get that job - job search skills€¦ · get that job - job search skills the daniels associates of...

Get that Job - Job Search Skills

The Daniels Associates of Australasia © of 40

SECTION 1: How to write your Resume ..................................................................................................... 1

SECTION 2: Search for the right Job ............................................................................................................ 9

SECTION 3: Understanding the Interview ................................................................................................. 12

SECTION 4: Types of Questions ................................................................................................................. 17

SECTION 5: Getting Ready......................................................................................................................... 23

SESSION 6: Common Problems and Solutions .......................................................................................... 30

SECTION 7: Phase Two .............................................................................................................................. 32

SECTION 8: Sealing the Deal ..................................................................................................................... 36

Course Overview

The resume, the job search and the interview are the key elements of the job search process. As with any skill, we can get better at it with preparation and practice.

In this course, you will identify and learn the key components of a well written resume and cover letter. You will explore how to prepare for an interview and become familiar with the types of questions to expect, as well as the questions they should think about asking.

You will learn how to prepare for second interviews, testing, and shadowing, as well as how to follow up on their interview sessions.

Learning Objectives

After you complete this course, you will be able to:

o Understand the key components and importance of a well written resume and cover letter

o Explore the job search process

o Understand the different types of interview questions and how to prepare to answer them

o Apply the most effective ways to prepare for an interview, including how to present yourself

professionally

o Express yourself effectively

o Know how to ask for feedback following an interview

SECTION 1: How to write your Resume “Never say anything about yourself you do not want to come true.” Brian Tracy The first step to getting a job is to write a resmue.



A resume - sometimes called a curriculum vitae or CV - is a summary of your education, training, work experience and skills. A good resume demonstrates how your skills and abilities match up with the requirements of a job.

A good resume gets you the interview. Your interview gets you the job!

o In this section we will look at the following:

o How long to make your resume

o What should and should not be included in your resume

o How to tailor your resume

o Covering Letter

o Winning points

o Resume Checklist

How Long Should a Resume Be?

The best resumes are usually no longer than one or two pages. A resume is not an exhaustive list. If it is too long it probably won't get read.

If you have just left high school - whether you finished or not - a one-page resume is perfectly reasonable. If you are at university, or you have finished university, you have probably got enough experience to fill two pages.

It is ok to go over two pages, but ensure everything you include is necessary to explain how good a fit you are for the job.

The worst thing to do is to pad out your resume. There's nothing wrong with a one-page resume, as long as it has all of the relevant information on it. More is not necessarily better.

Do I Need to Change My Resume Every Time?

You should change your resume for every job application. This will ensure it lists the skills and experiences most relevant to the job you are applying for. Not every job will have the same set of requirements, but every resume you send out needs to be 100% relevant to the requirements of that job.

The point of a resume is to convince a recruiter or employer you're worth interviewing. A tailored resume makes that case better than a generic one, so It is worth the extra time.

What should be included on your Resume

Here's a brief rundown on the essential things to include on your resume.



Personal Details

Put your full name and contact details on your resume, including your address, telephone number(s) and email address.

Make sure you use a professional-sounding email address. Email addresses like [email protected] don't create a great impression. If you haven't got a professional-sounding email, get one. Make it as close to your real name as possible - something like [email protected] is ideal.

The best place to put personal details is in the header of your resume. That way it will appear on every page. This will also leave room for (and focus attention on) the most important stuff: proof you have the skills and experience for the job.

Education and Training

This is a summary of your education and training history, starting with your most recent studies. Make sure that you include all training that's relevant to the job you're applying for, including any on-the-job training you've done.

If you haven't done much study or training, just put down what you have done. Don't pad things out with things like First Aid or Responsible Service of Alcohol, unless they're relevant to the job you're applying for. More is not always better.

Employment History

Generally speaking It is best to start with your most recent job and work backwards, listing:

o The name of the employer o Your job title o The dates you worked there o Your duties and responsibilities o Any major achievements while you worked there

Make sure that each job that you list demonstrates how well you are suited for the job you're applying for. Emphasise the skills that are asked for by the recruiter or employer.

If you've done a lot of different kinds of jobs, you could list your work experience in a way that links those jobs to the job you're applying for. You could list the jobs in related fields first, under "Relevant Work Experience" and then briefly list the other jobs under "Other Work Experience".

You can also include any work experience or volunteer work that you've done. Only include volunteering and work experience that's relevant, though. No sense mentioning that you volunteer at the RSPCA shelter if you're going for a job in IT!



Remember - a short resume is a good resume. More is not always better.

Page Numbers

Make sure your resume has page numbers on it, even if It is just one page. Page numbers on a one-page resume make sure the recruiter or employer knows they're looking at the whole thing. Page numbers on a two-page (or three-page) resume ensure that if a page is missing, they go looking for it so they don't miss out on any information about you.

What You Should Maybe Include on Your Resume

Here are a few things that you should consider including on your resume - but only if they show you're a good fit for the job.

Professional Profile

A professional profile directly links the job's requirements to your skills. It is kind of like a mini-cover letter, designed to grab a recruiter or employer's attention and encourage them to read on. Some recruiters may jump straight to resumes without reading cover letters, especially when there are a lot of applications to read. A professional profile can help to grab their attention right at the start.

You can create a professional profile by asking the following questions:

o What skills and abilities can I bring to this employer? o What excites me about this role? o How can I show that there is a link between the skills listed on my resume and this job?

If you include a professional profile, make sure It is only a few short bullet points and make sure that it stays relevant to the requirements of the job.

Other Experience

This is a list of your activities outside of work and study. A list of relevant interests can show how well you're suited to the job. You might include clubs you're a member of or sports you play.

If you include interests, make sure they're relevant to the job you are applying for. No sense mentioning the astronomy club in an application for an electrician apprenticeship.

What You Should NOT Include on Your Resume

Here are a few things that you don't have to include on your resume, although there are some circumstances when including some of the following information might be a good idea.



Other Personal Information

Discrimination in employment is a real concern. You're not obliged to provide any personal information on your resume over and above your name and contact details. This means that you don't have to provide:

o Your date of birth o Your marital status o Your gender o Any languages you speak o Any disabilities that you have o Any other personal information

A possible exception to this when providing this information would be an advantage. For example, if the employer is looking for someone young, or a female applicant, or an applicant who comes from a particular background. In this situation consider including such information if you think it would strengthen your application.

Career Objective

Career objective statements are a general statement about your career goals. They don't really help to prove you're a good choice for the job. They risk distracting from the important information on your resume. Consider adding a professional profile instead (see above).

Referees (or Written References)

It is no longer standard practice to provide referees or written references as part of a job application. You should still find some people to be your referee, but you don't need to include their details on your resume. Instead, simply end your resume with a brief statement along the lines of "References can be supplied upon request."

Typos or Factual Errors

Submitting a resume or cover letter with spelling mistakes will guarantee you don't get an interview. Make sure that you spell check your resume before you send it, but get someone else to read it as well and check for mistakes you might have missed.

Double-check everything that you include in your resume. If you mention the company's name, make sure you get it right. If you mention the name of places you've worked before, make sure you get that right. Mistakes on resumes are worse than typos.

You should also consider getting your resume looked at by someone professional. Check out "Get Someone to Look at It Before You Send It", below.



Lots of Fonts

Making your resume "fancier" by choosing lots of cool fonts is a bad idea. Recruiters and employers want to read your resume, not admire its design and layout. Pick a single, simple font (e.g., Times, Arial, Helvetica) and stick to it.

Photos

Showing a recruiter or employer what you look like doesn't help them decide if you're right for the job. There are exceptions, like modelling or acting jobs, but in general, unless your picture has been specifically requested, don't include it.

How to Tailor Your Resume

What skills does the job require?

First, find out what the job requires. If you found out about the job from a job listing, the key requirements or skills should be in the advertisement. There may also be a position description, which is a document that outlines exactly what kind of skills and experience a job requires. If you found out about the job from your networks, ask the person who told you about it what skills and experience the employer is looking for.

