Advice on Interviews-Not News, but a Good Reminder
Interview 101: You will need the course: "Martin Yate, the Savannah, Ga.-based author of New York Times best-seller 'Knock 'em Dead: The Ultimate Jobseeker's Guide' (Adams Media Corp.; 2006) says first-time job applicants should NOT:
Ask about money, vacations or benefits. 'You have nothing to decide until they decide if they want you.'
Think the job is anything but a bottom-of-the-totem-pole position. 'All first jobs are water-carrying jobs.
'Don't say anything that implies you're not prepared to start at the bottom.'
Criticize anybody or anything or suggest, when asked to name a flaw, that binge drinking or having a hot temper is a character trait you could live without. 'A company is looking for reasons to rule you out,' he said.
Louise Kursmark, president of Best Impression Career Services Inc. in Blue Ash and author of 'How to Choose the Right Person for the Right Job Everytime' (McGraw-Hill; 2005) suggests that interviewees SHOULD:
Research the company before the interview. 'Understand problems a company might be facing and how your knowledge, experience and skills are a match. That's a big leg up.'
Learn to tell stories. 'Instead of just saying I'm good at this or I learned such and such, frame those skills,' she said.
'An anecdote is much more memorable, and that's what will be talked about when people confer about you.'
Tune in to radio station WIFM. (As in 'What's In-it For Me').
'Always position yourself as someone who can solve problems for the employer or hiring manager as opposed to someone who is simply talking about what you're interested in,' she said.
'Everybody wants to hire somebody who knows and cares about the organization.'"
Ask about money, vacations or benefits. 'You have nothing to decide until they decide if they want you.'
Think the job is anything but a bottom-of-the-totem-pole position. 'All first jobs are water-carrying jobs.
'Don't say anything that implies you're not prepared to start at the bottom.'
Criticize anybody or anything or suggest, when asked to name a flaw, that binge drinking or having a hot temper is a character trait you could live without. 'A company is looking for reasons to rule you out,' he said.
Louise Kursmark, president of Best Impression Career Services Inc. in Blue Ash and author of 'How to Choose the Right Person for the Right Job Everytime' (McGraw-Hill; 2005) suggests that interviewees SHOULD:
Research the company before the interview. 'Understand problems a company might be facing and how your knowledge, experience and skills are a match. That's a big leg up.'
Learn to tell stories. 'Instead of just saying I'm good at this or I learned such and such, frame those skills,' she said.
'An anecdote is much more memorable, and that's what will be talked about when people confer about you.'
Tune in to radio station WIFM. (As in 'What's In-it For Me').
'Always position yourself as someone who can solve problems for the employer or hiring manager as opposed to someone who is simply talking about what you're interested in,' she said.
'Everybody wants to hire somebody who knows and cares about the organization.'"
posted by Grahamology at
12:08 PM
