* Order the most expensive thing on the menu, or multiple courses. “Keep costs down and order a reasonably priced item!” says O’Donnell. “Skip dessert and only have coffee or tea if the hiring manager orders it first. Demonstrate that you are fiscally responsible and are not taking advantage of the situation.”

* Be rude to wait staff or show up late. According to a survey of advertising and marketing executives by The Creative Group, half of the respondents said being impolite to a restaurant’s wait staff is the single biggest blunder a professional can make during a lunch meeting. Showing up late ranked second.

Food for Thought on Lunch Interviews is a post from: Free Career Advice

The Job Search Solution The Ultimate System for Finding a Great Job Now

‘Beshara’s unrivaled trench experience is smartly packed into an extremely helpful new book,”The Job Search Solution” — Joyce Lain Kennedy, nationally syndicated career columnist

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Practical, Spiritual and Great Recipe for Success
It took me two months to read and digest this book. I intend to use the tools, practices and steps to assist me in my job search. The author is fantastic, I had a couple of personal questions regarding my situation and Tony not only responded to my email, but he responded within the same day and gave sound advice that was needed and much appreciated!

5 Stars Job Search Solution
The best book on job hunting I’ve ever read. I especially liked the chapter on getting emotionally prepared

5 Stars Changed my mind!
I can credit this book with giving me the courage (and the right mindset) to tackle bigger-salary jobs for which I was uncertain I was qualified. I had some six-figure jobs e-mailed to me through RiseSmart, but joked that it was pointless curiosity. Now I plan to go after those opportunities, using the techniques set forth in Beshara’s book and my newfound positive attitude!

4 Stars Some great insight, some extreme tactics
This book provides some great insights about how hiring managers make decisions, and it inspired me to really think through what I offer, how I present myself, and how I might position my strengths differently for one interviewer than another – even for the same position.

The author also does a good job acknowledging and validating the emotional misery that goes along with finding a new job. While this might seem obvious, for me it was a major breakthrough in self-awareness.

My only gripe is that some of the practical advice, especially about getting an interview, feels extreme and overly forceful. Beshara provides scripts for pushing your way into an interview, even after the hiring manager tries to tell you no. I’ve been a manager before, and if someone tried that approach with me, I would be irritated, turned off, and potentially offended. If I tell someone no, I mean it. If they continue to push, I am not impressed. Perhaps this is effective in a sales organization or a position where aggression is a valued leadership skill, but in my part of the business world, a hard sell is the quickest way to a hard NO.

On the other hand, I’ve been unsuccessfully job-searcing for almost a year, so you may wish to ignore everything I just wrote and follow the tactics in the book. Personally, I just can’t.

5 Stars Do Yourself A Favor, and Read This Book
In my opinion, this is the kind of book that should be given out in every university on graduation day in addition to diplomas and the optimistic fanfare. Since I left my own university life many years ago, I have consistently wrestled with understanding the complex job hunting and interviewing process required of anyone interested in forging their own professional path. My strategy up to this point has unfortunately relied on the “Wing-and-a-Prayer” method, which, after reading Tony Beshara’s book, I see was a significant mistake I’m now working to correct. One of the most important concepts he expresses, and one I have not seen in many other books I’ve read on this topic, is the idea of taking the emotion out of the search. Rejection is a standard part of this process, and one that causes most people to stop looking at all. Beshara’s point is that job hunting is nothing but one big numbers game. Once you can understand that, you empower yourself to weather the heavy storm of criticism and obstacles you will encounter along the way to finding a well-paid and satisfying position on the stepping stones of building a career. Taking the emotion out of this endeavor leaves you with a process that will ultimately get you what you want with less emotional anchor dragging behind and slowing down your forward motion. As Beshara says, “Pay attention to the process, and the results will take care of itself.” For the first time in my working history I no longer feel afraid of what I must face in landing my next position. I think you will discover this book to be equally engaging and profoundly illuminating. Good luck with your own search. I know Tony Beshara’s book will give you exactly the right tools you are looking for to reach your professional destination as quickly as possible.

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The Job Search Solution The Ultimate System for Finding a Great Job Now is a post from: Free Career Advice

Interview tips from a chronic job hopper

Who would know more about interviewing than a chronic job hopper? Tom Elsa gives tips on everything you need to know about how to get that job. Plus a closing statement that will knock the interviewer off there feet! From the author of Mr Instability. For the price of a cup of coffee what do you have to lose? What do you have to gain? Everything.

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Interview tips from a chronic job hopper is a post from: Free Career Advice

You are excited, as you have been offered a job interview. This is the final hurdle to overcome to get that new job. Don’t mess it up. Make sure you put in the effort to prepare. Those job interview questions are going to come at you, thick and fast!

