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Interview Skills That Attract Offers
By David Richter
An interviewer’s mission is to assess your qualifications compared to the
other candidates interviewed. Asking you questions is their way of
accomplishing that mission. Preparing meaningful responses in advance is
your way of impressing the interviewer.
Be prepared to talk about your skills, competencies, qualifications and
accomplishments especially as they pertain to the specific opening. Know how
to state your likes and dislikes, your strengths, weaknesses and goals
succinctly and fluently.
Especially know how to convey the value you bring to the table - the
strengths, unique gifts and marketable assets that are distinctly yours. If
you want to stand out in the huge ocean of candidates that represents your
competition, you must be prepared to state how you differentiate yourself
from the crowd.
You must be able to respond appropriately to the question of why you left
your previous position, assuming you left voluntarily. No matter how
challenging your supervisor was or how grueling the workload, you must frame
your response in a positive light.
Make sure you do not discuss salary. Interviewers are aware of average job
salaries and want to be sure you are in the ballpark. However, their knowing
your salary history or requirements can disqualify you or lock you in to
compensation that does not match your worth. If asked, you can simply state
that your salary is negotiable.
While your answers will help the interviewer assess your skills for the
position at hand, it’s how you respond that more importantly determines your
overall fit with the company. Personality is ninety percent of the battle.
You may answer a question in a qualifying way, but your attitude could be
telling them no.
At the outset, you must establish a rapport with your interviewer and
maintain the chemistry between you throughout the meeting. You could be the
most qualified candidate for the position, but the person with whom the
interviewer feels the most comfortable gets the offer.
Be prepared to ask your own questions - about the position itself, the
company and opportunities for your own growth. This allows you to quickly
assess the viability of your pursuing the position further. An interviewer
may like you, especially because of your questions, and want you to continue
through subsequent interview stages; however, you may decide the job is not
for you.
Come to the interview dressed appropriately, and on time. Your handshake
needs to be firm but not gripping. Eye contact must be maintained throughout
the interview. Sit upright in your chair and try not to shift your posture
too much. Remember, you're there to sell yourself; before the interview is
over, make sure you ask for the offer. Fully prepared, you will come away a
success.
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David Richter is a recognized
authority on career coaching and job search support. He has spent many years
in recruitment, staffing, outplacement, counseling psychology and career
management. David understands the mechanisms for success. He has formulated
specific strategies anyone can use to secure interviews and receive offers.
His extensive knowledge and experience sets David apart in this field,
allowing him to offer a wealth of information and a vast array of tools,
resources and strategies not found anywhere else. He has shown countless job
seekers how to differentiate themselves and leverage their potential to the
highest possible level, making a real difference in their careers.
"Winning The Resume Game - Insider Secrets To Creating Powerful Resumes" is
his first book which has received superlative endorsements from customers
and site visitors. For more information about this book and how to order
your copy, please visit:
http://www.procareercoach.com/ResumeBook.htm Complete information on all
of David's books, free tips, tools, strategies and other career resources is
available at his site:
http://www.procareercoach.com While there, subscribe to his FREE
bi-weekly newsletter, “The Job Search Resource”.
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Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™