Make a list of the job requirements. Think about jobs that you've done or experiences you've had that used those skills. These are the experiences you need to put on your resume. Anything that doesn't match up to those job requirements should not be included on your resume.

It is important to do this every time you apply for a job. For some jobs you might only need to tweak your resume slightly. Other jobs might need a complete rewrite. Either way, It is worth the effort and can improve your chances of getting an interview.

Need more information?

You can always contact the recruiter or employer and ask them. There should be a phone number or email address either on their website or the job listing. Questions you could ask include:

o What can you tell me about the job?

o What can you tell me about the ideal candidate for the job?

o Is there a position description that I can look at? (only ask this if the job ad didn't mention a position

description)

o Are you expecting any internal applicants? (If they are, you could ask them if they think the internal

applicant(s) are well suited to the role)

Be polite and introduce yourself when you make contact. Showing you have the initiative and ability to



research the job can make a good impression.

How Can You Meet a Job's Requirements?

Things like your academic record and work experience can show how suited you are to a particular job, but these are not the only things you can include. Other things that can demonstrate your abilities include:

Volunteering or extracurricular activities (including sports or hobbies) Any extra training or courses that you've done (including on-the-job training) Any awards or recognition you've received

If you include this sort of thing, make sure It is specifically related to the job. There's no point mentioning that you coach your sister's soccer team if you're going for a job at a cafe.

Get Someone to Look at It Before You Send It

Most high schools have careers teachers and most universities and TAFEs have career counseling services. If you are a student, get in touch with them and ask them to look at your resume before you send it. They might not be able to look at it straight away, so don't contact them the day before the application is due - allow some time for them to actually read through it.

If you are not a student get a friend or partner to review.

Winning Points

Everyone has a resume’ or had one at one time or another. Resume’ writing takes some skill and there are professionals who write resume’s for people as a profession. These people/ organisations can be found with a simple Google search.

If you don’t want to pay for a professional to write your resume then there are some simple tips to make your resume stand out from others when going for that job interview.

Keep it simple and to the point: Don’t include any information that is not really relevant to job you are going for. The person reading your covering letter and resume are only interested in your ability to do the job being advertised first and foremost.

Use highlights, bold, underline to stress important parts of your covering letter and resume. The interviewer may have 100’s of resumes to read and may only scan over them so highlighting keys skills, strengths and capabilities will add to the chance of being noticed.

“while at university I studied business with major’s in accounting and advanced mathematics”



“while at university I studied business with major’s in accounting and advanced mathematics”

Use words that add more “weight” to your covering letter and resume:

“ my last role involved setting up management systems to monitor incoming stock, inventory management and re-ordering. These systems were eventually adopted by the company nationally.”

“ my last role involved setting up simple to use management systems to monitor incoming stock, inventory management and re-ordering. These systems were universally embraced by the company nationally.”

The following are some key words that should try and be incorporated into your resume:

Innovation Positive Accountability Honesty Creative Credibility Professional Successful Target Timely Consistent Affective Distinctive Potential Trust Performance Motivation Practical Satisfaction Results Mission Advantage Improve Pro-active

Resume Checklist

After you've written your resume, and before sending it, go through this checklist:

o Detail - Make sure you've provided specific examples of your achievements and how you've used the skills you have

o Tailoring - Make sure everything you've included shows how well-suited you are for the specific job you're applying for

o Presentation - Make sure the resume is simple and well laid out, printed on clean, white paper in a standard font (e.g., Times, Arial or Verdana) at a standard size (10 or 12 point)

o Proofreading - Make sure there are not any spelling mistakes, typos or grammatical errors o Get Some Advice - Ask a friend or get a professional to look over your resume before you send

it

Covering Letter

Having a well polished resume’ is critical in obtaining the interview. However a good, well written, covering letter about you and the role is equally important.

Customizing your resume so that it matches the skill set required for a role is now obvious. However, the first connection between you and role is usually the covering letter so let it burst with positive information about how you would be perfect for the role.

A covering letter should not be more than 400 words and should be straight forward and to the point. It should be all about you and how well you would fit into the role and to the organization.



A covering letter should include the following:

Your details: Name, address, telephone, e-mail

Employer details: person conducting the interview, company name, address, e-mail

Purpose of letter: your letter should demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role

Why you want this job: the reason you want this job is that you are the perfect fit for the role and your resume will demonstrate this fact

Your specialist skills that relevant to the job: each role will have specific requirements and or knowledge that you will need to have. Highlight the fact that you have these requirement and or knowledge. For example if you are going for a job as an administration assistant and typing is a key requirement for this role emphasis the fact you are an excellent typist.

Your general skills relevant to the job: all roles require general skills and competencies. These could include: punctuality, well dressed, well spoken, eye for detail etc.

Closing: This is the last chance to express your desire for the job and how you are the perfect person for the job. Thank the person and company for the opportunity to send in your resume and that you a really excited about the opportunity for an interview.

SECTION 2: Search for the right Job “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky

Searching for the right job does take time in most instances, however, knowing exactly what you want, what you are capable of, what you are qualified to do and knowing where you can be flexible can help you find that job in far less time. There are many ways to search for the right job. Some people call this process “job hunting”. It is typically looking for vacancies in organisation that match your skill set and your desire to work for that company. In this section we will look at the following:

Classifieds in newspapers

Job search engines

Business, personal and social networks

Search on companies websites

Private or public employment agency or recruitment firm

Knocking on doors



Search for the right job

Most people need to work or at least work at one time or another during their life. The process usually begins with a person recognizing their need for work and what work they are capable of and or qualified to do. For example a carpenter has no chance of becoming a doctor or a vet becoming an electrician. People search for jobs they know they are suited to. Finding work can be easy for some and more difficult for others depending on what type of work you are after and what you will be satisfied with. For example a person with experience in accounting may find it difficult to find work if they are wanting a salary well above the industry average or a person who is a baker and loves surfing on the weekend might find it difficult to find a bakers job near the ocean due to demand for this lifestyle. Some people may only be able to work certain hours due to family and or other constraints and they too might find it hard to find work that suites them and their potential employer.

Classified Advertisements

Most papers advertise jobs in their classified section. Larger newspapers sometimes have a whole section of their classified dedicated to job vacancies. Usually the larger the newspapers have job advertisements from wider regions that would appeal to a wider audience. Local papers usually only advertise jobs from the local area. Due to rising influence of web based marketing and advertising most newspapers also run their job classifieds on the web as well.

Business, Personal and Social Networks

Sometimes your own network of business colleges, personal friends and your favourite social media sites are a great way to find your perfect job. By telling 100 people that you are looking for work are 100 more people indirectly looking out for jobs for you. They might hear of job that suites you. They might even actively look. By letting people you know you are looking for work in a particular industry and or profession expands your search capabilities through these people. When using these types of networks be bold. Ask these networks to help you find the right job. Dont be shy! Tell these networks what you can do and how good you are at your job.

Going Directly to the Company

Searching on their website Most companies these days have their own website dedicated to promoting the company itself, the goods and services that it sells, its “green” credentials, winning contracts & tenders and other information about the company. Should the company be large enough they may even post their own vacancies on their website.



If you are on the “hunt” for a new job look at the industry you wish to work in and look at companies websites within that industry and see if they are posting vacancies on their site. Knocking on Doors

Sometimes the best way to find a job is to literally knock on the doors of potential employers and just

ask the question: “do you have any vacancies”?

If the answer is no then leave your resume and ask them to keep you on file for future employment

opportunities with the organisation.

Door knocking can show the employer you interested in a job with the organisation and that you are

real “go-getter”.

Private or Public Employment Agency or Recruitment Firm

An employment agency is an organization which matches employers to employees. In most countries there is a

publicly funded employment agency and multiple private businesses which also act as employment agencies

(recruitment company).

Essentially what these companies do is match people with job vacancies.

