Archive for the ‘Interviews’ Category

How to Recover from an Interview Blunder

April 30th, 2012 by Susan P. Joyce

True, it is not always possible to recover from a really big blunder.  Some things are definitely not recoverable (bad-mouthing a previous employer, answering your cell phone during the interview, dressing very inappropriately,  etc.).

But, often recovery is possible for two reasons:

1.)  You might not have been as bad as you thought you were, and/or

2.)  No one else was better.

So, don’t count yourself out of contention unless you have been told that you aren’t being considered.  Do your usual follow up as though everything was fine (because it might be).

5 Steps to Recovery

Because it may take a while to discover whether or not this particular situation really is doomed, do these 5 things:

1.)  Launch damage control.

If you haven’t sent your thank you messages yet, send your thank you, as usual, and, if possible, use it to launch your recovery.  If you didn’t answer a question well, answer it better in your thank you.  If whatever mistake you made is fixable, try to fix it with the thank you.  If you forgot to hand them your list of references, send it along with the thank you.  If you call Mr. Smith by the wrong name, be sure to use his correct name in the thank you. (more…)

What Research Should I Do Before an Interview?

April 9th, 2012 by Susan P. Joyce

As a job seeker, you plan and strategize and work very hard on your resume and cover letter with the ultimate goal of getting in to interview with that potential employer.  Then, like so many job seekers, when the time comes for this all-important opportunity to “close the sale” and land the job, you ”wing it!”

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!  Do NOT “wing it” in your interviews unless you like wasting time and postponing finding that new job!  Interviews are opportunities to “close the sale” on your new job, and these opportunities can be rare.  Don’t waste an opportunity!

Prepare for the standard interview questions and types of interviews you might have

In her Job Interviews column on Job-Hunt, Laura DeCarlo, Job-Hunt’s Job Interviewing Expert, covers the common questions you will be asked like, “Tell me about yourself” and “Why do you want to work here?” Knowing and practicing your answers is very important for your success.

She also covers the common – and uncommon - kinds of interviews you will face – CIDS, one-way video, fishbowl, and many more.

But wait!  There’s more you can do, and it will help you succeed at that interview…

5 Kinds of Critical Pre-interview Research – the Winning Difference

In the current job market, you want to stand out from the crowd.  You will impress potential employers by showing them how interested you are in the job, which also means demonstrating your interest in the employer.  So, prepare for the interview by researching the organization and, if possible and without “stalking” them, researching the people, too.

(more…)