|
Author: Joel Vance Article source: http://www.workoninternet.com/. Used with author's permission.
It's Not What They Ask - The Hidden Agenda of Interviews
What do you think you're going to an interview for? To list your qualifications and discuss what's on your resume? That's just the tip of the iceberg, and you're the Titanic if you don't go in with at least an idea of what is behind their questions.
Sure, there are the standard questions, because the basic information has to be conveyed some way, and besides reading your resume, they like to see you sweat and whether you can be caught out with any inconsistencies between what is on paper, and what comes out of your mouth. But interviews can be full of potholes that you won't even see coming, because you've been lulled into a false sense of bonhomie by the pleasant manner of the recruiter. Before you know it, and sometimes even without knowing it, you're spilling all your little job secrets, your insecurities, and clues as to your character or work ethics.
Preparation as always, is the key. Having talent and being committed to your employer won't cut any mustard, if the interviewer snags a juicy bit out of something you just said, and tosses it back at you, only to be greeted with a blank stare and stuttering.
It's not what you want out of the job, it's what you can bring to the job.
Face it, you can be the most qualified (technically) candidate on the planet, but you're not going to get the position on that alone. Do your homework and find out what the company wants in the person who does get the job. What do they expect in the way of job performance? How do they view initiative? Then when you're interviewed, give them a potential employee who has all that and the technical skills. Because a successful interview is not always about what you can tell them, but about what they want to hear.
Employers want people who are not only going to keep the company running, but who are going to take it to new levels of success.
You can tell an interviewer what you're capable of, but how are you going to sell them on your aptitude and attitude? Show them, that's how!
Don't just say "I work well with others", tell them how you involved different departments in a cooperative effort to cut waste within the office, and how your past employer benefited from it, as well as how the company "team" enjoyed their joint efforts.
Never mind boasting that you have a nose for new things. Give them a rundown (not a brag list) of new procedures that you initiated, which resulted in more efficient operations at your last job. Or tell them about the ideas you presented, which were incorporated into the company marketing plan, resulting in increased profits for the last year.
As stated in The Perfect Interview Book (www.theperfectinterview.com) interviews are not just fact-finding missions. Recruiters and company interviewers are looking beyond the person in front of them, to find the right one for the job. And the applicant who gives them a potential employee with depths to be plumbed to the company's benefit, is the one who's going to get that job.
Copyright 2005 The Perfect Interview Joel Vance is an Human Resources expert who has been in HR for 17 years and interviewed 3,159 people. He has also taught at 4 major universities around the country and currently has a best selling book on interviewing entitled The Perfect Interview at http://www.theperfectinterview.com
Media Training 101: Where To Look During A Television Interview
Media training is essential for anyone who needs to get their message across via the media. Reporters spend three or four years being trained how to ask questio...
Please Help My Husband, Wife, Partner, Spouse, or Other Family Member to Stop Gambling
It doesn't matter whether you are the husband, wife, partner, spouse or other family member of a compulsive gambler. It's your goal to help your loved one beat...
Plan For Your Next Trade Show Appearance To Be A Success
Most people who consider trade show planning think of it in terms of logistics planning. But seeing the full potential of a trade show program for your company ...
Using Your Spiritual Path Against Yourself
Many people want to change their lives for the better only to begin a spiritual path that they use to make themselves miserable. You do not have to do this! The...
Parenting Your Teenager: The 4 Ds of Time with Family
How would you like to have more time? Of course we all want more time. There are just two problems: 1. We can't add more hours to the day; 2. Even if we could a...
How To Use RSS Correctly
There is no doubt in my mind that RSS is here to stay. RSS is a simple and effective means of communicating your message to your visitors without invading their...
Breaking Even: When is Enough, Enough?
I had the most interesting discussion today with a friend of mine. He and I were chatting about the economy, his job, families, and life in general. The one po...
Baby Furniture Essentials for Your New Baby
Baby furniture can be made up of many different pieces and often makes an ideal baby shower gift. With an endless variety of choices to choose from such as crib...
MLM Success - Potential or Promise?
If MLM success is so easy, why are most people not successful in MLM? Learn here what is really behind those MLM success ads and promises you see online.
Entrepreneurial Traits that Drive Sales
Frequently overlooked and hidden deep within our marketing tool box is the ultimate marketing vehicle for your business - you! Many small business owners are so...
Minnesota Real Estate – The Nature of Water
Whether ice in the winter or water sports in the summer, Minnesota is all about water. Minnesota real estate is anything but washed up.
Attention Guys: Impress Your Girls - Send Flowers!
When men buy flowers they often find it an intimidating experience. They may not know what type of flower to buy. Or if each color has a hidden meaning. Or how ...
The Importance of Good Customer Service
Do you have good customer service? Even for your free giveaways?
Good customer service is not limited to only those who actually purchase items from you. Good...
How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Your Guide to Cat Diseases and Conditions, and How to Cure Them
Even with the best care, cats can become ill. Sometimes this means a simple "kitty cold," at other times the disease might have a more lasting or even fatal res...
Homeschool Socialization - Developing Your Homeschool Childs Social Skills
Everyone needs friends, but it can be a challenge for homeschoolers to find ways to spend time with other children. Here's some helpful tips to make sure your h...
Early Picks and Observations
The object of this newsletter is to give an early look at some games we have already played or are looking at playing. We are providing information we are looki...
Bachelor Dream
The article for the bachelor who has everything except the perfect dream girl.
Small Business Tax Deductions for Year End 2004
As a small business owner, it's wise to familiarize yourself with some key deductions that may reduce your tax bill for 2004. Employee Benefit Plans - You may ...
Healthy Eating Shopping List
Healthy eating starts with careful planning and organization. Since fresh produce has a very limited shelf life, regular grocery shopping is a must. Creating a ...
Linking Strategies – Build Quality Traffic to Your Web Site
Developing link partners is a great way of increasing traffic to any web site. There are at least two approaches to reciprocal linking. The one I prefer invol...
Golf Clubs - Your Golf Putting - Use These Putting Practice Tips
Practice golf putting. Learn your golf putter sweet spot. Use these simple golf putting practice tips.
How I Write Articles For Profit
Most Internet marketers worth their salt know how effective articles can be to generate promotion for their web sites. The major problem for many is simply writ...
Celebrities Cant Have It Both Ways
Would you buy a product if the celebrity spokesperson was involved in a
scandal? Companies tend to believe that they will lose market share if they are
associ...
Create An Article Reference Box That Calls To Readers
With less than five lines to play with, an article reference
box needs to be creative, tight, and include just the right
mix of information that gets the reader...
|
Print this page