An employer would let an employment agency know that they are looking for personal and the employment

agency looks through their data base for suitable candidates.

In the case of a recruitment firm the company requiring a vacancy to be filled would pay the recruitment firm a

fee for finding the right candidate. This may require the recruitment firm to advertise the position in the

classified.

Both the employment agency and the recruiting firm would select a number of candidates for the vacancy and

present these candidates to the employer for final interviews.

Helpful Tips

Searching for the right job is never easy, however, to make is simplier follow these steps in the job selection

process:

Know what you are capable of doing! Don’t consider jobs that you have no chance of attaining. Do yourself up a

list of variables for job that you consider important. These might be:

o Flexible working hours

o Salary



o Parking

o Near public transport

o Close to home

o Responsibilities

o Weekend work

o Bonus’s / commissions

o Holidays

o Promotions

Rate these as to how important they are. A job might be paying a great salary but is a long way from home so

your commute is long. How does this weigh up against a good salary?

If you do manage to secure an interview, make sure you ask lots of questions in fact consider it that you are

interviewing the company to see if they are good enough for you. Will taking this position in a company delivery

your career goals. For example you have always wanted to own your tyre fitting business by taking a job as an

administration assistant in a fast food chain help you achieve those goals? It maybe the perfect the perfect step

but always know what you must do to achieve your goals.

Sometimes you do have to settle for second best or maybe third best. One does not always find their perfect

job. If you dont make the best of what you have and keep a look out that perfect job.

SECTION 3: Understanding the Interview “Take risks: if you win, you will be happy; if you lose you will be wise” Author Unknown You have written the resume and applied for the job. Congratulations you have an interview! Can you think of the last interview you had? Was it relaxed and informal, or was it more formal and anxiety-provoking? Understanding what you can do to influence the outcome of the interview will help you to do your best. In this session, you’ll learn about planning for your interviews, including arranging for informational interviews.

Planning for the Interview

As part of the interviewing process three things will be vital in you being selected for the job: You: prepared for the interview, appropriately attired Resume’*: Well structured for easy reading and understanding Portfolio: To get the job the employer/ interviewer wants to see more than your past employment history on your resume. They want to see achievements both in and out of the workplace. Everyone



has a resume but does everyone have a portfolio..... no..... if you don’t have one get one! (give yourself the edge) * Another name for a resume is Curriculum Vitae’(CV) which means: a document that provides an overview of a person's experience and other qualifications. In some countries, a CV is typically the first item that a potential employer encounters regarding the job seeker and is typically used to screen applicants

What It’s All About

People can be nervous in an interview, especially if It is for a job they really want, with an employer for whom they would like to work, or it is one of their first interviews. Really, however, an interview is just a business meeting with a specific purpose. Understanding the intent behind the meeting means that both interviewer and candidate can make the most of it. The employer uses the interview to check you out to see if you might fit their organization and be a benefit to their company. They need to get an idea of the kind of worker you might be, so they look at how you prepare for the interview as a precursor to how you will prepare to work for them. At the same time, the interview gives you a chance to decide if the employer is right for you.

Considering the Questions

It is important to remember that whether the employer invites you to an interview (the most common route) or you invite yourself (as in an informational interview), the meeting focuses on the employer’s needs and what you can do for them, even though the questions seem to be about you. It is a good idea to understand the different types of questions that may be asked and to have thought about the way you might structure your answers. You do not need to memorize your answers. In fact, that can make you sound like you are acting in a play. Instead, you should prepare so that you can relax and pay attention to the conversation and the information the employer is providing, rather than having to quickly come up with answers to questions that you never thought about before. In addition to thinking about the conversation, it is equally important to plan for the event in practical ways. Try to get a good night’s sleep before the interview, eat properly that day, and prepare your clothes the night before so that you will arrive on time.

Information Checklist

Whether you do an interview in person (the most common), over the phone, on the Internet, or even via an audition, preparation and planning are as important as your answers to the interview questions. Before the interview, make sure that you know the:

o Name of the company. o Position you are being interviewed for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employer



o Name of the person (or people) that will be conducting the interview. These first three pieces of information can be obtained from the person that books your interview. Do not, however, bother them for the following additional information unless they offer it. For example, sometimes a Human Resources staffer will offer to send you the links to the company website or provide copies of the annual reports. You should also:

o Familiarize yourself with the company’s purpose and goals. o Gather some information about the company that applies to your interview. Don’t just

focus on the size of the company or the number of employees. Ask questions like: Do they provide a particular (or peculiar) service? Do they have people working in different places? How does what they do relate to the job you are applying for?

o Familiarize yourself with their website. o Check the local library for news articles or other publications containing information about

the company. Know exactly where the interview will take place and know how long it will take to get there

Tying It Together

This preparation may seem like a lot of work, but think of the potential for your conversation. With some research, you can answer a question by framing it with comments that tie their organization to the benefits that you bring to the potential job. You can use phrases like:

o “When I read your annual report, I noticed that…” o “I found an article on your website that talked about…” o “I see that you are expanding operations into… Can you tell me more about that?”

Any organisation wants to know that they are noticed. When you express an interest and do a little homework, you will stand out from other candidates who have not taken the time to learn about the company. This planning will also help you to answer the often asked question: “Tell us what you know about our company.”

What We Want to Know

In reality, the company really wants to know just five things about you: o Why do you want to work there (as opposed to somewhere else)? o What can you do for them? o What kind of a person are you? Will you fit in? Are you easy to get along with? Do you know

what the company thinks is important, and do you share those values? o What makes you different (stand out) from the competition? o Can they afford you, or might you come on board, get trained, and then leave for the first



outside opportunity? You probably want to know similar things about the company:

o Why do I want to work here? (Would I like to do this job for this company?) o What do I need to know (skills, knowledge, and attitude) to do this job well? o Would I like to work with the people that work there? o If this seems like a good place to work, what will make me stand out from the competition

so that they offer me the job? o Can I convince them to hire me at the salary, vacation, and benefit levels that I want?

The Informational Interview

This type of interview is one where you have initiated contact and have asked an employer that you are interested in if you can come talk to them. Your conversation might start like this: “Hello Ms. Smith. My name is Brendan. I have recently graduated from school with my diploma. I understand that you sometimes hire people with my background, and I would like to learn more about your company. Would you be able to meet with me for 20 minutes sometime next week?” Ms. Smith may reply that she would be happy to meet with you and schedule the appointment. If she is not interested, she may simply say that they are not looking right now, but that you are welcome to call in a month. If so, ensure to record her information in your planner so that you can follow up. If you are unable to meet with Ms. Smith, you could politely ask her if there are other companies within the industry that might be able to use someone with your background. If she can, she may provide you with a referral. You can also ask if there is a good time to contact her again, perhaps in three or four weeks. Make sure that you thank Ms. Smith for her time. Remember that you may be contacting her again or that you may be acting on her referral. Be polite and professional.

Guidelines

When you set up your informational interview, there are a few guidelines. First, ask for a 20-minute initial meeting. Don’t ask for a longer meeting because people perceive it to be a greater impact on their day. They often feel that they cannot spare a cold caller (or even a referral) 30 minutes, but can squeeze 20 minutes into their day. Stick to the 20 minutes and not a moment longer! Prepare for this interview as described in the previous section. Know all about the company and what they stand for (or at least as much as is publicly available) so that you can ask questions that are focused and that demonstrate your preparation skills. If there are specific projects coming up or positions that interest you, focus your questions on those. Remember that you are not on the hot seat over a particular job; nor are you there to ask for a job. You are only there to gather information.



When companies agree to meet someone for an information-gathering interview, it is not uncommon for a strong candidate to be interviewed (and even hired) the next time they have a vacancy. This is a demonstration of how the hidden job market works. If Ms. Smith has an opening, before she even has to think about advertising, she can refer to her file of three candidates that approached her for an informational interview. She knows that she has three very keen individuals in her candidate pool, rather than having to sift through a hundred candidates who may or may not be quite so interested.