Well done - the job is yours! All that prep paid off.

When you go to your interview, your job interview skills will be tested because you just don’t know what questions you are going to be asked.

All the books and resources you can purchase will give you some idea of the most common questions…there are some you can assume will be asked, like…

“What are your strengths?”

“What are your weaknesses?”

“Tell me about yourself”

You know, the general ones.

But as well as the specific common questions, there are types of questions you need to be prepared for.

Here’s a quick rundown.

Hypothetical Questions.

These ask, ‘If x happened, what would you do?’

For example, “A customer rings the office complaining about the service from the company. The customer is actually real angry and shouting. How would you handle such a situation?”

The thing to recognise is that there isn’t necessarily a right answer. The interviewer may be more interested in how you go about addressing the problem than in your final outcome.

It’s fine to pause and think for a moment before you answer.

Technical Questions.

If you are being interviewed for a technical post or a role, which requires specific skills, be ready for questions which ask you to take the interviewer through a problem or process. This may be a hypothetical situation again but it will involve a technical answer. They may ask you to give an example from your own experiences and take them through it in detail.

So be ready for this kind of question, with examples prepared. In fact, have several examples prepared.

Real Example Questions.

These type of questions are when the interviewer wants to see what real experience you have. Your answer is not based on what you would do (as per the hypothetical question) but it is based upon what you have actually experienced and done.

So for example, “Please give us an example where you have successfully implemented a change”.

So the interviewer is looking for a real example. Something that you have actually experienced. Make sure you have enough examples to choose from. Personally, I would take in a few notes into the interview…just as a reminder. The interviewer won’t mind, as the interview is not a memory test.

Stress Questions.

Some interviewers will deliberately try to rile you or put you under pressure as a test. They want to see how you respond to this treatment. Many people feel this kind of interviewing technique is ethically dubious, and even questions whether they want to work for someone who uses this tactic.

But if you still want the job – and you may well feel that for the post you’re applying for this interview method is justified – you’d better make sure you remain calm and pleasant no matter what the pressure.

So as I said at the beginning, don’t mess this final “job Interview” hurdle up. There will be others who are being interviewed; you will not be the only one.

So prepare, check out the type of job interview questions you may be asked and have your answers ready.

Have lots of real examples of where you have made a difference and achieved something worthwhile.

Now go ahead, stay calm and sell yourself.

Job Interview Questions And Answers is a post from: Free Career Advice

What if the interviewer never calls you back? is a post from: Free Career Advice

You have been invited to attend an interview. You have been waiting a long time for this one. This could be the perfect job. The company has a great brand and future and the vacancy sounds great as well. Good pay, great prospects, great perks. This is the job to die for. You can see yourself in the job and your career finally taking off.

The big day arrives

You have all the answers ready with all the examples, you look great, are well groomed and your clothes are sharp (that recent shopping trip will be worth it). You are feeling confident and fully prepared.

But are you?

The relationship between managers and direct reports is the number one factor in morale, productivity and retention of high performers. One thing which causes high stress in individuals at work is the management style of their boss. You get used  to the pay, the perks and the prospects, but they become very insignificant if your boss is a bad manager.

You do not get used to bad managers, especially very bad ones.

How do you define a ‘bad’ manager?

We all have different definitions for the term ‘bad’. Some may say their managers are bad because ‘I never get any praise’, others may say it’s ‘because you never see them and they don’t communicate’ or because ‘He is so arrogant, always believing he is right and everyone else is wrong’.

Much has been written about the habits or traits of bad managers, but how do you tell if your prospective boss is ‘bad’?

You are just about to be interviewed for the job of your life, but how do you know whether you want to work for the individual (assuming they will be your boss). You have to remember that interviews are a two-way process, as much for the potential employees benefit, as for the employer.

The interview begins

The time for the interview has arrived. The interviewer (the prospective manager), meets you in the glamorous reception 30 minutes late and the handshake is weak and clammy and no apology is forthcoming for them being late.

In silence, they lead you to the interview room which is a few minutes walk from the reception and there is no offer of a drink.

Their mobile phone goes off. It is a friend, well you assume it is because they has a five-minute conversation about last nights TV, with quite a lot of swearing going on throughout.

You are thinking this is a test, isn’t it? ‘They are seeing how I am going to react’. It’s not, this is how they are.

The interview eventually starts late. Standard questions are fired at you, with no eye contact taking place. They don’t even look at you when you are talking, just look down whilst taking a few notes.

Your gut is telling you something – this is not the job for you. However you decide to give them the benefit of the doubt, as they might just be having a bad day and this isn’t how they really are.

Now it is your turn to ask questions. How are you going to know if they are a great, or at least a good manager? Here are some important questions you need to ask to find out.

