Filed under: Human Resources | Tags: employees, Human Resources, Interview tips, Landrum Staffing, Staffing Services, Temporary Help
September 28, 2011
Feel Confident about Your Next Interview – A Job Seeker’s Guide
“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”
Margaret Fuller
In today’s world, many people have found themselves back in the market for a job. The reasons vary from closings, reductions in force, change in careers, etc. Whatever the reason, the job market is fiercely competitive. You may have already experienced this in your job search.
How do you stand out from the others who are interviewing for the same job?
This article is the first of a series of tips and advice that will help you prepare for your next job interview. You want to feel confident when you walk out of the interview that you have left the best impression possible.
Information is plentiful.
You can search the Internet at any time and land on countless web pages filled with job seeking tips, suggestions and how-to’s. Many of these sites are excellent resources and offer helpful guidance for the job hunt. So you may wonder, what is different about this article from any other on-line information or book? Read on.
Denise T. McLeod, SPHR
The following list of interview tips was not found on the Internet or copied from a book. They have been developed by a Human Resource professional with more than 35 years of experience in the staffing industry. According to Denise T. McLeod, VP & COO of Landrum Staffing Services, “The job hunting process is serious business.” Her advice comes from interviewing, counseling, and helping hundreds of job seekers prepare for their first job or begin a new career.
1. Finding a job is a job in itself – Treat it like one
You must commit yourself to put in the effort needed to find a job. It’s like pulling out all the stops or going into firefighter mode. You have to be serious, on schedule and planned. Don’t spend only one or two hours a day on your job search. A business can’t operate if they’re only open one or two hours a day. Depend on patience and hard work.
2. Be Proactive and Assertive
Competition is fierce; especially now. Although calling on potential employers can be intimidating, it is still a powerful and effective strategy. Remember, you are in a competition with every other job seeker so you need to get in the door first.
3. Be Positive
Focus on your accomplishments and not your failures. Employers are not looking to hire negative people or take on added problems. First impressions are lasting impressions.
4. Do a Self-Assessment
You must identify your skills, experience, accomplishments, interests and values, and make a list of these things. If you don’t know what you have to offer a prospective employer, you certainly can’t expect them to hire you. One critical component of a successful job search is for you to recognize what makes you a unique candidate. You must learn to effectively communicate this to potential employers by laying out your attributes and explaining how they relate to the job you are seeking.
5. Contact Your References
Contact all of your references and let them know you are in the job market. Ask permission to use them as references and verify their contact information. This also gives your reference a chance to be prepared when that inquiry call comes. You will most likely end up with a better reference because the person wasn’t caught off guard.
6. Your Standard Information
Write down all of your standard information and have it with you at all times. Include past job information including correct company name, address, phone number, supervisor’s name, job duties, dates of employment, work and personal references and their contact information, and education information. You will then prepared at any time to accurately and completely fill out a job application.
7. Prioritize and Organize
Use a calendar and keep a “To Do” list. You can pick up free calendars at various businesses, find one on-line and print, or use your Smart Phone Calendar App. You must keep track of your job search efforts. Make a list of resources you should check frequently for job opportunities AND check them frequently. Example: Newspaper (on-line), free mini-papers found in retail locations, specific company websites, staffing services websites, local free magazines, career fairs, job placement websites like Career Builder and even Craig’s List, and other social networking platforms. Also check job posting boards at local colleges and university career centers and governmental websites. Actually, a good practice would be to assign a specific time each day to do your Internet research, network and make follow-up calls.
8. Develop Your Contact Network
This includes family members, neighbors and friends, classmates, former workmates, church members, and anyone else you can think of and let them know you are in the market and specifically ask them to keep their eyes and ears open for you. Prepare and have available at all times a contact card, like a personal business card, so that your network group members always have your contact information. No matter whom you may meet or come in contact with, try to include in your conversation that you are looking for a job.
Next in our Job Seekers Guide series, learn how to create a compelling resume and the importance of a cover letter. Feel free to leave a comment or question ~ we look forward to hearing from you.
_______________________________________________________
Portions of this article was authored by Joni K. Humphreys, Director of Marketing and Communications. Edited by Holly McLeod, PHR, Human Resources Manager.
1 Comment so far
Leave a comment
[...] Feel Confident about Your Next Interview – A Job Seeker’s Guide [...]
Pingback by How to Get Your Resume Noticed – A Job Seeker’s Guide « Landrum Human Resource Companies Blog October 13, 2011 @ 10:05 am