Preparing for the Informational Interview

Have your list of questions on a clipboard or pad of paper to help keep you focused and on time. After you provide a two-minute summary of what you know about the company, as well as your background, ask the questions that you prepared. (Remember that since you initiated this meeting, you are asking the questions.) Here are some potential questions that you might want to include in your 20-minute meeting:

o What kinds of projects are going on right now (such as looking at expansion, new market areas, etc.)?

o Can you tell me what the people who work here say about this company? (This might be anecdotal or they could show you an employee engagement survey, for example.)

o What would you say are the biggest challenges for this industry right now? o How do you go about finding the people that you wish to hire? o What kind of mood are people in when they leave work at the end of a shift? o Are there special courses or training that help people to be considered for positions here? o Is it possible for someone with my background to be considered for positions here? If not,

what would you suggest is a good developmental step for me? Bring a copy of your resume with you to the meeting, but only provide it if you are asked. You may also wish to have your portfolio with you, but again, only provide it if asked. Information gathering meetings can shift to a more formal interview if the employer is interested in hiring you. If that is the case, your 20-minute period may not be enough. You can say something like this: “I promised to only take up 20 minutes today and I respect your time. Would you like me to schedule another appointment?”

Follow-up from the Informational Interview

Following the meeting, send Ms. Smith a thank you note, in appreciation of her time and information. This shows her that you genuinely appreciate her time. It also reminds her of your visit and may encourage her to think about you favorably in terms of your job search. Ensure to include your phone number on the note. Sample wording for a thank you note might look like this:



Dear Ms. Smith, Thank you for meeting with me yesterday. I really appreciate your time and the information that you shared with me. If you feel that my skills might be of help to you in the future, I would be happy to hear from you.

Yours truly, Ima Looking

(919) 919-9191

SECTION 4: Types of Questions “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” Confucius Questions (especially the open ended kind) will help to get the interview moving. They also give you a chance to demonstrate your past successes and what you bring to the company. Are you ready? In this section, you will prepare to answer a variety of questions that help you demonstrate your value to the hiring company.

Behavioural Questions

Employers generally rely on one or two types of questions: behavioral and knowledge. Understanding the types of questions that an employer may ask will help you to prepare for your meetings. In large or medium-size companies, It is common to be interviewed by more than one person, and for them to have a list of questions ready. These questions often fall into a behavioral category and start with a phrase like, “Tell me about a time when…” Although it may seem like the employer wants to know a lot of your history and how you handle things, they are really considering your past behavior as a predictor of future behavior and how that could benefit them. Some examples of these questions are:

o Tell me about a time when a customer insisted on speaking to your supervisor. o Tell me about a time when people you supervised were fighting.

Here are the top ten behavioral questions you may be asked during a job interview:

o Tell me when you have worked effectively under pressure o How did you handle a challenge? Give me an example o Have you ever made a mistake? How did you handle it? o Give me an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it



o Describe a decision you made that wasn’t popular and you handled implementing it o Give an example of how you set goals and achieve them o Give an example of how you worked as a team o What do you do if you disagree with someone at work? o Share an example of how you were able to motivate employees or co-workers o Have you handled a difficult situation? How?

How to answer Behavioural Questions

A great method is to use when preparing your answers is GOS, where you outline a Goal, Obstacles, and Solution. Here’s an example: “We had a problem with serving customers on time (Goal). We either left them on the phone too long when they wanted to order, or we had line ups that were so long at the counter, customers were leaving (Obstacles). To overcome the problem, I… (Solution).” Ensure to detail how you overcame those obstacles, including figures or numbers whenever possible.

The “Weakness” Question

What is your biggest weakness? This is one of the interviewer’s favorite questions. Employers will ask you interview questions about your strengths, so make sure you know what those are. They may also ask you to describe your weaknesses, which can rattle some people. If they ask about a weakness, offer an answer that also describes what you have done to overcome that weakness so that it doesn’t stop you from doing your job.

We will give you tips on how to answer this questions on the next page

How to Answer the “Weakness” Question

When answering this question you have to consider three mains part to your answer: Your strength in the answer Your weakness in the answer The correction in the answer Here is an example answer to your biggest weakness question: “I consider myself to be someone who is creative and imaginative, and enjoy developing new approaches to solve problems……. But I’ve needed to recognize that new approach maybe less effective than the tried and true. I am careful not to always push the new way and learn how others have been successful before me”



Strength: I consider myself to be someone who is creative and imaginative, and enjoy developing new approaches to solve problems Weakness: But I’ve needed to recognize that new approach may be less effective than the tried and true. Correction: I am careful not to always push the new way and learn how others have been successful before me Before any interview you should practice answering a “weakness” question. Have a few answers ready for the interview that are relevant to the particular role/ position/ company. The weakness question from the interviewer is designed to make think on the spot, to question yourself and test your confidence. Getting this one right moves you right up the top of the pile for getting that job.

Knowledge Questions (Job Specific)

In other interviews, or combined with behavioral questions, you will commonly be asked knowledge questions. These often refer to things that you know or do in general. These questions might start with: “Tell us what you know about…” They can be about your industry in general, advances in your field, big projects, changes in the economy, and so on.

Can you do the job? That's at the forefront of the hiring manager's mind when conducting job interviews. Job specific interview questions are designed to measure a candidate's ability to perform the duties of the job against the skill set required for the position. In a nutshell, the hiring manager wants to know if you have the skills do the job.

This type of interview question is especially important for jobs where you need technical knowledge or where the company needs an experienced candidate who can do the job from the first day on the job.

How to Answer Knowledge Questions

Check the Job Requirements. Before you go to an interview, check the job requirements listed in the job posting you responded to. Make a list of the skills you have that match those requirements Show What You Know. Show the interviewer that you know how to do the job by giving specific examples of the knowledge you have when responding to interview questions. Showcase Your Skills. As I mentioned, the company has a specific skill set in mind. That's why you were selected for an interview. The skills you listed on your resume and mentioned in your cover letter got

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsearchglossary/g/skill-set.htm



you the interview. Ensure that you know exactly what's on your resume or CV and what you entered if you filled out a job application. Highlight the most relevant skills during your interview. Capitalize on Credentials. Do you have a degree or have you taken coursework in the field? Do you have certifications or special training for the job? Ensure to mention your credentials during the interview. Knowledge really is power when it comes to job interviews and the more you can relay what you know, the better chance you will have of being invited for a second interview and ultimately getting a job offer. Be Honest. Regardless of how much you want the job, be honest and don't say you know how to do something if you don't. If you don't have all the required skills or educational requirements the company may be willing to train you.

Typical “Work History” Questions

The job interview can be broken into three main questions

What have you done? What skills do you have? How will you contribute to our company?

Prepare stories for all three, and you’ll be ready for the interview. The first set of questions we will look at are the "Work History" or the "What have you done?" questions. Read on to learn more.

Typical Work History Questions

What you did do to prepare for this job and what you’ll do once you’re hired.

When a recruiter asks you about work experience, they are not interested in your biography. They want to know what you’ve accomplished as a professional and how your past experiences have prepared you for the job you are interviewing for. So show recruiters your past developments, successes, and failures. You want to offer an engaging account of your career development, the more honest the better. Describe how you’ve prepared to help that company fulfill its goals.

Typical questions:

Tell me about yourself. Tell me about your work history. What career accomplishment are you most proud of? What’s the biggest mistake you made in your career and what did you learn from it? Why do you have an employment gap? Why did you leave your previous job? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? What other companies are you interviewing with?

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviews/a/secondinterview.htm



What are your salary requirements? What is your dream job? What motivates you? How do you define success?

Example:

I spent time interning at McGuirk Marketing Consultants, there I worked under Bill Davies developing social media strategy. Our initial Facebook initiative brought in over 100K in revenue. I used my experience at McGuirk Consultants to land a position with Madison Games, a app developer, who I developed and launched their entire social media presence. My efforts at Madison not only increased downloads of apps via social media promotions, but also built up an extensive social community. I plan to bring these experiences to your firm, ultimately to develop a social media presence that brings awareness to your products, refer new customers to your product, and build a loyal base of followers.