6 ways to test your next boss

Ask them what their management style is?

Are they silent? Do they have to think about it? Are they vague? Do they mention words like ’supportive, approachable or decision maker’?

Ask them when they last took forward an employee suggestion or idea?

Are they struggling in their answer? Is the example worthy of a great manager? Bad managers don’t follow up on employee ideas. If they do provide a worthy answer, it shows they are supportive, approachable and they listen. A great manager removes all obstacles to help their staff do the best job possible.

Ask them when they last praised an employee or team and why?

If they haven’t ever done this then be wary. Bad managers withhold praise. One of the biggest staff motivators is praise from their manager.

Ask them for their opinion on individual development and training?

Have you ever been denied a professional development opportunity, because your own manager said that it would take too much time away from work? Is that why you are thinking of moving roles? Bad managers ignore professional growth needs, whilst great managers support their staff’s development.

Ask them when they asked for feedback on their management style and what were the results?

A good manager will always be looking to improve their performance and style and one of the best ways to do this, is to ask their staff for feedback. If they have asked for this feedback, ask how have they used it to improve their style?

Ask for their views on delegation. How do they delegate? Do they delegate? Do they micro-manage?

Great managers build trust in their staff. A quick and easy way to do this is to delegate pieces of work, which uses and exploits individuals’ strengths, all with the right level of control.

Conclusion

Just remember the interview is two-way. You are interviewing your manager and the company as well as them interviewing you. You can ask any questions you want and if you ask the right ones, you won’t end up working for an incompetent and bad manager and your career won’t suffer.

Article source: http://jobmob.co.il/blog/smell-bad-boss-via-interview/

How to Smell a Bad Boss in Just One Interview is a post from: Free Career Advice

How to Interview the InterviewER – How to Interview Potential Managers is a post from: Free Career Advice

One of the easiest ways to build confidence before a job interview is to prepare answers to questions you might be asked. Whether you’re applying for a position as a web programmer, accountant, or legal secretary, interviewers often use some general questions to assess candidates, so you’ll increase your chances for success if you prepare for them in advance.

Six common questions are listed below, along with insights from several recruitment professionals about how to answer. As part of your interview preparation, take the time to formulate answers to each question, focusing on specific tasks and accomplishments.

“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

This is one of the most well-known interview questions, and interviewers often ask it indirectly, as in, “What did your most recent boss suggest as areas for improvement in your last performance review?”

Lindsay Olson, founder of Paradigm Staffing Solutions, a firm specializing in hiring public relations professionals, suggests tailoring your “strengths” answer to skills that will benefit the prospective employer. Though you may have a knack for building gingerbread houses, it might be of little value for the job at hand.

When it comes to weaknesses, or areas of growth, Olson recommends building on your answer to include “how you have improved, and specifics on what you have done to improve yourself in those areas.”

“Why did you leave your last position?”

“Interviewers will always want to know your reasoning behind leaving a company ? particularly short stints,” says Olson. “Be prepared to tell the truth, without speaking negatively about past employment.”

“Can you describe a previous work situation in which you … ?”

This question comes in many forms, but what the interviewer is looking for is your behavior on the job. Your answer could focus on resolving a crisis, overcoming a negotiation deadlock, handling a problem coworker, or juggling multiple tasks on a project.

The theory behind this type of question is that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, according to Yves Lermusi, CEO of Checkster, a company that offers career and talent checkup tools. “The key to responding well is preparing real job examples, describing your behavior in specific situations that demonstrate important skills that the job requires.”

“What is your ideal work environment?”

This question is not about whether you prefer a cubicle or an office, so think broadly to include ideas about supervision, management styles, and your workday routine.

Bob Hancock, senior recruiter for video game publisher Electronic Arts, says that he uses this question with candidates because it can give “a sense of their work habits, how flexible they are with their schedules, and how creative they are.”

“How do you handle mistakes?”

The best strategy for this general question is to focus on one or two specific examples in the past and, if possible, highlight resolutions or actions that might have relevance to the job you’re interviewing for.

“Employers want to know they’re hiring someone with the maturity to accept responsibility and the wherewithal to remedy their own mistakes,” says Debra Davenport, a master professional mentor and columnist for the Business Journal in Phoenix.

“What is your most notable accomplishment?”

Paradigm Staffing’s Olson suggests that candidates think of three or four accomplishments and quantify what their actions meant in terms of increasing revenues, saving resources, or improving resources.

“Being able to quantify your achievements in your career will launch you ahead of the rest,” she says, “and demonstrate your ability to do the same as a future employee.”

Article source: http://ca.hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-six_common_job_interview_questions-754

Six Common Job-Interview Questions is a post from: Free Career Advice