| If you set your mind to it, I'm sure you could search | | | | show up for the interview without knowing anything |
| online and find more than a hundred helpful tips for | | | | about the company or the job, or without anticipating |
| getting a new job. But who has time to find, much less | | | | likely questions and preparing (and practicing) your |
| read, a hundred tips? | | | | answers, you may as well turn around and go home. |
| So I've made a list of just ten tips. But they are the | | | | 6. Thou shall turn off thy cell phone before the |
| most important tips... the Ten Commandments for job | | | | interview begins. It doesn't matter if you're expecting a |
| seekers, so to speak. | | | | very important call. It doesn't matter if you have the |
| Some of these may seem like common sense to you, | | | | coolest ring tone on the planet. The interviewer does |
| but they are unknown, overlooked, or screwed up by | | | | not want to hear your cell phone ring. Supervisors |
| thousands of job seekers every day. | | | | already think employees spend too much time on their |
| Each of these Ten Commandments is critical. If you | | | | cell phones. Allowing yours to ring during the interview |
| violate even one of them, you'll have a hard time | | | | is guaranteed to put you in a negative light. |
| getting that new job. | | | | 7. Thou shall be a good listener. Most people think only |
| 1. Thou shalt not submit a résumé with | | | | about the talking they'll do during a job interview, and |
| errors. Misspelled words or typos are the kiss of | | | | forget the importance of listening. Never interrupt the |
| death. If you don't show attention to detail on your | | | | interviewer. Listen carefully to each question, and |
| résumé (and cover letter/e-mail), you | | | | make sure your answer answers it. If it's a confusing |
| won't get a chance to show attention to detail as | | | | or complex question, it's okay to ask for clarification. |
| someone's employee. The easiest way for HR to | | | | Just don't say, "Huh?" |
| eliminate you from consideration (and believe me, their | | | | 8. Thou shalt not complain. Never speak negatively |
| first goal is to eliminate candidates, not to qualify them) | | | | about people or companies you've worked for. The |
| is to throw out every résumé and | | | | boss you call a jerk may be the hiring manager's best |
| application with a mistake on it. | | | | friend! More likely, you will be perceived as a |
| 2. Thou shall communicate in a professional manner. | | | | complainer... and nobody will hire a complainer, |
| - Consider the impression your e-mail address will | | | | regardless of how valid your complaints are. |
| make. If it doesn't look professional, get one that does. | | | | 9. Thou shall be likable. The candidate with the best |
| Who would you rather interview, "DumpsterMuffin at | | | | qualifications does not always get the job. Candidates |
| geemail.com" or "ChrisJones at geemail.com"? | | | | perceived as arrogant, obnoxious, indifferent, unfriendly, |
| - Make sure the greeting on your voice mail is | | | | or otherwise not likable during interviews won't get |
| professional. Is it a message you would want a hiring | | | | hired no matter how fantastic their qualifications are. |
| manager to hear when calling about your interview? If | | | | Hiring managers may hire someone who is minimally |
| not, change it. | | | | qualified, but they will NOT hire anyone they don't like. |
| - Like, be careful to, like, talk like, you know, a | | | | So be likable: positive, enthusiastic, upbeat, and friendly. |
| professional, and um, actually not, you know, like a kid | | | | Smile! |
| who, um, doesn't know, you know, how to, like, talk, you | | | | 10. Thou shall give thanks. Always send a thank-you |
| know? Seriously. | | | | note to everyone who interviews you. Do this as soon |
| 3. Thou shall be on time for thy job interview. Plan to | | | | as the interview is over. Proof it as carefully as you did |
| arrive about 15 minutes early. Unforeseen delays can | | | | your résumé. Make it personal and |
| happen, but you better have a very good excuse ("I | | | | complimentary by referencing something the |
| got lost" is not one) and call as soon as possible to let | | | | interviewer said. Reiterate your desire to work for the |
| the interviewer know if you'll be late. | | | | company. And, of course, express your sincere |
| 4. Thou shall be professional in appearance. Show up | | | | appreciation for the opportunity to compete for the job. |
| at the job interview dressed appropriately for the | | | | And here's a bonus tip: Thou shalt not get dejected if |
| position, or a step above (never a step below). If you | | | | rejected. Even if you follow the above Ten |
| are unsure what that is, call or visit the company | | | | Commandments, the job may go to someone else. |
| ahead of time to find out. Limit the jewelry. Leave your | | | | You may never know why you weren't hired. But don't |
| body piercing hardware at home. Cover up your | | | | dwell on that. Be thankful that you got the chance to |
| tattoos. Look clean and professional. A job interview is | | | | practice your interviewing skills. Tell yourself it's their |
| not the time or place to demonstrate your unique style | | | | loss, not yours. And move positively and optimistically |
| (unless you're applying as a fashion designer). | | | | forward with your job search. The next opportunity |
| 5. Thou shall do thy homework. Never "wing it." If you | | | | may be far better than the last! |