Notice what exactly the candidate promised to do for the company. They demonstrated how tasks had been performed in the past. This is a key way to show the recruiter you are just blowing hot air; youve done this before.

Typical “Your Skills” Questions

We will now look at the "What skills do you have?" question. Below you will see a list of example questions an interviewer may use to determine whether the skills you have a relevant to the job you are applying for.

A recruiter will ask you a number of questions related to your skills. Here there may be a temptation to talk about yourself. This is wrong approach. Instead, discuss your skills as they relate to the job you are applying to. Questions related to your work history and skills are meant to give the recruiter an idea of how you respond to adversity, how well you know your limits, and if you’re an honest person.

You will also probably run into some personal questions related to your skills. Use these questions to show how you fit with a company and how you identify yourself. If questions about your hobbies provide you a way to discuss further development of your skills that are applicable to the job, you should use this time to highlight that.

Again, crafting a story about your skills will help you prepare for skill related questions.

Typical questions:

What experience do have doing X (a specific skill mentioned in job post)? What is your biggest weakness? What is your biggest strength? Tell me about a problem you had in a previous job and how you solved it.



What issues do you see facing this position? When can you work? Can you work 40+hours a week? What hobbies, interests do you have? What was the last book you read? What is your favorite website?

Example:

I developed my writing abilities in university through my Fine Arts Degree. I further honed this skill with time spent freelancing and interning with various media outlets. During that same time I also spent time working close to social media. This included volunteering as a social media community manager for a local non-profit. From that time I have taken new job opportunities that have allowed to develop my skills related to social media and writing. Realizing I lacked a breadth of multimedia skills I also took it upon to myself to learn the Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, Pro Tools, and digital photography.

These skills have enabled me to deliver a number of different types of content across social media channels for my previous employers. I’ve produced video content when an outside vendor couldn’t in time and created all image-based content when the market budget didn’t allow much for expenses.

When I’m not working I manage a forum and am a regular contributing blogger with a number of websites.

Notice that the candidate brought everything back to the postiton they're interviewing for. Even the questions about personal time used to show dedication to a specific skill set and career. Employers look for passion, and your skill can demonstrate how dedicated you are to your craft.

Click next and we will discuss the last question "How will you contribute to our company?" questions.

Typical Questions Regarding You’re Fit into the Company

What will you do for our company in this position? This is crucial is determining whether you are successful or not.

The last grouping of questions relates to the company itself. These questions represent the recruiter’s best attempt to determine how strong a fit you are for the company. To prepare for these questions establish a strong knowledge of the company, the position, job responsibilities and functions, the company’s industry and direction.

Developing a story works here as well. First, learn everything you can about the specific offerings of the company. From there establish how the position you are interviewing for fits into that offering. Then think about how you can use that position to improve the company’s offerings. The more specific you can be about the relationship between the company’s business, your position, and how you could leverage that position to benefit the company, the more you will seem the right person for the job.

Typical questions:



Why are you interested in a job at our company? How did you find out about our company? What can you tell me about our company? Why should we hire you? How will you contribute to our company and staff? If you started today, what would be the first thing that you did? What do you look for in a boss? What kind of work environment do you function best in? What is the biggest challenge facing our company, do you think?

Example:

With my previous work experience I have had the opportunity to develop skills that will help me execute a social media strategy that will bring your organization a new revenue source and greatly increase the size of your fan base in the mobile gaming community.

To this end I am looking for a position that will not only enable me to build out the social media component of your already successful mobile gaming business. I feel that your company’s environment that fosters creativity and acknowledges success is the perfect environment to execute this.

Here you see everything should be brought back to a discussion about the specifics of the company and the position itself. This story should encompass how you will make this position a success and contribute to the company’s overall goals.

Other Options

In other interviews, you may be asked to prepare a presentation or audition for the interviewer to watch. This is common for people in artistic work (such as music, dance, art, and photography) as well as teaching, training, some computer fields, and the service industry (table setting in a big hotel, for example).

SECTION 5: Getting Ready “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us” Alexander Graham Bell There are a huge range of questions that an employer can ask. They can relate to the technical aspects of the job you applied on, your potential fit with the workplace culture, and how you might relate to the people who work there already. In this session, you’ll explore some tips for answering questions to the very best of your ability. Time to don the thinking cap!

Warms Ups and Tips for Interview Preparation



“Never tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon”Author Unknown

What kinds of things give you butterflies in your stomach? Interviews can really make some people nervous, although the more of them you do, the easier you will find the process.

Since people often experience butterflies or stage fright before speaking in public, here are a few exercises to help you get going. In addition to doing some relaxation exercises, it also helps to know your content (in this case, your portfolio, résumé, cover letter, and work based vignettes). You should also be familiar with the values and goals of your prospective employer, and be comfortable relying on the tips that we discussed earlier.

We recommend arriving ten minutes early so that you have the chance to calm your breathing and focus on the activities that are coming up. As well, visit a washroom in the building. It puts things into perspective and reminds us that we all have bodily needs; even the interviewer will have had to visit a washroom today.

Right before the interview, go through a 1-2-3 exercise, like the one below:

One thing that I like about this company (or building) already Two things that I accept about myself Three things that I like about myself

First Impressions count

o Arrive early for the interview. This shows the employer that you are punctual and eager the interview and the job

o Positive body language- firm handshake, straight posture, eye contact o SMILE

Greetings Learn how to shake hands. When you present yourself for your interview, make sure that your portfolio is in your left hand so that you can shake with your right hand without fumbling the portfolio from one hand to the other. Many people do not have a good handshake, so practice is key. Getting Started

When employers interview candidates, they can be as nervous as you are. Sometimes they have experience interviewing, and other times they don’t. They will want you to do well in your interview, so they may start the interview with some chatter to help you relax. In return, you can also help them relax simply by smiling, appearing ready, and encouraging their questions. You do not need to memorize answers to questions. If you do, what you say can seem forced, as though you are acting a part in a play. However, it is important for you to think about strong examples of your skills and background that you want to share. You can use your portfolio to support the answers that you provide and to highlight actual examples of your work. It is also helpful as a



demonstration of how organized and thorough you are.

Getting Started

When employers interview candidates, they can be as nervous as you are. Sometimes they have experience interviewing, and other times they don’t. They will want you to do well in your interview, so they may start the interview with some chatter to help you relax. In return, you can also help them relax simply by smiling, appearing ready, and encouraging their questions.

You do not need to memorize answers to questions. If you do, what you say can seem forced, as though you are acting a part in a play. However, it is important for you to think about strong examples of your skills and background that you want to share. You can use your portfolio to support the answers that you provide and to highlight actual examples of your work. It is also helpful as a demonstration of how organized and thorough you are.

The Interview

Follow these tips for success at the interview.

o Be yourself o Be Honest o Have more than one copy of your resume you never know if more than one person will be

doing the interview o Be prepared but don’t talk too much unless that is the way of the interview o Don’t be afraid to ask for clarifications if you are unsure of something o Illustrate your answers with examples o Sell yourself o Be interesting o Turn off your mobile phone

Practice Makes Perfect

“All our dreams come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” Walt Disney We’ve already talked about how the job interview gets easier with practice. Mastering the interview means reading about techniques and then practicing your skills. This slide considers some tough questions and how you might answer them. If possible, grab a friend or a video camera before you start this session. Practice Makes Perfect

Read each of these questions out loud and answer it as if you were in an interview. If possible, role play the questions with a friend or videotape yourself.

o Why do you want to work here?



o Can you tell me about a time when you had a customer who had a hissy fit and what you did about it?

o Can you tell me how you go about prioritizing your work? o Do you have a disability that I should know about? o How old are your children (if you have any)? o What kind of driving experience do you have? o What kind of professional journals, reports, or magazines do you read? o What kind of courses do you like to take to learn more about your job? o Are you available to work shifts that rotate seven days a week and 24 hours a day? o There is travel involved in this job, and you will have to be away for about four days every

month. Is that a problem?

