| It sometimes appears that when times are good and | | | | might apply to the position you are interviewing for. |
| jobs are plentiful, some people aren't terribly concerned | | | | Formulate a couple of relevant questions that can |
| with learning and/or implementing the best job interview | | | | connect the job to the site or mission. |
| tactics to give them an edge over the competition. | | | | When the time in the interview comes where the |
| This is a mistake that usually comes back to bite with | | | | interviewer or panel of interviewers asks if you have |
| a vengeance when the market gets more and more | | | | any questions for them, you can then say, "Why, yes, I |
| competitive. | | | | do have one or two...When I was studying your mission |
| During times of economic uncertainty, when people are | | | | statement, I noticed that it may be possible for the |
| either concerned about losing their jobs or have | | | | person who gets this position to address this part |
| already lost their jobs, the old confidence that was | | | | (explain what part) - and I am wondering if I would be |
| once evident when applying for and interviewing for a | | | | able to assist the company in this way..." or words to |
| new job is just not as strong. And that is | | | | that affect. |
| understandable when suddenly it appears as though | | | | Even the young, entry level applicant can do this - find |
| hundreds of people are applying for a job that you | | | | something in the company's culture that you discover, |
| were sure had your name on it! | | | | and ask if your position will be welcome to participate |
| But, as we know, tough times call for tough strategies. | | | | directly in ensuring that the company gets closer to its |
| And here are a few ideas that can help you | | | | mission or its goals. |
| command serious attention that other job candidates | | | | This type of discussion shows the company that you |
| probably won't use. | | | | are already looking at how to solve or address its |
| First, let's look at what MOST people will do at an | | | | needs. You are already showing that you are part of |
| interview. They'll dress nicely, arrive on time, smile | | | | their team. |
| pleasantly, use positive body language, look the | | | | But why wait until the end of the interview to bring this |
| interviewers in the eye, be prepared to answer tough | | | | up? When they ask you something like, "Why should |
| interview questions, bring additional copies of their | | | | we hire you," or "Why do you want the job?" or some |
| resumes, etc. | | | | related question, you can take the information you've |
| Am I right? Are these all the great things that you do? I | | | | gathered, along with the evidence you've compiled |
| hope so. These are all essential parts of good | | | | about how you will help them, and lay it out in front of |
| interview technique and attitude preparation. However, | | | | them, saying: |
| there is only one problem - if you follow all these tried | | | | "I was hoping you would ask that! I did some research |
| and true strategies, and a dozen other candidates | | | | about this, and after I discovered (whatever it is you |
| follow the same strategies, how will YOU stand out? | | | | discovered that could be related to the job), I came up |
| What is it that will make the employer not only | | | | with this solution/idea/whatever you came up with..." |
| remember you, but instantly know that YOU are the | | | | You can bet they'll lean forward to see what you've |
| one for the job? | | | | come up with! |
| Here are a few outstanding job interview tactics that | | | | Taking this idea a step further, why not bring articles |
| will work well for you whether you are a professional | | | | you have found about the company? Bring them in a |
| business person with 20 years of experience under | | | | folder, already 3-hole punched for inclusion in their public |
| your belt, or whether you are 17 years old and going | | | | relations binder, or in a protective plastic sleeve. You |
| after your first job. It begins with you knowing the | | | | can give this out to your interviewers while saying, |
| company, what their needs are, and how you can | | | | "While I was formulating how I can help you with (a |
| offer a solution. You must research the company you | | | | point from their job description or ad posting), I came |
| are interviewing with. If you are 20 years into a career, | | | | across this information, and it struck me that you might |
| that research will probably involve a lot more depth | | | | want this for your public relations department (or |
| than the newcomer to the workforce. | | | | whatever department it applies to)." |
| Find and study the company website, and be sure you | | | | I hope that you can see how this type of preparation |
| understand their mission. Write down a couple of key | | | | goes far beyond what most other job applicants will |
| points that you note from their website and how it | | | | be doing! |