Prepare Your Answers

If you are being formally interviewed, you can expect that an interviewer will take some notes. In some instances, and depending on the level of the job, they will take lots of notes and then grade your answers after the interview. Employers use this standard method to help them remember whom they’ve interviewed. If you structure your answers using the GOS (Goal – Obstacle – Solution) method, you will have included all the necessary information. If you can enhance your answers with results (i.e., numbers), that will help to improve your score. The 50-50 You need to have a blend of speaking and listening during the interview. This means that the employer will spend half the time talking, and you the other half. They will be providing you with information about the organization and the job. If you talk too much, you may come across as overbearing; talk too little, and the employer might think that you are trying to hide something about your background. Aim for the 50-50 balance. The 30-2 The best impression comes from speaking for between 30 seconds and two minutes at a time in an interview. If it takes more than two minutes to answer a question, you may be rambling or not sure what the question was asking. Stop and ask for clarification if you need to, and recognize that not everything needs a long explanation.

Do you have any questions?

Now that you know about the “50-50” and “30-2” what happens if you have more questions to ask of the interviewer? Nine times out of ten the interviewer, at the end of the interview will ask you if you have any other questions for them. This is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate your research on the company



and the role and your desire for the position on offer. Before the interview note down on a pad 3-10 important questions about the job/role that you need to know. When the question is asked “do you have any other questions for me about the role?” you can pull out your pad and ask some questions of the interviewer. Doing this shows the following traits:

o Prepared for the interview

o Eager for the position

o Knowledgeable on the company and the role

In the case where the interviewer does not ask you whether of not you have any questions for them, ask them if they have time to answer two or three questions you have on the position/role. This will again show your determination for the position and your willingness to learn about the role. If they say they don’t have time you have still shown your enthusiasm.

Wrapping Up

Once the interviewer has finished asking questions, they will ask you if you have any. You need to prepare several questions in advance. Try to create questions that you do not think the employer will answer during the interview. Look beneath the surface and explore things that you really want to know about the place you are considering. You can modify the samples below to suit your needs and area of work.

o What methods of training are currently being utilized here? o How much time is granted for mandatory skills updating for staff? o What are the first objectives for a new person coming into this role? o In which area do your priorities need the most attention? o Do you have other specific projects that you want me to be involved in? o What is staff turnover like in my prospective department? Organizationally? o What could I expect by way of orientation? o Who is responsible for emergency preparedness training? Fire safety? Health and safety? o What would make me want to work here more than anywhere else in this industry?

The Final Stage

o Know when the interview is over – read the employers body language o Thank him/ her for their time o If you get the job ask for feedback. If you don’t get the job ask for feedback.

General Interview Tips



Resourcefulness Demonstrate that you are a needed resource, but not desperate for a job. Make sure that your answers, even when you are talking about yourself, focus on what the employer needs. (This can take some practice.) The employer is looking for someone who adds value to his or her organization, not someone who might turn into a problem or who simply wants the job to make a living. They want someone who cares about what they want. You’ll have to show them that you are that person. Portfolio Make sure that you have your portfolio with you as a demonstration of the work that you have done and can do. If you do not have a portfolio, consider creating one because of the value that it brings to an interview. For example, instead of simply saying that you can produce excellent work, you can use your portfolio to show some pictures of work that you have done, even if you are new to the workforce and the pictures are of projects that you did in school. If you do not have a portfolio, make sure that you bring copies of your cover letter, resume (or application form), and references with you. This demonstrates that you are organized, efficient, and serious about getting a job. It also gives you the opportunity to offer copies to the interviewer if they have not brought any to the interview. History A new job is about making positive changes. Do not badmouth your previous (or current) employer in the interview, no matter how tempted you are. The world is smaller than you think, and you don’t want the new employer to get a negative impression of you right away; nor will you want your attitude getting back to your previous employer. Scope Accept that an interview is part of your research about the world of work, not just about that company. You do not have to take a job that seems wrong for you (for example, if it conflicts with your values) or is unable to make you feel confident and proud about working there. You won’t like the job and will soon start looking for another one. Empathy Understand the employer’s concerns about this interview. These could include any of the following:

o Is this a candidate who interviews well but performs poorly? o Will this candidate do his or her best to be here on time, and for each scheduled shift? o What if this candidate gets hired and trained, and then leaves in a few weeks or months? o Is this candidate someone who wants to put in a good effort, or someone that just wants to

do the minimum requirements? o What if this candidate turns out to be irresponsible, foolish or dishonest, a gossip, a crook,

or something worse, and makes me look bad?

Dress for Success

Dress for success. When you go for an interview, the rule of thumb is to dress one step above the



position you want. If you are going after a job in the service industry, dress the way you expect your supervisor would. If you are looking at an entry-level administrative position, dress as a manager does. No matter what the nature of the job is, your clothes must be clean, pressed, and free of imperfections like dog hair and stains. Your shoes should be neat and in good repair, and can reflect the type of work that you do. They should also be polished. If you work in the trades, or are interviewing for a job that will lead to wearing a uniform, do not wear your work clothes to your interview. A nice pair of slacks/ skirt , a shirt with a collar, and a good pair of shoes will put you in a professional and presentable light, and make you look like someone who wants to be taken seriously.



SESSION 6: Common Problems and Solutions “Opportunities don’t often come along. So, when they do, you have to grab them” Audrey Hepburn Have you ever left an interview and thought of a brilliant way you could have replied to a particular question as you walked out the door? You’re not alone! We often have a better conversation in our head after the interview is over. In this section, you will consider the value of best intentions and taking the lead when approaching your interview.

Out of Bounds

Uncomfortable topics can come up in an interview. Knowing how to respond to them helps you to manage the interview with finesse. If the interviewer asks you questions that you think are illegal or inappropriate, you can politely tell them that. For example, it is illegal in many jurisdictions to ask people about their ethnic background, sick time usage, or religion. Here are some questions that are not allowed:

o How many sick days do you take a year? o Have you ever had a long-term or workers’ compensation claim? o Do you have a disability? o Do you have young children at home? o What religion are you? o What is your ethnic background or country of origin?

Preparing Your Answers

Most interviewers have good intentions and just want to know about the kind of work you do and whether you will fit into the organization. Someone who is inexperienced or who simply dismisses the law could also interview you. You will have to decide how far you want to go in an answer, depending on your own comfort level. You’ll also have to decide what to say in order to help with the flow of conversation. For example, if you know that the organization operates with a rotating shift schedule that includes Sunday morning, and you normally attend church at that time, you could mention your situation along with a solution. Here are two examples.

o “I am happy to work whatever shifts you offer. I normally attend church on Sunday, so I would prefer not to work at that time, but I’d be happy to work Friday evenings if that’s a time that people normally want to have off, or at another time.”

o “I normally attend services on Saturday evening, and I can appreciate that many people want that time off. Would it be possible to alternate shifts, or to work two Saturday evenings and have two off a month so that I can still worship with my congregation? In return, I’d be happy to work a Sunday shift when I know that other people are attending



church.” Or, perhaps you have a physical need that the employer is focusing on. Focus on being a problem solver instead of just stating what you want. (Otherwise, you may come across as having a bad attitude or being a troublemaker.) You might say something like: “I know that I am able to do the work that you have described and, in fact, I am excited about the opportunity to work here. I do have a prosthetic leg and that makes standing for long periods or going up and down stairs quickly a challenge, but I am fine as long as I have a stool nearby.” Usually, when you are up front and communicate your needs, an employer is happy to accommodate you. If he or she is unable to make allowances for your needs, ask for an explanation of why not so that you can work on a solution together. Going back to the example above, sometimes a stool might seem like a hazard (since other people may trip on it), but it may not really be the problem. The employer may not be used to working with people who know what they need, or who have special needs in the workplace. Be confident in yourself. If you believe that you can honestly do the job, the employer will benefit from having you, just as you benefit by being there.

Ability-Based Questions

Be aware of how employers might ask you about your ability to do a particular job. For example, an interviewer might ask if you have a disability that could affect your ability to do the job. The question is often phrased like this: “Is there anything that would prevent you from performing the duties of this job exactly as I have described them to you?” This question is allowed because the employer is asking it in terms of your ability to do the job. The question behind these questions is also, “Are you capable of performing the duties of this job?” That’s the information a prospective employer needs to know. Be aware that you might be asked questions like those above and plan for how you will answer them.

Let’s be honest as much as the interviewer is interested in you during the interview they are more interested in how you will make a difference to the organization they work for or own! The following are three key questions that most employers will ask that will give them some idea as to how you might fit into the organization and make a positive difference: Why do you want this job? Why should we hire you? What are your goals for the future? Be ready for these questions. Answer them honestly and don’t ever exaggerate there is nothing worse than starting a new job and you don’t completely meet the employers expectations.



Avoiding Awkwardness

One way to avoid awkward questions is for you to be up front with any issues. Don’t leave all the responsibility with the employer. For example, if you prefer not to work rotating shifts or to relocate, there is no point accepting a job where you are expected to do those things. Don’t expect that an employer will not add you to a shift rotation just because you do not like working a particular shift. There are probably plenty of other staff who don’t like working all shifts, but they like their jobs for other reasons and are willing to make a trade off. Chances are that you won’t be able to work your way into your most desired hours on your first day. Approach the labor market with a good understanding of whether your type of work is a shift position or not. Be honest with yourself about the nature of the job market, where more and more positions involve shift work. Be frank about areas of your resume or portfolio where the employer might have questions. For example, gaps in your work history may be an issue. Questions about your appearance or demeanor (such as tattoos and piercings) may also come up. Being open to a potential employer’s questions will help them to see you as a person of interest rather than as a potential liability or troublemaker before you even begin sharing your information.

Choosing What To Share

A candidate’s comfort level with disclosing helps an employer to make a decision about who to hire. Some things, however, bear careful consideration. If you have a medical condition that is well managed and will not affect your ability to do the job, or you have a medical condition that does not require some kind of accommodation, you do not have to disclose it. This is a particularly sensitive area when we think about mental health issues. Many people live productive lives and work with conditions like depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which they have learned to manage. If the condition does not affect your ability to do your job, you do not have to disclose it to an employer. In fact, we find that very few employers understand how they can support employees who have mental health or chronic health conditions, so when candidates disclose these issues, the employer may not consider them any further. If you are not sure how to handle a disclosure about a health issue, we strongly recommend that you work on this with a career development professional.

SECTION 7: Phase Two “Fall seven times, stand up eight” Japanese proverb So you survived the interview! Congratulations! What happens next depends on the company, their approach to employee selection, and how you’ve scored in the process so far. Are you ready for the



follow up? In this session, you’ll learn what to expect after the interview – maybe another interview! – and how to respond if they do not select you.

What to Expect After the Interview

If you do well in your initial interview and the company is interested in you, they may need some additional information. This is sometimes approached through a second interview, which may be presented in several ways, or through testing to demonstrate your abilities. In a large company, a panel of three to five people often conducts the second interview. These individuals are often at a higher level on the organizational chart than the person who initially interviewed you, or they may simply be different people who work at your level or different members of the Human Resources team. When they call you to arrange your second interview, ensure to ask who is on the panel so that you can prepare accordingly. Second interviews are often structured around behavioral interview questions. Normally, they won’t be the same questions you were asked in the first interview. Some managers like to structure second interviews in a different way. This may be a chance for you to have lunch with your potential manager or coffee with potential teammates.

A Few Guidelines for Eating While Interviewing

If you are invited to lunch, from an etiquette point of view, your host should pay, but this can be awkward. Make sure you have money with you to pay for your own lunch if you need to. Use your best table manners. Place your napkin on your lap. Know which cutlery to use, and put it down between bites. If you are not sure what to do, ask a friend or trusted family member, or look it up on the Internet. Eating with a potential boss (or client) is an opportunity to display yourself, so make yourself proud. Chew with your mouth closed. Don’t talk with your mouth full and don’t slurp. Your host should provide you with an indication of a price limit. (“Please order anything you like under $15. That way I can claim it on my expenses.” Or, “Everything here is good, and this meal is my treat, so have whatever you like.”) If your host doesn’t let you know the budget for the meal, politely ask or choose a meal similar in price to the one he or she selects. Remember that this meal (your interview) is about the employer, not you. You do not have to order the most expensive item on the menu. Avoid food that will drip, squirt, or otherwise create a scene. Stick to dishes that are simple and manageable. You don’t want to feel self-conscious because you are trying not to stain your good shirt or because you cannot squish the bun of a giant hamburger enough to get it into your mouth. Ask questions that show your interest in the company or position. You will have had some time to think



about things and your questions will help keep the conversation moving throughout the meeting.

Guidelines on Alcohol

Never, ever consume alcohol at an interview or business meeting if you will be driving home. If you think that since the boss is having one, you should too, and you are driving yourself home, think again. If your hosts orders a drink, you may too, but only if they invite you to. Otherwise, stick to non-alcoholic beverages.

Pre-Employment Testing

Pre-employment testing is becoming quite popular. It assures employers that a candidate has the basic skills for a job, and that the candidate has the skills that they reported on their resume. For a candidate, testing is an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities, as well as your honesty in your resume. Employers often use test and other pre-interview selection procedures to screen applicants for hire. The type of tests and selection procedures utilized include cognitive tests, personality tests, physical tests and in some instances background checks. Companies can legally use these tests, as long as they don’t use them to discriminate based on race, colour, sex, nationality. Religion, disability or age. Employment tests must be validatd for the jobs they are being hired for and for the purposes for which they are being used. Some common type of tests:

Personality tests: assess the degree to which a person has certain traits or dispositions or predicts the likelyhood that a person will engage in certain conduct. For example Psychometric test. Talent tests: are used to help employer identify candidates that will be good fit for the jobs. Talent assessments help predict a new hire’s performance and retainability. Physical exams: Employers may require a pre-employment physical examination to determine the suitability of an individual for the job. Cognitive tests: measure a candidates reasoning, memory, perceptual speed and accuracy, and skills in arithmetic and reading comprehension, as well as knowledge of a particular function or job.

Psychometric Test



Prior to an interview or even after an interview and interviewer might ask you to sit a Psychometric Test….. don’t be scared…… this is becoming more and more common as employers “try” to take the guess work out of trying to find the best person for the job.

Psychometric testing refers to the process of measuring a candidate's relevant strengths and weaknesses. This form of measurement is primarily employed to assess employment suitability, including company-candidate fit. The aim of psychometric tests is to gain an accurate bearing of the candidate's cognitive abilities and personality/behavioural style. In simple terms a psychometric test involves three main areas: Abstract reasoning- It measures your lateral thinking skills or fluid intelligence, which are your ability to quickly identify patterns, logical rules and trends in new data, integrate this information, and apply it to solve problems. It measures what most people would refer to as ‘ street smarts’ and the ability to ‘think on your feet’ Numerical reasoning- measures your ability to interpret, analyse and draw logical conclusions based on numerical data presented in graphs and tables. Verbal reasoning- understanding and reasoning using concepts framed in words. It aims at evaluating ability to think constructively, rather than at simple fluency or vocabulary recognition. If you have never sat for a Psychometric test before you can find numerous free “training” tests online and usually they are broken up into the three main areas.

Being Told “No, Thanks”

Once you’ve made it through the interview, It is time for the offer. If you are a confident individual, you can ask for the job at the end of the interview. You can say something like, “I would like to work with you. Can you offer me this job?” A large number of successful offers can come from that kind of confidence. Often, an employer will tell you that they’ll get back to you with a decision within a couple of days. You can then ask, “If I don’t hear from you by Tuesday, can I have the number for whomever I should call to follow up?” Make sure you call on the appointed day so that you do not miss an opportunity. Sales managers have been known to offer a job only to candidates who actually follow up like they said they would. Following up on your interview is important. It demonstrates your commitment, and if you are not successful in getting the job, it provides you with helpful information. If they call to say, “No, thanks,” ask them, “Why not?” Often, an employer will answer this question, but only if you ask. You can phrase the question like this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Understanding

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reasoning

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocabulary



o “Can you tell me what made the candidate you selected stand out?” o “Can you tell me what I can do to improve my chances of being selected next time?”

Write down the answer that the employer offers. If your emotions are close to the surface when you get the news, you may not remember what they said. If you write down their comments, you can refer to them when you are ready to digest the information. Perhaps the person that got the job has more years in the industry or performed better in testing. In psychological testing for the military or police work, sometimes issues arise that a candidate must address through counseling. After dealing with their issue, they may re-apply and get hired. Always ask for feedback if possible.

Previous Employers

Never ever speak badly about a previous employer! The reason for this it the interviewer may wonder if you will bad mouth his or her company next time you are looking for work. A popular interview question is “why did you leave your last job”? or “ why are you looking to change jobs”? Sometimes this can be very difficult to answer especially if you were fired. Being honest is the first step in answering this question. It you don’t tell the truth you will be found out. Put a positive “spin” on your answer:

o Found myself needing new challenges

o No room for growth within the company

o Laid off due to restructuring

o Company was cutting back and my role was one to go

o Needed a role with more managerial responsibilities

o Unfortunately the job I was doing changed into something I was uncomfortable with

o Travel to and from work meant I spent more time travelling than working and spending time with my

family

Always remember the past is the past. When in an interview emphasise this fact and that you are motivated and excited about new opportunities.

SECTION 8: Sealing the Deal “Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it” Katherine Whitehorn Once you’ve been through a few interviews, you might think It is okay to slow down your job search and take it easy. In reality, you want to continue to look at opportunities and options until you have a written offer that you can accept. In this session, you’ll learn about accepting an offer, explore the idea of getting what you are worth and



negotiating. As well as the necessary ingredients for a resignation.

Job Offers

Congratulations! You got the job. A job offer can be offered verbally or in writing. The style depends on the disposition of your new manager and the type of work you will be doing. If you are going to work for a company that has certain regulations and rules you must agree to, the offer will come in writing and you will be required to sign it before you start work. Before you sign a job offer letter, ensure to read the fine print. Usually, the offer that you received verbally is accurately captured in the letter, but other times it is not. Make sure the letter clearly describes:

o Your start date and first shift time o Hours of work o Terms of pay o Mandatory deductions (union dues, benefits, etc.) o Uniforms (Do you have to wear one? When? Who pays for it – you or the employer?) o Non-competition clauses o Vacation o Other terms you negotiated

Some employers do not routinely produce a letter of offer, but it is always a good idea to ask for one, and to keep it in a safe place at home. For example, students who work part-time during school often work in the service industry. They need to know whether the employer expects them to work shifts that will interfere with school. Although in some jurisdictions, students are prohibited from working after 10:00 p.m., other communities may schedule students for any hour. Some young people are surprised to learn they are expected to be at work until 1:00 a.m. on a school night. Don’t get caught by surprise: ask for that letter.

Resignations

The rule of thumb is that you do not give your resignation from your current job until you have your new job offer in hand. Otherwise, you may quit one job only to discover that you don’t have another one to go to, or that the terms of employment in your letter of offer were not quite what you expected. You should write a letter of resignation. In practical terms, this letter should be short. It can be handwritten or typed. You do not have to mention the reasons that you are leaving the job or problems that you encountered. Sometimes, these things are best left unsaid in the resignation, but you may wish to bring them up in a last meeting with your boss (sometimes referred to as an exit interview). The key ingredients for a letter of resignation are:

o The length of notice o The last day of work



Negotiation

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” Benjamin Franklin Some people hate to negotiate, but negotiating your value at the time of the job offer is the best time to do it. Even if the employer is unable to negotiate on salary, there may be other things worth thinking about.

Negotiating Tips and Tricks

Some candidates may shy away from negotiating a job offer, but this is actually the best, and possibly the only, time to negotiate what you are worth. Employers generally have room to negotiate the terms of hiring, even when they say they don’t. It is sensible to negotiate terms that are flexible before you sign a letter of offer. None of us work for free, and everyone wants to be paid what they are worth. How do we learn exactly what an employer can offer us? We ask for what we want. If your new employer has to abide by a pay grid that has been negotiated as a part of a union agreement, he or she will not be able to negotiate pay with you because that would violate the terms of collective bargaining. Hopefully, the union has already done a good job on your behalf. Non-unionized employers do not have collective bargaining restraints, so your ability to get what you are worth can be based on your own negotiation skills. Negotiate what you feel you are worth in terms of an hourly wage or annual salary. Know what people in your field are making so that you are competitive. Many regions have local employer survey results on salary and benefits. If your region has them, use them. If your region doesn’t have them, use those from a region close to you. In addition to salary (and because sometimes because there is limited negotiating room on salary), you can negotiate the number of weeks of vacation you get every year and when you start to accrue them. You can also negotiate the hours that you will work every day (e.g., a compressed work week), the date that your benefits will start (e.g., waiving an enrollment waiting period), telecommuting options, and so on. Another sometimes overlooked area in hiring negotiation is professional development. Are there courses, workshops, or seminars that would benefit you in your new job that the employer can send you to? Make sure that you are happy with the terms you negotiate before signing any that are captured in your job offer letter.

Keeping Perspective While you go through your job search, It is important to take a few steps back now and again to



maintain your perspective. You may be excited about new opportunities, but do not let your enthusiasm mean that you do a poor job during the last few weeks at your current job. You may be feeling really disgruntled or disappointed about your old job, but don’t let that get in the way of how you exit that job, and don’t gripe and grumble about the workplace. Be professional and courteous, and always maintain a standard to do your best work. Friends that you are leaving behind will not feel slighted if you depart in that way, and your reputation as a decent individual will be maintained. Keep your wits about you when your job search gets frustrating. Make sure that you take time each day to eat right and get some exercise because that helps you to stay strong. You can also spend some time reflecting on and visualizing your goals.

The Interview Checklist

So you have managed to secure a job interview either through your own initiative or responding to a job being advertised. Preparing for an interview is just as important as the interview itself. There are four stages in the interview process and each as important as the other. Stage 1 – Proper Preparation

Re-read your CV/ resume and know it well Prepare some questions for the employer Rehearse the interview….. make up some questions that the employer might ask and develop

straight forward and honest answers to them Work out what clothes to wear. Make sure your shoes are clean, tie straight and clothes

pressed. Develop a strategy for stress if this occurs during the interview. What are you going to do if the

employer asks you difficult questions? Research and position you are applying for and know information about the company. Knowing

this information shows the employer you are interested in the position and working for the company.

Know exactly where the interview will take place and know how long it will take to get there. Stage 2 – First Impressions Count

Arrive early for the interview. This shows the employer that you are punctual and eager the interview and the job

Positive body language- firm handshake, straight posture, eye contact SMILE

Stage 3 – The Interview



Be yourself Be Honest Have more than one copy of your resume you never know if more than one person will be

doing the interview Be prepared but don’t talk too much unless that is the way of the interview Don’t be afraid to ask for clarifications if you are unsure of something Illustrate your answers with examples Sell yourself Be interesting Turn off your mobile phone

Stage 4 – The Final Stage

Know when the interview is over – read the employers body language Thank him/ her for their time If you get the jog ask for feedback. If you don’t get the job ask for feedback.

get that job - job search skills€¦ · get that job - job search skills the daniels associates of...

Documents